Don Moen’s praise & worship concert at Araneta

Ovation Productions is bringing Don Moen to town. That means that the praise and worship artist Moen, who has provided solace and inspiration to people all over the world with his songs, is coming to the Philippines to perform in a series of concerts. Titled God Will Make A Way! Philippine Tour 2012, it will be held at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Cubao, Quezon City on Thursday, Nov. 8. It will be followed by other shows at the Bohol Wisdom School Gym in Tagbilaran City on Nov. 10 and at the FSUU Gym in Butuan City on Nov. 11.

Given how popular he has become these past three decades, I doubt very much if there are still people who are not familiar with Moen. I am sure though that even if there are a few who are not, they will still be definitely familiar with the works of the American singer-songwriter. Almost all Christian events feature Moen’s music. You can also hear it during Mass, in various services and even pop artists would often choose one or two of his songs for a spiritual moment in their shows.

The choices are many. Moen’s compositions range from the soothing God Will Make A Way, his biggest seller, to the foot-tapping, hand-clapping, truly joyful assurance of God Is Good All The Time. Some of his other songs that he also popularized in a number of hit albums and which I am positive have touched the lives of many are: I Offer My Life, You Make Me Lie Down In Green Pastures, Give Thanks, I Want To Be Where You Are, Shout To The Lord, I Will Sing, Blessed Be The Name Of The Lord, Hallelujah To The Lamb, Celebrate Jesus, Heal Me O Lord, Hear We Are, God With Us (He Walked Where I Walk), I Am The God That Healeth Thee, Let Your Glory Fall, We Give You Glory, Your Steadfast Love, Now Unto The King Eternal and All We Like Sheep.

Moen has scheduled three very important music releases for this year and these are all due to hit the market this month. These are a new Christmas album, Christmas: A Season Of Home; Hymnbook to celebrate his reaching one million likes in his Facebook page; and Uncharted Territory, which is made up of his latest compositions and is the first one to make it to the local stores. Moen has a unique gift for making the simplest of melodies sound so heavenly and the most familiar of messages, culled from the Bible, come across as new and personal. This is once more evident in his latest CD.

The songs in Uncharted Territory are no different from his earlier works. They are every bit as touching. Now, only time will tell if there is another Give Thanks in the line-up, but the skilled musician and producer in Moen has certainly come up with an enjoyable album. I like the title track best. Also coming across as likely winners are You Will Be My Song, Your Love Never Fails, Somebody’s Praying For Me, Thank You Jesus and No Fear. Also included are Great Things, Lord Have Mercy, Ransomed Divine Exchange, My Portion You Will Ever Be, He Loves You and Burn.

Moen’s followers in the Philippines will doubtless watch his concerts to experience him as a worship leader. I have been told that he is both charming and electrifying. But he is also a good singer and musician so there will also be lots of songs the audience will surely sing along with and he will also probably introduce a few from his new CD.

Tickets to the show at the Big Dome show are priced at P2,500, P2,000, P1,500, P1,000, P800 and P500. You may go to www.ticketnet.com.ph or call Ticketnet 911-5555 for purchase. Take note of those prices. How affordable. I honestly find it so refreshing that Ovation Productions has put the ticket prices within the reach of a lot of people. This, after all, is more than a show. Watching Don Moen might, in fact, be life-changing.