Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Twila Paris Tribute
A tribute to Twila Paris performances at the Dove Awards. Includes "God is in Control," "Warrior is a Child," "How Beautiful," "Faithful Friend," and "The Time is Now."
Also features appearances by Steven Curtis Chapman, Amy Grant, and Sandi Patty.
Chrisian Music News Source
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Twila Paris - He is Exalted
Twila Paris at a concert in 1988 playing "Release of the Spirit" on the piano and singing "He is Exalted." Afterwards, she sings a song in acapella that she doesn't record until 10 years later ("Father We Are Here" from Perennial)
Christian Music News Source
Thursday, November 6, 2008
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
God is in Control - Twila Paris Video
Original video from StarSong Records. Twila was one of the first (and best) of the contemporary christian artist pioneers- it is still an AWESOME and INSPIRING song! If you need a quick reminder of the big picture, hit this, and keep your head up!
Christian Music News Source
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
The Sanctuaries of Twila Paris
Tucked away in the midst of the Ozark Mountains, in the northeast part of Arkansas, sits a little town by the name of Fayetteville. Trying to describe this town is as easy as trying to describe a quiet pond on an early spring morning. It’s peaceful. It’s inviting. A drive through this small town proves to be very restful for a weary soul. On this Sunday afternoon in mid-September there’s not much activity in the streets and not much traffic on the two-lane roads that run throughout the city.
Perhaps the only residents who bring this quaint town to life are University of Arkansas students, with their football games at Razorback Stadium, and parties on and off campus. For them, and maybe only them, Fayetteville is a town to live it up before stepping out into the real world.
For other residents, Fayetteveille is a refuge, a haven from the rest of the world’s fast pace, a breath of fresh air…a sanctuary. To at least one of its residents, Twila Paris, that’s exactly what Fayetteville is. A place that gently welcomes her home when she comes off the road after many concert dates and many more sleepless hours.
"The beauty, the country, the creation embraces me when I come home," says Twila. "I love it here, and there’s no place else I’d rather be. There’s something about it where you literally feel less threatened."
During a recent visit to Fayetteville, I ask Twila for a tour of the town. In her rented, garnet-colored LeMans (her ’77 Honda Civic is broken and Jack Wright, her husband, is using their other car), we make it out of her hilly, curvy neighborhood onto a main street.
Twila points to the women’s clinic on College Avenue where Christians and pro-lifers occasionally protest abortions. She turns onto Dixon Street and drives by Central United Methodist Church, a stately-looking brick building with huge, white columns. She was married there six years ago. A little further down is the soon-to-open Walton Arts Center funded by Sam Walton, owner of the Wal-Mart chain.
The streets are decorated with oak and maple trees full of green leaves. Some are beginning to show glimpses of their annual fall change of colors into shades of brown, yellow and orange. With few exceptions, most of the eateries are mom and pop restaurants. The chains have yet to land in this town.
As we drive past the University of Arkansas and Razorback Stadium, Twila says, "I love going to college and high school football games. When my brother was in high school, I used to go see him play, but he’s 23 now, so it hasn’t been for awhile."
After driving through several small towns like Springdale, where she grew up, and Tontitown, Twila heads down a narrow, bumpy dirt road. "This is why I wish I had a 4X4," she remarks.
Despite the frequent jolts, Twila finds this out-of-the-way country road therapeutic. On one side of the road is a steep slope of thick forest, home to a small, honey-colored rabbit that hops across our path. On the other side are acres and acres of farmland with cows and horses.
We stop to look at a calf munching on grass just a few feet away from us. He looks up at us, his only movement is his chewing mouth. We notice two other cows about 15 feet behind our little friend. They are also chewing and staring at us. "It’s like a Far Side cartoon," says Twila. We laugh, and I suggest we come up with a Far Side line. Without much thought, Twila says, "Hey Herbert, don’t you think it’s just so therapeutic to watch humans in their natural environments?"
Oren’s World
This quaint country road leads us to the Youth With a Mission base in Elm Springs, an extension of Twila’s Fayetteville sanctuary. In a way, the YWAM base itself is a sanctuary for the contemporary hymn-writer, whose spiritual support over the years has come from her dad Oren Paris (the base’s director), and the people who staff and train here.
Twila and Jack moved to Nashville about two years ago, away from the proximity of the YWAM fellowship. It took them only a couple of months to realize their move was a mistake.
"I had made the decision to move without praying enough," says Jack. "Really, I was already determined to make that move. Moving away from our fellowship was probably the biggest part of the blunder. We have known the crew out there for years and we can speak openly to them. They are a group of real committed prayer warriors."
Two campuses make up the 83-acre base. Formerly a chicken farm (poultry is big business in these parts), the land today houses several mobile homes for office and living space, a barn converted into a dorm and classroom, a dining hall, and several other structures including a three-story geodesic dome. Still under construction, the dome will serve as a multi-purpose building.
Oren’s tour leads us to his office where he spends much time discussing the future of YWAM, his vision for getting the Bible out to all the inhabitants of the world by the year 2,000, and the mission’s 12 ministries which includes Twila Paris Productions.
He’s a witty man, full of determination balanced with a generous dose of gentleness. Twila is a lot like her dad, but hopes to become like her mom, Inez, a woman of wisdom.
On this particular Sunday afternoon, Oren Jr., 23, and Angela, 20 two of Twila’s three siblings, are in Indianapolis working with some churches and evangelizing on the streets. They leave soon for a two-month mission trip to Romania.
Sibling Support System
Starla, 24, is in town and plans to spend Monday afternoon shopping with Twila for some new stage clothes. The sisters must mix and match their wardrobe selections, since Starla is now touring as a backup vocalist for her sister. She is also Twila’s traveling companion, a role Starla assumes with pleasure.
"I feel like the Lord has chosen us for different things," says Starla. "Theoretically I could still be doing this in 50 years. I consider it my job and my mission until God says I’m not going to do this anymore. I consider it a privilege to be on the road with her." And she quickly adds, "I consider it a privilege to be her sister."
Before going on the road with Twila, Starla worked with her dad at the YWAM base. Her present job is considered her special assignment from YWAM.
"I went on the road when Jack came off the road. The need was seen for someone to travel with Twila, preferably family," says Starla. "Probably my main job is to be an ear to hear her say what she has to say to someone who’s known her for a long time. And I help Twila with whatever I can to take away any stress so she can think of the concert."
Out of the Comfort Zone
Starla’s job found her working alongside Twila on her latest Star Song project and first complete worship album, Sanctuary. As with her previous release, Cry for the Desert, Twila breaks new musical ground, in the often-tired genre of inspirational music.
"She has stepped out of her comfort zones," says Star Song’s president Darrell Harris. "My hat is off to Twila. She’s been so successful. But she’s acted courageously again and reached a new plateau. She is confident enough in the Lord and the gifts he has given her to be willing to step out."
For many years, Twila worked with producer Jonathan David Brown to create a successful sound that became familiar to her fans. Last year, she realized it was time to stretch beyond the familiar and worked with Brown Bannister on Cry for the Desert. This year, Twila has once again taken an artistic risk and worked with yet another producer, one of adult alternative’s best instrumentalist-composers, Richard Souther.
Using his expertise with synthesizers and samplers, Souther has taken sounds uncommon to Twila’s music, delicately combined them with her worship choruses, and produced a simple yet sophisticated praise offering to God. On his latest solo effort, Twelve Tribes, Souther experiments with Irish and Gaelic music. He brings some of this world music to Sanctuary and uses quality musicians like Alasdair Fraser on fiddle, Abraham Laboriel on classical guitar and Justo Almario on sax and flute. Adding to the talented troupe is the legendary Phil Keaggy on acoustic guitar.
"Richard brought to the project his own vision which did not conflict with mine, but added to it," says Twila. "Part of that vision was that we would make music of such caliber that people who weren’t even Christians would be drawn by the music and then they would hear the message."
"I just wanted something that was going to be fresh and different in worship music, but at the same time, the freshness and difference would not detract from what it’s all about—worship," says Souther, who refers to his own recordings on the Narada label as expressions of thanks to the Lord.
He adds, "I wouldn’t call this a grandstanding performance type of record. I look at it more as Twila teaching the listener her praise and worship choruses. I wanted it to be very personal."
