SO SHE CAN TELL

Cheri Keaggy began as a worship leader at a small church in Southern California. She was discovered by industry veteran Charlie Peacock. He has production credits on her wonderful first two albums CHILD OF THE FATHER (1994) and MY FAITH WILL STAY (1996). The former garnered Cheri a Dove Award nomination for New Artist of the Year. Her bio states: “Often with her Bible and journal close at hand, Cheri takes a teachable approach to life, looking for the lesson in every experience. ‘If God can use our challenges and heartaches to build character that makes us more effective for the Kingdom, then that’s what I want. He can use me however He sees fit.’” Cheri’s latest album SO I CAN TELL (2012) was largely influenced by the end of her nearly twenty-three year long marriage to her high school sweetheart. She shares: “I feel like God has given me some gold and now is the season of pouring out everything He’s poured into me.”


Cheri’s eighth release and first new CD in five years begins with an inspirational ballad that starts with these words that speak of sharing God’s goodness with others: “I was shown grace/So I will be gracious/I was shown mercy/So I will be merciful and kind/I have been loved/To be lovely, yes, but that I might love well/I have heard the Truth so I can tell.” It’s a great title track! Revelation 21:4 says: “And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.” ‘There Will Be One Day’ is a song that builds in momentum and makes good use of a Holy Ghost Choir. The song looks forward to a blissful eternity in heaven: “Oh, God of Love what love we’ve known/Mercy keeps falling from Your Throne/Still we are waiting for that trumpet blow/When You will come to call us home…/There will be peace just like a river/Joy like we’ve never known/We all will be delivered when we get Home.”

Of ‘When You Were Jesus to Me’, Cheri writes: “For Sara and Joan Del, two special women who prayed, mentored, and held me up.” It begins with these blatantly honest words of one in despair, ultimately divinely encouraged by a fellow pilgrim: “I made it to church/Though just barely there/When the music began it was all I could do/To sit slumped in my chair/How can I worship/In all of this grief?/You said ‘Friend, you don’t have to’/And then you said ‘it’s O. K. just to receive’/You led the way to belief/When you were Jesus to me.” Isaiah 43:19 reads: “Behold, I will do a new thing,/Now it shall spring forth;/Shall you not know it?/I will even make a road in the wilderness/And rivers in the desert.” ‘Starting a New Year Today’ was written on the one year anniversary of her divorce. It includes these refreshingly vulnerable lyrics: “Staring at a clean page/Putting thoughts down on paper the usual way/I may not know where this might lead/But Your Word is the lamplight in front of me/Here’s where I pray a lot/Thankful for all I’ve got/Doing the best that I can/I reach for Your Hand.”

‘Air, Food, and Water’ is an upbeat ukulele based number. Cheri writes: “Inspired by Pastor Michael Easley’s sermon on the three things we need to survive. Proof God CAN turn mourning into dancing.” These words find her victorious: “I’m praising God in the valley/And lighting candles at night/And if you ask me how I’m surviving/I have all that I need/He’s been so good to me/If you’re not sure you can trust Him girl/Then come talk to me.” ‘Hello, God’ is a nice song that has Cheri putting her total confidence in her heavenly Father: “For there’s nothing/Nothing You cannot do/There is no one/No one You can’t put together again/That’s just what You’ll do/And there’s nowhere/Nowhere You can’t get to/And there’s no one/No one You can’t pull through/If we’ll only let You.”

Philippians 1:21 says: “For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” In the poetic song ‘To Live is Christ’, Cheri petitions her Lord: “Lord, clean slate me, make me new/Wake me, shake me, even bait me/Consecrate me just for You/Know me, judge me, reign above me/Covenant Love me like You do.” In Matthew 11:28 Jesus says: “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” ‘Come to Me’ is a particularly strong song that finds God calling out to the heavy hearted: “If you’re scraping by, but just can’t get ahead/Always more month/At the end of the money/When you’re running out of options/Can’t see how, don’t know when it’ll end/Come to Me/When you’re weary and you’re burdened/Come to Me/When your future seems uncertain/Come to me/Before they pull the final curtain/Come to Me/And I will give you rest.”

‘Bind Me to You’ features these words where Cheri cries out to the Lord: “Loving and Faithful are You, my Lord/Covenant Keeper/Love’s True Reward/Knight in Shining Armor/Prince of Peace/Stay with me now, my Lord/Quiet me with Your Love/My True Companion to have and to hold/Will all Your warmth to me, conquer this cold/Stay with me now, my Lord (2X).” ‘Romans 15:13 (Benediction Song)’ follows. A benediction, according to Wikipedia, is “a short invocation for divine help, blessing, and guidance, usually at the end of a worship service.” The song here is very pretty and contains these words of encouragement: “May the God of hope/Fill you with all joy and peace/As you trust in Him/So that you may know and overflow/With hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” The album ends with ‘Postlude: Invitation to Hope.’ It is a beautiful instrumental continuation of the previous song, and features the talented acoustic guitar playing of Phil Keaggy.

In the liner notes Cheri writes: “This is more than just another album to me. It is a testimony of how God can bring beauty from ashes as we walk in Him.” Her bio calls her a modern day Psalmist and describes her music as accessible folk-pop. On this project Cheri has really reinvented herself as an artist. The album is full of emotion. You can hear country tones in her voice. People who enjoy Cindy Morgan’s HYMNS AND SPRITUALS and Clay Crosse’s EVERYTIME I FEEL THE SPIRIT will enjoy this effort. I’m rating SO I CAN TELL 86.5%. Fans of Patty Griffin, Dolly Parton and Laura Story should also check this one out. The producers are Scott Dente from Out of the Grey, and Ken Lewis. Cheri is also available to speak on topics such as ‘Overcoming the Pain of Divorce’, ‘Biblical Foundations for Worship’, and ‘Learning How to Forgive’. For more info visit www.cherikeaggy.com.

GIVING GOD AN ENGLISH VOICE

I first became familiar with David Teems when he was the guitarist who accompanied John Schlitt of Petra a few years back when he played a solo show in Cambridge, Ontario, promoting his cd ‘The Grafting’. David Teems lives with wife Benita in Franklin, Tennessee. He earned his B. A. in Psychology at Georgia State University. He is the author of such books as ‘Majestie: The King Behind the King James Bible’ (2010) and ‘Discovering Your Spiritual Center’ (2011). I just finished reading his latest book. A press release says: “In an extensive new biography ‘Tyndale: The Man Who Gave God an English Voice’, author David Teems brings a spotlight to one of the most invisible heroes of the Christian faith for it’s not an exaggeration to say that William Tyndale’s brave life has impacted everyone who has ever picked up an English language Bible.”


William Tyndale was born circa 1494 in Gloucestershire, near the border of Wales. In 1526 he completed his first edition of his New Testament at Worms, Germany. He is also responsible for writing such great pieces as ‘The Parable of the Wicked Mammon’, ‘The Obedience of a Christian Man’, and ‘Practice of Prelates’. In 1534 he published his revised New Testament. On October 6, 1536 he was strangled and burned. Why? He was considered to be a heretic. His translating of the Scriptures into everyday English was strongly opposed by the Catholic Church, who preferred Latin, which the common man could not understand. Tyndale gave us phrases such as: ‘I am the Light of the world’, ‘Blessed are the poor in spirit’, ‘God is love’, ‘A thief in the night’, and ‘Death, where is thy sting?’ He gave us words such as: busybody, broken-hearted, castaway, and scapegoat. “Renowned literary critic and author Harold Bloom once said that William Tyndale is the ‘only true rival of Shakespeare, Chaucer, and Walt Whitman as the richest author in the English language.’” Tyndale’s views on penance, purgatory, the pope, and transubstantiation also were seen as a threat to the Church of the day and those in power.

Reading this book will give you a good understanding not only of who Tyndale was and what great faith drove him, but will enlighten you in regards to other historical figures such as Cardinal Wolsey, John Stokesley (bishop of London), Erasmus, Luther, King Henry VIII, Sir Thomas More, and Tyndale’s ultimate betrayer Henry Phillips.

Today we take it forgranted that we have the Bible in our common language via numerous translations and paraphrases. But this was not always so, and it came at a very great price. Many gave their very lives for their faith and the truth of God’s word being made available to all. Tyndale also took a lot of flack for his belief in justification by faith.

My only criticism of this book is that Teems jumps forwards and backwards in time here and there, which can be somewhat confusing. Other than that, he is a great writer, with good use of quotations, facts, opinions and a subtle sense of humour. This is a must read for the modern day Christian and historian. It will give you a greater appreciation for Scripture and the English language, and will help you understand what true persecution is. For more info visit www.davidteems.com or www.thomasnelson.com. I'm rating TYNDALE: THE MAN WHO GAVE GOD AN ENGLISH VOICE 84%.

WHY AREN'T YOU WORKING? ARE YOU CRAZY?

I find this to be a facinating topic. In my past occupations I have been a beach gate attendant at a provincial park, a travel counselor, a cashier, a golf clubhouse attendant, and a factory line worker. For those not in the know, I am currently not working, due to longterm mental illness. My diagnoses include: generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder, elements of obsessive compulsive disorder, and a phobia.




Unfortunately many in our society, Christian and non, still believe that if you are a REAL man, you will be the breadwinner, and not just on a pension. They might not come right out and say it, but that's what many of them are thinking. When I was living with my wife and children, and even now as I live alone, people still say well, if you were working you'd feel better about yourself, somehow more complete. Other people seem to be more concerned that I do not have a paying job, than I am. Funny thing is, if a woman is at home looking after kids or not, it is okay. Can you say sexism? I would like to make a few points for your consideration.



1. Having a paying job outside the home does not make you more valuable of a member of society or of your family. I know people who seem to make a habit of telling me how hard they worked that day or week, and how much money they made/make. One day I was at the park with my kids and I saw a former co-worker and I asked him how he was doing. He came back with, "I", emphasis on the "I", worked all day, I'm tired. The insinuation was that I was not really working because I was only involved in child care. Some people's ego rides on the fact that they have a job or a better job than you.



2 Another common thing I get, sometimes not in word, but just in how people treat me is, well Dave you can go out for coffee with a friend, or Dave you can go to the library and write music reviews, but you're telling me you can't work? Something just doesn't add up. The insinuation is that I am damn well faking it and could be working some. I have been guilty of this line of thinking towards other people as well.



3. There is a world of difference between me or someone else with mental illness doing something fun and holding down a job, a responsibility. If someone had a physical illness that prevented them from working, would you make them feel guilty about getting together with a friend for a couple hours or having a bit of fun. Would you expect them to be confined to their house, laying in their bed 24/7.



