BREATH OF GOD

     BREATH OF GOD (2012, Candlelight Concerts and Records) is an EP that is a collaboration between Randy Stonehill and Buck Storm.  Four of the songs were written by the duo, with the fifth, the title track, being penned solely by Stonehill.  You might remember these two artists contributed to 2010's SONGS FOR ISRAEL.  Randy Stonehill released his first album BORN TWICE in 1971.  He was born March 12, 1952.  Over the years he has delivered such wonderful songs as 'King of Hearts', 'Christmas at Denny's', Shut De Do', and 'American Fast Food.'  Buck Storm is a worship pastor and a Christian Americana artist.  On his website, of his ministry, he is quoted as saying: "I want people to see and hear the love of God in every word of every story, and every note of every song.  I want them to see that Jesus is the only star.  Christ was a radical.  He loved people for who they were, not for what they had to offer.  Lord, give me a heart like that!"
     On most of the tracks of this EP, Buck and Randy share vocal duties.  The first song, 'We are Here', is the longest, running 5 minutes and 51 seconds.  It is upbeat, includes nice background vocals by a choir, and anticipates the 2nd Coming of Christ: "Lightning cuts the eastern sky as night gives into dawn/The devil's screaming in the courts of the kings of Babylon/And aching for that glorious day/All creation groans/When justice has it's perfect hour and Love will take His throne/Oh Lord behold Your people/We are ready to rejoice/For You have known the ending from the start/Awakened by Your Spirit, united as one voice/One single prayer to stir the Father's heart/We are here, hear our call."  Next up is 'Jesus', a rootsy, mid-tempo number for fans of the Lost Dogs.  It has Randy singing in his unmistakable falsetto at times, and would not have been out of place on his EDGE OF THE WORLD project.  The words of the song talk about the importance of how you view the person of Jesus and make it clear it is worth giving a lot of thought to: "Jesus in the woodwork, Jesus in the clouds/Jesus in the stained glass, Jesus in the shroud/Jesus in the music of a newborn baby's cries/Could that be the face of Jesus shinin' in those eyes?/Jesus Christ the Superstar, Jesus Christ the Lamb/Jesus as a curse word of a drunken businessman/Jesus in the measured words of the old and wise/Jesus King of glory in a flesh and blood disguise/I got real good news and real bad news for you/In the end I guess it all depends upon your point of view/I got real bad news, real good news it's true/The way it's gonna all shake down baby that's up to you."
     As 'Bones' starts, it has a decidedly old country, Johnny Cash feel to it.  The song includes a trumpet solo by Jim Hanson, and marvels at God's miraculous power as seen in the Old Testament: "Linking bone to bone, gonna make 'em alive/He's callin' them home like bees to the hive/God told Ezekiel 'Prophesy!'/Bones/Scattered like seed, beaten by war/But there's a sweet rain fallin' on the killin' floor/Shake off those grave clothes we'll need them no more/Hear the rattlin' winds (2X)/The prophet's callin' them in/Bones (3X)/Hear the rattlin' winds (2X)/See them rising again/Bones."  Storm's voice sounds gruff, similar to Barry McGuire's.  'Out of Egypt' is a laid back ballad with nice touches of electric guitar.  I take the song as a spiritual allegory of one moving out of the devil's bondage and into the freedom Christ gives.  It talks of how it can take a lot of faith to make this journey: "Out of Egypt I have come/The devil barking at my heels/Snappin' at my wheels/Howlin' at the sun/Out of Egypt I have come.../And the sun sets early in these canyons/And the nights get cold sometimes out here/Across the fire from my Companion/He brought this broken man/Out of Egypt.../Sometimes freedom can be frightening/Prison bars can feel like home/Then the Truth breaks through to me like lightning/He brought this broken man out of Egypt."
     'Breath of God' is the closing and shortest song (3:38).  It is a tender song with Stonehill carrying the vocals accompanied by an acoustic guitar.  The song describes intimate communion between God and man: "Oh breath of God, come in and dwell/Please make this aching heart Your home and use me well/For You created me and named me as Your own/To know the wonder of Your love and make it known/Breath of God, teach me Your ways/That I might serve You in these precious fleeting days/Now I know one thing if I've learned nothing else/Until I live for You I do not live myself.../Oh breath of God I'm tired and cold/And all the dreams I've chased have left me feeling old/You've been waiting here/Now I understand/Let me fall into Your loving nail-scarred hands/Breath of God, oh breath of God."
