Indelible Grace V

I've been pining for the arrival of my pre-ordered Indelible Grace's newest project, "Wake Thy Slumbering Children." I've been wondering what sort of treasures I'll find in their new collection of soul-stirring, faith-strengthening, Christ-exalting arrangements of sadly forgotten hymns.

No more pining. No more wondering. Almost. Because...we can all hear extended samples of the entire album online, here. Thanks, Corey, for pointing this out to me!

Thank you Kevin Twit and all of the Indelible Grace musicians for another blessing to our church, and more importantly THE Church of Christ.

Here's what they're saying about "Wake Thy Slumbering Children":

"It is a joy to introduce you to this latest collection of hymns with new tunes. These hymns help us express our heart cries in words richer than our own, and open our eyes to see the beauty of a Savior who has promised the blessings we need most. What joy to know that as we cry “Wake Thy slumbering children!” we cry to the Father for His “promised blessing” to revive His church. What comfort to know that even when our hearts are bereaved and lonely, we can be reminded and encouraged: “O watch and wait with patience, and question all you will; His arms of love and mercy are ‘round about thee still.” What power to know that as we cry, “Come, Lord, and wipe away the curse, the sin, the stain, and make this blighted world of ours Thine own fair world again” we actually cry out to the One who died to make this dream a reality. What glory to know that, even in our dying hour, we can plead “abide with me” to the One who has promised to never leave or forsake us. We commend these hymns because we believe they have power to wake us to the reality of our great need for Jesus and open our eyes to see we have a great Jesus for our need."

Bob Lamson "When Snow Falls"

For years I've been blessed by being surrounded by musicians that are far better than me. How much better when an outstanding musician is also my friend! Bob Lamson is just that! His guitar work is poetry. His arrangements and melodic lines are not just good ideas, they're his life, his story. "When Snow Falls" is his first finger-style acoustic instrumental CD. You can hear some of the tracks on Bob's Myspace. The title track "When Snow Falls" steals you away to a cozy evening watching the winter flakes cascading down. "Just Restin' My Eyes" is as comfortable as your favorite sofa. "Sweet Man" celebrates the memory of dear friend.

But you'll have to buy the CD to here one my favorite's "Ode to Otte." I know...it sounds like shameless plug...but the song is stunning. We were jamming away one day on a tune that Bob was working on when I suggested an unfamiliar alternate tuning. It worked great for his song, but one thing led to another and later that day Bob came up with the riff that turned into a song. Inspired by a new tuning!

Give him a listen. You won't be disappointed!

Link:
Hear and buy Bob's Music Online.

Andy Mckee " Drifting "

If you haven't heard this guy, stop whatever you're doing to give him a listen. I've never heard so many sounds come from one guitar. McKee's arrangements are breathtaking!

Overdressed

You can now pre-order the new Caedmon's Call cd, Overdressed, and for a limited time, you'll get two cds for $12! Talk about generosity. This way you can share their truth-saturated music with a friend.

Great album art, huh?!

My heart is singing at the top of its lungs!

David Crowder's new album ("A Collision") is a feast in sound and lyric. I was brought to my knees as I thought about my mortality this morning thanks to his song "Come Awake." Not really sure why. I guess I've been thinking about my father in law who was recently diagnosed with stage 3 lymphoma; the hard fact that 10 out of 10 humans die has hit home. Crowder reminded me of the good news that while death is unavoidable, resurrection irreversible! The songs on this cd were literally birthed in the midst of the tagic death of his dear friend and pastor. So he speaks with grief trumped by hope. This morning my heart has sung at the top of its lungs--"O DEATH, WHERE IS YOUR VICTORY? O DEATH, WHERE IS YOUR STING? but thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ" (1 Cor 15:55,57).

