Category: Music

New Christmas music: Ten Out Of Tenn

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The collection of talented artists who make up Ten Out of Tenn have made a beautiful, fun holiday album. Click on the image to go to the iTunes Store link.
The collection of talented artists who make up Ten Out of Tenn have made a beautiful, fun holiday album.

I love Christmas albums. Just when you think you’ve heard them all something new and fresh comes along to bring a smile to your face. That’s what I like about Ten Out of Tenn and their new album “Christmas.” It’s like getting a box of assorted chocolates. It’s a new treat with each song, and there’s not a chocolate covered cherry in the bunch. (Sorry if those are your favorites! You can have mine.)

Ten Out of Tenn are a talented group of Nashville artists who have teamed up to record and tour together. There are a lot of good things going on in Nashville and it’s been a great idea to have these artists get more exposure for their work through this group.

What do we have here? Everything from the wistful “Cinnamon and Chocolate” by Butterfly Boucher to new takes on old classics (“O Holy Night” by Griffin House, “Little Drummer Boy” by Erin McCarley, “Silent Night” by Katie Herzig and “O Come, O Come Emmanuel” by Matthew Perryman Jones). Those and the clear-eyed looks at the good and not-so-good parts of the holidays (“Raise The Tree” by Trent Dabbs, “Why Are Mommy and Daddy Fighting on Christmas” by K.S. Rhoads and “Christmas Time” by Andy Davis and “Sentimental Christmas” by Tyler James) make this an album that’s easily listenable time and again. It’s not bouncy but reflective, which gives the listener some credit for thinking.

And, of course, for a little spike in the holiday punch, there’s “Santa’s Lost His Mojo,” the most fun holiday song since “Grandma Got Run Over By A Reindeer.” Jeremy Lister gives it a bounce that will get any party swinging. It will be one song (although not the only one on this top-notch album) that will stick in your mind and merit repeat listens. If this were the kind of music playing in department stores I wouldn’t mind braving the crowds.

All said, this is the kind of compilation that makes you eager to hear the rest of the efforts by these fine artists. You can find this holiday treat at the iTunes Store.

In short: Eagerly awaiting a Savior, not a president

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While many breathlessly await the ascendancy of Barack Obama, there’s this: the Indelible Grace folks have a collection of songs that focus on Jesus called “Your King Has Come.” While this may look to some like a bunch of songs focused on Christmas, it is actually much more.

.Your King Has Come

Looking forward with great rejoicing to a Savior, not a president

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The Indelible Grace folks have a collection of songs that focus on Jesus called “Your King Has Come.” While this may look to some like a bunch of songs focused on Christmas, it is actually much more:

Your King Has Come is a collection of songs born out of a community of artists. From the contemplative opening chords of Derek Webb and Sandra McCracken’s “Come Thou Long Expected Jesus” to Jeremy Casella’s awestruck “Joyful Fire” to Matthew Perryman Jones’ worshipful “O Holy Night,” the album represents the heartcry of the people of God. A cry of rejoicing because a baby has been born to save His people from their sins…and a cry of longing, wanting Him to return soon.

"Your King Has Come" is a collection of songs by Indelible Grace focused on the savior, Jesus Christ.

You can listen to full versions of five of the songs here.

Indelible Grace now on iTunes

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Wake Thy Slumbering Children
Indelible Grace V: Wake Thy Slumbering Children

One of my favorite groups, Indelible Grace, is now on iTunes. I am thrilled to have their music available to even more people. If you haven’t heard of them, check it out.

Musical intermission: When In Rome

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And now, for a little break, here is the late, great Nickel Creek (not disbanded, but on hiatus) with their cool video rendition of “When In Rome.”

Hip hop artist Trip Lee interview: Searching the scriptures

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Hip hop artist Trip Lee explains how he uses the Bible to write his rhymes for his compositions:

HT: Don’t Waste Your Life

New single by Remedy Drive

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One of the favorite bands in this house, Remedy Drive, has just recently released a new single from their upcoming album, which is coming out in August. It sounds awesome. Below is the iTunes link where you can download it. (Folks over 40, find a teenager and have them explain that to you).

http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewAlbum?id=281620167&s=143441

Larry Norman and a musical interlude

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As I look at this blog I get a sense that you can sometimes overdo the video. That’s said, I’m going back to the video vault for a little refreshment for you all.

I saw this video a few months back after Larry Norman passed away. If you’re not familiar with Larry Norman, he was a guy who lived off the fringes of Christianity and then came to Christ. Larry was prone to be rough around the edges, but he spoke clearly for all to hear.

Larry, in poor health for several years, went to be with the Lord on Feb. 24 of this year. I would suggest checking in at ChristianDiscs.com to hear more of what Larry had to say. Musical tastes are personal, so I can’t say that everyone will appreciate the music he made. But I can say that his was a voice that deserves to be heard.

And now, a small dose of Larry Norman (with help from 77’s front man Mike Roe):

Great lyrics, updated music

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msmith-cd-final.jpg

There has been a renewed interest the last several years in worship music, specifically hymns. Many of my favorite recording artists have recorded worship albums, among them Michael W. Smith, Third Day and Jars of Clay. Of those, I would have said that that Jars of Clay’s “Redemption Songs” has been one of my favorites for the way they breathed new life into some great, old songs through updated music.

In the last month or so, I was introduced to the music of Matthew Smith and I have to say that it has been incredibly uplifting. Smith, who has sung lead with the group Indelible Grace, released his first full-length solo album in 2006, entitled “All I Owe.” It is a collection of hymns that have been updated musically. The result is a treasure of 10 songs whose lyrics powerfully minister while sung to very accessible music.

It has been my pleasure to be introduced to great hymns like “The Lord Will Provide,”My Lord I Did Not Choose You,” and “All I Owe” while reconnecting in a new way with hymns like “Jesus I Am Resting” and “Thy Blood Was Shed For Me.” You don’t have to be a hymn-lover (although you should be!) to enjoy this album.

And if you like that, you’ll appreciate the work of Indelible Grace because the group has been devoted to putting the words of hymns to updated music. It is like finding new treasure when you hear some of these great hymns that have been brought back so we may worship God through them. And, ultimately, we can treasure God more through them.

Currently, you can buy “All I Owe’ at the iTunes Store and online (and at your local music store, if you are old school). The Indelible Grace albums are not available at the iTunes Store, but can be purchased online at the link provided.