If you are a worship leader reading this review in the December 2002 issue of The Phantom Tollbooth, quick! Time is short! CCLI numbers, an enhanced CD with chord charts and tabs, overhead masters, and more info are available in Humble King: Christmas Around the World from Vineyard Music.
In my quest to catch up on overdue reviews for The Phantom Tollbooth, I've listened to a lot of Vineyard Music--some sharp and some not-so-sharp--and this collection is a breath of fresh air, encompassing sounds of Vineyard from all around the world, the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, South Africa, New Zealand, and India. This is the first Christmas collection I've heard that seldom falls into the stereotypical trap of featuring lightly-tinged keyboards ("let's see how close we can get the electric piano to sound like snow!"). Yet, it captures the essence of a holiday-sounding collection from its variety of a Christmas-around-the-world with two huge reasons this one is special: each song (even two instrumentals) centers on the birth of Jesus Christ, and there is a worshipful Vineyard quality to this collection, with one difference....
With each (non-seasonal) Vineyard project I've listened to lately, there seems to be at least one "Breathe"-wannabe immensely intense worship song, which would be difficult to include in a Christmas collection. The closest the listener has to that formula is the title track, "Humble King." I suggest this project as a gift from those of us who enjoy praise and worship music to someone who has never heard praise--or even those who know Christmas music but are vaguely familiar with Jesus Christ. This project could be a very important ministry tool, since it is very compelling, largely upbeat, and features a wonderful variety of musical styles.
I immediately skipped to the South Africa worship team, knowing I'd love their rendition of "Joy to the World" and "I Wonder as I Wander," and I was correct. The former is absolutely wonderful in its group vocals, and the latter features Michelle Stafford's beautiful solo voice. But they're not my favorites. Even though it's nearly straight-ahead rock-pop with a twist or two, "Shout" from the India worship team is arguably the most interesting tune/arrangement on the collection and is an original composition, to boot!
Executive Producer Ted Jeans and Production Coordinator Andy Yoon deserve a nod for a smart combination of familiar Christmas songs, mixed with original compositions, and just enough beautiful worship to give Humble King Vineyard's unmistakable stamp. There are a variety of languages, and not to forget a huge part of worship's roots, the Vineyard Canada team sings much of Dean Salyn's "Adoramus Te" in Latin. A truly unique moment is "Once in Royal David's City," a medley of "Hark the Herald Angels Sing," "Once in Royal David's City," and Vineyard's "You Are God."
While this Christmas collaboration is truly enjoyable, the producers could have tightened up Humble King even more. While Vineyard Canada's reading of "Breath of Heaven" ("Mary's Song") is good, it's too close to a carbon copy of Amy Grant's original. And there are very, very few moments ("Lord Come at Christmas") where the arrangements fall into the light "snow" keyboard that is trite for Christmas projects.
The strengths greatly outweigh the flaws in Humble King: Christmas Around the World. Merry Christmas! Come and worship!
4 tocks
Other coverage for this album
The Phantom Tollbooth 2002Reviewed by Marie AsnerHumble King is an easy-listening mix of contemporary and classic carols. There are some songs one doesn't usually hear such as "Adoramus Te," "Wexford Carol," and "Once In Royal David's City." Then, contemporary songs are added such as the title song, "Humble King," "Shout," and "Breath of Heaven." The majority of the music is homogenized music with the individual singers and instrumentalists…Similar sounding releases
20004HimHymns: A Place of Worship
1997Dave BellPrince Of Peace
1998Fernando OrtegaThe Breaking Of The Dawn
2002Steve GreenWoven In Time
1995Michael W. SmithI'll Lead You Home
1998Eden's BridgeCeltic Psalms
