Unusual Package, Undeniable Joy

I was excited when this CD came in the mail. My sweet husband, who loves listening to all kinds of music, volunteered to review this for all of us. Here's what he had to say!

“For Your Kingdom” is a collection of twelve songs plus a short and possibly unneeded introduction. There is musical variety and superior vocal talent. The lyrics emphasize praising of God, emphasizing His majesty and often mentioning the worshiper's feeling of being overwhelmed with peace and joy, but they go beyond this point, and unlike much contemporary music, they speak of a resolve to worship and serve God.

The musical quality is excellent, whether the songs are calm or energetic, and some songs build from quiet reflection to bold celebration [“We Cry Holy”]. One-third of the songs have a style that, to my aging ears, can be described as “electro-techno-dance club pop”. Whatever it is, I don't care for it . . . but the professional performance is still evident. The only shortcoming I heard is that sometimes the vocal control of the female lead singer is so precisely delivered that it loses personality.

While the production values of the content are high, the packaging is strange. It's hard to tell if Higher Vision is the name of a production company, a church, or a musical group. The songs credits are given, but neither the male lead singer nor the female lead singer are identified. It looks like an “in-house” album, where everyone involved in presenting the result and most of the people who will hear it are already in the know. This is probably the case; the executive producer is the pastor of Higher Vision Church in California, and co-wrote several of the songs. It is easy to be caught up in the reverence, joy and desire to serve God evidenced in this album, but just adding a few names crediting the singers and musicians would have improved the personal connection and increased the impact.

“For Your Kingdom” is overall a very good album. After I listened to it twice for review purposes, I brought it out again three days later and enjoyed it again . . . yes, even the “electro-techno” songs. [A little, anyway]

For more information, check them out here: www.highervisionworship.com

This reviewer received the product free or at a discounted price in order to bring you an honest review. No other form of compensation was given. All opinions are those of the reviewer.

The Christmas In July Let It Shine CD Giveaway

This post contains affiliate links and if clicked and a purchase made I may receive a small commission to help support this blog.

Welcome To The Christmas In July Let It Shine CD Giveaway!

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IMHO Views, Reviews and Giveaways

Sponsor: Stefilia's Little Stones and Carrie Rowan

1 Winner

7/1 – 7/31

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Stefilia's Little Stones and Carrie Rowan

Let It Shine CD

$17.99 rv

See review HERE.

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This giveaway is in no way endorsed, affiliated, or associated with Facebook, Twitter or any other Social Media Networking Site. You are not eligible if you have won a prize from the sponsor in the last 12 month. This Giveaway is valid in the United States. Entrants must be 18+ years of age to enter. This giveaway event will end at 11:59 PM (EST) 7/31/16. The winners will have 48 hours to email their information back to las93063 at gmail dot com or a new winner will be drawn, you may want to put this email address as safe as it could go to spam. The sponsors are responsible for shipping of the above prizes. No blog associated with this contest are responsible for prize fulfillment. If you would like to be a sponsor in a giveaway like this please email Laura Smith at las930 (at)gmail (dot) com or contact the owner of the blog you are entering on! The Minister's Wife did not receive samples or any form of compensation for the promotion of this giveaway.

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This is part of our Christmas in July Blog Hop. Please hop around to win some more great prizes. If links do not appear below picture click pictures to go to a list of all the giveaways.

 

Jeff Gold's Newest CD ~ Escapes And You Could Win A Copy

When I received Jeff Gold's album Escapes, I knew what to expect without the rest of the title. Jeff's passion is to produce music for relaxing. He wants his work to be suitable for “massage, yoga, scenic drives or just winding down.” I was also familiar another of his albums, Simple Treasures. While Jeff is proficient in composing, arranging, performing and producing, I am not part of his primary intended audience. I'm not into massage, yoga or scenic drives, and my “winding down” music is usually classic rock. Nevertheless, having been impressed by Simple Treasures, I decided to give this collection a chance.

I chose a day when I would be involved in two book reviews, sorting papers, and preparing a lesson from the book of Nehemiah. Jeff's music would be my way of “escaping” traffic sounds and background noise. I usually don't play music during such projects, since I can be drawn away from concentration by favorite lyrics or a familiar guitar riff. These instrumentals, if anything like what I had heard before, would have nothing jarring or distracting.

I immediately noticed that the emphasis was on piano, unlike the piano and violin basis of Simple Treasures. Then I got busy and the music went into the background of my thoughts. But about 25 minutes into this hour long CD, I suddenly realized that the guitar was the lead instrument. I thought, “When did that happen?” At around the 40 minute mark, I was aware of a shift toward woodwinds. Yet the transitions were achieved without abrupt changes. The tempo and style were consistent enough to maintain the meditative tone throughout the entire CD.

