New Music Review: Forrest Wakeman
West Michigan's multi-talented Forrest Wakeman has a new worship recording featuring a host of area musicians."Messes to Miracles" is a polished effort filled with contemporary ballads and anthems suitable for corporate or personal worship.
Wakeman, who has several advanced music degrees and is music director at Blythefield Hills Baptist Church in Rockford, wrote all the songs and co-produced the CD with long time area worship leader Andy Ferris.
Among several highlights is the prayerful "Sing Over Me," with its strong melody and earnest vocals by Becky Nordquist simultaneously imploring and praising a mighty yet forgiving God.
"The Lion Is The Lamb" has the most popish sound in the collection. It breaks into a lovely choral vocal emphasizing the sacrificial lamb who one day will return as reigning king.
"Far as the Curse is Found," borrows its title from the Christmas carol "Joy to the World," with lead singer Kelsey Merrill joined by vocalist Tim Vandlen telling the song's story of the incarnation and its road to the cross.
There are no "rockin'" worship tunes here (but heads up: "Be Still" includes a spoken-word "rap" segment by Josh Modert, also of the Blythefield church).
Although the release was mixed in Nashville all the recording was done locally, including Cornerstone University (where Wakeman is a faculty member). The Steinway D concert grand piano in CU's new Christ Chapel also can be heard.
Wakeman's official CD release concert is at 7:30 p.m. Fri. May 19 in Blythefield Hills Baptist Church, 6727 Kutshill Dr. NE Rockford. The concert includes many of the artists who worked on the project. There is no admission charge. For more information, https://www.forrestwakeman.com/cd-release-concert
Artist: Forrest Wakeman
Album: "Messes to Miracles"
Connect: www.forrestwakeman.com