A few of the songs are instrumental re-recordings of some of Twila’s classic hymns like "Lamb of God" and "We Will Glorify." "He is Exalted" joins the musical textures of Brazil with Twila singing Portuguese lyrics.
Perhaps the song that hits closest to home for Twila is "The Joy of the lord," a little number she came up with while washing dishes: "The joy of the Lord will be my strength/ I will not falter, I will not faint/ He is my shepherd, I am not afraid/ The joy of the Lord is my strength."
New Sources of Joy
It’s the joy of the Lord that has helped her get through the past year’s separation from her husband. Jack remains a victim of chronic fatigue, and spends much time in a small town in southeast Arkansas under the care of a doctor. Until a year ago, he traveled with Twila on all her tours and acted as manager. Today he has forfeited most of his responsibilities in exchange for "aggressive rest," as Twila calls it.
"Actually, in a lot of ways, the whole process has been very good," says Jack. "This has forced me to delegate some things and the people I have delegated to are doing a better job than me. As far as my relationship with the Lord, I was caught up with the day-to-day problems that come up. This has forced me to re-evaluate, with a lot more quiet time to spend with the Lord. I see the overall thing as a blessing. I have no doubt I’ll be back out there."
"There’s one person in particular, but I know of several people who have prayed specifically for me for joy," says Twila. "Once I made the choice not to say, ‘Lord, my joy has to come from this source in this way at this time,’ he has brought joy in the most unexpected ways from the most unexpected places. And I have to tell you honestly, I have been, for the most part, a happy person for the past year."
Both Twila and Jack are optimistic of the future. Jack says his doctor is zeroing in on a diagnosis. And Twila says, "We really feel like we have a word from the Lord that things will be more back to ‘normal,’ whatever that is." Some of that ‘normal’ for Twila would include coming home to her husband, rather than an empty house, from concert dates. But Twila’s two-story French provincial house is another source of comfort, she admits. A tour of the house shows Twila has a knack for interior design and a heart for American patriotism.
"This country was really founded on Christian principles," says Twila. "That is the reason God has blessed this country for so long. Nowadays people would have us forget that. There’s a tie between the spiritual and the political, the freedom and the price paid for that. There is a correlation between the people who died for this country in wars and Christ dying for freedom. So much of that is tied in with why I like colonial things."
She has decorated her home in such a way that she feels welcomed after many nights of hotel rooms and fast food restaurants. The house is filled with colonial furnishings, mostly inherited from family members. Twila takes the time to explain where she got each of the pieces.
Sitting comfortably in the music room are Twila’s Yamaha grand piano of four years and Jack’s sophisticated audio system, which Twila finds quite unattractive amidst her carefully arranged colonial setting. "Guys do this thing," says Twila. "They think the uglier it is, the better it sounds."
Upstairs are two bedrooms, the ‘junk’ room filled with odds and ends accumulated over the years, the recreation room with Twila’s exercise bike and Jack’s ski machine, and Jack’s office with a pool table.
The Wright Stuff
Back in the living room downstairs, Twila shows me a copy of The Eighteenth Century Houses of Williamsburg. Issues of Colonial Homes magazines are on the coffee table. We make our way to a bookshelf, the one and only spot downstairs that is not perfectly organized. It’s here we discover a little more about Twila.
Amidst several new, hardcover books is an old, faded Reach Out, the new testament of The Living Bible published by Youth for Christ International.
"I remember I got that Bible when I was in junior high, the seventh grade," says Twila, now 32. "My dad was big on the idea of me taking my Reach Out to school to find opportunities to share. I didn’t want to share. I was very shy, so I’d take my Reach Out to school and cover it with all my other books. Then I’d put it n my locker in the morning and not take it back out till the end of the day. I wanted to be like everybody else. Of course now, that’s changed."
Also scattered among the shelves are Bill Cosby’s Fatherhood, The Analytical Greek Lexicon, a potpourri of Bibles, her Franklin 1991 daytimer, Frank E. Gaebelein’s The Christian, The Arts, and Truth and a paperback on dogs. She wants two golden retrievers.
She pulls out a small photo album filled with wedding pictures snapped by a friend. IN it are also several photos of the Wrights’ honeymoon in Denver. Looking at the pictures reminds her of her husband and their struggles together.
"Adversity tears you apart or pulls you together," says Twila. "For us, it’s pulled us together." We close the photo album and end the tour of her home—another one of the important sanctuaries in the life of Twila Paris.
Christian Music News Source
Perhaps the only residents who bring this quaint town to life are University of Arkansas students, with their football games at Razorback Stadium, and parties on and off campus. For them, and maybe only them, Fayetteville is a town to live it up before stepping out into the real world.
For other residents, Fayetteveille is a refuge, a haven from the rest of the world’s fast pace, a breath of fresh air…a sanctuary. To at least one of its residents, Twila Paris, that’s exactly what Fayetteville is. A place that gently welcomes her home when she comes off the road after many concert dates and many more sleepless hours.
"The beauty, the country, the creation embraces me when I come home," says Twila. "I love it here, and there’s no place else I’d rather be. There’s something about it where you literally feel less threatened."
During a recent visit to Fayetteville, I ask Twila for a tour of the town. In her rented, garnet-colored LeMans (her ’77 Honda Civic is broken and Jack Wright, her husband, is using their other car), we make it out of her hilly, curvy neighborhood onto a main street.
Twila points to the women’s clinic on College Avenue where Christians and pro-lifers occasionally protest abortions. She turns onto Dixon Street and drives by Central United Methodist Church, a stately-looking brick building with huge, white columns. She was married there six years ago. A little further down is the soon-to-open Walton Arts Center funded by Sam Walton, owner of the Wal-Mart chain.
The streets are decorated with oak and maple trees full of green leaves. Some are beginning to show glimpses of their annual fall change of colors into shades of brown, yellow and orange. With few exceptions, most of the eateries are mom and pop restaurants. The chains have yet to land in this town.
As we drive past the University of Arkansas and Razorback Stadium, Twila says, "I love going to college and high school football games. When my brother was in high school, I used to go see him play, but he’s 23 now, so it hasn’t been for awhile."
After driving through several small towns like Springdale, where she grew up, and Tontitown, Twila heads down a narrow, bumpy dirt road. "This is why I wish I had a 4X4," she remarks.
Despite the frequent jolts, Twila finds this out-of-the-way country road therapeutic. On one side of the road is a steep slope of thick forest, home to a small, honey-colored rabbit that hops across our path. On the other side are acres and acres of farmland with cows and horses.
We stop to look at a calf munching on grass just a few feet away from us. He looks up at us, his only movement is his chewing mouth. We notice two other cows about 15 feet behind our little friend. They are also chewing and staring at us. "It’s like a Far Side cartoon," says Twila. We laugh, and I suggest we come up with a Far Side line. Without much thought, Twila says, "Hey Herbert, don’t you think it’s just so therapeutic to watch humans in their natural environments?"
Oren’s World
This quaint country road leads us to the Youth With a Mission base in Elm Springs, an extension of Twila’s Fayetteville sanctuary. In a way, the YWAM base itself is a sanctuary for the contemporary hymn-writer, whose spiritual support over the years has come from her dad Oren Paris (the base’s director), and the people who staff and train here.
Twila and Jack moved to Nashville about two years ago, away from the proximity of the YWAM fellowship. It took them only a couple of months to realize their move was a mistake.
"I had made the decision to move without praying enough," says Jack. "Really, I was already determined to make that move. Moving away from our fellowship was probably the biggest part of the blunder. We have known the crew out there for years and we can speak openly to them. They are a group of real committed prayer warriors."
Two campuses make up the 83-acre base. Formerly a chicken farm (poultry is big business in these parts), the land today houses several mobile homes for office and living space, a barn converted into a dorm and classroom, a dining hall, and several other structures including a three-story geodesic dome. Still under construction, the dome will serve as a multi-purpose building.
Oren’s tour leads us to his office where he spends much time discussing the future of YWAM, his vision for getting the Bible out to all the inhabitants of the world by the year 2,000, and the mission’s 12 ministries which includes Twila Paris Productions.
He’s a witty man, full of determination balanced with a generous dose of gentleness. Twila is a lot like her dad, but hopes to become like her mom, Inez, a woman of wisdom.
On this particular Sunday afternoon, Oren Jr., 23, and Angela, 20 two of Twila’s three siblings, are in Indianapolis working with some churches and evangelizing on the streets. They leave soon for a two-month mission trip to Romania.
