Reviewed by Chris Webb

The renowned modern hymnwriting married couple hailing from Northern Ireland but based in Nashville USA have led worship and performed their songs around the world. They bring a new zeal to worship, updating older hymns with new tunes and adding new lyrics to old tunes alongside their self-penned offerings. This latest album combines all of these areas to provide a captivating worship experience. However, what leaps to the fore is the musicianship and the musical arrangements. Initially, like small children, the players are well under the management of the singers and worship leaders, supporting and encouraging the vocals, displaying flashes and glimpses of musical brilliance but never allowed to really fly free in musical worship. Then, as if the teacher finally leaves the classroom the ties are removed and as the vocal of "Lift High The Name Of Jesus" finishes, the band cut loose and a joyful romp ensues for the next few minutes. Then, brought back under control, always proficient, but kept as backing to the lyrical content for another couple of tracks. They are again allowed out to play at the end of "We Believe" before finally being granted freedom to soar on "Beyond These Shores" fully instrumental for nine minutes, as Irish ceilidh meets Seth Lakeman, Curved Air and Jig-a-jig. Is this joyful explosion an on stage jam session or spirit filled musical worship expression? Who cares, it is both magnificent and memorable. The album, whilst some is recorded live at a worship event, is more performance than participation even though advertised as 'championing congregational worship'. It does also feature "For The Cause" and "O Church Arise," with Chris Tomlin, which are eminently suitable for collective worship. A couple of other twists in style also ensure that this isn't just more of the same standard issue worship music. There is the African influenced "O Children Come" featuring Ladysmith Black Mambazo, "Psalm 24" with an Indian inflexion and instrumentation and "Consider The Stars" a gentle piano backed reflection with a hauntingly delicate vocal reminiscent of Gungor. Great praise and worship alongside stunning musicality demonstrates a large stride forward in the Getty's music.

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

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