Worship (CD - 2001)

Personnel includes: Michael W. Smith (piano, programming); Allison Redman, Mike Carpino, Raphael Giglio, Geron Davis, Becky Davis, Shaun Groves, Ginny Owens, Chris Rice (vocals); David Hamilton (director, keyboards); Wes King (acoustic guitar); Glenn Pearce (electric guitar); Jerry McPherson (guitar); David Davidson (violin, viola); Jim Daneker (keyboards, programming); Brent Milligan (bass); Raymond Boyd (drums); Ken Lewis (percussion); The Nashville String Machine.

Engineers: Tom Laune, Brent King, Rob Burrell.

Recorded live at The Carpenter's Home Church, Lakeland, Florida on June 1, 2001 and at Bridgeway Studio, Nashville, Tennessee.

WORSHIP was nominated for the 2002 Grammy Award for Best Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album.

Includes bonus DVD of a live concert.

Personnel includes: Michael W. Smith (piano, programming); Amy Grant, Leigh Cappillino, Christine Dente, Darwin Hobbs, Kritee Mays, Fiona Mellett, Leanne Palmore, Chance Scoggins, Terry White (vocals); Anna Smith, Emily Smith, Darren Whitehead (spoken vocals); Jerry McPherson, Glenn Pearce (guitar); David Davidson (violin, viola); Jim Danker (keyboards, programming); Brent Milligan (bass); Ken Lewis (percussion); The Nashville String Machine.

Producers: Michael W. Smith, Tom Laune.

Compilation producer: Michael W. Smith.

This is an Enhanced CD, which contains both regular audio tracks and multimedia computer files.

Personnel: Michael W. Smith (vocals, piano, programming); Christine Dente, Leigh Cappillino, Terry White, LeAnne Palmore, Chance Scoggins (vocals); Anna Smith (spoken vocals); Glenn Pearce, Jerry McPherson (guitar); David Davidson (violin, viola); David Hamilton (keyboards); Raymond Boyd (drums); Ken Lewis (percussion); Kent Hooper (programming).

Audio Mixer: Tom Laune.

Recording information: Bridgeway Studio, Nashville TN (06/01/2001); Carpenter's Home Church, Lakeland, FL (06/01/2001).

Editor: Rob Burrell.

Photographers: Glen Rose; Ben Pearson .

Arrangers: David Hamilton ; Michael W. Smith.

On June 1, 2001, a crowd of 9,000 gathered at the Carpenter's Home Church in Lakeland, FL. Drawn by the desire to experience a live worship service lead by singer, songwriter, and Grammy Award winner Michael W. Smith, little did the participants know the grandeur of the night's event. For it was not the presence of Smith, or even choir members such as Amy Grant and Chris Rice, who served as the evening's focus, but the presence of God. Captured on audio, the service comprises Smith's 15th album, Worship, the first of which is purely praise and worship related. The September 2001 Reunion Records release features 11 songs recorded live during the event, joined by two studio bonus tracks. Musically, the project is consistent with Smith's well-loved style. It is upbeat, pop-oriented and includes his trademark piano talents. Opening with the reading of Psalm 57:7, 9-11 by Smith's daughters Emily and Anna, the album features popular worship songs including "The Heart of Worship" and "Draw Me Close." Perhaps the most powerful and moving portion of the project is the sequence of songs beginning with "Above All," a song he performed at the 54th Presidential Inaugural Prayer Service, followed by Marie Barnett's "Breathe" and the intense cry of "Let It Rain." Definitely Smith's best album as of 2001, Worship sets itself apart from the onslaught of praise and worship projects released within the CCM market between the years of 1998 and 2001. It is truly an expression of deep desire and hunger for a greater outpouring of God's presence and power. ~ Ashleigh Kittle

While Michael W. Smith has made his name in Christian music as a singer-songwriter possessed of prolific abilities, WORSHIP finds him putting down his pen for a moment to sing the songs of others. There's been so much activity in the worship music scene, so many songs written, that even a respected auteur like Smith recognized the need to document some of the more affecting tunes in one place. He does so here with the help of some luminaries from the Christian music world, including Amy Grant and a host of others. The music is a mix of smooth balladry, upbeat pop-rock with an occasional hint of U2's wide-screen epic feel, and gospel-flavored soul. Holding it all together, regardless of author or guest, is Smith himself of course, whose rich, pliant voice proves eminently up to the task of presenting what he considers some of the finest worship songs around. minimize