Never Lose Sight – Chris Tomlin (Deluxe Edition) ****
Chris Tomlin is one of my favorite artists. We get the benefit of his music on the annual Passion releases as well as his solo albums. His worship songs are sung by an estimated 30 million people in churches around the world each week, leading some to refer to him as America’s worship Leader. This highly anticipated release is his eleventh studio album and first album of all new non-Christmas songs since 2014’s excellent Love Ran Red. Tomlin has stated that joy is at the heart of the album because of what Jesus has done for us.
Every well-crafted and performed song on this album is excellent, resulting in what most artists would be proud to have as a “Greatest Hits” collection. It will most likely (short of an unexpected release), be my favorite album of the year.
Below are a few comments on each of the songs on the Deluxe Edition of the album:
Good Good Father – This song was written by Pat Barrett and Tony Brown, and has been recorded by a number of artists, including Housefires. It is probably the most popular song that Tomlin has ever recorded, winning the 2016 Dove Award for song of the year. The single was released a year ago and is still near the top of the Christian charts. The song was also the inspiration for the children’s picture book of the same name co-written with Pat Barrett.
Jesus – Written with Ed Cash, this was the second single released from the album. This is a straight forward worship song about our Savior: Who walks on the waters
Who speaks to the sea
Who stands in the fire beside me
He roars like a lion
He bled as the lamb
He carries my healing in his hands
Jesus Impossible Things – Danny Gokey, a third place finalist on the eighth season of American Idol, joins Tomlin on this song. He recently won the Dove Award for Christmas album of the year for his album Christmas is Here. The songs starts an infectious beat with Tomlin singing over acoustic guitar and drum. Gokey joins him on verse 2 which is from Psalm 23. Our God is with us, we will fear no evil because He does impossible things. This joyful song will be wonderful to sing in a worship service. Home – Written with Ed Cash and Scott Cash, this song is about longing for Heaven, our ultimate home and where we belong. This is an upbeat, joyful song that opens with hand claps and is instantly likeable. It is based on Revelation 21 and will sound great in concert or a worship service.
God Of Calvary – Written by Tomlin, Jonas Myrin and Matt Redman, this is Tomlin’s favorite song on the album. The song takes us from the cross to the resurrection. It begins with what takes place on the cross at Calvary and then moves into a triumphant chorus. We are set free by His wounds and redeemed by His blood. Christ crossed the great divide for us. Redman provided the bridge, from which Tomlin takes the title of the album. He will never lose sight of the cross and Christ. The song then moves to Christ’s resurrection from the dead.
After a successful sixteen-year run leading the David Crowder Band that ended in 2012, David Crowder, now known simply as Crowder, released Neon Steeple in 2014, one of my favorite albums of that year. He returns now with American Prodigal, and what he calls “swamp pop”. The album features recurring themes of sin and forgiveness, chains, freedom, being a prodigal and Heaven. Below are a few thoughts about each of the songs on the Deluxe edition of the album:
American Intro – This brief minute and a half opener features Crowder with a simple piano backing. He wants Heaven to be opened and all of the angels of Heaven to sing along Come on Hallelujah!
Keep Me – This is a prayer to the Lord to keep him walking as the devil keeps calling him back. But the Lord keeps calling him home. It features a foot-stomping, hand-clapping, heavy beat, banjo, fiddle, good backing vocals and even some rapping from Crowder. The chorus reminded me a bit of Toby Mac’s “Move (Keep Walkin’).
Run Devil Run – The first single, this is a rousing toe-tapping rocker. He sings that he has something that’s going to make the devil run. He has three (the Father, Son and Holy Spirit) and the devil has none. We have revival. A song that will really be fun in concert.
My Victory – Was included on the Passion album Salvation’s Tide is Rising. This is a great song that will be sung in churches around the world. It features more of a Passion band sound than Crowder’s usual “folktronica” sound. It starts slow and then builds to a powerful chorus and the line “A cross meant to kill is my victory”. Amen! One of my favorite songs of the year.
Prove It – This song features Christian rapper KB. It has a foot-stomping, driving beat. It’s about freedom. He sings that if you’re free, prove it. If not, loose the chains on your soul.
All Your Burdens – This song opens with banjo and then goes into a driving rocker with excellent guitar and drums. He sings that all his burdens weigh him down, but the chains will be broken and we shall overcome and have victory.
Back to the Garden – This song is from the perspective of Adam. He sings that he was born to be royal and made for glory, but was torn from the garden when the devil lied to him. It starts slow and builds powerfully. He longs to go back to the garden when he walked in the presence of God. The song features a blazing guitar solo.