Sibling Support System
Starla, 24, is in town and plans to spend Monday afternoon shopping with Twila for some new stage clothes. The sisters must mix and match their wardrobe selections, since Starla is now touring as a backup vocalist for her sister. She is also Twila’s traveling companion, a role Starla assumes with pleasure.
"I feel like the Lord has chosen us for different things," says Starla. "Theoretically I could still be doing this in 50 years. I consider it my job and my mission until God says I’m not going to do this anymore. I consider it a privilege to be on the road with her." And she quickly adds, "I consider it a privilege to be her sister."
Before going on the road with Twila, Starla worked with her dad at the YWAM base. Her present job is considered her special assignment from YWAM.
"I went on the road when Jack came off the road. The need was seen for someone to travel with Twila, preferably family," says Starla. "Probably my main job is to be an ear to hear her say what she has to say to someone who’s known her for a long time. And I help Twila with whatever I can to take away any stress so she can think of the concert."
Out of the Comfort Zone
Starla’s job found her working alongside Twila on her latest Star Song project and first complete worship album, Sanctuary. As with her previous release, Cry for the Desert, Twila breaks new musical ground, in the often-tired genre of inspirational music.
"She has stepped out of her comfort zones," says Star Song’s president Darrell Harris. "My hat is off to Twila. She’s been so successful. But she’s acted courageously again and reached a new plateau. She is confident enough in the Lord and the gifts he has given her to be willing to step out."
For many years, Twila worked with producer Jonathan David Brown to create a successful sound that became familiar to her fans. Last year, she realized it was time to stretch beyond the familiar and worked with Brown Bannister on Cry for the Desert. This year, Twila has once again taken an artistic risk and worked with yet another producer, one of adult alternative’s best instrumentalist-composers, Richard Souther.
Using his expertise with synthesizers and samplers, Souther has taken sounds uncommon to Twila’s music, delicately combined them with her worship choruses, and produced a simple yet sophisticated praise offering to God. On his latest solo effort, Twelve Tribes, Souther experiments with Irish and Gaelic music. He brings some of this world music to Sanctuary and uses quality musicians like Alasdair Fraser on fiddle, Abraham Laboriel on classical guitar and Justo Almario on sax and flute. Adding to the talented troupe is the legendary Phil Keaggy on acoustic guitar.
"Richard brought to the project his own vision which did not conflict with mine, but added to it," says Twila. "Part of that vision was that we would make music of such caliber that people who weren’t even Christians would be drawn by the music and then they would hear the message."
"I just wanted something that was going to be fresh and different in worship music, but at the same time, the freshness and difference would not detract from what it’s all about—worship," says Souther, who refers to his own recordings on the Narada label as expressions of thanks to the Lord.
He adds, "I wouldn’t call this a grandstanding performance type of record. I look at it more as Twila teaching the listener her praise and worship choruses. I wanted it to be very personal."
A few of the songs are instrumental re-recordings of some of Twila’s classic hymns like "Lamb of God" and "We Will Glorify." "He is Exalted" joins the musical textures of Brazil with Twila singing Portuguese lyrics.
Perhaps the song that hits closest to home for Twila is "The Joy of the lord," a little number she came up with while washing dishes: "The joy of the Lord will be my strength/ I will not falter, I will not faint/ He is my shepherd, I am not afraid/ The joy of the Lord is my strength."
New Sources of Joy
It’s the joy of the Lord that has helped her get through the past year’s separation from her husband. Jack remains a victim of chronic fatigue, and spends much time in a small town in southeast Arkansas under the care of a doctor. Until a year ago, he traveled with Twila on all her tours and acted as manager. Today he has forfeited most of his responsibilities in exchange for "aggressive rest," as Twila calls it.
"Actually, in a lot of ways, the whole process has been very good," says Jack. "This has forced me to delegate some things and the people I have delegated to are doing a better job than me. As far as my relationship with the Lord, I was caught up with the day-to-day problems that come up. This has forced me to re-evaluate, with a lot more quiet time to spend with the Lord. I see the overall thing as a blessing. I have no doubt I’ll be back out there."
"There’s one person in particular, but I know of several people who have prayed specifically for me for joy," says Twila. "Once I made the choice not to say, ‘Lord, my joy has to come from this source in this way at this time,’ he has brought joy in the most unexpected ways from the most unexpected places. And I have to tell you honestly, I have been, for the most part, a happy person for the past year."
Both Twila and Jack are optimistic of the future. Jack says his doctor is zeroing in on a diagnosis. And Twila says, "We really feel like we have a word from the Lord that things will be more back to ‘normal,’ whatever that is." Some of that ‘normal’ for Twila would include coming home to her husband, rather than an empty house, from concert dates. But Twila’s two-story French provincial house is another source of comfort, she admits. A tour of the house shows Twila has a knack for interior design and a heart for American patriotism.
"This country was really founded on Christian principles," says Twila. "That is the reason God has blessed this country for so long. Nowadays people would have us forget that. There’s a tie between the spiritual and the political, the freedom and the price paid for that. There is a correlation between the people who died for this country in wars and Christ dying for freedom. So much of that is tied in with why I like colonial things."
She has decorated her home in such a way that she feels welcomed after many nights of hotel rooms and fast food restaurants. The house is filled with colonial furnishings, mostly inherited from family members. Twila takes the time to explain where she got each of the pieces.
Sitting comfortably in the music room are Twila’s Yamaha grand piano of four years and Jack’s sophisticated audio system, which Twila finds quite unattractive amidst her carefully arranged colonial setting. "Guys do this thing," says Twila. "They think the uglier it is, the better it sounds."
Upstairs are two bedrooms, the ‘junk’ room filled with odds and ends accumulated over the years, the recreation room with Twila’s exercise bike and Jack’s ski machine, and Jack’s office with a pool table.
The Wright Stuff
Back in the living room downstairs, Twila shows me a copy of The Eighteenth Century Houses of Williamsburg. Issues of Colonial Homes magazines are on the coffee table. We make our way to a bookshelf, the one and only spot downstairs that is not perfectly organized. It’s here we discover a little more about Twila.
Amidst several new, hardcover books is an old, faded Reach Out, the new testament of The Living Bible published by Youth for Christ International.
"I remember I got that Bible when I was in junior high, the seventh grade," says Twila, now 32. "My dad was big on the idea of me taking my Reach Out to school to find opportunities to share. I didn’t want to share. I was very shy, so I’d take my Reach Out to school and cover it with all my other books. Then I’d put it n my locker in the morning and not take it back out till the end of the day. I wanted to be like everybody else. Of course now, that’s changed."
Also scattered among the shelves are Bill Cosby’s Fatherhood, The Analytical Greek Lexicon, a potpourri of Bibles, her Franklin 1991 daytimer, Frank E. Gaebelein’s The Christian, The Arts, and Truth and a paperback on dogs. She wants two golden retrievers.
She pulls out a small photo album filled with wedding pictures snapped by a friend. IN it are also several photos of the Wrights’ honeymoon in Denver. Looking at the pictures reminds her of her husband and their struggles together.
"Adversity tears you apart or pulls you together," says Twila. "For us, it’s pulled us together." We close the photo album and end the tour of her home—another one of the important sanctuaries in the life of Twila Paris.
Christian Music News Source
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Twila Paris - Sanctuary
By Soozie4Him (Chicago suburbs)
This is a marvelous album from Twila Paris. It is very relaxing to listen to, and very uplifting.
Those of you who are familiar with Twila's praise and worship music will enjoy the instrumental versions of "We Bow Down", "Lamb of God", and "We Will Glorify". Her Spanish version of "He is Exalted" is wonderful!
The first track is instrumental and very very beautiful. My favorite track on this album is "Joy of the Lord" - what a gem this song is!
Oftentimes, people listen to the first half of a CD and never get around to listening to the last few songs. Make sure you enjoy this entire CD - "Keeper of the Door" is one of the best ones!
Twila is anticipating the arrival of her first child - check out her newest album (to be released on March 27, 2001) "Bedtime Prayers, Lullabies and Peaceful Worship". She wrote the songs on this album before she became pregnant! God bless you and your husband and your new little boy during this special time!