"Come Awake"

Are we left here on our own
Can you feel when your last breath is gone
Night is weighing heavy now
Be quiet and wait
For a voice that will say

Come awake from sleep arise
You were dead become alive
Wake up wake up
Open your eyes
Climb from your grave
Into the light

Bring us back to life
You are not the only one
Who feels like the only one
Night soon will be lifted friend
Just be quiet
And wait for a voice that will say

Rise rise to life to life
Shine Light will shine
Love will rise
Light will shine
Shine shine shine
He's shining on us now


By David Crowder, Jason Solley, & Mike Hogan
2005 worshiptogether.com songs (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing)sixsteps Music (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing) Inot Music

FreeDerekWebb.com....Sept. 1

To further confirm my opinion that Derek Webb is an Indie Folk version of Keith Green, he is offering his entire cd project Mockingbird for free download as of Sept 1. Why's he doing this? In Webb's own words:

as an artist (and often an agitator), this is something i am keenly aware of. my most recent record 'mockingbird' deals with many sensitive issues including poverty, war, and the basic ethics by which we live and deal with others. but i found that music has been an exceptional means by which to get this potentially difficult conversation going. and this is certainly an important moment for dialogue amongst people who disagree about how to best love and take care of people, to get into the nuances of the issues.

one of the things that excites me most about the future of our business is how easy it is becoming to deliver music to people who want to hear it. i heard a story once about keith green caring so much that people were able to hear and engage with his music that he gave it away for free, which was a very difficult and expensive thing to do at that time. it's actually never been as simple as it is today to connect music with music fans. and i want people to have a chance to listen to mockingbird and engage in the conversation.

So check it out FreeDerekWebb.com. If you're new to his music WARNING he'll probably offend you at some point. But cheer up! You probably needed to be offended. He's honest, biblical, creative, obviously generous, and God-centered.

Link:
FreeDerekWebb.com.

"Don’t teach me how to listen to the Spirit just give me a new law"

With all the buzz about the Southern Baptist resolution on alcohol (no link: just google it!) I thought Derek Webb's song here would be quite appropriate. Plus I've been thinking whether or not I really believe that the Spirit of God is a sufficient guide for a life of holiness.

A New Law

(vs. 1)
don’t teach me about politics and government
just tell me who to vote for

don’t teach me about truth and beauty
just label my music

don’t teach me how to live like a free man
just give me a new law

(pre-chorus)
i don’t wanna know if the answers aren’t easy
so just bring it down from the mountain to me

(chorus)
i want a new law
i want a new law
gimme that new law

(vs. 2)
don’t teach me about moderation and liberty
i prefer a shot of grape juice

don’t teach me about loving my enemies

don’t teach me how to listen to the Spirit
just give me a new law

(pre-chorus/chorus)

(bridge)
what’s the use in trading a law you can never keep
for one you can that cannot get you anything
do not be afraid
do not be afraid
do not be afraid

Links:
New Law Video
Derek Webb Home

The Kingpin Wrecking Crew

Back in the day when I played in band called Leap of Faith, there was another band emerging on the scene, The Kingpin Wrecking Crew. I had a hard enough time learning how play blues on my plastique excuse for a guitar (i.e. Ovation) with my band, but I had no clue what to do the first time I hear The Kingpin Wrecking Crew. They were raw-energy, in-your-face, turn-table-sampling crazy brothers. We were more southern rock and classic blues whereas they were eclectic rock, old-school hip-hop, and funky jazz. Despite the fact that they opened for us at one gig, it's telling that while Leap of Faith is extinct, The Kingpin Wrecking Crew is thriving.

Their newest CD release,"Abolition Strategy", is hogging my mp3 player. I cannot stop listening to it. Check out the lyrics to the opening track "Reel to Real":

Drink up while it's warm. A time comes to plead. And give up a painful surrender indeed. "So sorry," said Elated, "so glad," said Forlorn. "I'm willing," said Regret, "I'm ready," said Not Yet. Changes upon changes stack up; so imperceptible. Its when I realize I'm empty; I'll know whow it feels to be full. Like an enemy soldier, brought trembling before a conquering king to be tried. Only to be embraced, and kissed on the face and given a robe, ring and wine."