4. Before you make assumptions that I or anyone else with mental illnesses is faking it or being lazy and living off the government just cause they can, get to know the facts about mental illness. Do you truly know what it's like to live with severe panic attacks, phobias, anxieties, depression etc. If you don't I am available to talk with you. Call or message me anytime and I will tell you what it's like to be sitting in my living room watching tv and feel like I am being choked or could pass out due to an anxiety attack.



5. Listen folks, do you know how little money one lives on when they are on a disability pension? Do you not think I'd like to have more money? If I were at the point I could be working I would. If I ever enter the workplace again, it will only be through a lot of hard work, and people praying. If that time does not come for me, I refuse to believe I am of less value than you just cuz I don't have a paying job.



6. Another zinger is when people come to me and say things like: "Well, if you only had more faith and really wanted to be freed of your mental illnesses, then God would heal you. Healing is available for you." Unfortunately, Christians do that with people who have cancer and other physical ailments as well. It shows a complete and utter ignorance in my opinion. Yes, God does choose to 100% heal some folks on this earth, but others don't have that luxury for reasons only God knows.



7. My point is, if you know someone who has mental illness and you just don't understand them, and think they are kind of using it as an excuse not to work or do other things, get to know that person better. Learn to walk in their shoes.



8. Christians place so much authority on the Bible and its standards of perfection, that they don't allow for psychological issues people may have that predispose them to have certain compulsions, addictions, etc. Christians oft are not willing to extend grace and mercy, but point one big finger to the Word of God.



9. One final point. Many friends and family are so uncomfortable discussing mental illness, they show zero concern for the one suffering. It is like if one is mentally ill, they are akin to a leper. In other words, avoid the topic like the plague. This has dire consequences for both parties. Lack of understanding will prevail.



My cell is 519 375 5222.



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MUSIC INSPIRED BY THE STORY

“THE STORY is a collaborative movement by some of today’s most influential songwriters, artists, authors, directors, labels and publishers from around the world. The foundation for THE STORY began with Randy Frazee and Max Lucado in partnership with Zondervan to encourage all of us to rediscover Scripture like never before.” Sixteen of the eighteen songs on MUSIC INSPIRED BY THE STORY (2011, EMI Christian Music Group) have lyrics written by Nichole Nordeman, and music composed and arranged by Bernie Herms. Of the Bible characters these songs are about, the liner notes say: “We long to connect the current ‘us’ with the ancient ‘them’ in a more authentic way…It was their humanity that drew us deeper into these songs; not because they had a great story, but because a great God wrote them into His.” Bernie Herms and Brown Bannister produce and Norman Miller executive produces.


Disc One is labeled ‘Old Testament’ and runs 54:09. Genesis 1:31 reads: “God saw all that He had made, and it was very good.” ‘I AM (Creation) Overture’ starts things off. It is a pleasant orchestral arrangement by Bernie Herms. ‘Good (Adam and Eve)’ is a pulsating light rock number sung by Matthew West and Leigh Nash. Nash is lead vocalist for Sixpence None the Richer, famous for hits such as ‘Kiss Me’ and ‘There She Goes’. The song here begins with these words coming from the vantage point of Adam: “If I could/I’d rewrite history/I’d choose differently/If I could, I would/I’d leave out the part/Where I broke Your heart/In the garden’s shade/Fix the mess I made/If I could I would.” ‘Who But You (Abraham and Sarah)’ is a nice duet by Mark Hall and Megan Garrett from Casting Crowns and features a violin solo by Perry Montague-Mason. The song is heavier than most Casting Crowns fare and begins with these reflections of Abraham: “Too little too late/His time has come and gone/Is that what they say when I walk by?/I’ve got a little more grey/My steps are slow and long/And the promise You’ve made fades in the moonlight/I see a star/You see the Milky Way/I see one man counting sand/But You see generations.”

‘Bend (Joseph)’ is delivered by Brandon Heath who is a favourite of Carrie Underwood and won Male Vocalist of the Year at the 2010 Dove Awards. Luke Brown is on background vocals on this song that tells of the potential Joseph has when he walks in God’s will: “I am not my family tree/I have branches of my own…/Oh, does fate resign us to/Find shelter for our wounds/Beneath the battered roof of broken dreams?/Oh, but I will choose to stand/In the shadow of Your hand/And see what grows when Grace has sown the seed/Oh, oh, oh/These are different leaves you know.” Exodus 4:10 says: “And Moses said unto the Lord, ‘O my LORD, I am not eloquent, neither heretofore, nor since thou hast spoken unto thy servant: but I am slow of speech and of a slow tongue’”. ‘It Must Be You (Moses)’ by Bart Millard of MercyMe is a great pop song that reveals a total reliance on God: “If there’s anything good/Anything that’s good in me/Well, it must be You/Must be You/And if there’s any part of my shaking heart/To see this journey through/It must by You.” ‘Bring us Home (Joshua)’ is performed by Michael Tait (Newsboys), Blanca Callahan (Group 1 Crew) and hip hop artist Lecrae who helps Nordeman with the lyrics on this one. I had high hopes for this song musically, but it’s just okay. It does however declare a single-minded devotion to God: “Every turn is a new temptation/You want to bow down to something new/As for me and my generation we’ll serve/No one but You/Yahweh, oh Yahweh/Bring us a new day.”

Ruth says to her mother-in-law Naomi in Ruth 1:16: “Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay/Your people will be my people and your God my God.” ‘I’m With You (Ruth and Naomi)’ is a lovely duet between Nichole Nordeman and Christian music pioneer Amy Grant. Adam Lester plays guitars. I love these wonderfully descriptive words from the song: “Now I’m on my hands and knees/Trying to gather up my dreams/Trying to hold on to anything/And we could shake a fist in times like this/When we don’t understand/Or we could just hold hands.” ‘Your Heart (David)’ is presented by the highly acclaimed Chris Tomlin. Tomlin was born in 1972 and is responsible for such songs as ‘Jesus Messiah’ and ‘How Great is our God’. His contribution here is delivered with passion and proves that he has talent far beyond being a respected worship artist. The lyrics he sings contain a request all Christians should pray with sincerity. “At the end of the day, I wanna hear people say/My heart looks like Your heart (2X)/When the world looks at me, let them agree/That my heart looks like Your heart, my heart looks like Your heart.” ‘No Compromise (Daniel)’ by Peter Furler is a mediocre rocker, not as good as most of his Newsboys-era songs. Dan Needham plays drums. The song starts with these words of confidence: “Throw me in the ring/Toss me to the flames/No one but my King/Walks me out unscathed/Feed me to the lions/Throw away the key/How will they deny/Who delivers me?/How could I love another?”

‘Born for This (Esther)’ is sung by Mandisa. She finished ninth on the fifth season of American Idol. This is a good pop/dance song with a catchy chorus and a cello solo by Anthony LaMarchina. These great lyrics speak of putting one’s faith into action: “There’s a time to hold your tongue/Time to keep your head down/There’s a time but it’s not now/Sometimes you gotta go, uninvited/Sometimes you gotta speak when you don’t have the floor/Sometimes you gotta move, when everybody else says you should stay/No way, no, not today…Sometimes you gotta stand apart from the crowd/Long before your heart could run the risk/You were born for this.” ‘Broken Praise (Job)’ by Todd Smith of Selah is a forgettable song until the latter part of it musically. It does though have a good message. Witness these lyrics that come from a place of deep spiritual maturity that few of us may attain: “But You were the One who filled my cup/And You were the One who let it spill/So blessed be Your holy Name if You never fill it up again/If this is where my story ends, just give me one more breath to say ‘Hallelujah’”.

Disc Two is labeled ‘New Testament’ and runs 40:03. It is likely the better of the two discs, but both are good. Luke 1:38 reads: “’I am the Lord’s servant,’ Mary answered. ‘May it be to me as you have said.’ Then the angel left her.” ‘Be Born in Me (Mary)’ is a beautiful ballad by Francesca Battistelli, the 2010 and 2011 Female Vocalist of the Year at the Dove Awards. It should be a staple on Christian radio at Christmas. These words imagine Mary’s inner struggle when she realized she would be carrying God’s Son: “If God is pleased with me, why am I so terrified?/Someone tell me I am only dreaming/Somehow help me see with Heaven’s eyes/And before my head agrees, my heart is on its knees/Holy is He/Blessed am I.” ‘When Love Sees You (Jesus)’ is a terrific ballad by Mac Powell from Third Day. It presents Jesus in a loving, compassionate, merciful light: “I see My Father’s fingerprints/I see your story, I see My Name/Written on every beautiful page/You see the struggle/You see the shame/I see the reason I came/I came for your wounds/To show you what Love sees when I see you.” ‘How Love Wins (Thief)’ is a vocal masterpiece by Steven Curtis Chapman. It is a good song for Easter Friday. It gets inside the head of the repentant thief at Calvary: “Only one of us deserves this cross/A suffering that should belong to me/And deep within this man I hang beside/Is the place where shame and grace collide/And it’s beautiful agony/That He believes it’s not too late for me.” ‘Alive (Mary Magdalene)’ finds Natalie Grant in familiar inspirational territory. It is the song of one who is thankful: “What kind of Love/Is writing my story/Til the end/With Mercy’s pen?/Only You/What kind of King/Would choose to wear a crown that bleeds and scars/To win my heart?” Tony Lucido plays bass. ‘Empty (Disciples)’ is a real treat, a duet between Dan Haseltine (Jars of Clay) and Matt Hammitt (Sanctus Real). It captures the possible train of thought of Jesus’ followers post-crucifixion and pre-Pentecost: “Now we’re huddled up here, trying to swallow our fear/We still smell the bread and wine, hear Your words running through our minds/Holding our breath now, for what comes next now/Holding out for some kind of sign.” On ‘Move in Me (Paul)’ Jeremy Camp does a good job in country territory, similar to Russ Taff. Gabe Scott plays dobro. The song finds Paul sharing his conversion story: “The man I buried/Had a heart of stone/Left him there in the bright light/Out on a dirt road/The day You saved me/From shadow and shame/Old things gone, got a new song/Got a new name.” Matthew 25:31 says: “The Son of Man will come again in His great glory, with all His angels. He will be King and sit on His great throne.” ‘The Great Day (Second Coming)’ is a duet between Michael W. Smith and Darlene Zschech, both musical heavyweights in their own right. This song has a great prologue and orchestral arrangement by Carl Marsh, as well as a choir that is led by Chance Scoggins. The song tries to capture the essence of the Glorious Event yet to come: “Rescued by hands bleeding grace/Are we ready to see His face?/On the great day/He will come to claim us with a rushing wind/Blown like fields of wheat, the world will bow and bend/Held between our joy and disbelief/Every trembling heart will finally face the same way/On the great day.”