By Nicole B. Stoner "tennessee_ladybug" (Tennessee)
This album is my favorite of Twila's. The music is serene and sincere--perfect for quiet spiritual moments. The words are deep, almost a Bible study in themselves. "Lamb of God," is a a presentation of the plan of salvation--so simple and beautiful. My favorite song on this album is "Keeper of the Door." Any christian should make this anthem the theme of their life--to be a servant to others and dwell in the presence of God. The whole album flows well and has a reverent feel--a pleasure to listen to--this one is definately a keeper!...
Continue Reading at this Christian Music Review
This is a marvelous album from Twila Paris. It is very relaxing to listen to, and very uplifting.
Those of you who are familiar with Twila's praise and worship music will enjoy the instrumental versions of "We Bow Down", "Lamb of God", and "We Will Glorify". Her Spanish version of "He is Exalted" is wonderful!
The first track is instrumental and very very beautiful. My favorite track on this album is "Joy of the Lord" - what a gem this song is!
Oftentimes, people listen to the first half of a CD and never get around to listening to the last few songs. Make sure you enjoy this entire CD - "Keeper of the Door" is one of the best ones!
Twila is anticipating the arrival of her first child - check out her newest album (to be released on March 27, 2001) "Bedtime Prayers, Lullabies and Peaceful Worship". She wrote the songs on this album before she became pregnant! God bless you and your husband and your new little boy during this special time!
By Nicole B. Stoner "tennessee_ladybug" (Tennessee)
This album is my favorite of Twila's. The music is serene and sincere--perfect for quiet spiritual moments. The words are deep, almost a Bible study in themselves. "Lamb of God," is a a presentation of the plan of salvation--so simple and beautiful. My favorite song on this album is "Keeper of the Door." Any christian should make this anthem the theme of their life--to be a servant to others and dwell in the presence of God. The whole album flows well and has a reverent feel--a pleasure to listen to--this one is definately a keeper!...
Continue Reading at this Christian Music Review
Twila Paris - Cry For The Desert
By Francis King "Frank King" (Whitby, ON Canada)
This evangelical Christian pop singer/songwriter has had a long career with many recorded highlights. However, it's likely none will best this 11-song collection. Part of the reason is producer Brown Bannister. He's worked such reknowned Christian acts as Amy Grant, Petra, White Heart and dozens more, plus mainstream crooner Kenny Rogers. Bannister has an ear for bringing the very best out of the artists he works with, and with him Paris found some deeper, more delicate depths than anything she wrote or recorded before. At times (How Beautiful, This Thorn) this album is almost achingly beautiful. Then she connects with something more rousingly inspiring (Undivided Heart, Nothing But Love). Besides the sheer poetry of her lyrics, there's also the arrangements. Bannister's unique touch is most evident here -- the songs fit nicely onto Christian pop radio, yet went beyond the generic stuff that was so often called 'adult contemporary' in the early '90s. Just listen to the title track for proof.
By Reverend Ben, RN (Outtherein, MN)
Twila's great songs with the musicians being composed of the old white heart core, this album shines as the best twila album ever and one of my favorite all time christian records period....
Continue Reading at this Christian Music Review
This evangelical Christian pop singer/songwriter has had a long career with many recorded highlights. However, it's likely none will best this 11-song collection. Part of the reason is producer Brown Bannister. He's worked such reknowned Christian acts as Amy Grant, Petra, White Heart and dozens more, plus mainstream crooner Kenny Rogers. Bannister has an ear for bringing the very best out of the artists he works with, and with him Paris found some deeper, more delicate depths than anything she wrote or recorded before. At times (How Beautiful, This Thorn) this album is almost achingly beautiful. Then she connects with something more rousingly inspiring (Undivided Heart, Nothing But Love). Besides the sheer poetry of her lyrics, there's also the arrangements. Bannister's unique touch is most evident here -- the songs fit nicely onto Christian pop radio, yet went beyond the generic stuff that was so often called 'adult contemporary' in the early '90s. Just listen to the title track for proof.
By Reverend Ben, RN (Outtherein, MN)
Twila's great songs with the musicians being composed of the old white heart core, this album shines as the best twila album ever and one of my favorite all time christian records period....
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Twila Paris - It's The Thought ...
By Mark Baker (Santa Clarita, CA United States)
I realized something today. I've only had this CD for 10 years. It seems like it should have been longer to me since I can't picture Christmas without it any more.
7 of the 12 tracks here are classic Christmas songs. But such tracks as "Midwinter," "I Saw Three Ships," and "Down in Yon Forest" are less familiar and recorded songs. Twila wrote four of the originals, including the title song, which ties Christmas and Easter together. My favorite of the original songs is "This World," written by her father, talking about the change that the first Christmas had on the entire world. I also like the pairing of "White Christmas" with the chorus "Whiter then Snow." It gives a whole different spin on the traditional classic.
I heard an interview with Twila Paris about this CD, and she said her goal was to create a CD that was worshipful. As if you'd expect from Twila, she hit the mark. This is especial evident in the second and third songs, "Alleluia, Christ is Born" and "Glory to God (The Angel's Song)."
This is one of the first CD's I pull out every Christmas. It you're at all a fan of Twila's music, get it today. You'll enjoy it for years to come.
By Chad Oberholtzer (Boalsburg, PA, USA)
This strangely titled Christmas album is a nice mix of standard Christmas tunes with a few original compositions. Twila Paris does a solid job with some traditional songs. It's rare for any pop artist to do justice to Handel's "Hallelujah Chorus," but this is a nice arrangement. And her "In the Bleak Midwinter" and "O Holy Night" are also well-done.
Of particular note are a few new songs, written by Paris herself. "Alleluia, Christ is Born" and "Wandering Pilgrim" are particularly outstanding.
I only gave this album four stars because its sound is somewhat dated. On several tracks, the dominant synthesizer sound is just screaming, "This was recorded in the 1980's," which unfortunately detracts from the overall experience.
Nonetheless, this is a quality Christmas album, and I look forward to listening to it each year. I recommend it to anyone interested in a somewhat unique offering of Christmas music....
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I realized something today. I've only had this CD for 10 years. It seems like it should have been longer to me since I can't picture Christmas without it any more.
7 of the 12 tracks here are classic Christmas songs. But such tracks as "Midwinter," "I Saw Three Ships," and "Down in Yon Forest" are less familiar and recorded songs. Twila wrote four of the originals, including the title song, which ties Christmas and Easter together. My favorite of the original songs is "This World," written by her father, talking about the change that the first Christmas had on the entire world. I also like the pairing of "White Christmas" with the chorus "Whiter then Snow." It gives a whole different spin on the traditional classic.
I heard an interview with Twila Paris about this CD, and she said her goal was to create a CD that was worshipful. As if you'd expect from Twila, she hit the mark. This is especial evident in the second and third songs, "Alleluia, Christ is Born" and "Glory to God (The Angel's Song)."
This is one of the first CD's I pull out every Christmas. It you're at all a fan of Twila's music, get it today. You'll enjoy it for years to come.
By Chad Oberholtzer (Boalsburg, PA, USA)
This strangely titled Christmas album is a nice mix of standard Christmas tunes with a few original compositions. Twila Paris does a solid job with some traditional songs. It's rare for any pop artist to do justice to Handel's "Hallelujah Chorus," but this is a nice arrangement. And her "In the Bleak Midwinter" and "O Holy Night" are also well-done.
Of particular note are a few new songs, written by Paris herself. "Alleluia, Christ is Born" and "Wandering Pilgrim" are particularly outstanding.
I only gave this album four stars because its sound is somewhat dated. On several tracks, the dominant synthesizer sound is just screaming, "This was recorded in the 1980's," which unfortunately detracts from the overall experience.
Nonetheless, this is a quality Christmas album, and I look forward to listening to it each year. I recommend it to anyone interested in a somewhat unique offering of Christmas music....
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Twila Paris - Kingdom Seekers
By Soren "Soren" (Bozeman, MT United States)
This album takes me back to younger years when life was simple. Twila had it then, and she still has it now. This is another one of her great and timeless albums. Buy it and listen. You will learn why she is one of the most talented and influential women in the history of CCM.
By Maurice (San Francisco, CA)
"Center Of Your Will" is my absolute favorite! When I bought this CD, I played track #2 about 10 times before I would even listen to anything else. Twila Paris is truly a gifted and anointed woman of God!...
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This album takes me back to younger years when life was simple. Twila had it then, and she still has it now. This is another one of her great and timeless albums. Buy it and listen. You will learn why she is one of the most talented and influential women in the history of CCM.