     Buck Storm told me he is unsure whether BREATH OF GOD will be fleshed out into a full record in the future or not.  Either way, it stands on it's own as a terrific, well crafted group of songs that is sure to move you.  For more info visit http://www.candlelightfellowship.org/, http://www.buckstorm.com/, and, http://www.randystonehill.com/.  You can also like 'Stonehill and Storm' on Facebook, or buy this EP which I'm rating 90%, on itunes.

SONGS FOR ISRAEL

     SONGS FOR ISRAEL (2010, Candlelight Concerts and Records) features the talents of four singer-songwriters: Phil Keaggy, Randy Stonehill, Bob Bennett, and Buck Storm.  The following words from artist Ray Ware who painted the front cover 'With His Disciples in Galilee', shed light on the background for this project: "In November 2008, Candlelight Christian Fellowship and Compass International of Coeur d'Alene, Idaho embarked on an experiment-of-sorts by inviting four songwriters to visit Israel and other Biblical locales with the purpose of writing and recording a new body of music inspired by what they experienced together...Note that these artists were not in a cocoon of their own but lived and traveled with a diverse group of one hundred and fifty Christian pilgrims from across the USA."  Pastor Paul Van Noy sheds further light on this endeavour: "We chose to make this record because we believe it is God's will that we support and pray for Israel.  The Lord has and will use her to make Himself known to the rest of the world.  Today in the Church Age, He uses believers in Jesus as His ambassadors to the 'Jew first and also to the Gentile.'"
     The album begins with a deeply emotional song, 'Jerusalem', written and sung by Buck Storm who has a gravelly voice: "Jerusalem, Jerusalem you who stoned the prophets/How I have longed to gather you into My arms/Jerusalem, Jerusalem you who stoned the prophets/Precious in weakness and loved by the God who made you/Darkness comes to the City of David/Bone and skin lie bare to the wind/Blood and bent fingers/A Son crying out to His Father/Precious in weakness, perfect in love."  'House of the Lord' is a mellow song written and performed by Phil Keaggy.  It has God making promises to Israel: "And I will pour on the House of David/And those who dwell in Jerusalem/The spirit of grace and supplication/And they will see Him who was pierced/Who was pierced for all their sins/If My people who are called by My Name/Will humble themselves/And pray and seek My face/If My people turn from their wicked ways/Then I will hear from Heaven/Forgive their sin, and heal their land."  'Eyes Upon the Land' is an easy listening song delivered by Bob Bennett.  It speaks of God's goodness amidst heartache: "So much trouble, so much pain/An endless supply of well-worn hate/Sorrows that no man can ever number/Sown into this tiny piece of real estate/But God keeps the faithful preceding me/To tend this garden in the sand/Who keep the Torah and tell of Him/Who always keeps His eyes upon the land."
     'The Secret Name of God' is a wonderful Randy Stonehill ballad that runs over six minutes in length.  The lyrics look forward with hopefulness to the afterlife: "Mighty is His mystery, glorious in power/In ecstasy the heavenly hosts applaud/And when we are transformed, when spirits don their wings/It's then we'll know the secret name of God/The secret name of God."  'John the Revelator' is a song that will be familiar to Phil Keaggy fans from years past.  This song really brings the funk and is about an amazing experience John had while on the Isle of Patmos: "Well he wrote to the Seven Churches/And he wrote to those scattered abroad/He said 'Hold fast, return to your first love/And keep your faith in God'/Now tell me who's that writing?/John, John/Well, tell me who's that writing?/John, John'/Well, tell me who's that writing?/John the Revelator/He wrote the Book of the Seven Seals."  'God of All Creation (from Psalm 8)' is a song of praise that finds Buck Storm rejoicing: "Hallelujah, God of all creation/How exalted is Your name in all the earth/You've set Your glory high above the heavens/And You think of me/Beneath Your watchful gaze a flower grows/The seasons give their song, the oceans heave/The pain of childbirth fades/A baby breathes/The sparrow's flight does not escape Your eye." 