Forgiven – A powerful worship song that begins with guitar and piano, then builds with banjo and drums. He sings that he was the one who held the nail, hid in the garden and denied Jesus with his lips. Despite this, we can receive God’s unconditional love and find freedom by falling to our knees and receive forgiveness from our sins.
Promised Land (Glory, Hallelujah) – This is a triumphant worship song featuring Crowder’s swamp sound. Who has the power (to save, heal, raise the dead, make me whole, etc.)? It’s his sweet Lord. He’s longing for the Promised Land. It features a rap from Christian rapper Tedashii, who will be touring with Crowder.
All My Hope – This song has the feel of an old-time gospel song. It opens with piano, and builds slowly with light drums and finishes with a great backing choir. He’s been held by the Savior. All his hope is in Jesus. All of his sins are forgiven. He’s been washed by the blood. The chains are removed, he’s freed and forgiven. One of my favorites on the album.
Shouting Grounds – This song features the swamp pop sound. He should be dead but he’s alive. He’s a prodigal, who was lost but now is found. He wants to be taken to shouting grounds, where it’s going to get loud. No grave is going to hold him down. This is a triumphant, victory song. Features some Native American chanting toward the end of the song.
I Still Do is the 71 year-old Eric Clapton’s 23rd (and perhaps last) solo studio album. Clapton has said that he “kind of might be saying goodbye” here. Much of the excitement about this release was around Clapton reuniting with veteran producer Glyn Johns, who produced Clapton’s classic 1977 album Slowhand and 1978’s Backless. The album features mostly cover songs with some new material written by Clapton. The cover is a painting of Clapton by Sir Peter Blake, who previously provided artwork for Clapton’s 1991 live album 24 Nights, and is best known for co-creating the famous cover design for the Beatles Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band album. There has also been a lot of attention around a mysterious guest on “I Will Be There”. More about that later.
The band includes Clapton, Henry Spinetti, who has played with George Harrison and Paul McCartney among others, on drums and percussion, Dave Bronze on bass, Andy Fairweather Low on guitar, Paul Carrack on Hammond Organ, Chris Stainton on keyboards, Simon Climie on keyboards and guitar, Dirk Powell on accordion, Walt Richmond on keyboards and Angelo Mysterioso on acoustic guitar and vocals on “I Will Be There”.
Here are a few comments about each song on this fine album: Alabama Woman Blues – an excellent slow blues version of Leroy Carr’s 1930 recording, featuring guitar, piano, organ and accordion. Can’t Let You Do It – this is a J.J. Cale song that Cale’s wife Christine provided to Clapton on a CD of his unreleased songs after Cale’s funeral. It has a “Lay Down Sally” guitar sound. Features some good backing vocals, accordion and organ. I Will Be There – this song features Angelo Mysterioso on acoustic guitar and vocals. Much has been made of this as the name is very close to L’Angelo Misterioso, a pseudonym used by George Harrison when he recorded anonymously, including with Clapton when he was in Cream on the song “Badge”. This led to speculation that the song would include vocals from Harrison, which Clapton has denied. However, could the vocals and guitar be from Harrison’s son Dhani? The lyrics could serve as a tribute to Clapton’s relationship with George. Spiral – an original slow blues song, it features the line “You don’t know how much this means to have this music in me”. Catch The Blues – an original song that has a light Latin feel with nice guitars and female vocals. He sings that he has been living in a world of pain. One of my least favorite track on the album however. Cypress Grove – a cover of Delta Blues artist Skip James, who died in 1969. This slow blues song features some excellent accordion work by Powell. Little Man, You’ve Had a Busy Day – This tender lullaby shows off Clapton’s tender voice and features acoustic guitar. The song was written by Mabel Wayne, Al Hoffman and Maurice Sigler and first recorded by Elsie Carlisle in 1934. Stones In My Passway – a Delta Blues song that Robert Johnson recorded in 1937. Features some excellent guitar as well as Powell’s accordion. I Dreamed I Saw St. Augustine – an excellent cover of Dylan’s song from his 1967 album John Wesley Harding album, again features Powell’s accordion, some tasty guitar and good backing vocals. I’ll Be Alright – this is a version of the traditional hymn “We Shall Overcome”. Features excellent backing vocals and guitar. Somebody’s Knockin’ – this is another slow blues J.J. Cale song that Cale’s wife provided to Clapton on that CD of his unreleased songs after Cale’s funeral. Clapton has used this song to open his concerts in recent years. Features some excellent guitar and piano and organ. I’ll Be Seeing You – This beautiful rendition of a post-war standard popularized by Billie Holiday, takes on special meaning if this is indeed the last song on his last studio album. Features soft percussion, piano and acoustic guitar and Clapton’s tender vocal.
Never Lose Sight. You can pre-order Chris Tomlin’s new album Never Lose Sight, which will be released October 21, beginning September 23.
