Christ for the Nations Institute

Item: All the Riches of You
Author: Zik Jackson

All the Riches of You

(2000)

Reviewed by Zik Jackson

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Label CFN MusicThe Phantom Tollbooth2001

ccm gospel worship

Christ for the Nations Institute (CFNI) has been producing live worship albums annually since the 1970s. Classic worship songs such as "As the Deer," "I Worship You, Almighty God," and "Surrender" were first recorded at CFNI. In recent years, CFNI has upgraded its facilities and recording processes to improve quality, using some overdubs and studio cleanup to polish the sound. With more than thirty-seven recordings and hundreds of songs, CFNI is an institution in the praise and worship genre. Here is a roundup of the three most recent worship albums from CFNI.

Christ For The Nations Institute (CFNI) hits a home run with All The Riches Of You, its annual worship recording for 2000. Picking up where Makes Me Shout leaves off, it contains more of a studio-polished sound than ever. Like its predecessor, it kicks off with quasi-black gospel tunes before settling into its strong suit, heart-touching, heavenly worship songs.

Again, Keith Hulen is backed by a full band and choir, with special solos from talented CFNI students such as Eduardo Coronado, whose strong tenor on "Shout For Joy" sounds like Fred Hammond or a junior Alvin Slaughter. Worship artist Roger Hodges, an alumnus, lends his talents on guitar and lead vocals on "Faithful God," a tune he wrote for the project.

All The Riches Of You includes one of those popular "credo songs," this one called "I Believe." Credo songs have been popularized by such artists as Rich Mullins with "Creed" (Credo), Petra on "Creed," and Jody Davis on "Believe."

Alumnus Andrew Morris wrote the chart-topping Vineyard-like "Surrender." Musically, the song keeps returning to the root chord as if drawn by an electromagnet. Contrast that with the pretty flute work of John Levans on "Love Song," an otherwise sleepy tune, and you have a wide mix of musical styles to worship to.

The energy builds on the Roger Hodges masterpiece "Big Big God" and flows into a rolling mid-tempo song of awe and wonder about friendship with God. It just cries for a modulation to the next key, and gets it, breaking into full-on heartfelt worship and soaring harmonies highlighted with a guitar solo by Hodges.

The title track by Shannon Wexelberg is not her magnum opus, but is redeemed by her rich voice (think Kelly Willard, Nichole Nordeman and Rita Springer wrapped up into one) and a sweetly played violin part. The best of all the tunes on the recording is probably "We Worship You" featuring Eduardo Coronado and some precious Rhodes piano sounds.

All The Riches Of You is arguably the best CFNI worship album to date, thanks to the wonderful songs led by talented musicians and vocalists. The liner notes and inserts add to the package, with a touching tribute to Kerri Hulen in the front. This is a must-have CD for lovers of worship music.

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