So, I want to listen to some new tunes that are amazing and I need you to clue me in! What songs / albums / artists do you absolutely love right now? What do I HAVE to hear?
Leave your suggestions in the comments below and provide a link if you can 
.
Thanks!!!
Wednesday was not a great day. Nothing bad happened. It just wasn’t good. Have you ever had one of those days?
I stayed home from work to wait on the exterminator (another long story…) who never came. I tried to record a new song for the YouTube Sessions on keyboard and I just couldn’t get a good take. At about ten o’clock I decided to pack the recording stuff up (it’s New York – there no room for a dedicated studio) and try again another day. I must’ve spent five hours or so working on that song. Nothing to show for it. I wanted to write a blog – no dice. I even wanted to go for a run…didn’t happen.
It’s been a long time since I tried so many different things and nothing worked out. But I guess it’s just one of those days.
One of those days
One of those days
One of those days
No matter how you say it (write it…whatever!) it just doesn’t give you any more satisfaction.
But just before midnight as I was packing up the gear to shove into my closet I stumbled onto something. I put a vinyl copy of James Taylor’s Sweet Baby James on the turntable and I just enjoyed it.
Didn’t sing along. Didn’t play along. Just enjoyed.
So I did accomplish something after all on one of those days. Something I could have done all day long: Listen to the sounds of some really great songs.
So it’s Friday and I need to write a review / recommendation today….I know you’re counting on me! 
The one tune that hit me on the way to work today was a Sugarland song: “These are the Days.” I had heard it before, but I had to listen to it twice because it was so good (that’s my measure of good). I love Kristian singing…it was a true duet.
Country music has such a rich history of duets: George and Tammy, Conway and Loretta, Kenny and Dolly, and on and on. There’s definitely something about the harmony, particularly when it’s a male and female.
Do you have a fav duet? Country or not. Maybe you can turn me on to some I don’t know about!
A couple months ago I posted a status on Twitter/Facebook stating that I loved live albums and asking people for their favorites. I got a great response. Lots of classics. So I decided to follow that up with a list of my favorites in no particular order…
James Taylor – Live – Great musicianship and, of course, songs. No overdubs!
Coldplay – LeftRightLeftRightLeft – The enthusiasm of the crowd is amazing.
Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band – Live in New York City – The energy of this band is unparalleled.
Simon and Garfunkel – The Concert in Central Park (1981) – Great harmonies and great fun.
David Wilcox – East Asheville Hardware – Funny, poignant, real.
Darrell Scott – Live in NC – Mix country, bluegrass, southern rock, jam band, and a voice like no other.
John Mayer – Where the Light Is – Comprehensive. The acoustic set is my favorite by far.
Darrell Evans – Let the River Flow – Taught me so much about worship.
Hillsong – Shout to the Lord – Classic. Nothing else to say.
U2 – Rattle and Hum – Not a complete live album but the closest I had in the 8th grade. I loved the passion on this…I wanted to sing like Bono so bad (Part of me still does:)!
How about you?…
This week, for the review, I asked Stephen Simpson if I could reprint the following review. He is benwardmusic.com’s first guest blogger!
“WASH AWAY” (Integrity Music, 2009)
Don Poythress
5 Stars out of 5
The long-awaited major label debut from singer/songwriter Don Poythress arrives in the form of a fresh – and refreshing – praise and worship expression entitled “Wash Away”. Don is known and loved among many of our One-to-One readers as the leader of the annual Gatlinburg Conference worship team; but he is also highly respected among some of the most prominent music artists in America.
Over the past decade, Don has quietly built an exceptional collection of songs – classics that have been recorded by artists such as Clint Black, Tim McGraw, Willie Nelson, Hank Williams, Jr., Travis Tritt, Jaci Velasquez, Sir Cliff Richard,and The Martins (the Dove Award-winning song “The Promise”).
With “Wash Away,” Don presents an exceptional blend of his original songs, along with two much-loved hymns. As a lyricist, Don Poythress has few peers … he has an uncanny knack for presenting timeless truth with an unvarnished biblical perspective that is devoid of clichés or pat answers; these songs are deeply personal, yet can touch something unique in the heart of every listener. Strong and memorable melodies are offered in a Modern Country style, played by some of the best musicians in Nashville.
The worship experience begins with the chiming “Expectation,” which is the perfect invitation to go up together into the presence of God. Don’s leadership and the song selection throughout is a study in how to flow in the Spirit, soaring into “I Will Call Upon Your Name” and then, a thrilling vocal collaboration with Paul Baloche on “Brand New Day” – definitely two of the many songs here that your congregation will want to sing. The poetic, gently flowing “Fill Me Up” makes room for the searingly honest and moving heartcry, “Wash Away.”
The modern hymn “Before the Throne of God Above” is the natural response to the deep repentance and cleansing of “Wash Away,” followed by the peace-imparting “I Will Bless the Lord.” On “The Faithful Love of Jesus,” Don is joined by the incomparable bluegrass legend Ricky Skaggs on vocals and mandolin… “I pray you’ll know the love of God, the love that never leaves us, the height the depth, the width the breadth, the faithful love of Jesus.” Just hearing this song is an answer to that prayer.
Don again displays his poetic gift with “Lord of All” which leads into a powerful promise-filled proclamation: “A Thousand Generations”. The simple eloquence of the “Doxology” closes out the time of congregational worship. But Don isn’t finished yet: he offers one of those signature Poythress real-life stories – as only Don can tell them – about “Joseph,” the human father of Jesus. It’s a masterful and moving portrait of the man God chose and tested and used to care for His own Son.
