Review

Well, this is different: a Vineyard "artist" with his own album. Why is this different? The Vineyard doesn't put out albums by artists. They have built a 25 year history in the Church by decidedly NOT featuring artists. What they do feature is intimate loves songs to Jesus that the whole church can play and sing to. That has always been paramount. Worshipping God is the focus, the songs are the key, and the worship leaders are vessels being used in this capacity, and they are, decidedly, in the background..

This is not to say that many Vineyard song-writers and worship leaders have not become well-known over the course of time. John Wimber, Carl Tuttle, Eddie Espinosa, Andy Park, Brian Doerksen, David Ruis, Scott Underwood, Ryan Delmore, Sheri Keller and Cindy Rethemeier, just to name a few, have all blessed the church with many, many beautiful worship songs. Again, though, it has always been the songs, not the leader. John Wimber was always adamant that the worship leaders get out of the way of the songs. Being a musician himself, he was well aware of the insidious lure that came with being up in front of people and he worked very hard to keep it in check, in himself and in those around him.

But, to VMG's (Vineyard Music Group) credit, they have launched another record label, Varietal, that will do what is not in the DNA of VMG. Recognizing that there is a time and a place to release full albums of worship music by one artist, Varietal's initial release is from Jeremy Riddle, a worship leader at the Anaheim Vineyard.

You've already heard him. His song "Sweetly Broken" has received incredible airplay on the radio over the past year or so. That one song has captured the imagination of thousands upon thousands of listeners all over the world. The lyrics paint a picture, in words that are so unique, of the Suffering Servant, broken for us. As we listen and hear of Jesus being broken, we are overcome with the message of the sweetness of a wholly surrendered life to God.

Not only are the lyrics a gift, but the voice of Jeremy Riddle is, as well. Deep and rich, caressing each word as it leaves his mouth, (I especially love the way he sings 'both bruised and crushed') Jeremy takes the inspiration of the word and turns it into song.

I wondered if the songs on this album would stand up to the incredible standard that was set with 'Sweetly Broken'. That's a difficult task. But, I don't think he peaked too soon. This is another wonderful set of songs, with the common thread being excellent writing, delivered with soul. Several cuts appear on other albums such as the recent Anaheim Vineyard project 'In His Presence'.

One song that I'll mention that stands out to me is 'Call to Praise'. It's a praise song that will lift your spirits and make you soar. One thing that marks this song is a little bit of female background singing. That's one thing I hope Jeremy employs more of. His voice is so rich and distinct, but it sounds great when paired with other timbres.

To sum up, yay for a whole album of Jeremy Riddle, and yay for Vineyard to know just how to do it!

Review by John Ausmus