Savior Bleed,” the remaining tracks on the recording are all obscure. For bringing them to my attention, I am grateful to the musicians of Sojourn Community Church.
As befits an album made up of the creations of many composers, “Over the Grave” contains a pleasant mix of sounds. Many of my favorite tracks are slightly edgy: the minor, funk-tinged “Warrior,” the bluesy rocker “Psalm 13 (How Long),” and the unhur- ried groove of “We Are Changed.” For those in need of a quieter, more meditative sound, “Only Your Blood” provides a lovely contrast, as well as some arresting lyrics (“no bleeding bird, no bleeding beast, no hyssop branch, no priest / no running brook, no flood, no sea, can wash this stain away from me”). The material is challenging; how does the composer find the right sound for “a day of glory, a day of dread” (“Warrior”) or “flesh with pain oppressed, our pain forbids us rest” (“Reveal Your Love”)? Yet the words are treated respectfully and honestly. Watts’ phrases are not, for the most part, shoehorned into catchy hooks that don’t reflect their meaning.
The Heart of the Artist Joey Lott
Noland, Rory. The Heart of the Artist. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Zondervan, 1999.
I’ve read many books dealing with worship and the arts. This is the first book to skip generalities and dive head first into the character issues we all deal with. It truly is a "must read" for any artistic team in the church, along with those who simply want to understand and relate to the artists among them better. The questions at the end of each chapter provide thought provoking examination of one's heart.Whatever you do, buy this book! You won't regret it.
The Fellowship's Music & Worship Arts Week
Lake Junaluska, N.C. – June 20-25, 2010
National Worship Leader Conference
Kansas City, KS – July 19-22, 2010
www.nationalworshipleaderconference.com
FUMMWA National Biennial Convocation
Colorado Springs, CO - July 11-14, 2011
www.umfellowship.org
www.MusicArtsWeek.org
mcromwell@hillsideumc.org.
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