     'Deliver Us, Deliver Me' is a rock number written and sung by Bob Bennett and Phil Keaggy.  It points to the proper attitude we should have towards sinners: "The words of the Savior, 'Go and sin no more'/He would not throw a stone at the sinner/A welcome for the stranger, a cup of cool water/Forgiveness that melts away the winter/Why then do we judge and condemn?/When it's never meant to be a matter of us versus them/If the way of the cross leads us to peace/How can we not help but heal them?"  'Exiled' is a nice, thought provoking instrumental written by Phil Keaggy and Kyle Jones.  It affords the listener the opportunity to reflect on what has been sung so far.  On 'The Garden' Buck Storm shares of his personal experiences on the trip to the Holy Land: "I have tarried in the garden/I have rested in the sound of Spanish hymns/Filled with the mystery of pardon/And the wondering of grace bestowed to men/In the garden/I stand in the half-light with the dust of ruins on these travelling clothes/Caught somewhere between the angels and the ghosts."
     'Psalm 121' is a light pop song performed by Phil Keaggy.  It puts total confidence and trust in God: "Behold, He who keeps Israel/Shall neither slumber nor sleep/The Lord is your keeper/The Lord is your shade/On your right hand/The sun will not smite you by day/Nor the moon by night/The Lord will protect you from all evil/He will keep your soul/The Lord will guard your going out/And your coming in/From this time forth and forever."  'Broken Places' is pretty and has Randy Stonehill delivering a great vocal performance.  This song which would later appear on his SPIRIT WALK cd, speaks of God's promises to us: When the world has gone insane/When you're ragged from the strain/Call My name/You call My name/I'll meet you in the broken places/In the shadows of your pain/In a sea of strangers faces/I will find you, stand beside you (2X)/Anytime you call My name/Anytime you call/Just call My name."  The album ends with 'The Lord Bless Thee' featuring all four artists.  It contains these familiar words from a benediction uttered in many a church: "The Lord bless thee and keep thee/The Lord make His face to shine upon thee (3X)/And be gracious unto thee/Be gracious unto thee/The Lord lift up His countenance/Upon thee and give thee peace (2X)."
     SONGS FOR ISRAEL is, for the most part, a gentle contemplative project that will draw you closer to the person of Jesus and to the Holy Land.  The musical talents of the legendary Phil Keaggy are all over this album which is produced by Buck Storm.  The photographs of the artists in various geographic locations are a nice touch.  I'm rating SONGS FOR ISRAEL 85% and recommending it to those who wish to deepen their Christian walk.  To purchase this project go to http://www.candlelightfellowship.org/ and click on 'Ministry Products/Store.'  For more info on artist Ray Ware visit http://www.artistrayware.com/.

    

RANDY STONEHILL'S SPIRIT WALK

     Randy Stonehill truly is a legend of Contemporary Christian Music.  It's been an amazing forty years since the release of his debut album BORN TWICE.  In this span of time, he has given us such memorable songs as 'King of Hearts', 'Shut De Do', 'Turning Thirty', and 'Great Big Stupid World'.  Of his latest album SPIRIT WALK (2011, Stonehillian Records) a press release states: "In whole SPIRIT WALK, strings together songs that only a veteran of a steady walk with Jesus over many years could sing with such conviction."  It also states: SPIRIT WALK is the second album Mike Pachelli has co-produced for Randy Stonehill-after PARADISE SKY (2008).  His contribution of bluesy guitar and authentic American production complements these songs and gives a quality of authority to the wisdom Randy sings."  I would agree on all counts!
     SPIRIT WALK starts off with 'Blood Transfusion and a Coca Cola' which features Dylanesque vocals by Randy.  The song begins with these words from a seasoned performer: "I got a touch of arthritis in my hips/Got a bird's eye view of the apocalypse/I got blisters on my fingertips/From tryin' to hold my life with a real tight grip/My ears are still ringin' from the gibberish and lies/These shifting sands have worn a lot of tread off my tires."  'Remember the Devil' features mean guitar playing by Mike Pachelli, and Baba Elefante on bass.  Baba has worked with Michael Sweet and John Elefante.  The song issues a spiritual warning: "Careful of the company you keep/Might be a wolf dressed up like a sheep/Remember the devil/He remembers you/He never makes a fair deal/Believe that's true/Know that His best trick is this-to make you think he doesn't exist/Remember the devil/He remembers you."  The title track has Ronnie Ciago on drums and paints a vivid picture of temptation and the spiritual state of society today: "The devil slid up to me/He said 'Why don't we have a little chat?'/I got a bit suspicious when he refused to let me take his hand/He said 'I know about your unfulfilled desires, I can help you out with that'/I said 'That's awfully tempting/I guess that's the business that you're in/What would you need for payment?'/He just looked down with a sheepish grin/I said 'I think I'll pass'/He said 'That's okay but I'll be back again'/It don't take Nostradamus to tell you how the chips are gonna fall/Open up your Bible, you don't need some gypsy's crystal ball/The way things are these days/Even Ray Charles could see the writing on the wall."