In the liner notes for this double CD, Nichole Nordeman and Bernie Herms write: “It is our deep hope that as you experience The Story, you might have a new encounter with these iconic men and women who still have much to teach us from the living, breathing pages of Scripture. And perhaps, an arresting encounter as well, with the Author of their stories and ours. He is, after all, still writing…” MUSIC INSPIRED BY THE STORY fully accomplishes its purpose. It will reinvigorate your faith in God’s goodness and love towards you. It will refresh your faith and walk with God. It will draw you closer to the One who made you if you let it! I recommend this two-disc CD to fans of Christian pop and adult contemporary music, as well as to those exploring the heart of Christianity. I’m rating MUSIC INSPIRED BY THE STORY 90%. It’s a great listen! For more info visit www.thestory.com and www.thestorycd.com. Be sure to check out Nichole Nordeman’s book LOVE STORY as well. It’s a good companion to this project.

IT'S ONLY YOU!

Karyn Williams is the oldest daughter of Orlando Magic Senior Vice President and founder Pat Williams. Karyn’s folks had five kids of their own and adopted fourteen from countries such as Brazil and the Philippines. Karyn relocated from Orlando to Nashville in 2007. She prayed: “Lord I promise to walk through every door that You open no matter what.” Her 2012 label debut for Inpop Records is ONLY YOU. In the liner notes she writes: “First and foremost, I want to give every bit of honor and praise to You Jesus for paving the way to make this record. My passion and goal in life is very simple-to point people to You. Thank You for allowing me to do that through these songs. I pray that every lyric I write, every song that I sing and every move that I make is acceptable in your sight.” Karyn was featured in Billboard magazine as one of the ‘Best Bets’ of 2012.


A nice pop song, ‘Call’, starts things off. The writers are her now husband Brian White, and CCM artist Ben Glover, who is best known to many for his song ’26 Letters’. ‘Call’ tells of God’s faithfulness: “To your lowest lows, to your highest highs/There’s nowhere you can go that He won’t find you/So just lay yourself down at His feet/Just open up your heart and let Him save you/Call, call, just call on Him (2X)/When your faith is broken and you’re on your knees again/When your hope is stolen and you just can’t find a friend/Call, call and He’ll come runnin’ (2X).” ‘Every Good Thing’ has a bit of a groove to it and has a similarity when it comes to vocal delivery, to Tammy Trent. It is a song of testimony: “You’re every bit of hope in the middle of a desperate prayer/When what I need is sweet release Lord, You take me there/And when the world is pressing down on me/You shake the ground and move my feet to a new place/And I feel so free.” ‘Rest in the Hope’ is the beautiful lead single inspired by her Dad’s fight with cancer: “You are the truth that never changes/You are the love that came to save us, I am Yours/Even through all my fear and sorrow/Facing a new unknown tomorrow I am sure/That I’m gonna rest in the hope that I’m Yours.” Her Dad is now in remission.

‘Just May Be’ finds Tim Lauer on piano and Matt Pierson on bass. I could hear Point of Grace or Avalon performing it. It is about adoption and is a call to action: “You just may be/The answer to a prayer, the one to meet a need/And you just may be the only heaven some will ever see/Oh the one who leads them to believe/The only heaven some will see, you just may be.” ‘Banner’ is a bouncy pop number, that is one of three on this project penned by Sarah Hart and Karyn Williams. The song speaks of how evil calls our name, trying to destroy us, but God relentlessly pursues us: “I wander all the time, I lose my place in line/Do You look down and wonder how I get so lost?/All the world’s a feast, yeah it’s so tempting/Maybe so but that’s what Your light is for/It’s finding me, I love the way it’s finding me.” One of the writers on ‘Waiting in the Rain’ is veteran CCM artist Chris Eaton. The song finds Blair Masters on piano and also uses strings, violins, viola, and cello. This ballad contains lyrics all of us can relate to at some point in our lives: “It’s all that I can do to get through one more night/If only I could feel Your arms holding me so tight/I’d be alright/You know I’m only human, made of flesh and bone/My heart is so afraid, have I been left here all alone?”

‘Hey There’ paints a picture of a person in a very vulnerable state: “Everyday it seems you’re lost in the mirror/There’s no reflection anymore, it’s disappeared/Does anybody ever think about who you are or what you’ve done?/Does the sun seem to fade as it’s going/Another day is gone without ever knowing/That the life you live means anything/To anyone?” Matthew 19:26 says: “But Jesus looked at them and said to them, ‘With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.’” ‘Possible’ is a danceable, techno type song that offers hope to us all: “Every dream, every plan is possible, possible/When it’s in bigger hands it’s unstoppable, stoppable/I’m living with a confidence/No matter what I’m up against/There is One who makes it all make sense/And with Him everything is possible.” ‘Enough for Me’ is a prayer for single-minded spiritual devotion: “You, all I need is You, Jesus/Let it be just You/Be enough for me/Take my heart Lord make it Yours/Know my thoughts, steal away my soul/Take my heart like only You could/Oh Lord.”

‘This is Freedom’ is one of the strongest tracks and is poetic praise for what Christ accomplished for us at Calvary: “Now these shackles that have held me down/Are unleashed by thorn and crown/Sweet forgiveness pouring from Your brow/Your life for mine, no greater love/And this is freedom, this is freedom/This is freedom, nailed to a tree/And this is freedom, oh blessed freedom/This is freedom, You died for me.” Jason Webb plays piano. Interestingly, the title track is last. ‘Only You’ conveys a desire to see the Lord clearly: “Standing at a crossroad in the dead of night/Waiting for the dark to fade into the light/Until there’s only You/’Til there’s only You.”

Karyn Williams’ musical influences growing up included Sandi Patty, Steven Curtis Chapman, the Judds, and Faith Hill. Karyn has a beautiful voice rich in tone, and she has a lot of good things to say. ONLY YOU is a promising label debut! She should have a promising career and ministry in Contemporary Christian Music. This album will leave you feeling ministered to and encouraged. She writes in the liner notes: “In the end there’s only one thing that matters-whether or not we knew and served Jesus Christ. I pray that we never lose sight of that. Dare to live!!!” I recommend ONLY YOU to fans of Kari Jobe, Cindy Morgan, and Carrie Underwood. I’m rating it 85%. For more info visit www.karynwilliams.com and www.inpop.com.

WATCH OUT FOR THE WRECKING BALL!

Bruce Frederick Joseph Springsteen was born on September 23, 1949 in Long Branch, New Jersey. He was raised Roman Catholic. His first album was 1973’s GREETINGS FROM ASBURY PARK, N. J. He became one of my early rock star heroes with the release of 1984’s BORN IN THE U.S.A. The album cover was Annie Leibovitz’s photo of his jean covered backside, with him facing an American flag. Songs included ‘I’m On Fire’, ‘Glory Days’, and ‘Dancing in the Dark’. I also enjoy his 2009 album WORKING ON A DREAM which includes ‘Outlaw Pete’, ‘My Lucky Day’, and ‘This Life’. Before releasing his seventeenth studio album WRECKING BALL (2012, Columbia Records), Bruce was working on a gospel record. WRECKING BALL is his tenth Number one album in the U.S. tying him with Elvis Presley for third most Number one albums of all time behind the Beatles and Jay-Z. It was mainly recorded at Stone Hill Studio at Springsteen’s home studio at his Colts Neck, New Jersey farm house. Springsteen is credited for vocals, guitars, banjo, piano, organ, drums, percussion, and loops. Background vocalists include Patty Scialfa, Soozie Tyrell, and Lisa Lowell.


‘We Take Care of Our Own’ is one of thirty or forty songs he had penned for the gospel record. The song is upbeat and patriotic: “I been knocking on the door that holds the throne/I been looking for the map that leads me home/I been stumbling on good hearts turned to stone/The road of good intentions has gone dry as a bone/We take care of our own (2X)/Wherever this flag’s flown/We take care of our own.” ‘Easy Money’ has a joyous sound to it with Steve Jordan on tambourine. It has playful lyrics that for some reason make me think of the Flintstones: “You put on your coat, I’ll put on my hat/You put out the dog, I’ll put out the cat/You put on your red dress, you’re looking real good honey/We’re going on the town now looking for easy money.” ‘Shackled and Drawn’ has Clif Norell on tuba and has a rootsy, gospel feel to it. It speaks of the large gap between labourers and bosses: “Gambling man rolls the dice, working man pays the bill/It’s still fat and easy up on banker’s hill/Up on banker’s hill the party’s going strong/Down here below we’re shackled and drawn.”

‘Jack of All Trades’ is a pretty ballad that speaks again of the wide divide between workers and bosses and yearns for a spiritual resolution: “The hurricane blows, brings a hard rain/When the blue sky breaks, it feels like the world’s gonna change/We’ll start caring for each other like Jesus said that we might/I’m a jack of all trades, we’ll be alright/The banker man grows fat, the working man grows thin/It’s all happened before and it’ll happen again.” ‘Death to my Hometown’ has a parade marching band feel to it. It contains excerpts from Alan Lomax’s ‘The Last Words of Copernicus’. Springsteen admonishes his audience: “Now get yourself a song to sing and sing it ‘til you’re done/Yeah, sing it hard and sing it well/Send the robber barons straight to hell/The greedy thieves who came around/And ate the flesh of everything they found/Whose crimes have gone unpunished now/Who walk the streets as free men now.” ‘This Depression’ shows a vulnerable side of Bruce and has a darker feel to it: “Baby, I’ve been down but never this down/I’ve been lost but never this lost/This is my confession, I need your heart/In this depression, I need your heart.”

The title track, ‘Wrecking Ball’ is strong. It is about the 2010 demolition of Giants Stadium. It has a warm sound musically, but finds Bruce defiant: “I was raised out of steel here in the swamps of Jersey, some misty years ago/Through the mud and the beer, and the blood and the cheers, I’ve seen champions come and go/So if you got the guts mister, yeah, if you got the balls/If you think it’s your time, then step to the line, and bring on your wrecking ball.” ‘You’ve Got It’ uses a horn section and is a well delivered song of passion: “Yeah, you can’t read it in a book, and you can’t even dream it/Honey, it ain’t got a name, you just know it when you see it/Baby you’ve got it, yeah, baby you’ve got it/Come on and give it to me.” ‘Rocky Ground’ uses excerpts from Alan Lomax’s ‘I’m a Soldier in the Army of the Lord’. It features the vocal singing and rapping talents of gospel singer Michelle Moore. It is a very creative song musically and speaks of a very real spiritual struggle: “You pray that hard times, hard times come no more/You try to sleep , you toss and turn, the bottom’s dropping out/Where you once had faith, now there’s only doubt/You pray for guidance, only silence now meets your prayers/The morning breaks, you awake but no one’s there/We’ve been travelling over rocky ground, rocky ground/There’s a new day coming.”

