Reviewed by Tony Cummings

In the same way that Jesus Culture took a song from a relatively obscure independent release (John Mark McMillan's 'The Song Inside The Sounds Of Breaking Down') to introduce to the world worshipping Church the sheer anointed power of "Oh How He Loves", America's most popular worship leader has now done the same with the magnificent "Good Good Father". This isn't of course the first time that Tomlin has plucked a song from the relative obscurity of an independent release and brought it to the attention of the churchgoing millions - he did the same in 2006 with Laura Story's "Indescribable". Predictably, Tomlin's or his producers' amazing abilities to spot the gems in the countless thousands of modern worship songs which are probably bombarding them from every side is given little or no credit. To quote from one US reviewer, "Tomlin opens the album with his cover of 'Good Good Father'. While it's actually a song that is quite good, I'm worried that it will be another song like 'Indescribable' which is widely accredited to Tomlin writing. Tomlin has never once claimed credit for writing the songs but it's sad to see his fame sometimes overshadow some really great songwriters." In fact Tomlin himself is a great songwriter (evidence "How Great Is Our God" or, on this set, "Glory Be") and anyway "Good Good Father" isn't "quite good", its surely much better than that. The same reviewer stated he tended to find Tomlin albums "a pretty boring experience." One hopes there are other styles of worship music which will lift him into the presence of God. Certainly, Tomlin and 'Never Lose Sight's producers Ed Cash, Jeremy Edwardson and Ross Copperman deserve a better review than that one. 'Never Lose Sight' isn't perfect of course. The contemporisation of the hymn favourite "Come Thou Fount" was done better in 2005 by Gateway Worship while the lyrics on track two "Jesus" simply don't cohere. But "First Love" (featuring the always wonderful voice of Kim Walker Smith) and "God Of Calvary" (a powerful co-write between Tomlin, Matt Maher, Matt Redman and Jonas Myrin) clearly demonstrate that there is still plenty of creativity flowing in Chris's veins.

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

Interested in reviewing music? Find out more here.