     'Life is Tough, God is Good' has a raw, bare bones feel to it.  Mike and Randy play the wood case, tray table, tambourine, African Cloves, shaker, finger cymbals and kalimba.  These words of wisdom are shared in the song: "Life is short, truth to tell/And it's not a dress rehearsal so live it well/Life is short, don't you blink/It isn't going to work out the way you think/It's a broken world with broken souls/We might not always be happy but we can be whole/And Jesus hung on the cross to make sure we could/Life is tough, sure enough/But God is good."  'Try Havin' Some Faith' is the most pop sounding track.  I would've like to have heard Larry Norman, Randy's deceased one time mentor, on background vocals.  The song tells the story of a modern prodigal: "He left home to be a star/He went and sold his soul right after he had to sell his car/Oh poor brother/Guess nobody told you for goodness sake/Try havin' some faith."  Lyrics like these point to hope: "Love will prove that doubt's a lie" and "You'll see when you open up your eyes."  'Broken Places' is written with Rob Crosby.  It has a worshipful feel to it, with just Randy on vocals and acoustic guitar.  It has God calling out to the prodigal: "You might think it's been too long, the road that leads back home is gone/But love's a thing that don't keep track of time/And you can't ever leave My love, can't ever leave My love/You can't ever leave My love behind/I'll meet you in the broken places/In the shadows of your pain/In a sea of stranger's faces/I will find you, stand beside you/Anytime you call My name."
     'Pray for Me' has Mike Pachelli playing some absolutely sizzling guitar work.  Lance Abair is on B3 and Wurlitzer, and a choir is also used.  The song includes this revealing plea: "Pray for me/I'm feelin' so weak/Pray for me/I can't get no sleep/Temptation won't let me be/Won't ya pray, won't ya pray for me/Darkness all around me/Of the world that's lost in sin/But the thing that I fear most/Is the darkness here within/Pray for me."  'That's where the Devil Lives' has creative, dark, demonic sounding background vocals by Randy and Mike to go along with these descriptive words of the devil's home turf: "Some say the devil isn't real/That makes him laugh out loud/He'll happily agree with you/And melt into the crowd/He smiles like an angel, but a serpent lies beneath/When he comes up close/You'll see the blood stains on his teeth/That's where the devil lives."  Stonehill's lyrics also make it clear that the devil loves unbelief and pride.
     Fans of some of Randy's lighter fare such as 'Christmas at Denny's' will appreciate the softer sound of 'Last Time I saw Eden' which includes these poetic, well written lyrics: "The last time I saw Eden I was standing in the rain/Down among some broken railroad tracks/I met a fallen angel waiting for a northbound train/He said 'I fear it's never coming back'/And now even in these crowds I feel alone/An orphan always aching for home/I'm longing for the mystery I had known/The last time I saw Eden."  'Finish Well' is another tender tune with Mike on lap steel and accordion among other things, and John Sferra of Glass Harp fame on drums.  Randy offers these words of advice: "They're a million shining highways that take you down to Babylon/Oh but it's the road less travelled that leads you from the darkness to the dawn/Folks will say you're just a simple fool/As they chase the fickle butterfly of cool/And everyone has some agenda they're trying to sell/Point your heart like an arrow/Walk the straight and narrow/Finish well."
     SPIRIT WALK is definitely one of my favourite albums of 2011.  Musically, lyrically, and artistically it trumps much of what is popular on CCM radio stations today.  This just may be the best album of Stonehill's career!  I'm recommending it to fans of bluesy acts such as The Rolling Stones, the 77's, Glenn Kaiser, and Larry Howard.  Those who enjoyed Stonehill's 2002 project EDGE OF THE WORLD should also give this a spin.  I'm rating SPIRIT WALK 90%.  For more info visit http://www.randystonehill.com/ or go to http://www.cdbaby.com/ to purchase.  Also, to learn more about the artist Ray Ware, who is responsible for the front cover, "The Spirit Came Upon Him", visit http://www.artistrayware.com/.