‘Land of Hope and Dreams’ was composed circa 1998/9. It features the Victorious Gospel Choir, and a great sax solo by late great E Street Band member Clarence Clemons. This almost seven minute long tune is celebratory and speaks of people travelling to their eternal home: “Well, this train carries saints and sinners/This train carries losers and winners/This train carries whores and gamblers/This train carries lost souls/I said, this train, dreams will not be thwarted/This train, faith will be rewarded/This train, hear the steel wheels singing/This train, bells of freedom ringing.” ‘We are Alive’ has Max Weinberg on drums and makes use of the horn riff from Johnny Cash’s ‘Ring of Fire’. The song gives voice to those who’ve passed on from this earth: “We are alive/And though our bodies lie alone here in the dark/Our souls and spirits rise/To carry the fire and light the spark/To fight shoulder to shoulder and heart to heart/To stand shoulder to shoulder and heart to heart/We are alive.”

The special edition of the album includes two bonus tracks. ‘Swallowed up (In the Belly of a Whale)’ has Dan Shelly on bassoon and Mark Romatz on contra bassoon, and sounds haunting. One can’t help but think of Jonah when listening to it: “I fell asleep on a dark and starlit sea/With nothing but the cloak of God’s mercy over me/I come upon strange earth and a great black cave/I dreamt I awoke as if buried in my grave/We’ve been swallowed up (2X)/Disappeared from this world/We’ve been swallowed up.” ‘American Land’ has a Celtic feel to it. I picture highland dancing going on. Steven Van Zandt of the E Street Band plays mandolin. The lyrics tell of the sad plight of many immigrants to the U.S.: “They come across the water a thousand miles from home/With nothing in their bellies but the fire down below/They died building the railroads, they worked to bones and skin/They died in the fields and factories, names scattered in the wind/They died to get here a hundred years ago, they’re still dying now/Their hands that built the country, we’re always trying to keep out.”

This record should be used as a tutorial for up and coming artists and as a refresher for some veteran artists on how to make a spectacular rock album. WRECKING BALL oozes with talent, guts, and heart. There is not one song you should skip over. This truly is the Boss at his best! We, his fans, have much to be thankful for! I’m rating it near perfection at 98%. For more info visit www.brucespringsteen.net.

CAUGHT IN A TEMPEST

Robert Allen Zimmerman was born on May 24, 1941 in Duluth, Minnesota, but he is better known to the masses as Bob Dylan. His first studio album was self-titled and came out in 1962. For what it’s worth, my favourite Dylan albums are his three gospel records, SLOW TRAIN COMING (1979), SAVED (1980), and SHOT OF LOVE (1981), plus MTV UNPLUGGED (1995), TIME OUT OF MIND (1997), AND CHRISTMAS IN THE HEART (2009). His early songs such as ‘Blowin’ in the Wind’ and ‘The Times they are a-Changin’’ became anthems for the U.S. civil rights movement and anti-war movement. He’s been inspired by the likes of Woody Guthrie, Robert Johnson, and Elvis Presley. Among the musical styles he has experimented with over the years are: folk, blues, country, gospel, rock and roll, swing, and jazz. In May of this year he received the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Barack Obama. His thirty-fifth studio album TEMPEST (Columbia Records) released on September 10, 2012 in the U.K. and on September 11, 2012 in the U.S.


A single from the record, ‘Duquesne Whistle’ was co-written with Robert Hunter, and starts things off with an instrumental bit that makes me think of a gal playing the piano in a saloon. It features these playful lyrics: “Listen to that Duquesne whistle blowing/Blowing like it’s gon’ blow my blues away/You old rascal, I know exactly where you’re going/I’ll lead you there myself at the break of day/I wake up every morning with that woman in my bed/Everybody telling me, she’s gone to my head.” ‘Soon After Midnight’ is a terrific ballad that finds Dylan fairly optimistic: “I’m searching for phrases/To sing your praises/I need to tell someone/It’s soon after midnight/And my day has just begun…My heart is cheerful/It’s never fearful/I’ve been down on the killing floors/I’m in no great hurry/I’m not afraid of your fury/I’ve faced stronger walls than yours.” ‘Narrow Way’ is a rollicking country song where one finds themselves in a real pressure cooker: “This is hard country to stay alive in/Blades are everywhere and they’re breaking my skin/I’m armed to the hilt and I’m struggling hard/You won’t get out of here unscarred/It’s a long road, it’s a long and narrow way/If I can’t work up to you, you’ll surely have to work down to me someday.”

‘Long and Wasted Years’ is musically innovative. I have to wonder here if Dylan’s lyrics are autobiographical: “I wear dark glasses to cover my eyes/There are secrets in ‘em that I can’t disguise/Come back baby/If I hurt your feelings, I apologize…We cried on a cold and frosty morn/We cried because our souls were torn/So much for tears/So much for these long and wasted years.” ‘Pay in Blood’ according to one internet interpretation, draws from Ezekiel 3:9. In Ezekiel 3, the prophet is told by God to go to the house of Israel, a hard-headed people. God tells Ezekiel He’ll make him just as hard-headed. Ezekiel is made a watchman by God. He’s to warn the people of impending disaster. If they do not listen, the blood is on their own heads. If Ezekiel does not warn the people, the blood will be on his own head. Christ’s blood covers Bob, but he’s still trying to warn people of disaster to come. Here are some of the lyrics: “Low cards are what I’ve got/But I’ll play this hand whether I like it or not/I’m sworn to uphold the laws of God/You can put me out in front of a firing squad/I’ve been out and around with the rowdy men/Just like you, my handsome friend/My head’s so hard/Must be made of stone/I pay in blood but not my own.” ‘Scarlet Town’ is a weak, boring composition. It does, however, make a plea for racial equality and understanding: “If love is a sin, then beauty is a crime/All things are beautiful in their time/The black and the white, the yellow and the brown/It’s all right there in front of you in Scarlet Town.”

‘Early Roman Kings’ has a slow blues groove to it and contains these dark lyrics: “I was up on Black Mountain the day Detroit fell/They killed them all off and they sent them to hell/Ding-dong Daddy, you’re coming up short/Gon’ put you on trial in a Sicilian court/I’ve had my fun, I’ve had my flings/Gon’ shake ‘em on down like the early Roman kings.” ‘Tin Angel’ is sparse when it comes to instruments. It is a story song, over nine minutes long, that is based around a traditional folk song performed by Woody Guthrie, called ‘Gypsy Davy.’ In this song of Dylan’s a man confronts his lover right while she’s cheating on him: “She turned, she was startled with a look of surprise/With a hatred that could hit the skies/’You’re a reckless fool, I could see it in your eyes/To come this way was by no means wise’\’Get up, stand up, you greedy lipped wench/And cover your face or suffer the consequence/You are making my heart feel sick/Put your clothes back on, double quick.’” The tale ends tragically, with all three parties dead: “All three lovers together in a heap/Thrown into the grave, forever to sleep/Funeral torches blazed away/Through the towns and the villages all night and all day.”The title track, ‘Tempest’, is a gem of a song, one of Dylan’s best ever. It has an astonishing forty-five verses with no chorus and clocks in at 13:55! That’s even longer than a Hillsong hit! ‘Tempest’ is a musical film if you will, about the sinking of the RMS TITANIC, a British passenger liner in April 1912. The song is good to slow dance to. Here are select lyrics: “T’was the fourteenth day of April/Over the waves she rode/Sailing into tomorrow/To a golden age foretold…/Lights were holding steady/Gliding over the foam/All the lords and ladies/Heading for their eternal home…/The ship was going under/The universe had opened wide/The roll was called up yonder/The angels turned aside…/They battened down the hatches/But the hatches wouldn’t hold/They drowned upon the staircase/Of brass and polished gold…/When the Reaper’s task had ended/Sixteen hundred had gone to rest/The good, the bad, the rich, the poor/The loveliest and the best.” The album ends with ‘Roll on John’, a strong, fitting tribute to the late great John Lennon, who was shot to death by Mark David Chapman on December 8, 1980. Here are some of the lyrics: “Shine your light/Movin’ on/You burned so bright/Roll on, John…/I heard the news today, oh boy/They hauled your ship up on the shore/Now the city gone dark, there is no more joy/They tore the heart right out and cut him to the core.”

On TEMPEST Bob Dylan’s voice sounds more gravelly and ragged than I’ve ever heard from him before, if that’s even possible. There is no doubt that this effort is on the more somber, slower side overall musically. One of its weaknesses is that some of the tracks sound like Dylan is reciting poetry and that the background music is just an afterthought. That being said, there are enough solid songs here that only an artist of Dylan’s longevity could deliver as well as he does. I recommend TEMPEST to fans of Leonard Cohen, Tom Waits, Louis Armstrong, and Phil Driscoll. I’m rating it 84%. For more info visit www.bobdylan.com.

TRACING GOD'S LOVE STORY

Nichole Ellyse Nordeman was born on January 3, 1972. Her first album was 1998’s WIDE-EYED. She has twice won the title of Female Vocalist of the Year at the Dove Awards (2001 and 2003). She is best known for songs such as ‘Holy’, ‘Brave’, and ‘What If’. Her song ‘Hold On (Love Will Find You)' was recorded by country star Paul Brandt for his 2007 album RISK. More recently she has writing credits on seventeen songs for the 2011 album MUSIC INSPIRED BY THE STORY which features the vocal talents of Matthew West, Michael W. Smith, Mandisa and many others. It has been seven years since she has put out a new solo record. One can only hope she does so sooner than later.


Nichole’s latest venture is her first book LOVE STORY-THE HAND THAT HOLDS US FROM THE GARDEN TO THE GATES (2012, Worthy Publishing). In it she brings to life the stories of various Bible characters including Adam and Eve, David, Mary, the thief on the cross, and Paul. Nordeman hesitates to call them heroes. She points out convincingly that they were human with fears and doubts like the rest of us. What I highly value about this book is that Nichole is very transparent about her doubts, questions, and insecurities when it comes to her own faith. She is so vulnerable that it is refreshing. Especially at a time when I am examining my own faith.

