Reviewed by Peter Dilley

For years contemporary worship guitarists got by by checking chord diagrams when anything tricky cropped up. Recently though, resources offering worship musicians instruction/advice on instrumental techniques have become more widely available. Whilst DVDs in the 'Musicademy' series are full tuition courses for various instruments, the 'Worship Tools' books take a different approach. This volume is a near-complete resource package for acoustic guitarists covering eight worship songs. All tracks are printed in three formats: lyrics/melody line/chord diagrams, lyrics plus chords, lyrics only (OHP masters). Sadly there's no full score, but besides the songbook, the enclosed CD has both full mix and Split Trax (vocals/backing) versions for rehearsal/backing use. Additionally, an instructional DVD demonstrates the guitar chords in short tutorials, then changing chord diagrams and multiple camera angles (chord shape/strum/wide angle) can be followed as each track plays. The title cut is a "three chord wonder", manageable by less experienced guitarists, and "Unashamed Love" (also written by Lamont Hiebert) isn't much more complex. The simplest strumming pattern is for Kathyn's Scott's "At The Foot Of The Cross", but "Friend Of God" by Michael Gungor and Israel Houghton might present a greater challenge. It's all very clearly presented, but it would be good to see the anonymous tutor's face on screen occasionally.

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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