Fruit of the Vinyl

I’m trying out a fun little experiment beginning in January.  I’ll be hosting a wine tasting party where everyone brings a bottle of a specific variety of wine, and I’ll introduce a new album.  I’m really excited about it!

In January, we’ll be sampling Nero D’Avola, and we’ll be listening to The Counting Crows’ new album Saturday Nights and Sunday Mornings.

In February, we’ll be trying out Moscato, and we’ll be listening to Sounds Under Radio’s release (finally) Cinematica.  As many of you know, the guys from Sounds Under Radio (particularly Lang & Bradley) are friends of mine (anyone remember my 24th birthday?).  I’m hoping that will score me some points and I can convince them to come and play some songs live and unplugged.  Who knows, though?  They are a big time Sony Records band now!

Enjoy a couple of their songs: Portrait of a Summer Thief  (from the Spiderman 3 Soundtrack) and  Wasteland.

Day after day, it reappears

As I was driving home tonight, I decided to flip through a CD case that I haven’t opened in quite a while. As I did, I found myself giddy. Sometimes, finding old CDs is like getting new ones. As I flipped through songs, I wondered how in the world I’d missed them before. Here are some of my favorite finds of the night.

• No Alibis by The Normals (Coming to Life)
  Favorite line: “All it takes is just one word and a broken heart is beautiful.”
• Depending On You by Tom Petty (Full Moon Fever)
  Favorite line:”You used to be such a sweet young girl– why you wanna be somebody else?”
• Shallow Grave by Elvis Costello (All This Useless Beauty)
  Favorite line: “Bless the poor, cos like the rich, they all end up in a ditch.”
• Love Will Come to You by the Indigo Girls (Rites of Passage)
  Favorite line: “Dodging your memories a field of knives, always on the outside looking in on others lives.”
• High Wire by Men at Work (Cargo)
  Favorite line: ” Sometimes I don’t know which way to go, Sometimes I can’t tell but it’s just as well,’Cos I’m walking on a high wire.”

Lullabye

So an acquaintance of mine, Brian T. Murphy, redoes hymns. He posted this one on his blog recently, and it brought me to tears. Thought I’d share.

There’s a Wideness

Text: Frederick Faber, 1862
Music: Jon Black and Brian T. Murphy, 2007

There’s a wideness in God’s mercy
like the wideness of the sea;
there’s a kindness in his justice,
which is more than liberty.
There is welcome for the sinner,
and more graces for the good;
there is mercy with the Savior;
there is healing in his blood.

There is no place where earth’s sorrows
are more felt than in heaven;
there is no place where earth’s failings
have such kind judgment given.
There is plentiful redemption
in the blood that has been shed;
there is joy for all the members
in the sorrows of the Head.

For the love of God is broader
than the measure of man’s mind;
and the heart of the Eternal
is most wonderfully kind.
If our love were but more faithful,
we should take him at his word;
and our life would be thanksgiving
for the goodness of the Lord.

Red Mountain Music

The folks at Red Mountain music have also donated a CD to be given to a donor chosen at random. Over the last two or three years since I’ve become acquainted with their music, I’ve found myself overwhelmed at times by the beauty and simplicity of old hymns. The people involved with this band share that same beauty and simplicity, I think. Please take a listen!

Poor Rich Folk

Poor Rich Folk is a (you guessed it) folky-bluegrassy band out of Fort Worth, with their own special connection to Dustin Salter. They graciously gave one of their CDs to us as a gift to a randomly chosen donor, and I am so thankful. I’ve enjoyed hearing more and more of their music over the last couple of years.

I initially met them when they opened for my friend Tara Leigh Cobble at The Opening Bell a couple of years ago. I’m pleased to see that they also have ties to my friends Justin & Marla Barnard over at Sugar Brown’s in Lubbock, Texas.

They’re incredibly talented and play good, raw music. I’m a huge fan of their whimsical, yet honest songwriting. Oh, and they know Rick Starr. Enough said.

Matthew Perryman Jones

Yet another of the awesome folks who donated CDs to help bring in donations for the RUF Campus Minister Crisis Relief Fund (currently going to the Salters) is Matthew Perryman Jones. MPJ is a Nashville-based singer/songwriter whose music inspires me a great deal. His newest recording, “Save You” pricks at my heart and I think you should take a second and take a listen, and then go donate!

Music of the Blogathon

So, as soon as I get it fixed, you’re going to be able to look over in my sidebar and see what I’m listening to.  I’ve got my “weird” music (as my sister would call it) going and I’m doing alright so far.

Derek Webb

Another one of the incredible musicians who was sweet enough to donate is Derek Webb. Derek donated both a CD and a Book to be given at random to one of my donors today. Folks, trust me. You want this.

He is one of my favorite singer/songwriters, and has definitely been a theological influence on me for a few years now. I credit his sharing of thoughts and music as being one of the instruments that God used to bring to me to Him. I will be ever thankful for this.

You’ll probably see me quote more from Derek today, also. He’s one of my go-to guys when it comes to music reinforcing God.

Please, go check him out and buy his newest CD: The Ringing Bell!

Damascus

This maybe the most beautiful thing I’ve ever heard…

Does the border temple fall down
I fall down
When the approaching light in me has stayed
It takes me back
Do you float the sanctuary
And Bury
What a messenger can trade in trades in

Takes me back against the outer glades
Back against the outer state
This is the last place I go for now
It takes me back (against the outer glades)
It takes me back (against the outer state)
This is the last place I go to
It takes me back (against the outer glades)
It takes me back (against the outer state)
This is the last thing I say

Does it matter that I fall down
My wall down
When the border is inside or remained
Brings me back
Do you know the end is airy
And carry
All the burdens of peoples’ pasts

Takes me back against the outer glades
Back against the outer state
This is the last place I go for now
It takes me back (against the outer glades)
It takes me back (against the outer state)
This is the last thing I go
It takes me back (against the outer glades)
It takes me back (against the outer state)
This is the last thing I say

The road can be stronger
The road can lay longer
The road can…
The road can lay longer
The road can be stronger
The road can…
The road can lay longer
The road can be stronger

Damascus by Sufjan Stevens

Glen Phillips (8)

You know him as the voice behind Toad the Wet Sprocket. and if you’re a real music nerd like me, you’ll know him as the voice behind the Mutual Admiration Society project with Nickel Creek. I know him as my favorite songwriter and I get to meet him in October when he plays here in Dallas at Bend Studio. HECK YES. Glen is graciously donating a CD to be given at random to one of my donors.

Please support his incredible art, and read all about what’s going on with him!