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There are many reasons the rock-worship band Delirious? is considered pioneers in the modern worship movement. "Now Is The Time: Live at Willow Creek," covers them all.
“Now Is The Time: Live at Willow Creek” is an incredible DVD and CD combo, recorded live this summer in front of 5,000 fans at Chicago’s Willow Creek Church, and it contains all of the excitement and passion you would expect of such a project. But it contains much more besides. Martin Smith and crew have always had amazing powers of mood-molding during live performances, at times taking the heart of enormous crowds to the highest precipice of worship. They have brought crowds of thousands to a hushed silence, thick with adoration. Their worship music is infectious in the truest sense of the word. “Now is the Time” captures this power and translates it amazingly well, the power of their worship-leading mighty still on vinyl. From the pounding opening guitar riffs of “Here I Am, Send Me” the band leads with a focused fierceness straight into the throne room. The pounding rhythms of the funky “Rain Down” and “Solid Rock” build a rousing excitement that leads perfectly into the majestic “Now is the Time,” setting the tone for Martin Smith’s words on the presence of God and its impact on us. This message has much to do with the album’s release, according to Smith. “Over the last two albums we’ve been singing a lot about going out, about letting our faith act as the fuel for service and mission. We love hearing about people who are finding themselves similarly inspired, and we hope that this new live DVD and CD will help spread the message even further, encouraging an army of history makers to live life out loud.” That mission is never far from their minds. The centerpiece of this incredible package comes in mid-album, a stretch of powerful tracks that together build to a moving spiritual/musical crescendo. The hard-hitting “Our God Reigns” stops you in your tracks with its vibrant delivery and powerful lyrics of truth. The song is a stunner in any context; heard live it is a goose-bump-fest. The band moves confidently into “What a Friend,” offered with a strong sense of the sacred, and your knees begin to yearn for the ground beneath you. What you’re experiencing is the power of Delirious? to create an atmosphere of intimacy before a crowd of thousands. “Miracle Maker” continues the moment, Smith’s vocals gently stirring the crowd. He doesn’t let loose of their hearts for a second, leading through the deep worship of “Miracle Maker” into the joyous release of upbeat rocker “Paint the Town Red.” Through quiet ballads (“Every Little Thing” and the reverent “Take Off My Shoes”) and soulful rockers (encore “All This Time”), Delirious? moves with a confidence and expertise that never quits. The DVD’s visuals only add to this sense of mastery, with most of the same song list, and the bonus additions of a 30-minute interview and behind the scenes footage of the Chicago show. In short, “Now Is The Time: Live at Willow Creek” is another indication of this amazing band’s longevity, supremacy, and sincerity. Long may they wave. For more info on Delirious?, the band that all others seek to emulate, visit their website.
The copyright of the article New Delirious? Release in Christian Music is owned by Kevan Breitinger. Permission to republish New Delirious? Release in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
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