Cornerstone

Personnel: Katrina Tadman, Marcus Temu, Jill McCloghry, Jay Cook, Eric Liljero, Jenny Deacon, Sheila Mpofu, Hayley Law, Hannah Hobbs, Brad Kohring, Katie Dodson, Sloane Simpson, Sam Knock (vocals); Nigel Hendroff (acoustic guitar, electric guitar); Matt Crocker (acoustic guitar, banjo); Dean Ussher, Reuben Morgan, Joel Houston, Jad Gillies, Ben Fielding (acoustic guitar); Timon Klein, Isaac Soon, Jarryd Scully (electric guitar); Lauren Hodges (violin); Celeste Shackleton (cello); Ben Tennikoff (accordion, pump organ, glockenspiel); Elizabeth Gorringe (French horn); Marc Warry (trombone); David Andrew , Autumn Hardman, Aaron Polley, Peter James (keyboards); Daniel McMurray, Harrison Wood (drums); Simon Kobler, J.P. Starra (percussion).
Audio Mixer: Sam Gibson.
Recording information: Hillsong Church Convention Centre (02/26/2012); The Allphones Arena (02/26/2012); The Sydney Entertainment Centre (02/26/2012); Hillsong Church Convention Centre (03/17/2012); The Allphones Arena (03/17/2012); The Sydney Entertainment Centre (03/17/2012); Hillsong Church Convention Centre (10/30/2011); The Allphones Arena (10/30/2011); The Sydney Entertainment Centre (10/30/2011).
Historically, every Hillsong Live offering has been recorded around a centerpiece, a theme song that captures the moment the church collective is living. Accordingly, the title tracks often become anthems -- "You Are My World," "Blessed," "Mighty to Save," "This Is Our God," and "Saviour King" are but a few examples. Cornerstone, the group's 21st live project, may disrupt the streak somewhat: its titular song, rather than a rousing expression of praise, is a dirge consisting mostly of borrowed verses from the classic hymn "The Solid Rock," plus the requisite four-line chorus. That's not to say the well has run dry. Hillsong's yearly output, after all, is viewed more as a resource for local churches than a creative tour de force. In that sense, Cornerstone goes through the motions and delivers the goods: serviceable rockers, ballads, and midtempo numbers aplenty, all large on dynamics, atmospherics, and easy-to-learn refrains. Hillsong matriarch Darlene Zschech -- she left the group in 2010 to pastor a church -- is surely missed. ~ Andree Farias