NEEDTOBREATHE on Conan. NEEDTOBREATHE performed “Money & Fame” from their chart-topping album HARD LOVE on Conan September 12.
You Know It. Watch the new music video for “You Know It” from Derek Minor from his new album Reflection.
Lecrae: The Destination Tour. Lecrae is promising some new music and tour. Look for a concert near you on his new The Destination Tour.
A cross meant to kill is my victory. Crowder
Count your blessings not your failures. Lecrae
Sin doesn’t make friends, it takes captives. So don’t flirt with it. Flee it. Trip Lee
No, they did not take his life–he laid it down. And the chains of death could never hope to hold him, so in the night my hope lives on. Andrew Peterson
My Victory from Crowder
This song was first included on the Passion band album Salvation’s Tide is Rising earlier this year. It’s one of my favorite songs of the year. Listen to a live version here.
Here are the powerful lyrics to the song:
You came for criminals and every Pharisee
You came for hypocrites, even one like me
You carried sin and shame the guilt of every man
The weight of all I’ve done nailed into Your hands
Oh, Your love bled for me Oh, Your blood in crimson streams Oh, Your death is hell’s defeat A cross meant to kill is my victory
Oh, Your amazing grace, I’ve seen and tasted it It’s running through my veins I can’t escape its grip in You my soul is safe You uncover everything
Oh, Your love bled for me Oh, Your blood in crimson streams Oh, Your death is hell’s defeat A cross meant to kill is my victory
Behold the Lamb of God Who takes away our sin, who takes away our sin The holy Lamb of God Makes us alive again Makes us alive again
Oh, Your love bled for me Oh, Your blood in crimson streams Oh, Your death is hell’s defeat A cross meant to kill is my victory
On his sixth studio album, and first since 2013’s excellent Mountains Of Sorrow, Rivers Of Song, Amos Lee serves as producer for the first time and transforms his sound from the previous album’s folk/country sound to a full-band gospel-soul-R&B sound. Lee builds on his concert experiences to make his new sound more dynamic, including an effective use of horns, organ, and background vocals. In addition to members of his road band, he brought in drummer Mark Colenburg and bassist Adam Blackstone to punch up his rhythm section. Lee’s voice has also never sounded better on this album recorded at a converted Nashville church. I liked this album and the energy in the music a lot, though lyrically many of the songs are about relationships that have gone bad.
This is one the top releases of 2016 thus far. Here are a few comments about each of the songs on the album:
New Love – Opens with piano and then shows off the new full-band sound, particularly the horns with Jeff Coffin on saxophone and Rashawn Ross on trumpet. The song is about the joy of new love, while at the same time showing off the band’s exciting new sound. Running Out of Time – Since hearing of his “new found faith” on “Windows Rolled Down” on Mission Bell, I’ve been looking for signs of faith and spirituality from Lee. You find it here on this gospel song, featuring hand claps and a repeated refrain of “Lord have mercy” as he is running out of time. This song is about the brevity of life. Lee called it “A reminder and a recognizing of the impermanence we share here on earth”. The upbeat song includes a reference to a train, a common theme in Lee’s music. It also features some excellent horns and organ.
Spirit – Lee has stated that he wrote this song after being moved by a New Orleans street singer he encountered who had a deep connection with his music. He refers to the “pain that she gave to me”, one of several references to a painful breakup that Lee writes about on the album. The song features piano, organ and background vocals. Lee sings that he just wants to feel the spirit wash over him.
Lost Child – One reviewer compares this song to Stevie Wonder from his Innervisions period. I don’t disagree. Through the pain he can see the clouds drifting away for a celebration day. The music is upbeat and catchy, featuring a great vocal, horns, drums and background vocals.
Highways and Clouds – Lee has stated that for this song he didn’t want to just do the standard waltz feel that’s led by the acoustic guitar, but wanted to add dimensions to the arrangements and try to transform them, rhythmically and instrumentally, so that the album was cohesive. This song opens with acapella vocals, followed quickly by Lee’s and Luther Dickinson’s guitars, and then drums, keyboards and horns. This is another story song. The singer is from the Badlands. Highways and clouds meet in the middle. Features some effective backing vocals. Lightly – This is another of Lee’s “story songs”. He is from “all over”, was born in the wind, and has learned to travel lightly, living alone, and if he moves fast enough the darkness can’t catch up to him. Features some good background vocals and guitar. That comes through beautifully on a striking ballad called Lightly, which Lee builds around a surprisingly elegant banjo riffThat comes through beautifully on a striking ballad called Lightly, which Lee builds around a surprisingly elegant banjo riffThat comes through beautifully on a striking ballad called Lightly, which Lee builds around a surprisingly elegant banjo riff One Lonely Light – This beautiful song starts as an acoustic number and gently builds. The singer states that there are times when he doesn’t feel like he is “a damn bit of good”. He sings of pain on this gospel flavored song, which features good backing vocals. He sings of storms in the night with waves raging and crashing and winds howling. What is the lonely light he sings of? Is it a woman? Is it God? Who is he singing to as he sings “Oh I’ll sing for you, what more can I do, Oh I’ll sing for you”.