TO SUM UP …
A fresh – and deeply refreshing – collection of songs that flows perfectly in the presence of God. Those who love and seek truth will find this authentic expression a welcome respite from market-driven artiface. Those who enjoy Modern Country music will enjoy the excellence of the singing and musicianship offered. Brilliantly produced, but thankfully not over-produced, by Paul Mills, this is one of the warmest and best-sounding music releases of the year.
Don is the worship leader at Abundant Life Church in Mt. Juliet, TN (Pastor Larry Grainger), along with Jim LaVerde (of Barren Cross) and a stellar team of musicians, singers, and tech support.
“Wash Away” is available in music stores and iTunes June 23, and through:
http://integritymusic.com
http://amazon.com
I wasn’t familiar with Phil Wickham before I downloaded his free release Singalong. I came upon him because I heard a worship leader using one of his songs and wanted to check out the writer. When I went to his site, the album was free so I bit.
When I get a new album I try to give it some attention and listen, at least once, all the way through in order. The way an artist usually intends. I listened to this as I was about to go to sleep one night with headphones and was moved deeply.
First, I’m a sucker for live albums. Second, this is just Phil, his guitar, and an audience that seems to know his songs – another plus for me. Third, the intensity of the worship is profound. He gets at one of things I strive for when I’m leading…you can just see him standing before the Throne of Grace as the leader of a group of worshipers and just imploring them to give more of themselves to the Object of their worship. He’s the host as everyone has gathered for an amazing journey.
This is all on a foundation of great songs. “Beautiful,” “Desire,” and “Divine Romance” are exceptional and have already proven themselves. What struck me on this album was the hymn “Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing“:
Teach me some melodious sonnet,
sung by flaming tongues above.
And then…
Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it,
prone to leave the God I love;
here’s my heart, O take and seal it,
seal it for thy courts above.
These lyrics reverberated through me as I listened to Phil and the congregation sing them. That’s good writing. That’s great songwriting.
So, go download your copy of Singalong today…it’s free!!
Your Love Never Fails (CD/DVD and/or MP3 download)
I was a big fan of the previous Jesus Culture release We Cry Out. I thought many of the versions of the worship songs were better than the originals. Bethel has a special atmosphere of worship and their recordings convey it.
What prompted me to buy the download of this album was a conference I went to in April where Kim Walker from Jesus Culture was leading worship. At first I was skeptical because everyone thinks she is so great (There’s something in me – and I don’t think it’s a good thing – that makes it so hard to jump on the bandwagon…I’m working on it!). But after a couple of sessions, I was in a new place of worship. She doesn’t face the congregation when she’s leading in her pursuit of giving all the focus to God. Chris Quilala was also there playing drums and leading.
Your Love Never Fails, like We Cry Out, features Kim, Chris, and Melissa How alternating the role of worship leader. The Spirit is strong as they lead us into the presence of the Lord. The standout is a John Mark and Sarah McMillan song, “Sing My Love.” Such an intimate yet celebratory expression:
You would not believe The way He touches me He burns right through me I could not forget Every word He said He always knew me
I highly recommend this album…learn the songs and sing them!
I first read about John Mark McMillan after I googled the writer of “How He Loves.” I heard it on the Jesus Culture (Kim Walker) album We Cry Out. It is such a powerful song and even though I’ve never been quite able to get cozy with the “sloppy wet kiss” line, the song still moves me. There’s no doubt the Spirit is all over it. I also read his blog and enjoy his views on all sorts of things from songwriting to sleeping in on Easter (not to mention his appreciation of Springsteen, which I’ve been known to share .
So I was excited to download his newest album, The Medicine, a couple months ago. If I was going to make a comparison voice/soundwise it would be to Shawn Mullins. The writing is original and intricate; full of striking imagery and evocative sounds. The production is intricate and you truly get an album born in the studio with a soundscape of layers that reveal themselves in new ways with each listen.
“Carbon Ribs” exemplifies this with its plucked strings and layers of electric guitars. There is a definite moodiness to the track as it explores the wonder of being dead but yet alive.
My favorite track, “Dress Us Up,” contains a lyric that took my breath away (literally) when I first heard it. It begins, “Dress us up in your righteousness/Bring us in with a ring and a kiss/When you walk into the room you know we can’t resist/Every bottle of perfume always ends up on the floor in a mess.” I don’t think I’ve heard a more original description of what happens when Jesus comes in a room: we have to worship. If there’s perfume (as with Mary in John 12) the bottles come out and we pour it on His feet. We give Him the very best of what we have — it’s automatic. He elicits this kind of response when we see Him for who He really is.
There are many other standouts like “Skeleton Bones” and “Philadelphia,” but I recommend digesting it as a whole album. Turn off the shuffle and enjoy a well thought-out and imagined work of art.
Download the MP3 album here.
I’ve waited a long time for a record from Jon Thurlow. The fact that it’s just piano (a real one at that!) and voice is even better. From the first notes to the last it’s an act of worship and a work of art. What a great offering to Jesus.
My favorite track right now is “Equality with God.” It has a chorus that cuts you to the heart with lyrics like, “And it’s the very same thing that cast the devil from Your presence / The very same thing that tripped up Adam and Eve / And it’s the very same thing that I struggle with inside of me…” The vulnerability of saying, “Hey, this is something I struggle with, too…I’m not perfect” is so refreshing and reminds us that, “No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man.” (1 Corinthians 10:13).
Musically, the mix of styles and the sophistication of the harmony while still being accessible is great. The Lord’s gifting in Jon is evident and clear.
I would highly recommend this album and encourage its use in times of prayer and worship. It will bring you great enjoyment — it’s done that for me!
