Get Your Music on Amazon!
Get Your Music - and everything else - on Amazon! All purchases made on Amazon through this link earn a commission for Jesusfreakhideout.com!

JFH Music Review


Rich Mullins, The Joy of Jesus (feat. Matt Maher, Mac Powell & Ellie Holcomb) - Single
CLICK COVER TO ENLARGE

Rich Mullins
The Joy of Jesus (feat. Matt Maher, Mac Powell & Ellie Holcomb) - Single



Artist Info: Discography
Genre(s): Contemporary
Album length: 1 track: 2 minutes, 38 seconds
Street Date: September 6, 2017


READER RATING:   


September 19, 2017 marks the twentieth anniversary of the surprising and tragic death of Rich Mullins. In those twenties years since, Mullins' reputation and impact on people, myself included, is surely more vast and profound than he would have ever imagined -- or even believed if you had tried to tell him. To commemorate this date, three singers (Matt Maher, Ellie Holcomb, and Third Day's Mac Powell) have been featured on "The Joy of Jesus," a new version of an old, obscure Rich Mullins tune. In many ways, this new single is akin to The Jesus Record, an album recorded shortly after his passing, where a group of close friends and collaborators created what would've been Mullins' next album, based on demos recorded not long before his death.

"The Joy of Jesus" isn't nearly as faithful to its original recording, a live cut captured in the late 70's. This new version removes the most interesting facets of Mullins' original music and lyrics. There's also lyrics added; while these new lyrics, sung beautifully by Holcomb, aren't anything special, it makes for a gorgeous section of the song. The vocal performances are great, especially when all three singers join together for the climactic harmonies at the end.

It's an oddly structured song both in its original conception and in this version, clocking in at merely 2:38, and it would've been nice to see these artists expand on the song rather than tame it down. Nevertheless, it's a pleasant track that honors one of CCM's greatest. Dozens of artists could spend years trying to do justice to all the demos and live recordings that never found their way onto Mullins' relatively small collection of full-length albums, and we can only conjecture about what was never documented or what never made it out of his head. Yet, his influence endures, and this song accomplishes its purpose of proving that very point.

- Review date: 9/18/17, written by Chase Tremaine of Jesusfreakhideout.com



(JFH Sponsor Spot)

Try Pop Culture Coffee!

 

JFH Album Sampler
. Record Label: Reunion Records
. Album length: 1 track: 2 minutes, 38 seconds
. Street Date: September 6, 2017
. Buy It: iTunes
. Buy It: Amazon Music (MP3)

  1. The Joy of Jesus (feat. Matt Maher, Mac Powell & Ellie Holcomb) (2:38)

 

 

 

 

 



Leave a Comment

 

 

go to main Album review page
go to Album review archive

 

 

                 
Try Pop Culture Coffee!

Search JFH



This Tuesday, June 3, 2025
SINGLES
Sixpence None The Richer The Needle and the Damage Done - Single [Flatiron]

This Friday, June 6, 2025
ALBUMS
CCV Hollow (Deluxe) (independent)
Ben Fuller Walk Through Fire [Provident]
Hopeful. The Wild One - EP (independent)
Christy Nockels King Who Never Sleeps; Anthems for Rest [The Fuel]

SINGLES
7eventh Time Down My Will - Single [BEC]
Bill B. & Cyrus Sonata Kevlar - Single [Syntax]
Elan Brio I'm Satisfied (ft. Henry Israel) - Single (independent)
Aaron Cole NOBODY BUT GOD - Single [Provident]
Equippers Worship Living in Freedom (Live) - Single [DREAM]
Good Weather Forecast Pray - Single [DREAM]
Ic3rd & EJ Swavv Woke Up (ft. CJ Emulous & George.Rose) - Single [Syntax]
King David tha Vessel Consistant - Single (independent)
Brandon Lake Daddy's DNA [Provident]
Myles Maestro Flood (ft. Ace Savage & Shruumi) - Single [Syntax]
Mell Omii Wave - Single [Syntax]
Kevi Morse Mr. Pilot - Single [Syntax]
River Valley Worship Time For Revival - Single [BEC]
Roy Tosh Everything's Gonna Be Alright (feat. PEABOD) - Single [RMG Amplify]
Solachi Voz All I Need - Single [Syntax]
Emilie Weiss Genesis (Studio Sessions) - Single [BEC]
Ayiesha Woods I Have Hope - Single [Backsider]

VINYL
Ironwrath Master Storyteller Vinyl [Girder]

Next Friday, June 13, 2025
ALBUMS
Coqui Death to Your Ego [DREAM]
King's Hammer To Speak In Tongues - EP [Rottweiler]
Brandon Lake King Of Hearts [Provident]
Joel Vaughn Feel It - EP [DREAM]
War of Ages Eternal (15th Anniversary Edition) [Facedown]

SINGLES
CalledOut Music Worthy of It All - Single [Integrity]
Equippers Worship Garment of Praise - Single [DREAM]
Mainstream Worship Near - Single [DREAM Worship]



For all release dates, click here!
 

Check out depositphotos for royalty free images