Wait Up For Me – This songs features an acoustic guitar, piano, accordion, mandolin and gentle backing vocals. The singer encourages a woman to wait up for him so she doesn’t have to be alone. He is on the road, lost in the world, ragged and blue. But he’s coming home. Musically, this song would fit on Mountains Of Sorrow, Rivers Of Song.
Til You Come Back Through – Lee sings in falsetto here as he delivers an outstanding vocal performance. He sings to a woman he has been waiting his whole life for, but she is leaving forever. He has no choice but to say good-bye until she comes back through. Features acoustic guitar and keyboards, but the focus is on Lee’s emotional vocal.
Hurt Me – This song features punchy strings. It’s another song about a relationship that has gone bad. He’s feeling blown away and is at the breaking point. He doesn’t know how he will make it through the day. He doesn’t want mercy tonight and asks if she is strong enough to watch him die. He sings that he’s begging her to free the pain that locks me up inside.
Vaporize – The first single from the album, this is another song about a painful relationship that has gone bad. Programmed beats and piano open this song. In an emotional vocal, he sings that he’s going to vaporize everything that’s inside and get “high, high, high….”
Walls – Lee sings this song about a failed relationship in falsetto. It has a soft beat punctuated by keys. He sings that she’s writing on his walls that she’s not in love with him anymore and has found someone new. Features some good backing vocals.
With You – This song opens with acoustic guitar and features some amazing strings and vocal from Lee. He is singing to a woman that he doesn’t want to lose. He wants to see another summer and sunsets with her. He’s going to keep her with him wherever she goes. Continue reading →
I grew up as a huge Beatles fan and have followed the band members solo careers as well, by far the most commercially successful and prolific being Paul McCartney. That’s not to say that there haven’t been some pretty uneven albums along the way (think of 1971’s Wild Life by Wings, for example). Recently I saw McCartney on tour for the twelfth time. One of the things I always look forward to is what songs he will pull from his impressive Beatles, Wings and solo career to play on the tour. Several songs from his compilation show up on his new “One on One” tour set list. This compilation, his fourth, after 1978’s Wings Greatest, 1987’s All the Best and 2001 Wingspan, includes songs from his 1970 debut McCartney to his 2014 single “Hope for the Future” and his 2015 remix of “Say Say Say”, a hit with Michael Jackson.
The collection comes in multiple formats, with the deluxe edition including 67 (25 of which have been newly mastered), solo, Wings and Fireman songs, more than 40 of which were Top 40 hits. McCartney had more than 300 songs to choose from – from 17 solo, 7 Wings and 2 Fireman studio albums. McCartney and his team came up with the idea of putting together the collection “with nothing else in mind than having something fun to listen to”.
There will always be songs left off that you would like to see on an artist’s compilation project. I was surprised that no tracks from his fine 1989 Flowers in the Dirt album or 2001’s Driving Rain were included, for example. On the other hand, 8 songs were included from his 1997 Flaming Pie album and 5 from his latest, 2013’s New, were included. I would also have liked to see some more rarities, such as “Girl’s School” and “Spies Like Us”. One rarity does show up, the children’s song “We All Stand Together”, as well as several “deep cuts” from McCartney solo, Wings and Fireman albums, a particular favorite of mine is “Warm and Beautiful” from the mostly forgettable but best-selling 1976 Wings at the Speed of Sound, where McCartney let all band members take a turn at lead vocals.
Despite the above minor concerns, I enjoyed listening to these songs, all but “We All Stand Together” I once had, but many of which I didn’t have in a CD or digital format. Sit back and enjoy these songs covering McCartney’s amazing now 46-year post-Beatles career.
Note: Pure McCartney gave me the idea to make my own McCartney mixtape, using my favorite Beatles songs he sang lead on as well as my favorites from his solo career. Although I still am adding to the mixtape/playlist, it currently has 233 songs on it.
A good companion to this compilation for McCartney fans would be Philip Norman’s new biography Paul McCartney: The Life. Stranger to Stranger by Paul Simon ****
Never one to rest on his impressive laurels, 74 year-old Paul Simon returns with Stranger to Stranger, his thirteenth solo album, five years in the making, and his first studio album since 2011’s excellent So Beautiful or So What. The album is produced by Andy Smith and 81 year-old Roy Halee, a longtime collaborator whose relationship with Simon goes back to the original Simon and Garfunkel days in 1964.