Nichole recounts how when she was early on a music minister at a United Methodist church, she was asked by her fellow pastoral staff to find some songs to lead that were gender neutral when it came to God being referenced: “I must not have done much to conceal the panic on my face because she quickly (and with great compassion) explained their reasoning. It was not because they had some wishy-washy lukewarm center from which their liturgy had sprung. It wasn’t because they had a liberal agenda and sought to undermine the whole of evangelical rhetoric, and it most especially wasn’t because they were women who hated men.” You will have to read the book to find out how this episode ended!

Nichole spends a good deal of time writing about our fear of being spiritually lukewarm. The Message has God saying of those who are neither hot or cold: “You make me want to vomit” in Revelation 3:16. She has some concerns however: “From this passage, and others like it, an ideology is born. A brand of ‘take no prisoners’ faith emerges. A battle cry goes up, uniting large numbers of people who, arms linked, move across the landscape of culture and politics and art. Putting stakes in the ground. Congratulating each other on our Sold Outness. Everything black or white. Hot or cold. No danger of lukewarm allegations. Nobody’s gonna make God vomit on our watch.” Nichole admits she has been guilty of: “Taking firm stands and hard lines on things that I don’t feel firmly in my heart of hearts, all out of the deep fear of sounding lukewarm.” This makes me not a ‘sold-out Christian’ but one who’s selling out. In a panic that somehow these many gray places in my faith will be sniffed out by the Wishy-Washy Patrol.” These are thoughts that I as a born-again believer can certainly relate to. There seems to be a group mentality in many of today’s evangelical Christian circles. No longer is it good enough to believe Jesus is the only Way to Heaven. We have now added all kinds of other moral stances that must be held on issues that I don’t think are going to matter greatly in the grand scheme of things. Being a clone is valued more than diversity of opinion on issues of our day now. And many are leaving or won’t enter our churches because of it.

Nichole daringly reflects on the fact that because Paul was a Pharisee while he was Saul, even after his conversion he may have had a tendency to be a stickler when it comes to laying down rules. She allows for some of his humanness to have crept into his Scriptural writings. Many evangelicals will take issue with this. I, find it to be, a refreshingly honest take on interpreting the Scriptures. Nichole’s writings on the Second Coming are also particularly well done. She admits when Christ returns: “I’ll probably be looking for the really bad guys to drag out of the bushes by their ankles, hoping to create a diversion. I will look left and right and left again. Hiding like a hippo behind a telephone pole. Wishing for an invisibility cloak.”

LOVE STORY is at the end of the day, really the story of God’s love for the entire human race. I recommend this book to those who have been Christians for some time and are finding their faith becoming stale and suffocated by doctrine and dogma to the point where God’s voice has become very distant, and to those people who are not believers but are interested in what God says about them, not what the church says about them. God loves you! You don’t have to jump through hoops to impress Him, and you most certainly are loved just the way you are. I’m rating LOVE STORY 90%. For more info visit www.lovestorybook.com and www.nicholenordeman.com.

HAVOC AND BRIGHT LIGHTS

Alanis Nadine Morissette was born in Ottawa, Ontario on June 1, 1974. Her fantastic 1995 rock record JAGGED LITTLE PILL birthed such great songs as ‘All I Really Want’, ‘You Oughta Know’, ‘Ironic’, and ‘You Learn’. During this time I was attending Emmanuel Bible College in Kitchener, Ontario. Her angst-filled songs really struck a chord with me. I would blare her songs from my dorm room, wore a self-made fan t-shirt in her honour, had her poster on my wall, and used her lyrics in a sermon I preached in front of my classmates. Over the years Alanis has won sixteen Junos and seven Grammy Awards. Over the years she has also been romantically linked to Dave Coulier (Uncle Joey on Full House) and Ryan Reynolds. In 2010 she married rapper Mario MC ‘Souleye’ Treadway. Alanis is a vegan and an environmentalist. She had a Catholic upbringing, but more recently has practiced Buddhism. HAVOC AND BRIGHT LIGHTS (2012, Collective Sound) was produced by Guy Sigsworth and Joe Chiccarelli. It is her eighth studio album.


The lead single, ‘Guardian’, starts things off and is a refreshingly joyous pop song. It contains these words that we’d all love for someone to speak to us: “I’ll be your keeper for life as your guardian/I’ll be your warrior of care, your first warden/I’ll be your angel on call/I’ll be on demand/The greatest honor of all, as your guardian.” ‘Woman Down’ is another cool pop song. It has a chorus that is akin to a feminist rally cry: “Calling all woman haters/We’ve lowered the bar on the/Behavior that we will take-come on now/Calling all lady haters/Why must you vilify us?/Are you willing to clean the slate?/Woman down.” ‘Til You’ is a, dare I say it, pretty tune with airy vocals. It includes these words of someone waiting for another to come and enter a relationship with them: “I’ve been taking notes, nursing the thought of you/Research and develop as I’m biding my time/I’ve been holding up this magnet that calls to you/Entertaining myself with these consolation prizes.”

‘Celebrity’ has a dark, rock feel musically. It takes aim at our culture’s obsession with fame and how far people will go to achieve it: “Never wondered who’s pulling strings above me/Cuz I’m aware of wheels, heels and vintage Gucci/I’m on my twentieth round of Vitamin V/And I’ll cut my weight in two if you’ll have me/Give me celebrity/My kingdom to be famous/Tell me who I have to be/Starving to be famous.” ‘Empathy’ is a happy, keyboard-filled celebration of finding one’s soulmate: “Thank you for seeing me/I feel so less lonely/Thank you for getting me/I’m healed by your empathy/Oh this intimacy.” ‘Lens’ should be put in rotation on Christian radio for its great message. It speaks of how our beliefs often separate and divide us rather than being a unifying force: “So now it’s your, your religion against my, my religion/My humble opinion ‘gainst yours-this does not feel like love/And it’s your, your conviction against my, my conviction/And I’d like to know what we’d see through the lens of love.”

‘Spiral’ would make for a good, peppy TV show theme song. The lyrics admit to a desperate need for bosom friendship: “Don’t leave me here with all these critical voices/Cuz they do their best to bring me down, bring me down/When I’m alone with all these negative voices/I will need your help to turn them down, turn them round.” ‘Numb’ is heavily guitar driven and features violin by Lili Haydn. The song speaks of a tendency in today’s society to bury one’s emotions under medications: “I am lonely, I feel hungry and unloved/I feel angry, I am livid, need a hug/Here comes a feeling/I run from the feeling/And reach for the drug/Can’t sit with this feeling/I’d rather be flying/And comfortably numb.” ‘Havoc’ is a somewhat dreary ballad. On it, Alanis shares how quickly one’s lot in life can change for the worse: “Just when I thought I had handles on this/I could soften my guard behind false confidence…/I’m slipping again/I’m up to old tricks off my wagon/I have no defense/I’m wreaking havoc/Wreaking havoc and consequences.”

‘Win and Win’ is a weak song, but it reminds us of the absurdity of thinking we are better or worse than another: “In my old days someone won/Those were days of win-lose/In those bleak times I was better/I sat high: looking down my nose/Change direction: looking up/I’m not worthy to be with you/We are separate, I’m inferior/I had yearnings to sit across from you.” ‘Receive’ is a memorable song that would be good for those such as pastors and mothers with awesome demands on their time to hear: “I give hard, impart hard and now I need to retreat/I give out, dedicate and now I need to acknowledge me/Today’s all about me/All about cup filling/Today’s all about me/Learning how, how to receive, how to receive.” ‘Edge of Evolution’ ends the album on a strongly spiritual note: “In this sacred duality/The highs and lows and the heres and theres/These aversions and these cravings/Push me beyond identity into pure awareness (we’re already here).”

Much like arena rock band Petra experimented with modern rock on their albums NO DOUBT and GOD FIXATION, and rock group DeGarmo and Key experimented with pop music on GO TO THE TOP, Alanis Morissette pretty successfully ventures into new pop and adult contemporary territory on HAVOC AND BRIGHT LIGHTS, while bringing just enough of her rock tendencies along with her to please her fans. As always, Alanis’ lyrics are thoughtful and full of meaning. Introspection is one of her gifts. This album could have been made stronger by eliminating tracks nine and ten, still leaving it a ten song album. I’m rating it 86%. For more info visit www.alanis.com.

HYMNS

Guy Penrod grew up the son of a West Texas preacher and is a graduate of Liberty University.  He has been a background vocalist for such well known artists as Carman, Steve Green, and Garth Brooks.  He is probably best known though for having been a member of the Gaither Vocal Band for fourteen years!  In 2010 he released his well-received country debut BREATHE DEEP.  The next year he was inducted into the Texas Gospel Music Hall of Fame.  Guy's latest offering is HYMNS (2012, Servant Records).  Guy says: "I believe in a biblical way of living."  Of the hymns, he says: "The melodies tend to be memorable and singable...Hymns are thorough theologically...Hymns are an important part of our history as believers."  He adds: "I don't sing 'em because they're old.  I sing 'em because they're good."

The album begins with 'Leaning on the Everlasting Arms' which was written by Elisha A. Hoffman and Anthony J. Showalter and published in 1887.  Showalter had received letters from two of his former pupils whose wives had died.  He was inspired by Deuteronomy 33:27: "The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms" when he wrote them back.  The song has Paul Franklin on steel guitar and has an old country feel to it.  It begins with these encouraging words: "What a fellowship, what a joy divine/Leaning on the everlasting arms;/What a blessedness, what a peace is mine,/Leaning on the everlasting arms/Leaning, leaning, leaning on the everlasting arms."  'Count Your Blessings' was written by Johnson Oatman Jr. and Edwin O. Excell.  Background vocals are wonderfully performed by Russell Terrell and Tanya Hancheroff, as they are on several of the tracks.  The song has a soothing sound.  It asks a couple of questions and offers answers: "Are you ever burdened with a load of care?/Does the cross seem heavy you are called to bear?/Count your many blessings, every doubt will fly,/And you will keep singing as the days go by."  'The Old Rugged Cross' was written in 1912 by evangelist and song leader George Bennard.  It has been covered by the likes of Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash and June Carter, and Kevin Max.  Here, we find a laid back version with Gary Prim on keyboards.  The song contains these lyrics that get to the heart of the Gospel message: "In that old rugged cross, stained with blood so divine/A wondrous beauty I see/For 'twas on that old cross Jesus suffered and died/To pardon and sanctify me."

