In 2000 Sparrow Records released TAKE US TO THE
RIVER-ACOUSTIC WORSHIP 1. At the time of
its release it was said to feature “the best new and rising songs from the
United Kingdom and United States” and that it could “be used as a soundtrack
for personal worship or as a source of new songs for your worship teams or
small group gatherings”. The album was produced
by John Hartley and Derald Daughtery.
Derri serves as lead vocalist on this project. He was born on October 13, 1958. He is lead singer for The Choir, a Christian
alternative rock band who were originally known as Youth Choir. They put out their debut album VOICES IN
SHADOWS in 1985. In 2000 The Choir
released their tenth studio album, FLAP YOUR WINGS. Derri Daugherty is also a member of the
supergroup The Lost Dogs.
TAKE US TO THE RIVER begins with ‘Jesus, We Celebrate Your
Victory’, a light pop song of Christian testimony: “His Spirit in us releases
us from fear/The way to Him is open/With boldness we draw near/And in His
presence our problems disappear/Our hearts responding to His love/Jesus, we
celebrate Your victory/Jesus, we revel in Your love/Jesus, we rejoice You set
us free/Jesus, Your death has brought us life”.
Matt and Beth Redman wrote ‘For the Cross’. It is a song of deep gratitude to Jesus
Christ: “I will love You for the cross/And I will love You for the cost/Man of
sufferings, Bringer of my peace/You came into a world of shame/And paid the
price we could not pay/Death that brought me life, blood that brought me home
(2X)”.
Sarah Sadler sings lead vocals on ‘How Deep the Father’s
Love for Us’. It is a beautiful ballad
about Calvary: “Behold the man upon a cross/My sin upon His shoulders/Ashamed,
I hear my mocking voice/Call out among the scoffers/It was my sin that held Him
there/Until it was accomplished/His dying breath has brought me life/I know
that it is finished”. Noel Richards
wrote ‘You Laid Aside Your Majesty’. It
testifies how great and how good Christ is: “You laid aside Your majesty/Gave
up everything for me/Suffered at the hands of those You had created/You took
all my guilt and shame/When You died and rose again/Now today You reign/In
heaven and earth exalted”.
‘All Hail The Lamb’ is a short, heartfelt worship chorus:
“All hail the Lamb, enthroned on high/His praise shall be our battle cry/He
reigns victorious, forever glorious/His name is Jesus/He is the Lord”. ‘Take us
to the River’, penned by Robin Mark, is the easy listening title track with a
message of peace: “Take us to the river/Take us there in unity to sing/A song
of Your salvation/To win this generation for our King/A song of Your
forgiveness/For it is with grace that river flows/Take us to the river in the
city of our God.../For the Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is upon us/This is the
year of the Lord”.
The next two songs were covered by Christian rock group
Petra on their 2001 Inpop Records release REVIVAL. Matt Redman wrote ‘Send Revival, Start With
Me’. It serve as a sincere prayer:
“We’re looking to Your promise of old/That if we pray and humble ourselves/You
will come and heal our land/You will come, You will come.../Lord, send
revival/Start with me/For I am one of unclean lips/And my eyes have seen the
King/Your glory I have glimpsed/Send revival/Start with me”. Stuart Townend wrote ‘How Long?’ It boldly petitions God: “Now we’re standing
in Your presence/More hungry than before/Now we’re on Your steps of mercy/And
we’re knocking at Your door/How long before You drench the barren land?/How
long before we see Your righteous hand?/How long before Your Name is lifted
high?/How long before the weeping turns to songs of joy?”
‘Holy River’ is a happy song of complete spiritual
surrender: “And I will jump into the holy river/I will lose myself to my
Deliverer/I will jump into the holy river/I will lose myself to my Deliverer/In
this holy place/I can see Your face/Messiah/Jesus, Your passion is filling this
temple/Jesus, Your mercy is drawing me closer”.
The album comes to a conclusion with ‘Heal Our Nation’. This pretty ballad cries out to Father God:
“Lord, we long for You to move in power/There’s a hunger deep within our
hearts/To see healing in our nation/Send Your Spirit to revive us/Heal our
nation (3X)/Pour out Your Spirit on this land”.
TAKE US TO THE RIVER-ACOUSTIC WORSHIP 1 is a soft, gentle,
tranquil, intimate, lullaby-like album that will help you both adore and make
requests of your Maker. Derri
Daugherty’s vocals are warm, smooth, and personable. Background vocalists nicely used are: Felicia
Sorenson, Derald Daugherty, Christine Bird, John Hartley, and Sarah
Sadler. Instrumentalists used to good
effect are: Ken Lewis (percussion), Chris Donohue (bass), Derri (guitars), and
Phil Madeira and Jamie Kenney on keyboards.
If you are looking to deepen your relationship with God, this album
could be a very helpful aid. I’m rating
it 95%. For more info visit: www.worshiptogether.com.