By Maurice (San Francisco, CA)
"Center Of Your Will" is my absolute favorite! When I bought this CD, I played track #2 about 10 times before I would even listen to anything else. Twila Paris is truly a gifted and anointed woman of God!...
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Twila Paris - The Warrior Is a Child
By Carol Lugg (Colorado Springs, CO USA)
I love this CD! I have a hard time picking out anything else to listen to! My two favorite songs are "The Warrior is a Child" and "Do I Trust You?" "The Warrior is a Child" reminds me that I am never to fight the battles in my own strength, and that I need to find a quiet place to rest. The song "Do I Trust You Lord?" always seems to come to me at a time when I am feeling particularly challenged as a believer, and the only thing I need to know is that I will trust Him no matter what path I may walk down. I am reminded that not only does the Lord build the house, He chooses the materials with which to build the house. I would highly recommend this CD - it has changed the way I look at trials in my life!
By Charles C. Deweese (Brooklyn, NY United States)
This is wonderful music from Twila from 1984. There are great songs on this cd. The Warrior is a Child, We Bow Down, Praise Him and Do I Trust You are well known songs on the CD and are sung in the churches. This is Twila's third Benson release.She recorded this album just before marrying Jack Wright who was also her manager for a season. She was 24 years old when this cd came out. Her giftings are already manifest for writing great worship. Twila says that the song the Warrior is a Child has produced more positive feedback to her than any other song she has written. She was inspired to write the song after hearing the word of God preached that no matter what happens or who you are, you are still a child of God when you believe in Jesus (Yeshua)....
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I love this CD! I have a hard time picking out anything else to listen to! My two favorite songs are "The Warrior is a Child" and "Do I Trust You?" "The Warrior is a Child" reminds me that I am never to fight the battles in my own strength, and that I need to find a quiet place to rest. The song "Do I Trust You Lord?" always seems to come to me at a time when I am feeling particularly challenged as a believer, and the only thing I need to know is that I will trust Him no matter what path I may walk down. I am reminded that not only does the Lord build the house, He chooses the materials with which to build the house. I would highly recommend this CD - it has changed the way I look at trials in my life!
By Charles C. Deweese (Brooklyn, NY United States)
This is wonderful music from Twila from 1984. There are great songs on this cd. The Warrior is a Child, We Bow Down, Praise Him and Do I Trust You are well known songs on the CD and are sung in the churches. This is Twila's third Benson release.She recorded this album just before marrying Jack Wright who was also her manager for a season. She was 24 years old when this cd came out. Her giftings are already manifest for writing great worship. Twila says that the song the Warrior is a Child has produced more positive feedback to her than any other song she has written. She was inspired to write the song after hearing the word of God preached that no matter what happens or who you are, you are still a child of God when you believe in Jesus (Yeshua)....
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Twila Paris - Keepin' My Eyes on You
Singer and songwriter Twila Paris' sophomore album Keepin' My Eyes on You was released in 1982 by Benson Music Group. The project, a combination of inspirational praise and worship and early Christian pop, features one of Paris' well-loved songs, "We Will Glorify." Overall, the release ranges from upbeat tempos in the title song to the soft, reflective piano melodies of "I Commit My Love to You." Ashleigh Kittle, All Music Guide...
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Twila Paris - Small Sacrifice
Sounds like … the Irish-influenced AC of Michelle Tumes, Kathryn Scott, and Margaret Becker, with a worshipful Euro-pop style reminiscent of Phatfish, Vicky Beeching, and Christine Denté.
At a glance … Twila Paris, for the most part, demonstrates enough nuance and insight on Small Sacrifice to prove that she's still a valuable contributor to inspirational pop and worship music.
CCM pop veterans from the '80s like Carman, Steve Green, Margaret Becker, and even Michael English are all still actively making music, even if many of them are doing so independently. The same is true of Twila Paris, who after a brief tenure with Integrity back in 2005 for He Is Exalted: Live Worship has just launched her own Mountain Spring Music imprint for album number 22. Besides her own web site, Small Sacrifice is also available in Lifeway Christian stores through an exclusive distribution deal.
The album deserves wider availability. British adult contemporary producer John Hartley (of classic duo Phil & John) infuses Small Sacrifices with Euro-pop savvy while preserving Paris's familiar AC-friendly approach to worship. It proves a natural fit, from the upbeat title track to the breathy surrender of "Lord I Need You," as well as the inspirational ballad "Not Forgotten," a poignantly written reminder of God's watchful care. Most likely to appear in your church worship folder is "Alleluia," a hybrid between Matt Redman's rhythmic "Better Is One Day" and Paris's own Celtic-styled "Lamb of God."
Paris' songwriting has long been varied, and the same is true here. She's always had a knack for adapting scripture to song—1 John 3:16 for "We Know Love," Philippians 4:13 for "I Can Do All Things," and some of Psalm 23 for "You Lead Me." And you're also not likely to find a more thoughtful song from Paris than "There Is a Plan," which ties together Christ's birth and the fall of the Berlin Wall (!) as examples of God using the small and insignificant—even us—to accomplish his will....
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At a glance … Twila Paris, for the most part, demonstrates enough nuance and insight on Small Sacrifice to prove that she's still a valuable contributor to inspirational pop and worship music.
CCM pop veterans from the '80s like Carman, Steve Green, Margaret Becker, and even Michael English are all still actively making music, even if many of them are doing so independently. The same is true of Twila Paris, who after a brief tenure with Integrity back in 2005 for He Is Exalted: Live Worship has just launched her own Mountain Spring Music imprint for album number 22. Besides her own web site, Small Sacrifice is also available in Lifeway Christian stores through an exclusive distribution deal.
The album deserves wider availability. British adult contemporary producer John Hartley (of classic duo Phil & John) infuses Small Sacrifices with Euro-pop savvy while preserving Paris's familiar AC-friendly approach to worship. It proves a natural fit, from the upbeat title track to the breathy surrender of "Lord I Need You," as well as the inspirational ballad "Not Forgotten," a poignantly written reminder of God's watchful care. Most likely to appear in your church worship folder is "Alleluia," a hybrid between Matt Redman's rhythmic "Better Is One Day" and Paris's own Celtic-styled "Lamb of God."
Paris' songwriting has long been varied, and the same is true here. She's always had a knack for adapting scripture to song—1 John 3:16 for "We Know Love," Philippians 4:13 for "I Can Do All Things," and some of Psalm 23 for "You Lead Me." And you're also not likely to find a more thoughtful song from Paris than "There Is a Plan," which ties together Christ's birth and the fall of the Berlin Wall (!) as examples of God using the small and insignificant—even us—to accomplish his will....
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Twila Paris - He Is Exalted: Live Worship
Sounds like … the contemporary live worship style forged by Kim Hill and Women of Faith, with strong choral participation similar to Hillsong and Travis Cottrell.
At a glance … though at times it feels too much like a Twila Paris concert, He Is Exalted succeeds at placing the celebrated singer/songwriter in a corporate worship context.
Twila Paris is no stranger to church music, having composed her share of choruses and modern hymns in her storied 20-plus-year career in Christian music. Neither is she new to the now-ubiquitous worship "scene," boasting a track record and repertoire that—though not necessarily "worship" in its entirety—far outlives most of today's hyperactive worship hopefuls. After her tenure with Sparrow Records and a brief hiatus, it only makes sense that the singer has partnered with church music pioneer Integrity Music for her first live worship album, He Is Exalted: Live Worship.
In more ways that one, it feels like she's coming full-circle here. Similar to when Michael W. Smith recorded his hugely popular Worship albums, Paris sounds comfortable leading her audience in congregational singing, as if she was meant to do this all along. Like Smith, the production, too, is quite large and upbeat from the get-go, though it's never grand and overly dramatic. There is, however, plenty of big drums, a pristine pop/rock foundation, and a vociferous choir roaring their way through the set, which is comprised of eight new Paris originals, covers of "We All Bow Down" and "Days of Elijah," and brimming reinterpretations of Paris classics "He Is Exalted" and "God Is In Control." ...
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At a glance … though at times it feels too much like a Twila Paris concert, He Is Exalted succeeds at placing the celebrated singer/songwriter in a corporate worship context.