The craziness never seems to end. Back in the late 90's I met Doug Elder, the Kingpins lead vocalist/guitarist, at UMF. Fastforward to now, and we go to church together! Crazy huh! So needless to say, I know the man behind the music. There's creativity, honesty, and passion in their music that not only makes CCM music look even silier than it really but also rarely found on the radio dial.

I love how Jesse Jordan captures what Kingpin is about in her review "As The Underground Rises":

Having heard a breathtaking new cut called "Burn The Bridges" from their upcoming release, it is evident that the writing is on the wall. The musical underground is about to represent in a major way. More than just another musical fad to be devoured and regurgitated by the corporate rock machine; KingPin invites us into the very catacombs of the musical underground with them to show us where they live and breathe. Don't be afraid of this subterranean journey, you're with friends and they know the way. All you need to bring is everything you believe, feel, fear, and hope. You might just find your own voice for it all there in the process, after all your guides are music makers and dreamers of dreams.

Give 'em a listen. Let me know what you think.

Link:
The Kingpin Wrecking Crew

McLaren's Open Letter to Songwriters

I came across this article yesterday and found it to be very insightful when it comes to writing lyrics. Brian McLaren is one of the most outspoken leaders today, calling for fresh innovation of telling the “old, old story.” I haven’t read all that he’s written, I don’t agree with all of the little that I have read, but this article deserves our attention. I hope that it challenges you to exult (i.e. “to rejoice greatly over") in the excellencies of God in a way that is fresh and causes the world to take notice of the good news we believe about Jesus the Christ.

Here's a snapshot:

"Let me make this specific: Too many of our lyrics are embarrassingly personalistic, about Jesus and me. Personal intimacy with God is such a wonderful step above a cold, abstract, wooden recitation of dogma. But it isn’t the whole story. In fact—this might shock you—it isn’t, in the emerging new postmodern world, necessarily the main point of the story."

Link: McLaren's Open Letter to Songwriters

Further Up & Further In Music

Last week while I was at the Bethlehem Baptist Pastor's Conference, I heard a great song, "Only Jesus" written by Marc Heinrich. The song is available on Marc's website (along with many others) in mp3 as well and lead sheet. I've just begun to plumb the depths of some incredibly profound and stirring songs. Be sure to check it out.

"Only Jesus"
By Marc Heinrich

When the trial comes
And all hope seems lost
I will find my strength
In the mighty cross

Chorus 1
Only there
Only Jesus
Only there can I cast my burdens down
Only Him
Only Jesus
Only there is joy in sorrow found

Verse 2
If my love grows cold
And my faith feels lost
I will find my heart
In the healing cross

Link:Further Up & Further In Music

Have You Heard Mark Heard?

There are few musicians who have spoken so loudly to me as Mark Heard. He spoke almost like a prophet, in lyrics that were "often haunting and rarely ordinary."

Listen to how Heard defined his "mission" in the liner notes of his 1983 album, Eye of the Storm: "I prefer to see myself as a writer who is a Christian, and I prefer to let my faith flavor my observations rather than dictate them. I prefer for my pen to act as a nerve receptor and write about the world - the real one - that exists outside society's and Christian society's simplistic, plastic, media-fed notions of what life is and what is important....I prefer not to excommunicate myself from either the 'secular' world or the church, in favor of attempting to write in a way that is communicative to both but calculated towards neither."


His album High Noon ends with the song "Treasure of the Broken Land", a song he wrote after watching his father be slowly and painfully overtaken by death. Its a gripping song that is drenched with heartache and hope.

