Review: Miami Vineyard Live

I am running quite late with this review.  First, I received the album late.  Then, my grandmother was ill for about 3 weeks, and last week, she went home to be with the Lord; in the midst of family visits and the funeral I have gotten behind on everything.  Then, when I finally inserted the CD into my computer to download it into my iTunes, it got stuck in my computer and would not download.  Unbelievable!  (For the record, that was my computer issue and not an issue with the CD, and is not meant to reflect badly in the review.)  Do you ever have those days - or, you know, months - where you really don't want to make excuses, but the hits just keep on coming?!  Well, a death in the family will do that to you, but I am getting caught back up on everything now.  Because of the lateness of the review, I will not be giving away a copy of the CD, but it is a great CD, and I wanted to recommend it to you, anyway.

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.

I truly enjoyed this album.  For me, it was a great balance of songs I knew and brand new songs to learn.  The music itself is also a good balance:  it is upbeat music with which I can enjoy worshipping, but without feeling like I have to jump up and down and dance in the aisles (although if you wish to jump up and down and dance, the beat is there, so feel free)!  I enjoy the Latino, Caribbean, and Gospel feel all combined in one album.

If you are any type of worship leader or a guitar or keyboard player, there is an added bonus of a link provided on the album cover from which you may download guitar chord charts for most of the songs on the album.  That is a great feature!

If you are looking for some fresh, upbeat praise music, you should try listening to Miami Vineyard Live. You can find information and purchase at the following:


Website: http://www.vineyardmusic.com/vm/miami-live
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/miamivineyardLIVE
Purchase: http://www.vineyardresources.com/equip/content/miami-vineyard-live-cd
Video: http://vimeo.com/28995392

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.