Twila Paris is no stranger to church music, having composed her share of choruses and modern hymns in her storied 20-plus-year career in Christian music. Neither is she new to the now-ubiquitous worship "scene," boasting a track record and repertoire that—though not necessarily "worship" in its entirety—far outlives most of today's hyperactive worship hopefuls. After her tenure with Sparrow Records and a brief hiatus, it only makes sense that the singer has partnered with church music pioneer Integrity Music for her first live worship album, He Is Exalted: Live Worship.
In more ways that one, it feels like she's coming full-circle here. Similar to when Michael W. Smith recorded his hugely popular Worship albums, Paris sounds comfortable leading her audience in congregational singing, as if she was meant to do this all along. Like Smith, the production, too, is quite large and upbeat from the get-go, though it's never grand and overly dramatic. There is, however, plenty of big drums, a pristine pop/rock foundation, and a vociferous choir roaring their way through the set, which is comprised of eight new Paris originals, covers of "We All Bow Down" and "Days of Elijah," and brimming reinterpretations of Paris classics "He Is Exalted" and "God Is In Control." ...
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Twila Paris - House of Worship
Sounds like … Twila's classic contemporary pop worship style, reminiscent of Amy Grant, with occasional ethereal touches similar to Michelle Tumes and Enya.
At a Glance … House of Worship is the refined contemporary praise album listeners have been expecting from Twila for years.
Those who know her name are all too aware that Twila Paris is a worship music pioneer. Not all Christian songwriters are gifted at composing worship music, and there are many who will only be remembered for writing one particular song in your church's collection of music. Of course, one's enough for most songwriters when it comes to writing a church standard. Twila has written at least five church standards, which are still sung by congregations today – "He Is Exalted," "We Bow Down," "We Will Glorify," "Lamb of God," and "How Beautiful." A repertoire like that implies that this is a prolific songwriter of worship music, but the truth is that this "modern day hymn writer" hasn't recorded a praise & worship album since 1991's Sanctuary. With something of a worship music renaissance in the last five years, Twila's absence has been deeply felt. While many of her albums in the last decade have included a few worship songs sprinkled in with the inspirational pop, writer's block and newfound motherhood have slowed Twila's outpouring of praise offerings.
House of Worship, Twila's eighteenth album, makes up for lost time with twelve all-new worship recordings. Two of them are familiar favorites, re-recorded for this project to demonstrate their timelessness while making them more relevant to a modern setting. Purists need not worry. Twila, with the help of producer Brown Bannister (Amy Grant, Steven Curtis Chapman, Avalon), remains faithful to the original sound while actually improving on them. "We Bow Down" sounds more vibrant and driving with its rhythmic acoustic guitar pulse. "We Will Glorify" especially benefits from an update, because the quick ¾ time of the original restricted congregations to performing it as a fast keyboard-led hymn (or a head-banging punk-ska tune, as heard on The Insyderz' Skalleuia album). This new rendition is slower and more flowing, resonating with power and ambience....
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At a Glance … House of Worship is the refined contemporary praise album listeners have been expecting from Twila for years.
Those who know her name are all too aware that Twila Paris is a worship music pioneer. Not all Christian songwriters are gifted at composing worship music, and there are many who will only be remembered for writing one particular song in your church's collection of music. Of course, one's enough for most songwriters when it comes to writing a church standard. Twila has written at least five church standards, which are still sung by congregations today – "He Is Exalted," "We Bow Down," "We Will Glorify," "Lamb of God," and "How Beautiful." A repertoire like that implies that this is a prolific songwriter of worship music, but the truth is that this "modern day hymn writer" hasn't recorded a praise & worship album since 1991's Sanctuary. With something of a worship music renaissance in the last five years, Twila's absence has been deeply felt. While many of her albums in the last decade have included a few worship songs sprinkled in with the inspirational pop, writer's block and newfound motherhood have slowed Twila's outpouring of praise offerings.
House of Worship, Twila's eighteenth album, makes up for lost time with twelve all-new worship recordings. Two of them are familiar favorites, re-recorded for this project to demonstrate their timelessness while making them more relevant to a modern setting. Purists need not worry. Twila, with the help of producer Brown Bannister (Amy Grant, Steven Curtis Chapman, Avalon), remains faithful to the original sound while actually improving on them. "We Bow Down" sounds more vibrant and driving with its rhythmic acoustic guitar pulse. "We Will Glorify" especially benefits from an update, because the quick ¾ time of the original restricted congregations to performing it as a fast keyboard-led hymn (or a head-banging punk-ska tune, as heard on The Insyderz' Skalleuia album). This new rendition is slower and more flowing, resonating with power and ambience....
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Twila Paris - Greatest Hits: Time & Again
Sounds like … often worshipful, always inspirational Christian pop and adult contemporary music, with a few new tracks that sound more like Michelle Tumes.
At a Glance … the new tracks aren't any cause for excitement, but at least we finally have a definitive greatest-hits album from one of Christian music's greatest songwriters.
Considering that Twila Paris has been making music for twenty years, it's pretty remarkable that she hasn't released a comprehensive greatest-hits album until now. Twila's released a few albums focused solely on her early works, but now we have an album featuring the essential songs that have earned her acclaim throughout her career. She's written more songs found in church hymnals—including well-known worship songs "How Beautiful," "We Will Glorify," "He Is Exalted," "We Bow Down," and "Lamb of God"—than any other contemporary Christian artist today. Additionally, the album features classic Christian pop gems such as "God Is in Control," "The Warrior Is a Child," and "The Time Is Now." Fans had a say in the song selection by voting for their favorite tracks on Twila's Web site—not that there was much doubt which songs would make the final cut.
The album's conciseness is both a strength and a weakness. While the project contains the classic Twila cuts, this easily could have been a two-disc set considering the vast body of work this veteran artist had to choose from. In addition to the fifteen greatest hits, Time & Again also features three brand new Twila-penned songs—"Sparks and Shadows," "God of Miracles," and "Faithful Father." Producer Mark Hammond lends them a beautiful modern pop flavor, though they all sound a little more like Twila's label-mate Michelle Tumes....
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At a Glance … the new tracks aren't any cause for excitement, but at least we finally have a definitive greatest-hits album from one of Christian music's greatest songwriters.
Considering that Twila Paris has been making music for twenty years, it's pretty remarkable that she hasn't released a comprehensive greatest-hits album until now. Twila's released a few albums focused solely on her early works, but now we have an album featuring the essential songs that have earned her acclaim throughout her career. She's written more songs found in church hymnals—including well-known worship songs "How Beautiful," "We Will Glorify," "He Is Exalted," "We Bow Down," and "Lamb of God"—than any other contemporary Christian artist today. Additionally, the album features classic Christian pop gems such as "God Is in Control," "The Warrior Is a Child," and "The Time Is Now." Fans had a say in the song selection by voting for their favorite tracks on Twila's Web site—not that there was much doubt which songs would make the final cut.
The album's conciseness is both a strength and a weakness. While the project contains the classic Twila cuts, this easily could have been a two-disc set considering the vast body of work this veteran artist had to choose from. In addition to the fifteen greatest hits, Time & Again also features three brand new Twila-penned songs—"Sparks and Shadows," "God of Miracles," and "Faithful Father." Producer Mark Hammond lends them a beautiful modern pop flavor, though they all sound a little more like Twila's label-mate Michelle Tumes....
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Twila Paris - Bedtime Prayers, Lullabies and Peaceful Worship
Ah, God and his perfect timing. For fifteen years, Twila Paris and her husband have struggled to become parents. With the likelihood of birth becoming less likely over time, Twila decided to go ahead and record the children's songs she'd been saving over the years. Not long into the production of this album late last summer, Twila discovered she was pregnant.
The concept of Bedtime Prayers was to create a very basic worship album for those who could barely grasp such concepts - a sort of introduction to worship. Twila's gentle voice is perfect for worship and lullabies, as are her inspirational songwriting skills. This is a natural marriage of genres for her. It's hard to be at all critical of Bedtime Prayers because this album has a specific goal, a functional purpose. Musically it clearly accomplishes it, thanks to the help of such major talent as Chris Rodriguez and Phil Keaggy (who lend their guitar skills), as well as Phil Madeira's organ work and Chris Eaton's vocals. It's all gentle inspirational pop, but very well arranged and recorded. This could have been a very simplistic recording, but instead there's some effective and subtle musicianship underneath Twila's words.