Treasure Of The Broken Land

I see you now and then in dreams
Your voice sounds just like it used to
I know you better than I knew you then
All I can say is I love you

I thought our days were commonplace
Thought they would number in millions
Now there's only the aftertaste
Of circumstance that can't pass this way again

Treasure of the broken land
Parched earth, give up your captive ones
Waiting wind of Gabriel
Blow soon upon the hollow bones

I saw the city at its tortured worst
And you were outside the walls there
You were relieved of a lifelong thirst
I was dry at the fountain

I knew that you could see my shame
But you were eyeless and sparing
I awoke when you called my name
I felt the curtain tearing

Treasure of the broken land
Parched earth give up your captive ones
Waiting wind of Gabriel
Blow soon upon the hollow bones

I can melt the clock hands down
But only in my memory
Nobody gets the second chance to be the friend they meant to be

I see you now and then in dreams
Your voice sounds just like it used to
I believe I will hear it again
God how I love you

Treasure of the broken land
Parched earth give up your captive ones
Waiting wind of Gabriel
Blow soon upon the hollow bones

Written by Mark Heard © 1992 Ideola Music/ASCAP

Link: Mark Heard Tribute Project

Singing with Jesus

Yesterday, I started reading a fantastic new book, With One Voice, by Reggie Kidd. Mr. Kidd unpacks a theology of Song that is rooted in biblical theology, supported by rigorous exegesis, and communicated in reverent playfullness. I'm only on p. 54, but I totally resonnate with the author's premise: the missing element in both our corporate and private worship (i.e. our life!) is that we don't factor in the role of the Singing Savior. "For the Bible says that in the church Jesus is singing hymns to the Father (Heb. 2:12) and that, in fact, he is our Worship Leader (Heb. 8:2)" (p. 21). This is liberating stuff. I mean, how many times do we throw it all on ourselves to conjur up the right feelings of devotion, praise, passion, and repentance towards God? Or maybe we think it's the so-called "worship-leader's" job to get us excited about singing so that we can really "worship" God. This is not only self-defeating, but it gospel-defeating. Jesus has not only died for us, he lives for us, he intercedes for us, he SINGS for us! Check out this quote:

Here in a nutshell is the entire glorious mystery of the New Testament. By virtue of his resurrection, Jesus is alive in such a way that he can be both “with us” and “for us.” Simultaneously he is “in the midst of the assembly” and in the heavenly Jerusalem ever interceding for us. A permanent Singer has been installed. From one perspective, he sings with us in the church; from another he intercedes for us in heaven. When the church gathers in worship, earth and heaven converge. When we sing we are not singing by ourselves. There is a higher song going on above ours and a deeper song going on beneath ours.

Reggie Kidd, With One Voice: Discovering Christ's Song in Our Worship (Grand Rapids: Baker Books, 2005) p. 115.

The author also has a website with lots of helpful resources on worship, biblical studies, music, and a blog.

Link:Reggie Kidd

Taylor Sorensen

I just finished listening to Beams of Heaven (#4 CD from Indelible Grace) and one track stood out above the rest, "Lead On O King Eternal." The guy's voice kept reminded me a lot of Bono. I had to find out who in the world it was. Taylor Sorensen. Check out his website and listen to some of his tunes: Taylor Sorensen I think you might like him. Not your typical Christian Artist.

By the way if you have not availed yourself to Indelible Grace, get off your butt right now and go buy their CD's!!! They have done a marvelous job at newly arranging old, forgotten and sung-to-death hymns. We've been singing a slew of their songs at our church and people are liking them and loving God!

MP3's for 14 Cents

Yeah, my friend Dwight tells me the other day about this website where he just bought several albums for 14cents per mp3. I just tried it, and guess what...it's totally legal, and it totally works. Just picked up Jack Johnson's "In Between Dreams" and Norah Jones "Come Away with Me" for a total of $3.92!! Crazy huh!?

Check it out for your self and let me know what you think: Legal Sounds.

New Link: Red Mountain Music

My friend PJ just introduced me to Red Mountain Music. There's some great re-working of hymns to contemporary melodies and arrangements. If you're looking to deepen your personal (or congregation's) "worship music" selection visit their site and listen to some of the audio clips. Very original and refreshing. Also, you might want to check out Indellible Grace, too. They are by far my #1 choice in music selection when I'm choosing music for community worship. They even have a FREE hymnbook online with audio clips and piano/guitar lead sheets; it's called the RUF (Reformed Universities Ministries).

Links:
Red Mountain Music
Indellible Grae Music