Spotlight customer reviews:
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Customer Rating:  
Summary: The Blessing- Spirit Filled music
Comment: John Waller's The Blessing is a well crafted set of ten praise songs that is
satisfying to the heart and soul. As a protégé to Casting Crowns lead man
Mark Hall, Waller has obviously taken cues from CCMs `most influential'
group. I first became acquainted with John Waller a few months ago while
listening to the Spirit channel on my Sirius satellite radio. His leadoff song
Calling on a Flood (having been in regular rotation right beside the other current
CCM performers) is a powerful and prayerful call to God to fill an empty space
needing spiritual sustenance. Having listened to all the songs through more
than a couple of times, I find myself returning to The Blessing (What an awesome
and wonderful calling we have to pass on the heavenly blessings we receive to
our family) , Breathe on Me, (the Spirit still breathes life into our every action)
and Love to Say Your Name (Try to think of all the wonderful names our God is
called and say them back to Him). I could see any or all of these songs incorporated
into the praise and worship of many churches, along with songs of Chris Tomlin,
Paul Baloche, Matt Redman and Tim Hughes. The Blessing is clearly a spirit
filled offering, anointed that others will be blessed! And while it does not have the
catchiness or craftsmanship of some other Christian artists noted, the listener
will connect and be ultimately pleased. *If you are planning to see Casting Crowns
on their current tour John Waller is one of the opening acts. I arrived right at
show time and by the time I was seated his performance was over! Be sure to
be prompt if not early to enjoy all the music!!*
Customer Rating:
Summary: Good Pop/Rock/Worship Debut
Comment: When I first bought this CD, I gave it a couple listens and wasn't that impressed. Now that I've gone back and listened to it again, I am enjoying it much more, although it still has its flaws.
This is the debut from John Waller. John was in a rock band before becoming the worship pastor at a church in Colorado. You can easily hear both influences as you listen to the CD. It's got the upward focus of worship music but has a light rock sound.
I could easily picture some of these songs in a contemporary church service. "Breathe on Me" and "Identity" are perfect worship choruses, for example. In fact, really, all these songs would fit that category.
Yet the CD is heavy on the rock sound. Even the slower tracks have heavy drums and layered guitar. Don't get me wrong, that's not a complaint. I dig the sound.
There are several tracks I love. I like "Love to Say Your Name" because of its focus on knowing God by his ancient names. "Sacred Pages" reminds us that God is the Rock we should be standing on. But my favorite is "Still Calls Me Son." What can I say; I'm a sucker for Prodigal Son songs.
The only drawback to the disc is how similar everything sounds. While I love it, the songs all blend together. That's what turned me off originally. By focusing on the words, I can get past that. But it is a serious drawback. Additionally, some of the songs, like "Calling for the Flood," seem a little trite and predictable.
These aren't fatal flaws by any means. This is an impressive debut. I'll be enjoying it for some time to come and look forward to John's next CD.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Saw in Concert
Comment: I saw John Waller in concert with Casting Crowns along with Leland and I was overly impressed with him. I've listen to John Waller on the Local Station and KLOVE for the past couple of months and honestly I never put a name to music nor do I ever remember a song title. But, when I unexpectantly heard John in concert in Norfolk, VA I told my wife to get me the album - GREAT, Great, Great MUSIC.
Customer Rating:
Summary: The Blessing
Comment: This CD is truly a blessing..it has a strong anointing and the words are inspirational..when I need a download of the Holy Spirit, this is what I listen to..Breathe on me, has to be a favorite..so wonderful that we now sell it in the Church bookstore...
Customer Rating:
Summary: Awesome Christian Artist
Comment: I ordered this CD because I'd heard one particular song, the title track called, "The Blessing," on our digital cable/music stations on TV. I was very impressed. The rest of the CD is great as well. The one song that has my heart soaring with love for God, is called, "Identity". John Waller is an awesome, inspiring Christian artist who expresses himself very well through music. The day after I got the CD, our youngest child announced that he was moving out, into a place with two other of his closest church friends. It tore me up emotionally, only because the two kids we have are now grown up and on their own and we're a close family, but listening to John Waller's, "The Blessing" CD brought me so much comfort. You feel the love of Christ throughout. The whole CD is very powerful and I recommend it to everyone.
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