Grace Hotel
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Album Reviews

Big Daddy Weave's enormously successful debut set a high standard, but Fields of Grace eradicates any worries of a sophomore slump, taking the band's trademark saxophone and guitar blend of worship-oriented songs to a mature new level. From the contagious enthusiasm of Set Me Free to the encouragment of You In Me, the Weaver brothers and their bandmates have created an album that consistently offers a Christian worldview. In this era of cookie-cutter artists, Joe Shirk's saxophone adds a distinctive flavor. Mike Weaver also stands out, not only because he's the primary songwriter and singer, but because he's the only one in the band whose name doesn't start with "J." Joe is joined by Mike's brother Jay on bass, Jeremy Redmon on guitar and Jeff Jones on drums. Hopfully this band will stay together for awhile--they make excellent music that's permeated by a vibrant Christianity. Fields of Grace will appeal to fans of Big Daddy Weave, Steven Curtis Chapman and Dave Matthews, or anyone else who likes an infectiously upbeat light rock album that's heavy on acoustic guitar, saxophone, and solidly Christian lyrics. I highly recommend it.

~ Randy Brandt

When I listened to this album for the first time, I was alarmed by the change in Big Daddy Weaves musical style. For example, on the opening track, "Set Me Free", there is no saxophone, and the electric guitar is more prominent. This is in sharp contrast with "In Christ," the opening track of One and Only. I also heard this change in "Fields of Grace", "Heart Cries Holy", "Everything You Are", and "Be Your Everything". Its not that I dont like rock, but I wondered what brought about the change. However, the saxophone isnt completely gone. You can hear it in "Why", "New Every Morning", "Pharisee", and "You in Me". I especially like the use of the baritone saxophone in "New Every Morning" and the sax part in the middle of "You in Me". So while the style has changed somewhat, its not entirely different. But the message of the songs is whats most important. For example, the title track talks about a personal relationship with God which is much more than just religion. "Everything You Are" is a great worship chorus, which I hope well eventually start singing in church, though Im sure most people will want to sing it in a lower key. "Be Your Everything" expresses Gods desire that we bring all of our concerns to Him. "Pharisee" talks about hypocrisy and the freedom that we find in Christ. And "Completely Free" is a simple, beautiful presentation of the Gospel. I highly recommend this album. The style has changed, but I still like it, and the message is great!