The Loft Sessions

The Loft Sessions is the third album from California-based worship collective Bethel Music. The album was released on January 24, 2012 by Kingsway Music.[2] Brian Johnson, Daniel James Mackenzie and Rick McDonald produced the album.[3]

The Loft Sessions
Live album by Bethel Music
Released	January 24, 2012 (2012-01-24)
Recorded	2011
Genre	Worship contemporary Christian music
Length	42:24
Label	Kingsway Music
Producer	Brian Johnson Daniel James Mackenzie Rick McDonald
Bethel Music chronology
Be Lifted High (2011) The Loft Sessions (2012) For the Sake of the World (2012)
Singles from The Loft Sessions
"Come to Me" Released: December 13, 2011 (2011-12-13)[1]

Prior to the release of the album, Kingsway Music released "Come to Me" which featured the vocals of Jenn Johnson on December 13, 2011 as the lead single of the album.[1]

Background

The album was recorded live over the course of several nights in a refurbished loft in the historic Sherven Square building. The Bethel Music collective gathered with friends and family for the duration of the recordings.[2][4]

Singles

Kingsway Music released "Come to Me" which featured the vocals of Jenn Johnson in 2011 as the lead single of the album. The song reached number one on the U.S. iTunes Christian Chart.[1]

Critical reception

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
AllMusic	[2]
Cross Rhythms	[5]
Indie Vision Music	[6]
Jesus Freak Hideout	[7]
Louder Than The Music	[8]
NewReleaseToday	[9]

Jessica Morris of Jesus Freak Hideout rated the album four stars out of a possible five, citing "the musicality and restraint Bethel displays in stripping back the smoke and mirrors is what makes The Loft Sessions a phenomenal release." and concluded that "each track of this striking album draws the listener deeper into the presence of God and leaves them wanting more of Bethel music, and of Jesus."[7] AllMusic's Jon O'Brien, affixing a three star rating of the album, believes that Bethel's album was showcasing "a new, organic sound which veers more toward the contemporary nu-folk scene than their usual soft rock fare."[2] The album managed to attain a four star rating average from New Release Today reviewers Kevin Davis and Kelly Sheads.[9] New Release Today's Kevin Davis rated the album four-and-a-half stars, stating that "Every song on this album has quickly become a staple in my playlist of my favorite worship anthems. Every song is worshipful and catchy."[9] Kelly Sheads rated the album three-and-a-half stars, saying "With an eclectic sound and a variety of musical styles, no song is the same, keeping the listener focused on the message within."[9] Elliot Rose of Cross Rhythms rated the album seven out of ten squares, noting the lack of "passion and atmosphere of previous releases".[5] In a review for Louder Than The Music, Jono Davies bestowed the album four-and-a-half stars, recommending "If you're looking for a bunch of songs to use in a time of reflectiveness with God, with a few upbeat happy and non cheesy acoustic songs thrown in, then look no further than The Loft Sessions."[8]

Track listing

Standard edition[2]

No.	Title	Writer(s)	Worship leader(s)	Length
1.	"One Thing Remains"	Christa Black Brian Johnson Jeremy Riddle	Brian Johnson	4:01
2.	"My Dear"	Hunter G.K. Thompson	Hunter G.K. Thompson	3:52
3.	"You Have Won Me"	B. Johnson Joel Taylor	Brian Johnson	4:27
4.	"Come to Me"	John Hendrickson Jenn Johnson	Jenn Johnson	4:19
5.	"Walk in the Promise"	Jeremy Riddle	Jeremy Riddle	4:25
6.	"You Know Me"	Steffany Frizell Gretzinger William Matthews	Steffany Gretzinger	5:39
7.	"Angels"	B. Johnson Taylor	Brian Johnson	4:02
8.	"Fall Afresh"	Riddle	Jeremy Riddle	4:24
9.	"Draw Near"	Matt Stinton	Jeremy Riddle	3:32
10.	"This Is What You Do"	Riddle Stinton	Matt Stinton	3:51
Total length:				42:24

iTunes bonus content[10]