The lyrics are simple and obvious, yet beautiful and true. It's stuff you would expect from a Christian lullaby, but you can tell Twila put a lot of thought into the songs. "Your Whole Life Long" is a simple prayer and blessing for a child to always remain close to God. "God Is All Around Us" illustrates through nature that God is in control and loves us very much. "There Is
Only One" explains that God demonstrates his love for us by making us each special and unique....
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The concept of Bedtime Prayers was to create a very basic worship album for those who could barely grasp such concepts - a sort of introduction to worship. Twila's gentle voice is perfect for worship and lullabies, as are her inspirational songwriting skills. This is a natural marriage of genres for her. It's hard to be at all critical of Bedtime Prayers because this album has a specific goal, a functional purpose. Musically it clearly accomplishes it, thanks to the help of such major talent as Chris Rodriguez and Phil Keaggy (who lend their guitar skills), as well as Phil Madeira's organ work and Chris Eaton's vocals. It's all gentle inspirational pop, but very well arranged and recorded. This could have been a very simplistic recording, but instead there's some effective and subtle musicianship underneath Twila's words.
The lyrics are simple and obvious, yet beautiful and true. It's stuff you would expect from a Christian lullaby, but you can tell Twila put a lot of thought into the songs. "Your Whole Life Long" is a simple prayer and blessing for a child to always remain close to God. "God Is All Around Us" illustrates through nature that God is in control and loves us very much. "There Is
Only One" explains that God demonstrates his love for us by making us each special and unique....
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Twila Paris - True North
As both a multiple-award-winning artist of Christian pop music and composer of modern hymns, Twila Paris walks in grace, surrounding her audience with light and abundant joy. With True North, her first adult contemporary recording in a handful of years, Paris continues this journey of servitude. Produced by Charlie Peacock, this collection of songs thoroughly integrates scriptural tenets, modern musical phrasing, sparkling band arrangements, and Paris's clear-water vocals. Never showy or overly admonishing, these pleasant litanies steer a course of clarity and thematic artistry toward the presence of God within everyday experiences, worship, and spiritual growth. Violins dance, cellos and Hammond organ add texture, piano and acoustic guitar chords circle warmly round layered harmonies and understated melody. Elegant and simple in its wisdom, True North benevolently beckons the listener home....
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Twila Paris - Perennial
By THE FAMILY CAT (Blackpool England)
I discovered this CD in a London shop where they sell a lot of unknown stuff for 2 dollars each. And I like to find things then try and contact the artiste and get them to sell me autographed things. As a collector this is what appeals to me most and I have met many in the music business that way. In fact my favorite American singer Ginny Wright is now my best friend and I visited her for a week last Summer.I noted that Twila Paris now even has the same surname!!
Ginny made a Gospel album in the 80s and did a version of When The Roll Is Called Up Yonder. Ginny always was one of the most moral artistes in the business,in her case country music.
Another very obvious thing I noticed about this CD was the Virginia Astley link with a Garden. I knew I would like this album and I shall try and get more.It took me all afternoon to find that Twila Paris has a website
All I can say,as a lapsed Catholic,is that Twila is enough to turn a man religious!!!
By TN Book Lover (United States)
Twila Paris has become my favorite Christian singer and songwriter of all time, although there are others that I love as well. But Perennial is my all-time favorite album, mostly because, when I need something to soothe my soul, "Perennial" is what I turn to. It has a great mix of songs, both favorite hymns, and other worshipful Twila Paris songs. I can listen to "Perennial" over and over and never tire of it....
Continue Reading at this Christian Music Review
I discovered this CD in a London shop where they sell a lot of unknown stuff for 2 dollars each. And I like to find things then try and contact the artiste and get them to sell me autographed things. As a collector this is what appeals to me most and I have met many in the music business that way. In fact my favorite American singer Ginny Wright is now my best friend and I visited her for a week last Summer.I noted that Twila Paris now even has the same surname!!
Ginny made a Gospel album in the 80s and did a version of When The Roll Is Called Up Yonder. Ginny always was one of the most moral artistes in the business,in her case country music.
Another very obvious thing I noticed about this CD was the Virginia Astley link with a Garden. I knew I would like this album and I shall try and get more.It took me all afternoon to find that Twila Paris has a website
All I can say,as a lapsed Catholic,is that Twila is enough to turn a man religious!!!
By TN Book Lover (United States)
Twila Paris has become my favorite Christian singer and songwriter of all time, although there are others that I love as well. But Perennial is my all-time favorite album, mostly because, when I need something to soothe my soul, "Perennial" is what I turn to. It has a great mix of songs, both favorite hymns, and other worshipful Twila Paris songs. I can listen to "Perennial" over and over and never tire of it....
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Twila Paris - Where I Stand
Reviewed by Jayne Butler
Here is yet another album from Twila that proves she is up there at the top with the best of CCM artists. After the success of 'Beyond A Dream' (Twila's last album), 'Where I Stand' has a lot to live up to, but this collection of pop songs and ballads more than meets its expectations. From the first bars of "Love's Been Following You" to the end of "I Will Listen", we are reminded that Twila has been blessed with a wonderful gift of singing and song writing. Overall the sound has been toned down a little from her last album, but there are many potential hits, including "Faithful Friend", an impressive duet with Stephen Curtis Chapman and "What Did He Die For?" In fact, all the numbers are of the same high standard. The combination of beautiful songs, an amazing voice, talented musicians and Brown Bannister's production skills make this an outstanding album, not only to be enjoyed, but also to challenge and inspire....
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Here is yet another album from Twila that proves she is up there at the top with the best of CCM artists. After the success of 'Beyond A Dream' (Twila's last album), 'Where I Stand' has a lot to live up to, but this collection of pop songs and ballads more than meets its expectations. From the first bars of "Love's Been Following You" to the end of "I Will Listen", we are reminded that Twila has been blessed with a wonderful gift of singing and song writing. Overall the sound has been toned down a little from her last album, but there are many potential hits, including "Faithful Friend", an impressive duet with Stephen Curtis Chapman and "What Did He Die For?" In fact, all the numbers are of the same high standard. The combination of beautiful songs, an amazing voice, talented musicians and Brown Bannister's production skills make this an outstanding album, not only to be enjoyed, but also to challenge and inspire....
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Twila Paris - Beyond A Dream
have all 16 of Twila's albums. ...I have to say that this is her very best album. "God is in Control" was the #3 Christian song in the 1990's (CCM). I like the rockier edge she puts into it. "Watch and Pray" "All About You" "God is in Control" "Seventy Years Ago" "Rescue The Prisoner." So, I guess I like that it is more jumpy and exciting, something you can really rock to in the car or whatever. However, also the Ballads really hit home to you and bring you spiritual peace. "Visitor From Heaven" is one of my favorite Twila songs. It's used a lot at funerals and used to help grieving parents feel at peace with the loss of their child. "All My Heart" reminds me of the Relationship (not the Religion) that we need to have with the Father. "What Am I Without You" sounds so peaceful and Twila's voice sounds so angelic and just reminds me I am nothing without Him. It's also her Number 1 album because she won more Dove Awards off this album than any other....
Continue Reading at this Christian Music Review
Continue Reading at this Christian Music Review
Twila Paris - A Heart That Knows You
Reviewed by Tony Cummings
This album uses that questionable but now very common marketing practice of putting a couple of brand new tracks at the front end of a Best Of compilation (ensuring radio exposure for the compilation and meaning fans have to duplicate tracks if they want the new songs). The situation is complicated here with the fact that Twila has re-recorded a couple of her old classics "The Warrior Is A Child" and "Do I Trust You" (if you want the originals of those you'll need to buy another compilation 'The Early Works', an album studiously ignored in the discography on the 'A Heart That Knows You' sleeve). Enough of disco graphic minutiae. Does the music stand up? Of course. Twila is a master (Surely you mean mistress. Ed) of MOR-pop and praise and has written several classics while her soaringly sweet voice is one of the most emotive in CCM. The best tracks were produced by the now tragically disgraced Jonathan David Brown while later producers have tended to swamp her a bit in orchestration. On a cut like "Holy Is The Lord" goose pimples are still induced....