'Down at the Cross' by Elisha A. Hoffman and John H. Stockton picks up the pace musically and is joyful.  Paul Franklin plays dobro on this song that continues with the Gospel message: "Down at the cross where my Savior died/Down where from cleansing from sin I cried/There to my heart was the blood applied;/Glory to His Name!"  'He Hideth my Soul' was written by Fanny J. Crosby and William J. Kirkpatrick.  Crosby lived from 1820 to 1915.  She was blind from six weeks old due to a surgical mishap, and she became a teacher at a blind school.  She wrote over 8000 hymns and 1000 secular poems!  This particular song includes these words of confidence: "A wonderful Savior is Jesus my Lord,/He taketh my burden away;/He holdeth me up, and I shall not be moved,/He giveth me strength as my day."  'We'll Understand it Better By and By' has Biff Watson on acoustic guitar and Brent Mason on electric guitar.  The song was written by Charles A. Tindley, an American Methodist minister.  The lyrics admit that God's ways are not always our ways: "Trials dark on every hand,/And that we cannot understand/All the ways that God would lead us/To that blessed promised land;/But He guides us with His eye,/And we'll follow till we die,/For we'll understand it better by and by."

Next up is 'Rock of Ages/I Stand Amazed' with Guy and Debbie Winans-Lowe on background vocals and Aubrey Haynie on fiddle.  The song delights in the Lord: "O how marvelous!/O how wonderful!/And my song shall ever be:/O how marvelous!/O how wonderful!/Is my Savior's love for me."  'What a Friend we have in Jesus' finds Eddie Bayers on drums and Gary Lunn on bass.  The song was originally penned as a poem in 1855 by Joseph M. Scriven to comfort his mom who was living in Ireland while he was in Canada.  The tune was composed by Charles Converse in 1868.  Hear these words of wisdom: "O what peace we often forfeit,/O what needless pain we bear,/All because we do not carry/Everything to God in prayer."  An excellent cover of 'The Solid Rock' follows.  Edward Mote and William B. Bradbury are the writers.  Mote pastored at Rehoboth Baptist Church in Horsham, West Sussex for 26 years.  This song is based on Jesus' parable of the Wise and Foolish Builders in Matthew 7:24-7.  The song includes these words of bold declaration: "On Christ the solid Rock, I stand/All other ground is sinking sand (2X)." 

John Newton first used 'Amazing Grace' to illustrate his New Year's sermon on January 1, 1773.  It was a sermon looking at a Christian's past, present, and future.  John P. Rees added the last verse, which appeared in Harriet Beecher Stowe's 'Uncle Tom's Cabin'.  It offers eternal hope to believers: "When we've been there ten thousand years/Bright shining as the sun/We've no less days to sing God's praise/Than when we've first begun."  'Does Jesus Care?' is a special duet with longtime Billy Graham crusade soloist George Beverly Shea.  He was born a preacher's kid in Winchester, Ontario on Feb 1, 1909, making him 103!  Of Bev, Guy says: "I was the kid that ordered George's records.  Watching him perform on Billy Graham crusades, his rich and confident-yet kind and gentle-baritone really impacted my musical journey as a young kid."  Guy points out that this song comforted him when his folks died and when he left the Gaither Vocal Band to go solo.  Take in these words: "Does Jesus care when I've said 'goodbye'/To the dearest on earth to me;/And my sad heart aches till it nearly breaks,/Is it aught to Him?/Does He care?/Oh yes, He cares, I know He cares/His heart is touched with my grief;/When the days are weary, the long nights dreary,/I know my Savior cares."

'Nothing but the Blood' was written by Robert Lowry, an American professor of literature and a Baptist minister.  He also wrote 'Low in the Grave He Lay' and 'Shall we Gather at the River?'  He did, however, want to be known more for his preaching.  Listen to these words of praise he wrote: "Oh! precious is the flow/That makes me white as snow;/No other fount I know/Nothing but the blood of Jesus/This is all my hope and peace,/Nothing but the blood of Jesus;/This is all my righteousness,/Nothing but the blood of Jesus."  'Softly and Tenderly' written by Will L. Thompson (1847-1909) ends the album off on a quiet note.  It was performed by Meryl Streep and Lily Tomlin in the film 'A Prairie Home Companion.'  It is a song of invitation to the lost: "Come home, come home/You who are weary, come home;/Earnestly, tenderly, Jesus is calling/Calling, O sinner, come home!"

Guy Penrod has been married to wife Angie for 27 years.  They have seven boys and one girl.  They are homeschooled in Tennessee.  Guy shares: "We all have to come to a place of brokenness to come to God.  But the beautiful part is the putting back together-the restoration and the healing-culminating with His peace and His joy, which is our strength."  Guy also adds: "I want to point people in an attractive way, with arms wide open, not finger pointing, to the goodness of God.  Hymns do that."  HYMNS was produced by Guy Penrod and Pete Greene.  It should please fans of the hymns, old country music, and Clay Crosse's EVERYTIME I FEEL THE SPIRIT: AN AMERICANA COLLECTION OF HYMNS AND SUCH.  I'm rating HYMNS 89%.  For more info visit www.GuyPenrod.com.

STEVE GREEN: PEOPLE NEED THE LORD-NUMBER ONES

Steve Green was born on August 1, 1956 in Portland, Oregon to missionary parents.  He spent a lot of his early life in Argentina.  Early on in his musical career he sang with the group Truth.  After this he sang backup for the Bill Gaither Trio.  In 1980 the Gaither Vocal Band formed.  Steve sang tenor with them for two albums.  Following this, he was a founding member of the Christian rock band White Heart.  After a short stint with them he released his first solo album which was self-titled in 1984.  It was decidedly more inspirational in nature musically.  I remember around that time going to our local Christian bookstore with my Dad.  The goal was to buy me a Christian cassette that was contemporary in sound, but did not have a rock beat (which was thought to be Satanic), and where you could hear the lyrics plainly.  Believe it or not, David Meece and Michael W. Smith were considered too heavy musically!  So, we settled on Steve Green.  He passed the test!  Over the years Green has been involved with organizations such as the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association and Focus on the Family.  My two kids have enjoyed his two HIDE 'EM IN YOUR HEART children's projects from the early '90's.  I highly recommend them!  Steve's latest project is PEOPLE NEED THE LORD-NUMBER ONES (2012, Sparrow Records).

The album begins with Steve's very mellow signature song, 'People Need the Lord'.  It was written by Greg Nelson and Phil McHugh, and is also the oldest song on this collection, having been released in 1984.  The song reminds us as Christians to be observant when it comes to the spiritual needs of others: "Every day they pass me by/I can see it in their eyes/Empty people filled with care/Headed who knows where/On they go through private pain/Living fear to fear/Laughter hides their silent cries/Only Jesus hears/People need the Lord."  'We Trust in the Name of the Lord our God' is an upbeat, joyful song written by Steven Curtis Chapman.  It is one of four songs on this collection from 1994's WHERE MERCY BEGINS.  Ephesians 2:8 says: "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith-and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God."  The song's lyrics draw from this verse: "Some trust in the work they do/We trust in the name of the Lord our God/'Cause by His grace all the work is through/We trust in the name of the Lord our God."  'That's Where His Mercy Begins' continues with the theme of the goodness of the Lord: "And He wasn't surprised at where I had been/He was waiting for me at the end of my sin/And the heaven I found in the hell I was in,/That's where His mercy, That's where His mercy begins."  The wedding favourite 'Household of Faith' written by John Rosasco and Brent Lamb is next.  It is a duet between Steve and wife Marijean that speaks of the good intentions a Christian man and woman have at the start of their marriage: "Here we are at the start committing to each other/By His Word and from our hearts/We will be a family in a house that will be a home/And with faith we'll build it strong."

'Teach me to Love' is from 1994's compilation album PROMISE KEEPERS-A LIFE THAT SHOWS.  The song features another former Gaither Vocal Band member Larnelle Harris and is spot on vocally!  It is a song of genuine repentance: "There's no power but the power of the cross/That can melt my hardened heart/And show me all the pride and arrogance/That tear our souls apart/For injustice that you suffer/And for our nation's shameful sin/I humbly ask for your forgiveness/We need to learn to love again."  'Love One Another' was written by Jon Mohr and Randall Dennis.  It speaks of the kind of love non-Christians should see displayed by us: "Love is always patient, love is always kind and always gives itself away/Love is there to serve, it doesn't seem to mind, never has a harsh word to say/Slow in passing judgment, quick to forgive/It gives its life that the world may live."  Nice, soft touches of electric guitar and children's voices are used.  James 1:17 reads: "Every good and perfect gift is from above coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows."  'Glory to You' a contemporary pop number for the time (1994) echoes the sentiments of that Bible verse: "How do I express/My love and gratitude?/For all I am and ever will be/All depends on You/Where in the world would I be/Had You not reached out to me?/All the good I have in life/Can all be traced to You."  'Sing Children Sing' is a nice, warm song of praise: "Jesus, loving Savior/Constant companion/Creator, yet our brother/We lift holy hands and applaud/For we who were paupers are now sons and daughters of God/Sing, children sing/Let your voices ring/Sing, children sing/A joyous refrain like the sound of a sweet summer rain."

Those who appreciate Petra's song 'Creed' and Rich Mullins' song by the same name will value 'We Believe' written by Nathan Digesare and Dan Scott.  This song really shows Green's vocal strength and finds him certain and sure in his faith: "So if the mountains are cast down into the plains/When kingdoms all crumble, this one remains/Our faith is not subject to seasons of man/With our fathers we proclaim/We believe our Lord will come as he said/The land and the sea will give up their dead/His children will reign with Him as their head/We believe."  'Find us Faithful' from 1988 has always been one of my Steve Green favourites.  It draws from Hebrews 12:1-3 and is an anthem that exhorts us: "Surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses/Let us run the race not only for the prize/But as those who've gone before us/Let us leave to those behind us/The heritage of faithfulness/Passed on through godly lives/Oh may all who come behind us find us faithful."  'Unto Me' was written by Twila Paris in 1998, making it the newest song on this collection.  The song has great background vocals and boils true religion down to the following in a peppy chorus: "Go and find your neighbor/Find a friend in need/Go and find a widow/There's a hungry child to feed/When you help the helpless, that is true Christianity/Whatever you've done to the least of these, you have done it unto me."  'Great is the Lord God' uses horns to good effect and has a happy sound to it  It exalts the Lord: "He has found me in my misery/He has freed me from my shame/He has saved me from self-tyranny/Holy is His name."

