Review

I wasn't familiar with Jeremy Camp when I received his "Carried Me" CD, which isn't totally unusual. What I do then is "google" the artist. This helps me find out what I've been missing. What I found out was pretty amazing. This young man has gone through some amazing times in his 25 years.

His testimony includes going to Bible College, falling in love with a beautiful girl and getting married. The story also tells how, before the two of them got engaged, she broke up with him, breaking his heart. Six months later he went to visit her in the hospital where she was being treated for cancer. The story tells of a radiant woman who's only thought was how glorious it would be if just one person came to Jesus as a result if she were to die from the cancer. She also told him she loved him. They got engaged and she went through chemotherapy and they ultimately got married.

The story goes on to tell that after the honeymoon, Jeremy's true love had a relapse and went home to the Lord just a few months later. With the help of his family and friends, Jeremy got up from the floor of the hospital room where they had all gathered and, in an act of obedience, began to worship the Lord. His testimony is not one that many would gladly walk in, but is one he would never trade. God exceeded his wife Melissa's prayer, as not just one, but hundreds and hundreds of people have come close to Jesus as a result of her death. Jeremy tells this story at each of his concerts, and the impact is huge.

Jeremy Camp is a songwriter with a booming voice in the Mac Powell vein. His debut album, "Stay" was released in 2003 and garnered him much acclaim across a broad spectrum of radio formats. He is releasing his "sophomore" album later this year, but right now he is releasing the "Worship Project". Since so many of his concerts end in worship, his many fans have clamored for this for years.

"Carried Me" tells a story, as well. While not all the songs are written by Camp, they are all songs that he has sung during the tough and wonderful times. Songs from artists such as Chris Tomlin, Tim Hughes, David Ruis, Danny Daniels and Matt Redman are represented here, as well as five songs penned by Camp.

With that kind of songwriting representation, it may seem strange that I want to highlight a song that was written by none of the above. "I Wait for the Lord", by Scott Cunningham (worship leader at Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa) stands out as the kind of straight ahead rock that Jeremy's voice is best suited for. Power chords, wah wah leads and about 20 words in the lyrics and this song just stays on your mind!

"Empty Me" is another of the little known nuggets that Jeremy has come up with. Written by John Mark Comer and Gene Way, the song also is short on words but long on meaning. "Holy fire burn away my desire for anything that is not of you and is of me. Empty me. Fill me with you". This one is more acoustic, with a driving I-V-vi-IV rhythm. Both these songs will serve you well in whatever worship context you find yourself in.

Jeremy's own songs, especially "Hear My Voice", are equally well done. Most of the album is produced by Adam Watts and Andy Dodd (who also penned "I Surrender to You"), but two songs are produced by the well known City on a Hill team of Steve Hindalong and Mark Byrd. Tim Hughes' "Beautiful One" and Chris Tomlin/Matt Redman's "Wonderful Maker" offer a contrast to the rest of the album and enjoy their unmistakable layers of sound. Both production teams do an excellent job of getting the best out of Jeremy Camp.

Grab this worship cd, it comes straight from the heart.

Review by John Ausmus