Escapes escapes the usual fate of such albums, which so often become repetitious and vapid. Jeff makes “music for relaxing” that isn't boring – even to me, and that's unusual. If this is the kind of thing you like, you should hear this one [and you can, at www.jeffgoldmusic.com]. I can honestly say that, while it won't replace any of my Bob Seger or Tom Petty albums, it will stay in my collection and will be heard again.

We can highly recommend the album to you and you can purchase it HERE!

Jeff, who by the way is a very nice man, has generously offered to give on of my readers their own copy of his Escaped CD! Use the Rafflecopter below to enter!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Open to Continental US Residents only. Must be 18 or older to enter. Limit one entry per household/address. All entries will be verified. Winner will have 24 hours to respond to winning notification if if no response then another winner will be chosen. Contest ends at 12:01 AM 2/18/15. The Minister's Wife Stamps and Saves is not responsible for the delivery of the prize. The company sponsoring this giveaway is solely responsible for the delivery of the prize to the winner(s). The Minister's Wife Stamps and Saves is not responsible for lost or misdirected emails or physical mail. This giveaway is in no way administered, sponsored, or endorsed by, or associated with, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Google, Instagram, or any other social media. Void where prohibited by law.

We received samples of the products for the purpose of review. No other compensation was given. All opinions expressed here are those of the author.

A Calm and Quiet CD, Simple Treasures and A Giveaway

My husband and I have very distinct differences when it comes to what kind of music we listen to. But when I got this CD from Jeff Gold to review, Rick was willing to listen to it and give me his thoughts. Honestly, I thought he wouldn't like it, but he did.

Here was my husband's take on the CD:

Jeff Gold's third album, "Simple Treasures", continues his style of light and calming compositions that have gained the attention of wellness centers and yoga instructors. His website describes his offerings as "soothing melodies for relaxing". All twelve tracks [total running time 58:51] feature piano and strings, with various other instruments. Gold produces all the sounds, either on the actual instrument or through the use of keyboard and computer. 

This is not "my kind of music" and I cannot compare it with works in the same genre. However, as a fan of music that's substantially more boiserous, I found the album surprisingly Not Boring. I thought all the tracks were very similar with nothing particularly innovative or jarring -- but what else would you expect from music designed to calm and soothe? 

The quality of the sound is excellent. Gold's technical proficiency in mixing the various instruments provides no miscues that might disturb the relaxing effect. There is a tendency to overuse the violin while ignoring its potential; otherwise, the music shows a rare talent for both composition and production. 

Gold has the ability to produce music in other fields, I'm sure. But he seems to have "found his calling" and has made a substantial contribution to the genre with this album. Listeners who appreciate calming instrumentals will find in "Simple Treasures", tunes that are both simple and treasures.

Now here is my take on the CD:

I found Jeff's CD to be very relaxing and calming. It was a wonderful CD to be playing in the background as I puttered around the house, cleaning, working on the computer, and generally doing my day-to-day activities.  It just seemed to keep the whole atmosphere of the house quieter and calmer. Most of the time I was not even really aware of the specific tune playing, but was aware of a pleasant peacefulness.I enjoy that.
I can see this being a great CD to play for your kids to keep them calmer and more relaxed, especially at bedtime. I know several friends who would well be able to use this CD for their autistic children to help set the mood for their day. Artists and writers could easily use this to keep them from becoming frustrated  and tense as they try to create their works.

You can see, we have differing ideas on music, but we both thought it was a wonderful CD. I really think this would be great for quiet time in a classroom or an artists studio. You would find yourself staying calm and relaxed all day. When I was homeschooling my children, I used to use similar CD's (or cassette tapes, it was that long ago) as my boys were studying. Both worked through their assignments with less grumbling and trouble. Jeff's CD would have been perfect then!

Jeff has generously offered to give one of my readers their own copy of his CD, "Simple Treasures". Use the Rafflecopter form below to enter. And thanks Jeff!!

You can purchase "Simple Treasures" or any of Jeff's other CD's HERE!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

We received samples of the products for the purpose of review. No other compensation was given. All opinions expressed here are those of the author.

Open to Continental US Residents only. Must be 18 or older to enter. Limit one entry per household/address. All entries will be verified. Winner will have 24 hours to respond to winning notification if if no response then another winner will be chosen. Contest ends at 12:01 AM 1/14/15. The Minister's Wife Stamps and Saves is not responsible for the delivery of the prize. The company sponsoring this giveaway is solely responsible for the delivery of the prize to the winner(s). The Minister's Wife Stamps and Saves is not responsible for lost or misdirected emails or physical mail. This giveaway is in no way administered, sponsored, or endorsed by, or associated with, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Google, Instagram, or any other social media. Void where prohibited by law.