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Here are some musicians that are currently influencing my songwriting...
On the lighter side:
Music you can
listen to on a restful afternoon, or while you're on a date, or after you go on a date, or while your driving down a
lovely country road, or while you're eating dinner with your spouse, or while you're just chillin', or while you're playing
with your kids, or what have you....
Kenneth Cope ~ Stories From Eden's Garden, and Hear My Praise have
both been albums that I've been listening to quite a bit. They are older, but I think they represent some of Kenneth's best
work in terms of songwriting and production. Hear My Praise contains several original songs as well as
a handful of covers of other Christian artists work (Chris Rice, Nicole Nordeman, and Michael W. Smith among others). Kenneth
has a sweet and reverent approach to everything he does and his music really brings a nice spirit into your day. See
his website: www.kennethcope.com
The Nativity Story: Sacred Songs ~ This is a compilation album of some really great songs about
the birth of Jesus Christ done by some very highly respected artists in Christian music. Some of the really
strong moments on the album are "Breath of Heaven (Mary's Song)", and older Amy Grant tune that fits very well nestled
into this album's overall mood; "Labor of Love" a simply beautiful description of Mary's experience by Jill Phillips
and Andrew Peterson; and Mark Schultz's rendition of "The First Noel". Other artists included on this
disc include Jaci Velasquez, Point of Grace, Selah (featuring Plumb on vocals), Jo Dee Messina, Kenny Rogers and Wynonna,
Barlow Girl, LeAnn Rimes and a beautiful final number "The Virgin's Lullaby" performed by a host of well known vocalists
and musicians. The album has a quiet reverence for it's subject matter throughout and makes for a very pleasant listening
experience at during the Christmas season. Take it for a test drive here: http://www.rhapsody.com/album/thenativitystorysacredsongs
Anand Nayak and Polly Fiveash ~ These are two friends of mine who live out in the Amherst area. They've turned
out two incredible albums so far and I'm sure more are on the way. Their latest release The Road, The Wheels and the Ride
is simply beautiful in every way. From Anand's pristine production, guitar and vocal work, to Polly's hauntingly beautiful
voice and lyrics, everything about this record makes you glad you bought it. It will become a favorite for you on road trips.
It will be your buddy. See their website: www.dizzydogmusic.com
Chris Rice ~ Amusing : I hadn't heard much of Chris Rice (with the exception
of a few of Chris' songs that Kenneth Cope had covered on his album Hear My Praise), but then I happened upon this
beatiful song called "Breakfast Table" about dealing with the lost of a loved one from a Gospel perspective. It
touched my heart in a very special way and I decided I needed to pay more attention to this singer/songwriter. Amusing
is the Chris Rice album that I'm currently listening to over and over and over and over again. Not because I'm obsessive
compulsive, but because it's great music (though some might say I am quite obsessive compulsive as well :-). It includes
"Breakfast Table" and a number of other songs that range over a number of interesting themes and images. I really like
the way Chris puts stories together and weaves gospel messages into his lyrics. It is a sweet, informative and lovely listening
experience. Fans of the message Alma chapter 34 will especially apreciate the song "tic tock". If you're a David Wilcox fan, you might also appreciate Chris. http://www.chrisrice.com/
Bebo Norman ~ Try : I bought this album a while back after I had heard
so many songs off of it on our local Christian radio station I absolutely loved that I couldn't help myself any longer.
Bebo writes sincere, moving folk songs with a unique vocal presence that is sure to soothe your soul. This album ( Try)
is well produced and is sweet but not sappy. You can tell from Bebo's lyrics that he has a sincere relationship
with God and appreciatioin for his Savior that runs deep and permeates his life. You won't regret this purchase. His
newest release Between the Dreaming and the Coming True is also wonderful. You can check it out at: http://www.bebonorman.com/
John Rutter ~ John is an accomplished composer and choir director who has led the
Cambridge Singers in England for decades. His music is beautiful, etherial, spiritual, and will no doubt be
sung often in heaven. I have been moved to tears often by the power of his arrangements and composition. I'd recommend
you start with an album called "The John Rutter Collection", which is a lovely cross section of his work. His "Requiem" and
"Magnificat" however are my two faves. http://www.collegium.co.uk/
Handel & Beethoven ~ Beethoven's 9th and Handel's Messiah both have elements that
fill my soul in different ways. If it's been a while since you've listened to either, give them another go.