This risk-taking album takes many listens to fully appreciate. It includes two instrumentals and is in many ways experimental, pushing boundaries and featuring a wide variety of instruments, electronic beats, loops, samples, a gospel music quartet, horns and synthesizers. The album is heavy in percussion, with four of the album’s first six songs not even using a guitar. Simon was influenced by the works of Harry Partch, an American composer, music theorist, and creator of musical instruments. Partch experimented with microtonal tunings. In fact, Simon has said that there is not a lyrical theme to the album, but rather a sound theme, though like his last album, God and the afterlife are recurring themes here.
Here are a few brief comments on each of the songs on the standard edition of the album:
The Werewolf – The opening song is about a werewolf, an angel of death. She is looking for other victims to kill. It’s the end of the rainbow, midnight, and she really has the appetite. It is the first of three songs that Simon collaborates with the Italian electronic dance music artist Clap! Clap! A good beat plays behind Simon’s vocal.
Wristband – This also features Clap! Clap! It’s one of my favorite songs on the album, about a musician who goes out for a smoke, and then is unable to get back into the venue he is playing at because he doesn’t have the required wristband. The song then pivots about the homeless and lowly who can never get through the door. Again, an infectious beat behind Simon’s vocal along with some good horns.
The Clock – A short instrumental, the first of two instrumentals on the album that were originally written for John Patrick Shanley’s play Prodigal Son. Simon said that he decided to insert them in the album to give a little space after songs.
Street Angel – The third song that features Clap! Clap! The central character from this song also appears in “In a Parade”, the first time a Simon character appears on two songs of the same album. Simon samples 1939 gospel vocals from The Golden Gate Quartet, a favorite of his. An interesting verse that doesn’t seem to go along with the rest of the song is:
If God goes fishing And we are the fishes He baits his lines With prayers and wishes They sparkle in the shallows They catch the falling light We hide our hearts like holy hostages We’re hungry for the love, and so we bite
Stranger to Stranger – Simon slows it down on what could be a song to musician wife Edie Brickell. He asks that if they met for the first time could they imagine falling in love again. He is jittery, it’s his way of dealing with his joy. Features some effective horns.
In a Parade – The singer may be in an ER, which tonight feels like every wounded soul, or in a parade and can’t talk now. Street Angel reappears, as does the line from the song “Street Angel”, “I write my verse for the universe”. Features an infectious percussion beat.
Proof of Love – This song was inspired by Simon’s visit to a spiritual healer in Brazil when he was suffering from reoccurring violent nightmares. He asks the Lord for proof of love, and hears a voice telling him not to be afraid that his days won’t end with night.
In the Garden of Edie – This song is about Simon’s wife Edie, and is the second instrumental included that was originally written for Prodigal Son.
The Riverbank – The mostly upbeat sound contrasts with the subject matter here. The song was inspired by a teacher that Simon knew who was killed in the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting in December, 2012 and also depicts the funeral of a veteran who committed suicide.
Cool Papa Bell – A favorite, this song is partially about a center fielder in the Negro league baseball from 1922 to 1950. He is considered to have been one of the fastest players ever to play the game. Simon sings that most will get to Heaven someday, but not the person he is singing to. They will have to stay and explain the suffering and pain they caused. The song, which has a Graceland vibe to it, includes some adult language.
Insomniac’s Lullaby – This acoustic song features the use of instruments created by Harry Partch. It has a melancholy feel to it as he sings for the Lord not to keep him up all night with questions he can’t understand, such as how the builder of bridges will deliver us all to the faraway shore.
Andrew Peterson’s Behold the Lamb of God Tour. Andrew Peterson just released his 2016 Behold the Lamb of God (Christmas) Tour. We plan to get to one of the dates. Hope you can as well.
“Money & Fame” Acoustic Version. Watch NEEDTOBREATHE’s acoustic version of “Money & Fame” as a part of “Cracker Barrel Old Country Store Warehouse Acoustic Sessions,” a series of performance videos and interviews shot inside the company’s Décor Warehouse.
New Michael W. Smith Song. Michael W. Smith recently spent some time in the land of Israel and filmed a new video for his song “He Will Never End” while there, featuring many ancient locations from biblical times.
Tempo. Watch the video for the new song “Tempo” from KB.
Misconceptions 3. Watch this video of Misconceptions 3 by Lecrae featuring John Givez, Jgivens and Jackie Hill Perry from Lecrae’s Church Clothes 3.
