(Photo :Russell Fragar "Worship Now" )

His face was on Hillsong Live's "God is in This House" front cover.  He wrote some of Hillsong Live biggest worship staples such as "Love You So Much," "People Just Like Us," "Let the Peace of God Reign" and "God is in the House."  He co-produced with Darlene Zschech the first ten Hillsong Live albums.  His virtuoso on the keyboard has created a patented sound for Hillsong Live's earlier recordings.  He was the music pastor of the Australian mega-church (1989 - 2001) when Darlene Zschech's "Shout to the Lord" became an anthem sung by millions across the globe.  Outside of Hillsong, Contemporary Christian music's luminaries such as Natalie Grant, Alvin Slaughter and Fred Hammond have all recorded Fragar's compositions.  And perhaps one of Fragar's career highlights was when the father of worship music Don Moen recorded Fragar's "Throne of Praise" a few years back.  Fragar currently serves as the worship pastor of The Life Church in Manassas, VA (www.welovechurch.com).  After twelve years since he last graced a Hillsong Live record, he is backed with a brand new worship album "Worship Now."

"Worship Now," largely financed by the members of Fragar's church is not a Hillsong Live rifacimento.  In fact, there are at least two major departures from the Hillsong Live stencil; first, this is not a live recording but a studio effort with the leads handled very much by Fragar's own family including his children Josh, Michelle, Kimi and his son-in-law Jordan Baird.  Second, instead of adopting Hillsong Live's loud and garish anthem filling guitar-driven sound, these eleven songs are more introspective & laidback.   In fact, the sound of "Worship Now" harkens back to Hillsong Live in the late 90s and early 2000s phase where their songs are more piano/keyboard driven without the large spirited choral backings.   All of this to say, that instead of dwelling on past laurels, Fragar has crafted an album that uniquely parlays his own gifts and calling. "Worship Now" features nine newly composed paeans from Fragar's pen, with one coming from his daughter Michelle and another coming from his son Josh.  

One of the album's strength is that it is God-centered record.  And the great thing about our God is that no thesaurus is extensive enough to ever exhaust the description of his greatness.  This is the gist of the funk-pop rouser "King of Kings" which details how Jesus defies categorization, definitions and predictability.  "Be Exalted" is one of those worship numbers that gently captivates us slowly and surely into God's presence; by the time we get into the chorus we would be raising our hands and singing along in worship.  With the sound of simmering B-3, the gentle strum of the guitar, and some haunting piano riffs, "Shadow of the Cross" finds Michelle leading us into one of the most beautiful expositions of the Cross set to music.  "Rise Up" shows the degree of diversity Fragar and his team are capable of.  The Moton R&B smooth vibe and the 70s echoey backings brings out another layer of this record's beauty as this song affirms the resurrection power of Jesus Christ.   

Worship that tugs at the heart's strings need not be adorned with blasé frills.  The title cut "Worship Now" is such a prime example.  Grounded in a strong well-developed melody filled with God-adoring words, in "Worship Now" you can sense the majesty of God beaming in its brightest arrays.  Fragar does use his mettle on the keyboard to his advantage in crafting the album's gem "Welcome Here."  Calling to mid Hillsong Live's "Just Let Me Say," "Welcome Here" is a intense divine love song that desperately calls for Jesus' presence and the line "I want your heart to be my favorite place" is so heartfelt that you may need to have your Kleenex nearby.  "Worship Now" is not showbiz record where loudness and the latest guitar riff transparently bid for our attention.  Rather, Fragar and his team have gone for the heart.  And when you go for the heart, faith-soaked words and Holy Spirit-inspired melodies, resonate better than the loudest fan fare.