Sufjan- To be alone with you

When I think of Michigan. It's often to the tune of Sufjan. or maybe it's the other way around. when I hear Sufjan, I think of my friends and life in Michigan with a deep fondness and gratitude.

Ray Lamontagne - Shelter + one

subtle and beautiful.

I can't get enough Bill Mallonee

One of the greatest songwriters of our day, who is by and large unknown. The genius isn't in his guitar playing, but in his lyrics. He writes lyrics you think with my friends.

Unfortunately, folks who love him are also crappy videographers. The youtube footage of this guy is tough to come by and often poor in quality. Someone do the world a favor and record this guy live with something other than a camera phone or camcorder.



Below is an older song. but with an actual video.
lyrically he captures you in the story of the dust bowl.

"lost my first born that winter, my wife on the first day of spring.
so I poured sweat into the earth, yeah to see what that harvest would bring."
amazing.

Classic Dave Grohl

Foo Fighters on Craig Kilborne. just good old fun. Dave Grohl hits the solo just about note for note. This is mostly just fun,not beauty.

Stairway to heaven



Then there's this with Will Ferrell. (warning: a bit of language)

I dig Chris Cornell's voice...

This guy can sing.

Love is against the Grain

Do you remember the Dime Store Prophets from the 90's? Their lead singer Justin Stevens (aka Justin Dillon) is front and center in the "call + response" to the issue of sex trafficing.

Sex /slave trade film from Justin Dillon. Here's the link to the video on CNN .

Well worth investing a few minutes into if you ask me.
Here's the trailer for the movie on Apple.com

Brandon Grissom's Brighter

People are starting to notice. Brandon Grissom is the real deal.

Link

I liked this part in particular:

There a some seriously horrible worship albums out there. I want let you in on a secret. A diamond in the rough. His name is Brandon Grissom … and he’s the the real deal.

Living in the Chicago area, I get to meet some very creative and talented people. Living in the back yard of Willow Creek Community Church–I am friends with many young, shiny faces that come to Willow from around the world because of their gifting. Often these folks, while talented, seem to be on the fast track to become minor “Christian celebrities” and, to be brutally honest, lack a collaborative heart. The bright lights of the mega church (and the notoriety and salary that come with it) have drawn them like moths to a flame … and some hearts just get burnt up.

Grissom seems to have escaped all this nonsense. Why is all this important for a music review? It’s really simple, if you are going to make real worship music what’s in your heart is 99% of the battle.

Out of a man’s heart flows his music. Out of a man’s heart flows his lyrics. You should investigate Brandon Grissom’s heart.

Great job B!

Flight of the Conchords

Love these guys...

Uke Shaft

In honor of Marko, who loves uke music.

Yo Gabba Gabba meets Jimmy Eat World

This is fun, and a bit trippy actually. Zach the drummer for Jimmy Eat World blogs here. I don't know Zach, but we have some mutual friends I think. One day maybe I'll be able to share a beverage with him and he can tell me what it's like to fly through the sky on the back of a house pet.

Jimmy Eat World-Beautiful Day-Yo Gabba Gabba

Writing and Music

I wish there was a way to include a soundtrack with books. I write to music. It not only sets a backdrop for typing words on a screen, but it provides a rhythm and attitude influencing what I write and put words together.

I wish there was a way for you to hear what I hear, while you read what I wrote.

Perhaps it would be in the margins.

Chapter 12 - (gnarles barkely- going on) etc.

I was tempted to put a playlist at the beginning of the TOC.
But the truth is, you need to hear your own music with the words. Frankly, I hope that you hear your own meaning with the words as well. At least to some extent. Because my meaning is superior to your, of course. I mean, if you are going to read my book and listen to Jessica Simpson, well... I just can't imagine such a thing.

More than I can do today

Blogging has been lite because I've got more to do than I have time in the day.
So here's what I'm listening to today.

Gnarls Barkley - Going On
Alanis Moressette - Flavors of Entanglement
Weezer - Pork and Beans
Khrusty Brothers - the album
Jon Foreman- Season's albums

Brandon Grissom

If you haven't heard of Brandon Grissom, it's time for you to pay attention. He's a good friend, musician, song writer, worship leader and pastor in Chicago. (On loan from Oklahoma.)

Check this video out and then go buy his album on iTunes.

Bill Mallonee in Tulsa

one of my favorite songwriters will be performing in tulsa on June 29th. Eikon meets this night. I don't know how this will work out.
I wonder what eikon folks would think of Bill....

