Music Review and Giveaway: "Miami Vineyard Live"

A few months ago, I had the opportunity to review a worship album from Vineyard Music and really enjoyed it ("I Love Your Presence: Live from Phoenix"). Last week, I received another of their CD's, "Miami Vineyard Live."

Again, I think I've found a fun CD that's earn a spot in my van's Christian music rotation.

About Miami Vineyard LIVE (from the producer):
What happens when a group of 20+ musicians and 10+ songwriters steeped deep in their own musical traditions of Black Gospel, Latin, Caribbean, and Anglo come together to create a new tradition and sound? What happens when the fusion of Black, Anglo, Latino, Caribbean, and Cuban voices unite together to worship in one voice? Among the 2000 people that attend the Miami Vineyard Community Church, there are over a hundred singers, instrumentalists and songwriters that make up its eclectic worship ministry. For one night, these musicians joined together in worship and invited the church to document the sound that is uniquely MIAMI VINEYARD LIVE.

This distinctive bi-lingual liturgy is filled with many flavors, from Latino claves to gospel two-step to funk and soul to delay-laden rock guitars of modern worship, yet they all work together seamlessly to create a new sound and voice that is authentic and refreshing. From anthems of praise and proclamation to songs of intimacy and adoration, there is a common thread running deep throughout this recording and that is true worship of the Living God as an expression of His Kingdom breaking in on the streets and beaches of Miami, FL.

What we thought:
Honestly, I agreed to do this review even though I doubted that I would like it. I was really pleasantly surprised. The kids and I enjoyed listening to the CD multiple times. It was fun to hear a style of music that's completely different than what we normally hear. Surprisingly, we even enjoyed listening to the familiar songs that were done in a different style. I don't usually like when a favorite song sounds different than the one I first grew to love, but I didn't mind on this album. I didn't get my typical "but that's not the way it's supposed to be" reaction. Lauren and I were singing along with "Lord Reign In Me" or "How Great is Our God" just as we always would, perhaps with a bit more rhythm and feeling than usual. It didn't take long for us to join in with the new to us songs on the album. I particularly liked  "If You Say Go."

I definitely recommend that everyone experience this different flavor of worship and praise music. It's certainly been a fun week of commuting to various activities as my family sings along to lively versions of old favorites and learns new gospel harmonies.

More Information:
Miami Vineyard Live is available on iTunes for $9.99 or as a CD from Vineyard Music for $11.99. If you'd like to hear some of the songs and see the people that contributed to this worship project, watch their video here. You can also find more information about Vineyard music on their website or on their Facebook page.

Giveaway:
Vineyard Music has generously provided a second copy of this CD for me to give away to one of my readers. Please follow the Rafflecopter instructions below.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."
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