A Beautiful Exchange

Personnel: Dave George (vocals, piano); Braden Lang, Marcus Temu, Jill McCloghry, Jonathan Douglass, Sherrod Dine, Michelle Grigg, Laura Toganivalu, Sheila Gallegos, Collena Gillespie, Joanna Norden, Tristan Perdriau, Terrence Ryan, David Hodgson, Mia Fieldes, David Ware (vocals); Nigel Hendroff, Ben Fielding (acoustic guitar, electric guitar); Matt Crocker, Brooke Ligertwood, Reuben Morgan, Joel Houston, Jad Gillies (acoustic guitar); Timon Klein, Dylan Thomas , Dave Kennedy, Jorim Kelly, Isaac Soon, Ed Peers (electric guitar); Hanna Crezee, Sarah Dunn, Lauren Hodges, Katie Mayne, Ramona Racovicean, Tamsin Lotter, Asheley Lotter (violin); Jared Dahl, Beth Herbert, Kerstin Mercer (cello); Tim Whincop (trumpet); Elizabeth Gorringe (French horn); Marc Warry (trombone); Dave Tymoszuk (Hammond b-3 organ); David Andrew , Gio Galanti, Autumn Hardman (keyboards); Simon Kobler, Grant Fletcher, Brandon Gillies, Rolf Wam Fjell (drums); Niki Carless, Andre Barrow, Jessie Malcolm, Billy Conway (background vocals).
Audio Mixer: Sam Gibson.
Recording information: Hillsong Convention Centre (01/24/2010); Sydney Entertainment Centre (01/24/2010); The Dominion Theatre, London (01/24/2010); Hillsong Convention Centre (11/01/2009); Sydney Entertainment Centre (11/01/2009); The Dominion Theatre, London (11/01/2009); Hillsong Convention Centre (11/08/2009); Sydney Entertainment Centre (11/08/2009); The Dominion Theatre, London (11/08/2009).
Photographers: Anders Kjondal; Jared Steadman.
Arranger: The Hillsong Team.
Hillsong take few, if any, steps away from their long-established tradition of live congregational worship songs on their 19th outing. Once again, the music team from the fast-growing Australia-based church echoes its set of praise with its large-stage sound. Because this album preceded the group's first-ever U.S. tour, co-worship leaders Reuben Morgan, Joel Houston, and others saw to it that these songs worked for the masses. As a result, it would be difficult for a believer to imagine an album that's easier to sing along to and more meaningful to understand. Themes include the hope of "The One Who Saves," the confession of first single "Forever Reign," the reconciliation of "The Father's Heart," and the rousing praise of opening track "Our God Is Love." The seasoned worship team doesn't pull out a lot of bells and whistles, but it doesn't have to. The team's core passion manifests itself in a way that transcends simple artistry. Fans of the Passion series and Chris Tomlin will likely enjoy this live participatory approach to worship. ~ Jared Johnson