Live from Austin Music Hall (CD - 2005)

Personnel: Chris Tomlin (acoustic guitar, piano); Chris Tomlin; David Crowder (vocals, acoustic guitar); Seth Walker (vocals); Ed Cash (acoustic guitar, mandolin, piano, background vocals); Danielle Carson (electric guitar, background vocals); Travis Nunn (drums); Cary Pierce (background vocals); Jesse Reeves (bass guitar, background vocals).

Recording information: Austin Music Hall, Austin, TX.

Recorded in Austin, Texas, during the fall of 2005, this live outing finds the popular Christian rocker Chris Tomlin performing on his home turf to a rapt audience. Alternating between playing acoustic guitar and piano, Tomlin is backed only by bass and drums, resulting in a spare sound that calls attention to his plaintive vocals and worship-minded lyrics. Most of the songs here (including the gentle "Indescribable" and the uplifting "How Great Is Our God") originally appeared on Tomlin's 2004 hit record, ARRIVING, making this an excellent companion piece to that revered album.

Chris Tomlin's worship songs lend themselves so naturally to singalongs that a live album was an appropriate next step after the colossal success of 2004's Arriving. Live from Austin Music Hall hoped to capture what over 117,000 people experienced during 27 sellout shows on his headlining Indescribable tour. The set led off with the song for which the tour is named, and a quick response from the crowd showed affection for the man who has made modern worship more accessible than ever. Tomlin worked through a short, tailored set that to his credit included at least two of his lesser-known tunes ("On Our Side" and "This Is Our God," the latter of which featured guest vocalist and labelmate David Crowder). There are no real surprises anywhere, but the concert does give a better glimpse of Tomlin's musicianship. Music Hall is a suitable effort that, like 90-percent of live music, makes a perfect addition for fans yet an inadequate introduction for new listeners. For those unfamiliar with Tomlin's work, Arriving provides a better starting point. ~ Jared Johnson minimize