No.	Title	Worship leader(s)	Length
11.	"Angels" (Acoustic)	Brian Johnson	3:50
12.	"Fall Afresh" (Acoustic)	Jeremy Riddle	4:20
13.	"Come to Me" (Video)	Jenn Johnson	4:28
14.	"You Know Me" (Video)	Steffany Gretzinger	5:38
15.	"One Thing Remains" (Video)	Brian Johnson	4:00
Total length:			64:40

Personnel

Adapter from AllMusic.[3]

• Brandon Aaronson — bass
• Breezy Baldwin — design
• Jason Bourneman — soundscape
• Ryan Braun — post production assistant
• Shannon Clark — set design
• Miguel Cruz — camera operator
• Cory Fournier — camera operator, gaffer
• Steffany Frizzell — background vocals, featured artist, vocals
• John-Paul Gentile — acoustic guitar
• Kalley Heiligenthal — background vocals
• John Hendrickson — drums
• Luke Hendrickson — engineer, keyboards
• Jordan Jackiew — mixing
• Andrew Jackson — engineer
• Brian Johnson — acoustic guitar, background vocals, featured artist, vocals
• Jenn Johnson — featured artist, vocals
• Leah Johnson — background vocals
• Timothy Jon — cello
• Chris Jones — camera operator
• Christiann Koepke — make-up
• Matt Lopez — accordion
• Daniel James Mackenzie — accordion, acoustic guitar, banjo, bass, electric guitar, engineer, keyboards, producer
• Rick McDonald — producer
• Jason Miller — photography
• Graham Moore — background vocals, percussion
• Mike Myers — main personnel
• Aaron Rich — camera operator, director, editing
• Alexandria Rickett — make-up
• Jeremy Riddle — featured artist, vocals
• Martin Rosenhoff — cello
• Jeff Schnweeweis — background vocals, engineer, production assistant
• Walter Serafini — project coordinator
• Drew Small — production assistant
• Matt Stinton — featured artist, vocals
• Joel Taylor — executive producer
• Hunter G.K. Thompson — background vocals, featured artist, vocals
• Rebekah Van Tinteren — violin
• Gabriel Wilson — set design

Charts

Album

Chart (2012)	Peak position
US Billboard 200[11]	44
US Christian Albums (Billboard)[12]	3
US Digital Albums (Billboard)[13]	18

Singles

Year	Single	Peak positions
		Christian Digital Songs [14]
2011	"Come to Me"	14

References

1. "Louder Than The Music – Bethel Music Top iTunes Chart With Single Ahead Of 'The Loft Sessions' Album". Louder Than The Music. December 13, 2011. Retrieved December 31, 2016.
2. O'Brien, Jon. "The Loft Sessions – Bethel Music | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved December 31, 2016.
3. "The Loft Sessions – Bethel Music | Credits | AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved December 31, 2016.
4. "Louder Than The Music – Bethel Music Release New Live CD-DVD 'The Loft Sessions'". Louder Than The Music. January 23, 2012. Retrieved December 31, 2016.
5. Rose, Elliot. "Bethel Music – The Loft Sessions Review". Cross Rhythms. Retrieved December 31, 2016.
6. Andre, Jonathan (September 4, 2012). "Bethel Music - The Loft Sessions - Indie Vision Music". Indie Vision Music. Retrieved August 21, 2017.
7. Morris, Jessica (February 24, 2012). "Jesusfreakhideout.com: Bethel Music, 'The Loft Sessions' Review". Jesusfreakhideout.com. Jesus Freak Hideout. Retrieved December 31, 2016.
8. Davies, Jono. "Louder Than The Music – Bethel Music – The Loft Sessions". Louder Than The Music. Retrieved December 31, 2016.
9. Davis, Kevin; Sheads, Kelly. "The Loft Sessions CD-DVD by Bethel Music CD Reviews And Information NewReleaseToday". NewReleaseToday. Retrieved December 31, 2016.
10. "The Loft Sessiions by Bethel Music on Apple Music". Apple Music (iTunes). U.S. Apple Inc. January 24, 2012. Retrieved December 31, 2016.
11. "Bethel Music Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved December 31, 2016.
12. "Bethel Music Chart History (Christian Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved December 31, 2016.
13. "Bethel Music Chart History (Digital Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved December 31, 2016.
14. "Billboard - Bethel Music - Chart History - Christian Digital Songs". Billboard. Retrieved May 4, 2017.