'He who Began a Good Work in You' is a delicate song of promise based on Philippians 1:3-6 and benefits from a pretty female guest vocal: "He who began a good work in you (2X)/Will be faithful to complete it/He'll be faithful to complete it/He who started the work/Will be faithful to complete it in you."  'The Mission' is another great spiritual anthem.  The chorus reminds believers in Christ of what one of our key priorities should be: "To love the Lord our God/Is the heartbeat of our mission/The spring from which our service overflows/Across the street/Or around the world/The mission's still the same/Proclaim and live the Truth/In Jesus' name."  Exodus 20:4-6 makes it clear that our God is a jealous God.  'God and God Alone', another Green favourite of mine from the 1980's, was written by Phil McHugh and is a song of praise born out of love, not fear: "God and God alone/Is fit to take the universe's throne/Let everything that lives/Reserve its truest praise/For God and God alone/God and God alone/Will be the joy of our eternal home/He will be our one desire/Our hearts will never tire/Of God and God alone." 

Steve shares the following on his website: "Today the gospel is more precious to me than ever.  I realize that God's grip on me far surpasses my ability to hold on to Him...In the end it will be clear that He alone is the hero of not only my story, but of all our stories."

I recommend PEOPLE NEED THE LORD-NUMBER ONES to fans of great inspirational music and light adult pop music.  I also recommend it to those who wonder where all the real singers are these days.  I'm rating it 92%.  For more info visit: http://www.stevegreenministries.org/.

DO IT AFRAID

Elizabeth South is a full-time elementary music and drama teacher.  Her bio states: "Elizabeth's music explores the eclectic styles of theater, spirituality, romance, ballad, and even dance.  She pours her heart into every song she writes.  Her Music Therapy background has also found a home in her music, being both healing and uplifting.  Her voice has been described as mysterious, magical, soothing, and angelic." 

In 2010 she released THE MYSTERIES OF OUR MINDS which birthed the successful single 'Have Faith.'  Her latest album DO IT AFRAID came out on November 1, 2011.  It was produced by former White Heart member Billy Smiley for Northern Shore Productions.  Several years ago Elizabeth developed stage fright.  These words from the liner notes reveal the key concept behind the album: "The album title and song, 'Do It Afraid', were inspired by Joyce Meyer's book, Do It Afraid.  In the book, she shared Elisabeth Elliot's real life story of facing her fears of returning to ministry after her husband had been killed by the very people they had ministered to.  Always remember that no matter what you are called to do in life, don't give up, because God will always be with you, even if you have to do it while feeling afraid." 

The CD begins with the first radio single.  'I Will Trust You' is one of six songs South and Smiley wrote as a duo.  It extols the Lord: "You are love, You died for me/You heal my weary soul/You lift me up and keep me from falling/Forgive and make me whole.../You are the Maker of the heavens and the earth/You are the only One who knew me before birth."  It is apparent from the get go that Elizabeth has a pleasant, easy to listen to voice.  'Higher' based on Romans 8:35-39, is a great praise and worship song.  Blair Masters who has toured as a keyboard player for Garth Brooks and Casting Crowns is one of the writers: "Fight your battles on your knees/And watch Him do amazing things/Every trial that comes your way/He will hear you when you pray/Nothing will ever separate us/No nothing from the love of God/Neither death nor any powers/Will overcome His love for us."  'Arms of the Savior' is a gentle ballad that finds Elizabeth resting in the Lord: "There's a truth that is seldom known/That I'm in the center of what He's already done/So I'm waiting for what's yet to come.../I'm in the center of Your will/Of Your grace/It can't be erased/I'm in Your presence in this place/I see Your face/In the arms of the Savior."

'Fall to My Knees' is a song of gratitude, inspirational in sound: "Your love is greater than everything in life/The Maker and Healer on high/I will always love You/I will always praise You/Lord, in Your name I'll delight/You brought me from darkness to light/Your ways are perfect/Though I'm not deserving/You brought me to this place/Where You go before me/And lead me to the waters/Of Your unending grace."  'Do It Afraid' is a strong title track that builds in momentum.  It doesn't hurt either that White Heart lead vocalist Rick Florian adds his talents to the track!  The song speaks of the benefits of having a deep trust in the Lord: "When I am lost, when I am trembling/These steps of faith I will take/And when I obey in spite of my feelings/You'll do amazing things/When You open doors that I need to walk through/There's nothing impossible to do."  Fittingly, the next cut is White Heart's classsic 'Desert Rose' from their terrific 1990 album POWERHOUSE.  The version here is nicely performed by Elizabeth and even has White Heart bassist Anthony Sallee playing on it.  The song admits that following the Lord and His will is not always a happy or easy task: "Lost in a windswept land/In a world of shifting sand/A fragile flower stands apart/And there in that barren ground/You feel like the only one/Trying to serve Him with all your heart.../Sometimes holiness/Can seem like emptiness/When you feel the whole world's laughing eyes/But if it's a lonely day/Know You're on the Father's way/He will hear You when You cry."

'Still' was co-written by South with George Cocchini.  He has worked with the likes of Joe English and DC TALK.  'Still' is a soft sounding song of hopeful anticipation: "One day I'll stand on glassy sea/Kneeling down before the/Throne of God, I'll be set free."  These words bring to mind Revelation 22:3 which says: "No longer will there be any curse.  The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and His servants will serve Him."  'Surrender' was penned solely by South and has her coming to the end of her own efforts: "Overcome the world says/Conquer everything/Don't give up/Fulfill your deepest needs/Surrendering is a dark and ugly word/In a world where we must self rely/I have been in control now for so long/I'm ready to surrender, to surrender all.../I am ready to surrender all/To surrender all to Christ." 

In Philippians 2:9-11 Paul writes: "Therefore God exalted Him to the highest place and gave Him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."  'Holy Holy Holy' written by Mark Swayze continues the theme of surrender and adds to it praise: "Here I bow in holy awe/I am Yours my life, my all/Here I am to hear You speak/You're my God/And You're my King/Holy, Holy, Holy/Is the Lord God Almighty/Who was and is and is to come (2X)." 

A pretty instrumental version of 'I Will Trust You' follows.  The album ends with the bonus track single 'Don't Give Up on Your Love'.  It was programmed and mixed by Joel Wild and has George Cocchini on electric guitar.  The song has been described as "pop/rock/electronic dance style."  It could just as well have been released by Madonna or Kylie Minogue.  It contains these words of determination: "You gotta take a stand/When the doors slam/Don't let anyone make you lose your ground/Don't give up/Don't give in/Find the freedom that love can give/Don't give up/Don't give in/Fan the flame of the fire within." 

In the liner notes Elizabeth writes: "I feel blessed to have the opportunity to create another beautiful album that expresses my beliefs.  So many people in this world deal with fears and doubts.  It is my hope that this music will inspire faith, courage, perserverance and love."  Most of the album finds Elizabeth in the musical vein of Twila Paris and traditional praise and worship music.  Musicians that appear include John Catchings (cello), Billy and Brennan Smiley, Ken Lewis, and Scott Dente from Out of the Grey.  The photographs of Elizabeth accompanied by a sunflower were taken by Ben Pearson and are absolutely beautiful.  Elizabeth should be the next Bachelorette if she is available!  I'm rating DO IT AFRAID 84%.  For more info visit http://www.elizabethsouth.com/.

THE END IS WHERE WE BEGIN

Thousand Foot Krutch is a great rock band whose music has been used by well known organizations such as ESPN, NASCAR, and WWE.  This band with origins in Peterborough, Ontario has now released seven studio albums and one live project.  Some of my favourite songs from them are: 'Rawkfist', 'Absolute', 'Fire it Up', and 'Already Home'.  After several albums with Tooth and Nail Records, Krutch made a gutsy move and decided to go independent, raising funds with the assistance of fans through Kickstarter for their latest project THE END IS WHERE WE BEGIN (2012).  The CD is co-produced by Aaron Sprinkle who has also produced projects for Jeremy Camp and Starflyer 59, and Trevor McNevan.  The album shows the musical influence of artists such as Run-DMC, the Beastie Boys, and Red Hot Chili Peppers.  Of it, lead singer, McNevan says: "This record in a lot of ways, is a bridge going back to where we came from, traveling all the way through where we've been, to where we're going."

'The Introduction' opens the album with a distorted vocal that presents a mission and a mandate to the listener: "You must find the Truth...Remember, not everything...is what it seems...If you don't stand for something...you might fall for anything."  'We Are' is an electric guitar driven rock song that has the band coming out swinging: "We are the ones, we are the guns/And we will run/We are the voice of a song unsung/We are the change, we are the chains that hold us/We are the choice, we are the strong/We are one/My heart is racin' just like a rocket/Victory looks like a distant dream/'Cause what we're fighting's not gonna stop it/But we can beat it, if we just believe."  'Light Up the Sky' continues the battle theme with these rapped lyrics: "Game time, rippin'/Mint condition/Lights out, stompin' all competition/My utmost to His highest/It gets no flyer/Oh, oh, we set the main frame on fire/Boom! Code red, feel the lead/From the pedal I pushed/To the metal, the dust never settles/F5 Level, kick up the bass, and the/Treble, 'cause faith, that's a rebel/I can show you the devil."

1 Peter 2:11 reads: "Dear friends, I urge you as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul."  'The End is Where We Begin' is a great rock title track!  It is the song of a Christian declaring their true identity: "I'm an alien, 'cause I'm not of this world/I have a name, but I've been changed/And now I can't stay the same...The end is where we begin/It's crawling back, when we run away, run away/'Cause the end is where we begin/Where broken hearts mend/And start to beat again."  'Let the Sparks Fly' features Trevor screaming along to a heavy rock beat.  The song speaks of outreach: "Let me take you into the light/There's nowhere to hide/There's nothin' but darkness left here/Shake it off and let's take a ride/'Cause heaven's not far away/And I'm not gonna leave you here."  'I Get Wicked' has the band still rocking hard with heavy guitars, bass, and drums.  The message is one of having a very strong faith: "My faith's my life...I am not afraid of this mountain in my way/You can push me to my knees, I believe/And I am now awake, uncontrolled, and unashamed/When it rushes over me, I feel free/Go!"  The song draws on Mark 11:23: "I tell you the truth if anyone says to this mountain, 'Go throw yourself into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart but believes that what he says will happen, it will be done for him."

'Be Somebody' is a thoughtful ballad of praise: "And You create in me/Somethin' I would have never seen/When I could only see the floor/You made my window a door/So when they say they don't believe/I hope that they see You in me/After all the lights go down/I'm just the words, You are the Sound/A strange type of chemistry/How You've become a part of me/And when I sit alone at night/Your thoughts burn through me/Like a fire You're the only One/Who knows who I really am."  'This is a Warning' is a short instrumental with a dark feel to it.  'Courtesy Call' has the band going another round in spiritual warfare with the devil: "There's a rumble in the floor/So get prepared for war/When it hits it'll/Knock you to the ground/While it shakes up everything around/But survival is a must/So will you stand with us?/Can you feel it?/Make it real and/Make me feel it."  'War of Change' is a very creative song musically, has a catchy chorus, and is a song that tells of spiritual growth birthed via inner struggle: "There's a war goin' on inside of me tonight/Don't be afraid (2X)/Wait, it's just about to break/It's more than I can take/Everything's about to/Change, I feel it in my veins/It's not goin' away/Everything's about to change (2X)."

