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Shout to the Lord 2000
Worship Leader: Darlene Zschech
Integrity Incorporated/Hillsong Music Australia
Several years ago, a young worship leader faced a bereavement of someone very dear to her. Yet in those difficult circumstances she chose to praise and worship the Lord, and the song "Shout to the Lord" was born. Today, that shout from Down Under continues to be heard around the world, as Hillsong Australia and Darlene Zschech became household names in Christian worship and "Shout to the Lord" is one of Integrity's best selling worship albums of all time.
That shout is renewed again with "Shout to the Lord 2000", recorded live at the 1998 Hillsong Conference. Darlene is accompanied by a dynamic worship team, a large choir and (surprise, surprise) Integrity's most well-known worship artists Ron Kenoly and Alvin Slaughter.
Hillsong praise has been known to be loud and feet-stomping and this time it is no exception. The first praise medley starts with "Can't Stop Talking", setting a passionate atmosphere for "Friends in High Places", "God Is In the House", and "All Things Are Possible" - all names of title songs of previous Hillsong albums. Thus this album could be said to be a testimonial to how God had blessed and grown Hills Centre and its worship ministry. Notice how Darlene ends "God is in the House". Heard that style somewhere before? You could have heard Alvin and Ron both use it to end their songs quite often before. Ron Kenoly comes on with "Jesus is Alive", an electric finale to a praise medley and a reminder of how Christ is very much the Risen King today.
The first worship segment includes the intense "My Heart Will Trust". Notice how the worship leader and singers extemporize as the line "my heart will trust" is repeated, and the volume decreases to a quiet end, smoothly transiting into "The Potter's Hand".
The second praise segment begins with an instrumental very much reminiscent of that on the "All Things Are Possible" album. Notice the interesting way Darlene chooses to begin and end "That's What We Came Here For". Alvin Slaughter comes on for "God Is Good", a song which he wrote himself, and helps to smoothly transit to the second worship segment. That begins with "Shout to the Lord", sung movingly by all three of them, Alvin, Darlene and Ron. Notice how three of them blend together for a creative beginning to the song. Also note the quiet beginning to "Glory to the King". Finally the album ends with the lively "Hear Our Praises".
With 16 songs lasting more than 70+ minutes long, this album is really value for money. I would advise you to get the video CD if you can. A lot can be learnt from observing how passionately Darlene and her team worship on stage, how she moves about on stage and uses actions to emphasize what's being sung, and how it brings about a truly contagious worship atmosphere. This worship employs a lot of creativity in the implementation of the songs, and besides being thoroughly enjoyable, it is also a valuable source of insight for the learning worship leader.
List of Songs
© Copyright Wesley Cheong 1999