Music Quotes:
Worship doesn’t start with you. It begins and ends with a merciful, majestic and powerful God. ― Matt Redman
Don’t chase accomplishments, people or positions to find your worth. You’re already loved, just as you are, by the Father. ― Chris Tomlin
“Music is the great unifier. An incredible force. Something that people who differ on everything and anything else can have in common.” ― Sarah Dessen, Just Listen
Looking for America (featuring Lecrae) by Switchfoot
Switchfoot has long been one of my favorite bands and Lecrae has become one of my favorite artists over the past few years. Put the two together, and are you kidding me? You get a powerful song. Great beat and powerful lyrics. Listen to it here, from my favorite album of the year thus far, Where The Light Shines Through.
Here are the lyrics to the song:
Land of the free, home of the brave
But Lord knows that we need plenty change
‘Cause plenty chains in the past leaving deep scars
But when the sun come down we gonna be stars
The doors are locked where they once stood open A wound of fear where we once stood hoping The shattered glass where the bullets broke in I’m looking for the place that I was born I’m looking for a way to fix what’s torn I’m looking for America
I’m looking for America
Yeah, you know Beaten red white and blue for the green we pursue I’m still looking for you
America who are you? Underneath the red blue and white? America who are you? I wonder who you are tonight America who are you? Is God still on your side? I want to see a nation rise above the fear and fight that haunts these streets tonight
I’m looking for America I’m looking for a place to breathe in A place I could call my home I’m looking for America I’m looking for the land of freedom A place I can call my own
I’m looking for America Headlines that I can’t believe in But I’m still holding on to hope I’m looking for a miracle I’m looking for a miracle I’m looking for America
America who are you? Am I asking for too much America who are you? Has your dream become out of touch America who are you? Do you get what you deserve Between the violence and entitlements Which nation do you serve?
I’m looking for America I’m looking for a place to breathe in A place I could call my home I’m looking for America I’m looking for the land of freedom A place I can call my own
I’m looking for America Headlines that I can’t believe in But I’m still holding on to hope I’m looking for a miracle I’m looking for a miracle I’m looking for America
I’m singing Farewell my utopia Farewell my euphoria Fare thee well my suburban day-dream Farewell my utopia
America you so pretty But you not perfect Confession of guilt is worth it These people hurting deserve it Blood on your hands I saw When there’s blood on this nations floor But it’s blood on the upper post of your door If you need to know
I’m looking for your honesty in skeletons Do away with your ignorance and arrogance America the land of immigrants Check the green card and pedigree Bless the Choctaw and the Cherokee That we’ll never see
I’m looking for America I’m looking for a place to breathe in A place I could call my home I’m looking for America I’m looking for the land of freedom A place I can call my own
I’m looking for America Headlines that I can’t believe in But I’m still holding on to hope I’m looking for a miracle I’m looking for a miracle I’m looking for America
The land of the free, home of the brave But Lord knows we need plenty change I’m looking for America Plenty chains in the past left deep scars But when the sun come down we gonna be stars And may the stripes heal when it’s through Beaten red white blue for the green that we pursue
Where the Light Shines Through (Deluxe Edition) – Switchfoot ****
Switchfoot is one of my favorite bands, second only to U2. This is their first full-length album since their chart-topping 2014 album Fading West. An EP of songs from the Fading West sessions The Edge of the Earth, was also released in 2014. Lead singer/songwriter Jon Foreman also released four solo Wonderlands EPs in 2015.
This is the band’s 10th album in their 20-year career. It is also the first time in ten years that the band has worked with producer John Fields, who worked with them on their 2003 breakthrough album The Beautiful Letdown, as well as 2005’s Nothing is Sound and 2006’s Oh! Gravity. Bassist Tim Foreman has said that the band went through a dark season and the record become a source of light in the middle of that dark season. He stated that the album rose organically out of the ashes of adversity.
This is an excellent new release from the band that always sounds fresh. Jon Foreman’s vocals are excellent and Chad Butler’s drums really stand out. I would have liked a few more rockers, but still love the album.
Below are a few comments on each of the songs on the deluxe edition, which debuted on iTunes Top Albums chart at #2:
Holy Water – a strong opener with grungy drums and guitars that reminded me of the band’s raw Oh! Gravity sound. Jon sings that he has fought the fire with fire and he wants to taste the Lord’s love again.
Float – features an infectious funky beat. I liked this song instantly. Jon sings “Turn it up so I can feel it. Loud enough so I can get near it.” He sings don’t let them tell you what to feel like, and that money’s going to leave you broken-hearted. It can’t finish what we started. A favorite.
Where the Light Shines Through – opens with guitar, then quickly goes into drums and the full band. Jon sings encouragingly that we can’t run away from ourselves. He sings that our scars shine like dark stars and that our wounds are where the light shines through, it’s where the light finds us. The band describes it as “a gospel song – an open palms altar call – bring your scars and abuse and bruises with you”.