In Matthew 5:13a Jesus says: "You are the salt of the earth..."  'Down' is an urgent rap/rock number.  It is also the song of a man on a mission: "People used to tell me that I'm on my own/They said I'd never make a difference on this microphone/'Cause there's a million other people who could/Sing this song/I said 'Well thanks for the push 'cause you all were wrong'/Let's go/You wanna try to take me under?/I'll never bow till I'm six feet under/Listen to the sound of rolling thunder/You can't break me/You'll never take me down."  'All I Need to Know' is a pretty tune that has Trevor using his falsetto some.  The song reminds us that God is faithful to draw near to us just when we need Him to: "There's a moment in the morning/When I feel the most alone/But then I hear Your voice/Whisperin' my name/It's like a wave of understanding/And I never could have planned it/Where the questions and doubts all fade away."  'Fly on the Wall' has a good chorus but is not as good a song as Miley Cyrus' of the same name.  It speaks of overcoming the devil and becoming who we were created to be: "I don't think I need you anymore/Take your words and your lies, and just beat it/I don't think I need you anymore/Take the hurt and the pain, I don't need it/I wanna live, I wanna be the change/We can all be kings and queens/If we could just learn to believe (2X)."

Matthew 5:6 says: "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled."  'So Far Gone' conveys a desire for deep intimacy with God: "I want to be so far gone in You/So far nothing else will ever do/I want to be so far gone/In You, In You."  'Outroduction' ends the album the way it started, with a distorted vocal.  We are left with these words of advice for our journey: "Choose your decisions wisely/Change starts with us/Remember if you don't stand for something/You might fall for anything." 

THE END IS WHERE WE BEGIN is a dandy follow up to 2009's WELCOME TO THE MASQUERADE.  Krutch continues their full on rock assault while sharing a positive, encouraging message.  Fans of Skillet should enjoy this album.  In the liner notes Trevor McNevan thanks: "My God, Who is my refuge and strength.  Without You, there's nothing."  Joel Bruyere (bass) thanks: "God who radiates grace, patience, love, peace, and pure understanding.  I am in awe every minute of every day."  Steve Augustine (drums and percussion) thanks: "God, thank You for all Your promises, for blessing me with a wonderful family, and incredible group of friends."  I'm rating THE END IS WHERE WE BEGIN 90%.  For more info visit http://www.thousandfootkrutch.com/.

THE COVER OF LOVE

Phil Keaggy was born in Youngstown, Ohio on March 23, 1951.  At the age of four he lost half of his middle finger on his right hand due to an accident on the family farm involving a water pump.  He was the guitarist and vocalist for rock band Glass Harp who released three albums in the early 1970's.  They opened for the likes of Alice Cooper, the Kinks, and Yes.  Keaggy put out the first of his over 50 solo albums WHAT A DAY in 1973.  That summer he married Bernadette.  They had a rough go of it for a while.  She miscarried in 1975 with triplets.  In 1976 they had a son Ryan die after only a few days.  In 1977 there was another miscarriage.  God was good to them though and they had three kids.  Alicia was born in 1980, Olivia in 1984, and Ian in 1987.

Keaggy's bio states: "For three years in a row, Phil was voted one of the top fingerstyle guitarists by Guitar Player Magazine."  His 1978 album THE MASTER AND THE MUSICIAN was CCM's first instrumental album.  He has won several Dove Awards in that category.  My favourite Phil Keaggy albums are: PHIL KEAGGY AND SUNDAY'S CHILD (1988), CRIMSON AND BLUE (1993), TIME 1 AND 2 (1995), and TRUE BELIEVER (1995).  Phil's latest effort is THE COVER OF LOVE (2012, Strobie Records).  It is a collection of love songs recorded between 1997 and 2011, with half of them being covers.

'Between Wyomings' starts things off.  Ken Mansfield is the writer.  He was a young music executive with Capitol Records in the 1960's, helping the careers of the Beatles, Glen Campbell, Lou Rawls, and others.  In 1968 the Fab Four named him the U.S. manager of Apple Records.  Today he has a ministry which involves him being an author and speaker.  'Between Wyomings' finds him love sick: "Seems I've tried a thousand times/But I can't get you off my mind/They say that time is supposed to heal/But it always hurts me when I feel/Lost between Wyomings without your love/And baby, lately I've been havin' dreams about you."  The song would fit nicely on Larry Norman's 1970's albums SO LONG AGO THE GARDEN and IN ANOTHER LAND.  Phil's daughters provide backing vocals.  A fantastic cover of 'Good Vibrations' which was written by Brian Wilson and Mike Love in 1966 is up next.  The version here features lead and background vocals by Phil and Gene Miller.  Miller has toured with the likes of Kenny Loggins and Donna Summer.  He is currently a member of the Nashville Alternators, a group that includes CCM industry vets Chris Rodriguez and Tommy Sims.  'Good Vibrations' begins with these magical words: "I, I love the colorful clothes she wears/And the way the sunlight plays upon her hair/I hear the sound of a gentle word/On the wind that lifts her perfume through the air/I'm pickin' up good vibrations/She's giving me excitations."  'She Sees Me' written by Phil and Jon Sexton finds Carl Herrgesell on piano and B3 organ.  It speaks of the intimacy experienced in a love relationship: "Because there's so much there to see/Written between the lines/Oh how do I say it?/She is my best friend and she sees me for who I am/Because there's someone standing there/Standing right by my side/How do I say it?"  The song has a gentle, breezy sound to it.

'Where are you Love?' was written by Phil and Olivia Keaggy in 2011.  Olivia is on lead vocals, while Phil is on guitar and harmony vocals.  The song is a tender ballad about losing love: "Tell me, will you tell me while my heart is breaking?/Walk with me through the flame of the fire/Where are you love, where are you love?/Oh, did you mean to be leaving?/Speak to me/Walk with me."  On 2011's 'My Auburn Lady' Phil handles vocals, guitars, bass and percussion.  It is a soft number with ultra romantic lyrics written for his wife: "Ah, Bern, I am smitten o'er again/Ah Bern, by your beauty my dear friend/Ah Bern, and you know how much I do depend on you/It's true, my auburn lady/Ah Bern, so faithful through the years/Ah Bern, through the laughter, through the tears/Ah Bern, through my dark insides and foolish fears/I knew, I knew.../You to be a rock that I can cling to."  'Somedays' is from Paul McCartney's 1997 album FLAMING PIE.  Phil is responsible for lead and harmony vocals, guitars, mandolin, and keyboards.  The song includes the following words of someone blown away by the love they've found: "We don't need anybody else to tell us what is real/Inside each one of us is love/And we know how it feels/Somedays I look/I look at you with eyes that shine/Somedays I don't/I don't believe that you are mine/It's no good asking me what time of day it is/Who won the match or scored the goal/Somedays I look/Somedays I look into your soul." 

'I Want You, I Need You, I Love You' has an old time rock 'n' roll feel to it.  It was written by Maurice Mysels and Ira Koslof in 1956 and popularized by the one and only Elvis.  These words from it paint a picture of someone head over heels in love: "Ev'ry time you are near/All my cares disappear/Darling you're all that I'm living for/I want you, I need you, I love you/More and more.../Won't you please be my own?/Never leave me alone/'Cause I die ev'ry time we're apart/I want you, I need you, I love you/With all my heart."  'Voices in the Sky' was a hit single for the Moody Blues in 1968.  It includes these lyrics inspired by nature: "Bluebird, flying high/Tell me what you sing/If you could talk to me/What news would you bring/Of voices in the sky?/Nightingale, hovering high/Harmonize the wind/Darkness, your symphony/I can hear you sing/Of voices in the sky/Just what is happening to me?/I lie awake with the sound of the sea/Calling to me."  'Grow with Me' written by Phil and Michael Lewis is an excellent new rock song driven by electric guitar.  Drums are played by John Sferra of Glass Harp.  Read these passionate lyrics: "To have you by my side/I could never ask for more/And when you hold me it's so right/I love you, I do/And that's all she wrote/So let's keep the flame alive/And don't ever let me go/Never let me go/Let's keep the flame alive/And don't ever let me go/Never let me go (2X)."

The last three songs turn our attention to Divine Love.  'Motor of Love' is another Paul McCartney number, this time from 1989's FLOWERS IN THE DIRT.  It is a beautiful sounding, blatant song of testimony: "Motor of love, motor of love/Heavenly Father, look down from above;/I can't get over Your powerful motor of love/I can't get over Your love/No matter how lost I feel/I know my love is real thanks to You/You simply reached out Your hand/And touched me deep in my soul/Came in out of the cold, thanks to you/I won't steal anything from You/You give me more than enough."  'What Matters Most' written by Phil contains these spiritual words of invitation: "Come close to me and open your heart/Come here and listen, and open your eyes/Come and embrace, open your arms/What matters most is love never dies/Go to the sea of forgiveness/Go to the well that never runs dry/Walk in the land, the land of the living/What matters most is love never dies."  The closing track 'Where the Morning Dawns', written by Phil and Mike Radovsky, was inspired by author George MacDonald who died in 1905.  Musically this song that credits James Hollihan Jr. with trumpet and strings arrangement, will please Beatles fans.  Lyrically, it is a tribute to God who is Himself Love: "In the holy hush of the early dawn/Oh to hear a Voice speaking/'I am with you all day long'/And to know that Love has a Face/The giver of Amazing Grace."

THE COVER OF LOVE has on the cover a totally cute picute of Olivia Keaggy when she was four.  The album was produced, recorded, and mixed by Phil Keaggy at Kegworth Studio.  It was mastered by Mike Pachelli at Fullblast Recording Studio.  According to his bio: "These days, Phil Keaggy continues to delight audiences all over the U.S. performing primarily acoustic shows, and occasional concerts with a band."  In the liner notes Phil says: "Thank You my Lord for granting me grace, mercy and peace and love that endures through all eternity.  I am humbled and eternally grateful to You."  I recommend THE COVER OF LOVE to those who enjoy good pop music on the lighter side of things, and to those whose favourite Bible book is Song of Songs.  I'm rating this CD 87%.  For more info visit http://www.philkeaggy.com/.