Toward Eternity/Fade to White

Editorial Reviews
About the Artist
Millions of contemporary Christian music fans have heard his inspirational message of hope...first, as the male vocalist for the legendary contemporary Christian music group the 2nd Chapter of Acts, and then through his nine solo music albums.

Matthew Ward is a study in contrasts. He is intense, yet lighthearted; intellectual, but not pretentious. He loves the outdoors and the activities of the Rocky Mountain region where he lives, although he also travels into his own soul to search for the words and music that God has placed there. He is a man who has faced death through a bout with cancer and now savors every moment of life that God grants him. Matthew Ward's music is a complex reflection of God's message filtered through the life of a person who struggles daily as we all do.

Witty and entertaining, Matthew Ward in concert breathes a welcome gust of fresh air through the Christian experience as he peppers the time with stories and quips that remind us not to take ourselves quite so seriously. As for his own remarkable gifts, Matthew acknowledges that he has always known where his talents come from. "When it's all said and done," he says, "I don't want people to remember me for my ability to sing, but that I always turned their eyes to Jesus."

Album Description
This double CD set represents Matthew Ward's 1st and 3rd solo projects. His incredible range of vocals are featured on the rock classics, "Racing for the Goal" and " 'Til the Walls Fall Down" as well as the more melodic classics, "Summer Snow" and the still popular wedding song, "Perfect Union".

In addition to the songs written by Matthew, these CDs feature many songs written by several pioneers of Contempory Christian music including Keith Green, Phil Keaggy and Annie Herring, Matthew's sister and fellow member from the 2nd Chapter of Acts.

Toward Eternity/Fade to White, Music, Matthew Ward, CCM, Pop, Religious / Contemp. Christian

Armed and Dangerous
Average customer rating:

Funked Out Rock with a Touch of Majesty

Armed and Dangerous
Matthew Ward
Manufacturer: Live Oak Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Christian Rock | Christian & Gospel | Styles | Music
General | Christian & Gospel | Styles | Music
Christian Contemporary Music | Christian & Gospel | Styles | Music
ASIN: B000M52YFM

Product Description

Songs are: 1. Red and Yellow, Black And White 2. Trust In You 3. By Your Side 4. Armed and Dangerous 5. Glory to God 6. Moment By Moment 7. Put On the Armour 8. Love

Customer Reviews:

Funked Out Rock with a Touch of Majesty.......2007-03-16

Matthew Ward has one of the all-time great vocal instruments in any style of music. His pure and distinctly soulful sound is instantly recognizable. This album, released in 1986, was a personal landmark for me. Prior to this album, my view of the "Contemporary Christian" music scene was that it was well intentioned second rate artistry.

Here, the songwriting, the lyrical depth, and the vocal and instrumental virtuosity come together in a powerful, high energy musical statement. Matthew's vocal soar, Dan Huff plays a power guitar as only he can do, Lee Jones' bass work is VERY funky, and Jim Tenneboe's 80's period keyboard work is very tasty!

"Red and Yellow, Black and White" is a funky re-make based on the children's song of the same name, celebrating the ethnic diversity of God's people. "Armed and Dangerous", and "Put on the Armor" with their metaphorical references to warfare are based on Ephesians 6:10-18, where we are encouraged to "Put on the full armor of God.." so we can "stand firm..." in the faith. "Glory to God" is a majestic anthem to the God who rescues us in times of doubt and fear. "Love" is a passionate tear jerker for anyone who's ever had a child of their own to pray over. This is perhaps the biggest "hit" from this album, as Matthew prays for his daughter to someday see that "Love is calling out her name", just as his own mother once prayed over him. The chorus expresses the often forgotten Christian reversal of the world's principles, in the idea that "Love has the power to make the weakest man tower, to make the strongest man cower..." There is not a weak song on this album.

An altogether fantastic and overlooked recording. Definitely on my alltime top 100.

Average customer rating:

The male member of 2nd Chapter of Acts ROCKS !!
Better than we knew
Toward Eternity
Touches where I live

Toward Eternity/Fade to White
Matthew Ward
Manufacturer: Newport
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Christian & Gospel | Styles | Music

Gospel | Christian & Gospel | Styles | Music

Christian Contemporary Music | Christian & Gospel | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

General | Christian & Gospel | Indie Music | Stores | Music

Gospel | Christian & Gospel | Indie Music | Stores | Music

General | Rock | Indie Music | Stores | Music
ASIN: B00000IYNT
Release Date: 1999-05-25

Tracks:

Toward Eternity
It's All Right
Soft Spot
Noah's Song
Til' the Walls Fall Down
Gotta Do Better Than This
Your Love Came over Me
Hold On
Angels Unaware
Summer Snow
Vineyard
Fade to White
Then I Realized
Racing for the Goal
You Alone
Show Them
Heart
So Many Are Lookin'
Time Will Tell
Far Behind
Perfect Union
Fade to White

Album Description

This double CD set represents Matthew Ward's 1st and 3rd solo projects. His incredible range of vocals are featured on the rock classics, "Racing for the Goal" and " 'Til the Walls Fall Down" as well as the more melodic classics, "Summer Snow" and the still popular wedding song, "Perfect Union".

Customer Reviews:

The male member of 2nd Chapter of Acts ROCKS !!.......2003-03-04

Matthew Ward's first solo album is finally on cd and it's about time! I'm not crazy about the price of this cd (too high) nor the 2nd cd but I had to have it in my collection. Matthew on his 1st cd worked with 2 of the greatest legends of Contemporary Christian Music: Phil Keaggy and the late, great Keith Green. Every song on TOWARD ETERNITY is a classic. I love his vocals on "It's Alright" and "Soft Spot". Many of these songs are much different than Matthew's work with 2nd Chapter of Acts but they still rock and worship the Lord at the same time. I would have rated this cd 5 stars but only if it was by itself (sorry Matthew, I just couldn't get into the music on Fade to White).

Better than we knew.......2002-03-14

The Christian music market has no memory, which is the ONLY reason I can think of for this album not being a top seller. Phil Keaggy, Michael Omartian, Abe Laboreal, Hadley Hockensmith, and Keith Green, all at the top of their game on To ward Eternity. And Matthew's voice leading the way. Great stuff. Music to put the "new" alternative bands in perspective. Lyrics that still minister after 20 years. What more could anyone ask for?

Toward Eternity.......2001-01-11

Matthew Ward's first solo album, Toward Eternity, is still the best of them all. I've enjoyed this one for many years - from vinyl to cassette - and hopefully, I'll have it soon on CD. From sweet ballads like Summer Snow, to rock tunes like 'Til the Walls Fall Down and It's Alright, he helped push CCM forward and was clearly ahead of his time when this one was recorded. I've followed Second Chapter of Acts since the late 70's and had a blast hearing them in concert several times. Matthew's Armed & Dangerous tour (an excellent 2nd solo album, which I haven't found on CD) was part of the last concert in which I saw them. Does he sound that good in concert? Even better!

Touches where I live.......2000-09-14

I have waited for this album to come out. Matthew Ward's album Fade to White came into my life when I was untouchable, but touched me just when I needed it most! The added songs and the re-published Fade to White is a blessing straight from God. Thank you Matthew for still sharing your gift.

Music:

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