I Won’t Let You Go – opens with acoustic guitar. Jon offers a vulnerable Bono-like vocal as the song builds. This song works on different levels, including being a song in which the Lord is speaking to us about trusting Him.
If you could only let go your doubts
If you could just believe in me now
I swear, that I won’t let you go
Another line that was powerful was “pain gives birth to the promise ahead”.
Facing a Task Unfinished – Deluxe Digital Edition ****
This is the first album of mostly new material from the pre-eminent modern hymn writers Keith and Kristyn Getty since 2012’s Hymns for the Christian Life (though they have released a Christmas album, live album, an EP and a live Christmas album since that time). The studio album, recorded in Nashville’s historic Ocean Way Recording studio, champions mission and congregational singing, features the Getty’s excellent band, live congregational singing and a few special guest appearances (Chris Tomlin, Fernando Ortega, John Patitucci and Ladysmith Black Mambazo). The album is produced by Nathan Nockels.
The Deluxe digital edition features 17 songs. Here are a few brief comments about each of these wonderful songs, a true gift to the church:
Facing a Task Unfinished – This hymn was originally written in 1931 by China Inland Mission (now OMF International) worker Frank Houghton with music by Samuel Wesley. The Getty’s were asked by OMF to add a new chorus to the hymn, and they were joined by Ed Cash, and Fionan de Barra. An estimated one million believers in more than 5,000 churches in 100 countries joined together to sing this new hymn on February 21. The chorus below was added to the original hymn, and the recording features some excellent congregational singing:
We go to all the world
With kingdom hope unfurled
No other name has power to save
But Jesus Christ The Lord
May the Peoples Praise You – This is an upbeat hymn that features the Getty’s “green grass” band feel. Inspired by Psalm 67, this hymn is a call to worship and mission.
May the peoples praise You
Let the nations be glad
All Your blessing comes
That we may praise
May praise the Name of Jesus
Bob Dylan’s 37th studio album is his second volume of songs that he has recorded that have been mostly sung by Frank Sinatra. In fact, of the twelve songs here that were personally picked by Dylan, only “Skylark” was not recorded by Sinatra.
The album was primarily recorded at the same time and with the same core band as 2015’s acclaimed Shadows in the Night, which reached the top ten in seventeen countries and debuted at number one in the U.K. So Shadows could have been a double album. Should we consider Fallen Angels an album of songs not good enough to be included on Shadows and only released because of the success of the initial release? Are these the leftovers? No, this album is a triumph, a masterpiece, from an artist that never fails to surprise. Dylan, who will turn 75 four days after this album is released, has done something like this before with two albums of folk covers, 1992’s Good As I Been to You and 1993’s World Gone Wrong.
The low-key arrangements of the songs, with Dylan being backed by his excellent touring band, with great work by Donny Herron on pedal steel guitar, acoustic guitar and light drum, puts Dylan’s weathered but effective voice up front and center. It was self-produced by Dylan using his Jack Frost pseudonym. As with Shadows, his voice sounds the best it has in years. If you enjoyed Shadows you’ll enjoy this excellent new album.
Here are a few thoughts about each of the twelve songs:
Tedashii follows his 2014 album Below Paradise with this 7-song EP. He describes the project as completely different from anything he’s ever done before, but still authentically who he is. It features the kind of optimism that comes from overcoming the tragedy of losing his one-year old son in 2013. The project shows his growth in all ways – the sound, lyrics and themes. It shows his growth as an individual and artist, his progression as an artist and being himself. Although he is still dealing with the tragedy, the new music exemplifies who he has become after everything he has gone through.
Tedashii worked with several producers on this effort, including GAWVI. Three songs were released prior to the EP release date, the first of which was “Be Me”, produced by GAWVI, in which he states “No matter what happens, I’m still unashamed”.
The second single released, my favorite on the EP, and favorite song thus far this year, is the celebratory “Jumped Out the Whip”, which he debuted at the 2015 Dove Awards. It is also produced by GAWVI. Watch the video here. The third single was “808”, a slow jam that is a love song for his wife. She makes his heart beat like an 808 drum machine.
You, you got my heart You got my heart goin’ down in flames And it’s beatin’ And it’s beatin’ like an 808 Like boom, boom, boom, boom, boom
The other new songs are:
This Time Around – opens with news clips from today’s headlines, with him singing that with all that is going on in the world these days, we can make it better this time around. He’s tired of all of the funerals taking place around him. He’s realistic, but optimistic as well about a better future. This is a slow jam that includes some backing female vocals.
I Get It – he really brings it on this track, which features some additional vocals. He gets it, and hopes we do too.
