One of Christian music’s most recognizable and prolific female voices, Christy Nockels, was born in Ft. Worth, TX as a “seminary baby.” She grew up in Oklahoma as the daughter of a pastor and a piano teacher, which infused her heart early with a love for both music and God’s word.
Together as Watermark, Christy and her husband Nathan recorded five albums with Rocketown Records. They composed a journey full of songs, 7 of which were #1 radio singles. They have been nominated for numerous Dove Awards, including Christy's nominations for Female Vocalist of the Year. Christy and Nathan have served at Passion Conferences since 1997 and in 2008, they moved to Atlanta, GA to be a founding family of Passion City Church.
Christy releases her first solo worship project, Life Light Up, with sixstepsrecords on June 2, 2009. She’s been busy playing before national audiences on Chris Tomlin’s “Hello Love Tour,” where she’s singing vocals with Chris and debuting her new single “Life Light Up” each night.
Christy’s heart through leading worship and song writing is to help people communicate intimately with the living God, and to leave a legacy of proclaiming Jesus’ fame to this generation.
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Christy Nockels [Life Light Up]| Posted June 02, 2009 [MAIN REVIEW]
One of Christian music’s most recognizable and prolific female voices, Christy Nockels, was born in Ft. Worth, TX. Together as Watermark, Christy and her husband Nathan recorded five albums with Rocketown Records, including hit songs “Knees To The Earth”, “My Heart Your Home” and “Glory Of Your Name”. Christy and Nathan have served at Passion Conferences since 1997 and in 2008, they moved to Atlanta, GA to be a founding family of Passion City Church.
Christy released her first solo worship project, “Life Light Up”, with sixstepsrecords on June 2, 2009. The album opens up with a new recording of “No Not One”, co-written with Brandon Heath and originally released on “What If We”. I can’t get enough of this new version as it has a techno-style electronic beat and beautiful lyrics and a catchy melody. First single “Life Light Up” is next and is another highlight of the album with the call to live to be a light in the darkest night. I have to say, this is also the coolest album artwork I’ve seen since “Revelation” by Third Day.
The album slows down for the next several songs, all original songs written or co-written by Christy including an amazing hymn-rewrite original version of “A Mighty Fortress”. I can totally imagine singing that song in unison with other believers in praise of our God. After another nice ballad “In Your Hands”, written by Molley Moody, are the 3 excellent closing songs of the album. “Marvelous Light” was originally recorded and written by Charlie Hall and Christy does an amazing job of updating this excellent song. Just like “No Not One”, the song has an electronic feel and I love this song and new recording. “Hosanna” is originally by Brooke (Fraser) Ligertwood and recorded by Hillsong United and also covered last year by Starfield and by Christy on “Passion: God of This City”. This is one of my favorite new praise and worship songs of the decade and I can’t get enough of the song. I love that two of the premier female voices in Christian music have brought us the best studio and live recordings of this very passionate song. Christy does total justice to the great song and cry to “break my heart for what breaks Yours” in the bridge moves me every time I hear it.
The album closes with another hymn-rewrite of sorts, “By Our Love”. The song reflects the biblical truth “they’ll know we are Christians by our love”. Just like the other slower songs, Christy’s tender and powerful vocals are captivating and this song is sweet and moving like “I Saw What I Saw” by Sara Groves. This whole album just gives me goose bumps.
CLOSING THOUGHTS
This is my favorite female solo album of the year along with Lanae’ Hale’s “Back & Forth”. The highlights for me are “No Not One”, “Life Light Up”, “A Mighty Fortress”, “Marvelous Light”, “Hosanna” and “By Our Love”.
Rating: 9.5 out of 10 (95%, A)
Review written by: Kevin Davis | Review can also be found here.
This review has been reprinted on NRT with permission from ChristianMusicReview.org. Click here to visit ChristianMusicReview.org today!
NOCKELS SHINES ON SOLO DEBUT| Posted August 18, 2009
To the delight of loyal fans, Christy Nockels finally makes her debut as a solo artist with sixstepsrecords, home to other Passion Conference-born lead worshippers Chris Tomlin, David Crowder Band, Kristian Stanfill, etc. She and husband Nathan (previously known as Watermark) moved to Atlanta to be a part of Passion City Church, and Christy began writing a new collection of worship songs based on her real-life worship experiences.
Life Light Up kicks off with celebratory pop anthem “No Not One” (co-written with Brandon Heath) and title track “Life Light Up,” a passionate, real cry for God’s fame to shine. Triumph in God’s promise flows through “You Are Able” and “In Your Hands.” The album is not all upbeat victories, however. Nockels explores the choice of slavery to Christ in the ballads “My Master” and “Choose.” Her “Song of the Beautiful” is a haunting glimpse of a broken people crying to Savior Jesus.
She includes two cover songs, Charlie Hall’s “Marvelous Light” and Brooke Fraser’s “Hosanna,” which she also recorded for Passion: God of This City. The opening to “Hosanna” sounds eerily like Coldplay, but the remainder of the song is a replica of the original sung by Hillsong United. Her take on Hall’s “Light” is also true to the original, albeit shaped by Nockels’ powerful vocals.
Chris Tomlin has said that Christy Nockels is his favorite vocalist, and it’s not difficult to imagine after listening to Life Light Up. Her voice is as pure as it is powerful, beautifully matching the spirit of each song. Moreover, her convincing performances are boosted by arrangements and production that make them feel like a live event. While her work with Watermark should be remembered, Life Light Up takes her work as a worship leader to a brand-new level. —Jackie A. Chapman
Christy Nockels, Life Light Up| Posted June 05, 2009
I liked this album. It was very motivating and uplifting. You were able to understand the words clearly. I would be happy to listen to this album again.
it was ok...| Posted June 04, 2009
Not my style of music, although I thought that the violin was really cool in the beginning and she deffinetly has a beautiful voice. But again not my cup of tea.
Although it was only background noise today...| Posted June 02, 2009
....I never wanted to turn it off the whole time. Christy has a beautiful voice and if any of the songs had stood out in a negative way, I'd have noticed. I really want this CD.
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