Timeless stuff. :-) (google 'em)
On the rockier side:
Music
with decent uplifting lyrics that you can listen to while doing yardwork, running, chucking rocks, fixing or driving automobiles
and other heavy machinery, cleaning the house, painting the house, building something, tearing something down, having a BBQ
with some buddies, or what have you.
U2 ~ Small Irish quartet. Perhaps you've heard of them. www.u2.com
Jars Of Clay ~ These guys actually would fit into either the heavier or lighter sections as they explore many
different styles of music on their recordings. Last Christmas I purchased their Christmas Songs and was just delighted.
Good Monsters,while entertaining and enjoyable to listen to, turned out to be a mixed bag spiritually, though there
are some very moving tracks on it ("O My God","There is a river", and a few others). However, in other Jars news, I had never
really listened to their album The Eleventh Hour before and happened upon a copy on sale for $5 at a going out of business
sale. I have to say, I'm really enjoying that one. More than Good Monsters, though still not as much as their first
album (a self-titled release), and Who We Are Instead, which I still regard as their finest release. See their website:
www.jarsofclay.com
Relient K ~ Okay, these guys are just good clean fun. If you like power punky alt rock (ala Fallout
Boy), but are looking for a group with lyrics that are more deep, sincere, heartfelt and spiritual than most bands in
this genre, look no further. Relient K's latest release Five Score and Seven Years Ago is good but missing some of
the more overt Christian lyrics in a lot of places. Another of my favorites is MMHMM (yes that's the title). They
are super talented (especially frontman Matthew Thiessen who writes all of their songs and plays at least 10 different
instruments on their new record) and super tight (three guitars, one incredible drummer who is mind melded to their base player,
and sweet piano rifs that add atmosphere and depth). Those of you who appreciate highly technical rif driven rock with a punky
sensibility, which also never loses sight of the need for faithful, hopeful lyrics will fall in love with Relient
K. http://www.relientk.com/
Switchfoot ~ These guys have been impressing me for a long time now. One of the most overlooked great
rock bands around. Their most recently released album is Oh, Gravity! Happily, they seem to
be seeking to get back to the fun, hopeful side of their songwriting they demonstrated on 2000's Learning To Breathe,
and their first Columbia release The Beautiful Letdown. I really like what I'm hearing off of the new album.
Their previous release, "Nothing is Sound" packed quite a wallop but lacked some of the more overtly Gospel centered
lyrical content found on earlier albums. Nevertheless, it is a great rock album in it's own right. Each album is unique,
so depending on my mood, I rotate between them. http://www.switchfoot.com/
Third Day ~ Straight up good solid rock band with a sincere Christian message. I just love their new release Wherever
You Are. Every song is well crafted and well engineered and Mac Powell demonstrates his skill as a vocalist in a big
way. What makes this album truly great though are the poignant and heartfelt lyrics. If you've gone through some
struggles lately, wherever you are, I think you'll find this a meaningful and worthwhile listening experience. See their website:
www.thirdday.com
Mat Kearney ~(yes, that's right, only one 't') Mat has been a real success on both the Christian and secular radio
stations, mostly I think due to the earnestness with which he approaches his songwriting. I think all people regardless of
their particular background or beliefs will find something they can relate to in Mat's songs. He crosses all kinds of boundaries
on his new cd Nothing Left To Lose, handling both rap and etherial alt-pop genres without putting on airs in either.
Another very satisfying record to listen to. Check Mat out at: www.matkearney.com
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