Album: Fee – We Shine
Group: Fee (Steve Fee)
Published: 2007
I recently purchased this CD without knowing anything about Fee or Steve Fee, founder and songwriter. I was pleasantly surprised in the worshipful style of these songs. The CD starts out with two aggressive, arranged-for-youth tunes–but once you get past those, there’s nuggets in here for both congregational and small group worship. Steve Fee has compiled a CD that contains several upwardly-vertical lyrics and easy-learnable melodies.
What impressed me most is that every single word sung on this recording (and their Hope Rising CD) is completely comprehensible. The producers, Jason Hoard and Steve Fee, obviously know the importance of clarity in Christian music. What good is a message if it can’t be heard? And, on his website (http://www.stevefee.com) you’ll find chord sheets!
Steve Fee has got a knack for writing songs that glorify God in simple, straight-forward form. I’d recommend “Glorious One,” “Faithful” and “Victorious” for congregational worship. For small group worship, I like “Grace Will Be My Song,” and “You Are the Light,” yet both are appropriate for a Sunday service as well. “Happy Day,” and “Beautiful the Blood” are ideal for Easter season. My favorite on this entire album is “Lift High” with the opening lyric “broken people call his name …” The songs, and their melodies, are appealing for youth through adult.
Of course, those of you who are creative can reconstruct any arrangement to suit the needs of your church or the talents in your band(s). All the songs on this CD have catchy, easily-learned melodies and have potential even if they are adjusted to an acoustic environment. Enjoy!
Danielle Fry
Worship Leader – Hudson Vineyard, North Bergen NJ
www.daniellefry.com