Continue Reading at this Christian Music Review
This album uses that questionable but now very common marketing practice of putting a couple of brand new tracks at the front end of a Best Of compilation (ensuring radio exposure for the compilation and meaning fans have to duplicate tracks if they want the new songs). The situation is complicated here with the fact that Twila has re-recorded a couple of her old classics "The Warrior Is A Child" and "Do I Trust You" (if you want the originals of those you'll need to buy another compilation 'The Early Works', an album studiously ignored in the discography on the 'A Heart That Knows You' sleeve). Enough of disco graphic minutiae. Does the music stand up? Of course. Twila is a master (Surely you mean mistress. Ed) of MOR-pop and praise and has written several classics while her soaringly sweet voice is one of the most emotive in CCM. The best tracks were produced by the now tragically disgraced Jonathan David Brown while later producers have tended to swamp her a bit in orchestration. On a cut like "Holy Is The Lord" goose pimples are still induced....
Continue Reading at this Christian Music Review
Friday, September 19, 2008
Discography
* Knowin' You're Around (1980)
* Keepin' My Eyes On You (1982)
* The Warrior Is A Child (1984)
* Kingdom Seekers (1985)
* Same Girl (1987)
* For Every Heart (1988)
* It's The Thought (1989)
* Cry For The Desert (1990)
* Sanctuary (1991)
* A Heart That Knows You (1992)
* Beyond A Dream (1993)
* The Time Is Now (1995)
* The Early Years (1996)
* Where I Stand (1996)
* Perennial: Songs For The Seasons Of Life (1998)
* True North (1999)
* Signature Songs (2000)
* Bedtime Prayers (2001)
* Greatest Hits: Time & Again (2001)
* House of Worship (2003)
* 8 Great Hits (2004)
* Simply (2005)
* He Is Exalted: Live Worship (2005)
* Ultimate Collection (2006)
* Looking Up (2006)
* Small Sacrifice (2007)
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* Keepin' My Eyes On You (1982)
* The Warrior Is A Child (1984)
* Kingdom Seekers (1985)
* Same Girl (1987)
* For Every Heart (1988)
* It's The Thought (1989)
* Cry For The Desert (1990)
* Sanctuary (1991)
* A Heart That Knows You (1992)
* Beyond A Dream (1993)
* The Time Is Now (1995)
* The Early Years (1996)
* Where I Stand (1996)
* Perennial: Songs For The Seasons Of Life (1998)
* True North (1999)
* Signature Songs (2000)
* Bedtime Prayers (2001)
* Greatest Hits: Time & Again (2001)
* House of Worship (2003)
* 8 Great Hits (2004)
* Simply (2005)
* He Is Exalted: Live Worship (2005)
* Ultimate Collection (2006)
* Looking Up (2006)
* Small Sacrifice (2007)
Christian Music Links!
Biography
Musical career
Since 1981, Twila Paris has released 22 albums, amassed 33 number one Christian Radio singles, and was named the Gospel Music Association Female Vocalist of the Year three
years in a row. She is regarded as more than just a pop songwriter because familiar Paris songs, like "He Is Exalted", "We Will Glorify" and "We Bow Down", are also found in many
church hymnals.
Paris released her first full-length album, Knowin' You're Around, in 1981, and along the way she has written books, recorded children's music, and created timeless worship songs.
Her song "God Is In Control" won a GMA Song of the Year award in 1995 and her 1992 Sanctuary release won the GMA Praise & Worship Album of the Year. She has won five GMA
Dove Awards and three American Songwriter Awards.
Paris has helped to pioneer today's praise and worship music and contributed greatly to making this informal style acceptable to normally more conservative churches.
In the 1980s and 1990s, Paris released mainly contemporary Christian pop songs. But in recent years, she has focused on recording new versions of some of her worship standards
and writing new praise and worship music. Her 2005 album He Is Exalted: Live Worship collects a number of favorite songs commonly used in praise and worship of Paris's and
presents them in a more typical style of live worship music. After her song "He Is Exalted" was used in churches in Brasil, Paris re-recorded it in the Portuguese translation they were
using. This version appears on her 1992 award winning, genre defining Praise and Worship album Sanctuary. The album remains one of her bestselling discs to date.
Although widely associated for much of her career with Star Song Communications, EMI switched her over to Sparrow Records in 1996, before her contract ended after 2003. In 2005,
she switched to the praise and worship label Integrity Music for He Is Exalted: Live Worship.
Twila released Small Sacrifice, on December 26, 2007 which was available only through her website and at Lifeway Christian Stores. This album married the two parts of her career by
including both inspirational pop/adult contemporary songs and original praise and worship compositions. Her first radio single from Small Sacrifice was "Live to Praise".
Musical influence
Paris is often cited as one of the foremost trailblazers of the modern hymn style and one of the only living hymnists in the tradition of hymn-writing set forth in England and the United
States decades prior.[1] Some of Paris' songs have been included in the hymnals by a variety of churches including the United Methodist church and various Charismatic churches. [2]
Paris was heavily influenced in her early career by the music of Keith Green, Kelly Willard, and Jamie Owens-Collins. Her #1 single, "Do I Trust You" was written in response to Keith
Green's untimely death in 1982. Willard and Owens-Collins sang background vocals for her on her Keeping My Eyes On You album.
Personal life
Twila Paris is the daughter of Oren II and Rachel Inez Paris. Oren Paris II is the founder and Chancellor of Ecclesia College in Springdale, Arkansas. Twila has been married to Jack
Wright for more than 20 years, and has a son, Jack Paris Wright who was born in 2001. She has three siblings: Starla Novak (wife and mother of 3), Oren Paris III (President of Ecclesia
College), and Angie Paris Snyder (producer and recording artist).
Christian Music Links!
Since 1981, Twila Paris has released 22 albums, amassed 33 number one Christian Radio singles, and was named the Gospel Music Association Female Vocalist of the Year three
years in a row. She is regarded as more than just a pop songwriter because familiar Paris songs, like "He Is Exalted", "We Will Glorify" and "We Bow Down", are also found in many
church hymnals.
Paris released her first full-length album, Knowin' You're Around, in 1981, and along the way she has written books, recorded children's music, and created timeless worship songs.
Her song "God Is In Control" won a GMA Song of the Year award in 1995 and her 1992 Sanctuary release won the GMA Praise & Worship Album of the Year. She has won five GMA
Dove Awards and three American Songwriter Awards.
Paris has helped to pioneer today's praise and worship music and contributed greatly to making this informal style acceptable to normally more conservative churches.
In the 1980s and 1990s, Paris released mainly contemporary Christian pop songs. But in recent years, she has focused on recording new versions of some of her worship standards
and writing new praise and worship music. Her 2005 album He Is Exalted: Live Worship collects a number of favorite songs commonly used in praise and worship of Paris's and
presents them in a more typical style of live worship music. After her song "He Is Exalted" was used in churches in Brasil, Paris re-recorded it in the Portuguese translation they were
using. This version appears on her 1992 award winning, genre defining Praise and Worship album Sanctuary. The album remains one of her bestselling discs to date.
Although widely associated for much of her career with Star Song Communications, EMI switched her over to Sparrow Records in 1996, before her contract ended after 2003. In 2005,
she switched to the praise and worship label Integrity Music for He Is Exalted: Live Worship.
Twila released Small Sacrifice, on December 26, 2007 which was available only through her website and at Lifeway Christian Stores. This album married the two parts of her career by
including both inspirational pop/adult contemporary songs and original praise and worship compositions. Her first radio single from Small Sacrifice was "Live to Praise".
Musical influence
Paris is often cited as one of the foremost trailblazers of the modern hymn style and one of the only living hymnists in the tradition of hymn-writing set forth in England and the United
States decades prior.[1] Some of Paris' songs have been included in the hymnals by a variety of churches including the United Methodist church and various Charismatic churches. [2]
Paris was heavily influenced in her early career by the music of Keith Green, Kelly Willard, and Jamie Owens-Collins. Her #1 single, "Do I Trust You" was written in response to Keith
Green's untimely death in 1982. Willard and Owens-Collins sang background vocals for her on her Keeping My Eyes On You album.
Personal life
Twila Paris is the daughter of Oren II and Rachel Inez Paris. Oren Paris II is the founder and Chancellor of Ecclesia College in Springdale, Arkansas. Twila has been married to Jack
Wright for more than 20 years, and has a son, Jack Paris Wright who was born in 2001. She has three siblings: Starla Novak (wife and mother of 3), Oren Paris III (President of Ecclesia
College), and Angie Paris Snyder (producer and recording artist).
Christian Music Links!
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