In My Life – a very different track from the others, this acapella number features a female lead vocal, with effective backing vocals. She sings that as long as you’re here with me, I can do anything. Though creative and different, it’s still my least favorite of the seven new songs, and perhaps the one misstep here.
I’m Good – Tedashii sings lead and backing vocals over a guitar backing. It’s an optimistic closer with a very catchy chorus that will leave you humming it throughout the day and will sound great live in concert. Behind “Jumped Out the Whip”, it’s my favorite of the new songs musically, and my favorite lyrically.
Jumped Out the Whip Video. Here is the brand new video of my favorite song of the year, “Jumped Out the Whip” by Tedashii.
Illuminate. Listen to “Illuminate” a new songs from Lecrae, featuring Dria.
Melancholy Mood. Listen to “Melancholy Mood”, the first song released from Bob Dylan’s upcoming Fallen Angels
Ride with You. Did you see Rock and Roll Hall of Fame member Dion perform this song from his 30th solo album New York is My Home recently on The Tonight Show?
How was “In Christ Alone” Written? Watch this interview with the songwriters Stuart Townend and Keith Getty on the 15th anniversary of this wonderful modern hymn.
Like Any Prince. Jon Bloom writes about follow Minnesota native Prince on the night of his death. Denny Burk adds his thoughts about Prince here. Mike Cosper adds his thoughts here. Watch Bruce Springsteen open his April 23 show in Brooklyn by covering Prince’s “Purple Rain”.
Artists and Poets. Watch this talk by Lecrae, in which he inspires us all to see the magic inside a personal story put to poetry and a poem put to song.
Carrie Underwood on American Idol Finale. Carrie Underwood performed “Something in the Water” with a brief interlude of “Amazing Grace” on the series finale of American Idol.
Watch the video of the Newsboys song “Hero”, from their new album Love Riot.
Music Quotes:
People get mad when you don’t fit in their boxes. Boxes were made for products not people. Lecrae
If Jimmy cracks corn and no one cares, why is there a song about him? Crowder
I Saw Her Standing There – Paul McCartney and Jimmy Fallon
Watch the host of The Tonight Show join the former Beatle onstage in Vancouver April 20 for the Beatles classic “I Saw Her Standing There”.
Propaganda has been described as a poet, political activist, husband, father, academic, and emcee. In the song “Don’t Listen to Me”, included here, he also tells us that he is the son of a Black Panther with a Mexican spouse and Caucasian best friends. He is a college graduate with teaching credentials, and a rapper who brings a bold message through aggressive battle raps to smooth introspective rhythms. I first heard him via his contributions to some of Lecrae’s songs. The first of his albums I purchased was his excellent 2014 release Crimson Cord. Five songs from that album are included here in this compilation of eleven of the best songs from his work to date, which includes five studio albums.
Propaganda’s style of rap (poetic, spoken word, etc.) and his excellent use of percussion distinguish him from some of the other artists (Lecrae, Trip Lee, Andy Mineo, KB, Tedashii) that I listen to. He brings passion to his subject matter, as varied as public education (“Bored of Education”), or what it feels like to a black man when pastors quote the Puritans (“Precious Puritans”), the latter of which particularly got my attention. You see, I love the writings of the Puritans (Jonathan Edwards, John Owen, Matthew Henry, etc.), and use The Valley of Vision (which he mentions in the song) as part of my daily devotional reading. It was good for me – as a middle-age Caucasian male, to hear how pastors quoting some of these writers can impact African Americans (he raps of them being chaplains on slave ships, etc.), something I hadn’t thought of before.
Propaganda will challenge you with his bold messages. It may stretch your mind and heart. That’s good for me. I highly recommend his music, and this compilation is an excellent introduction if you are not currently familiar with him.
Never Lose Sight – Chris Tomlin (Deluxe Edition)
American Prodigal (Deluxe Edition) – Crowder
I Still Do – Eric Clapton
Never Lose Sight.
Music Review:
think of 1971’s Wild Life by Wings, for example). Recently I saw McCartney on tour for the twelfth time. One of the things I always look forward to is what songs he will pull from his impressive Beatles, Wings and solo career to play on the tour. Several songs from his compilation show up on his new “One on One” tour set list. This compilation, his fourth, after 1978’s Wings Greatest, 1987’s All the Best and 2001 Wingspan, includes songs from his 1970 debut McCartney to his 2014 single “Hope for the Future” and his 2015 remix of “Say Say Say”, a hit with Michael Jackson.
Stranger to Stranger by Paul Simon
Music Quotes:
Facing a Task Unfinished – Deluxe Digital Edition 
Fallen Angels – Bob Dylan 
Music Review: This Time Around – Tedashii