Link

So New, There's No Title

This song was written by Julie Miller, her husband Buddy performs it.

This video of buddy singing, with those amazing lyrics made me want to post this video too.

The New CD for my boys.

Every once in a while I make a CD for the boys to listen to.
Here's their latest compilation:

1. Over the Hills and Far Away - Led Zeppelin - Zach really wanted this one. He's becoming a classic rock fan. Some kids can identify cars as they drive by, others can list sports stars they like and who they play for. Zach can tell you when Zeppelin is on the radio. He doesn't get to hear the whole catalogue... in fact this is his first Zep song on a disk. He's excited. Of course who wouldn't be? Do you remember your first Zep song?

2. Boom - P. O. D. - The boys just think this sounds cool. And it does. A great one from the boys from SD.

3. Follow Me Now - Alvin and the Chipmunks -They're kids right?

4. All that Matters - Addison Road - AR played played at the Planet Wisdom here in Tulsa and Zach got to hang out back stage where they were. But he remembers their music.

5. More - Andrew Peterson - Ok. So the kids didn't ask for this one. They kind of liked it when I played it for them, but this is more of me trying to feed them some good music.

6. My Best Friend - Weezer - My kids like Weezer. My name is Jonas is on Guitar Hero 3 so they play it often. Plus who doesn't want music by a band named Weezer when you are 7 or 10?

7. The Old Apartment - Bare Naked Ladies - A great song froma a great band that Zach liked more than Jaden.

8. O Death - Ralph Stanley - From the Brother Where Art Thou soundtrack, this haunting a cappella song is wonderful... and amusing for the boys. A little Zepplin, a song by Weezer and now and old man singing about "the ice cold hands taking hold of me."

9. In the Jailhouse Now - Soggy Bottom Boys - Do I really need to tell you why the boys like this song?

10. Indian War Whoop - John Hartford - They thought that this was unique. But I'm guessing with won't get the play of BOOM!

Got kids? Nephews? What are they listening to?

Jesus is my Boyfriend

Here's a video of Matt Redman in a very candid interview on worship and writing worship songs. I like the fact that he's hoping for people to start thinking more about what they are singing.

um.. wow

Can't get enough

I can't get enough of this guy!

10th Anniversay of Rich Mullins Death

Has it really been ten years?

Rich was ahead of his time. He was "real" before real was cool. He was real in a way that would make people uncomfortable.

I met Rich a year or so before his death. It was controversial to have him at camp, even though he was the "Awesome God" guy.

Rich was a paradox.
A guy who made music who preferred silence.
A guy who desired peace with the world, but often intentionally caused controversy.
A guy who was passionate about God and who was often a jerk.
A guy who lived in extremes.

So someone approached Rich and tried to pay him a complement. She said, "I listen to you all the time when I'm having my quiet times with God."

Rich's response. "That's too bad."

The woman looked confused.

Rich continued. "I guess it's not very quiet then is it?"

Theres a song Andrew Peterson wrote years ago upon hearing about Rich's death.

Three Day's Before Autumn amazing song.

It starts:

Three days before autumn
A cold winter came
Blew in a telephone call when my friend went away
And I swear I heard thunder at the sound of his name
He never knew me at all, but I loved him the same

And it's easy enough
To say he's better off
Chalk it up
To the luck of the draw
Life is tough
It was his time to go and that's all
I don't know about that, Œcause

I'm broken and breathless and bent to the ground
And I'm listening; Lord, but I don't hear a sound
Though the angels in heaven are dancing around
To the music that I want to hear
And I'm watching and wishing and wondering why
But this silence is louder the harder I try
And I cant believe it, but I can't deny
That the winter came early this year

I stood in the kitchen
And I stared at the wall
And I prayed for some wisdom
So I could make a little sense of it all

And I thought about the seasons
How quickly they pass
How there's little to do but hope
That the good ones will last

And this night is beautiful
I see the sky above the rain
And I think I hear the wild wind howling
Come to blow me away

And I take comfort in know that this ain't my home
And I know when I'm lonely
That I ain't alone
And I know that he's singing at the foot of the throne
But that don't seem to matter down here
Because the winter came early this year
Three days before autumn

Left Behind in song

Over the past few years one of the things that has changed has been my eschatology.
I saw this post and I thought it was funny. We need more of this kind of thing.
It's from my friend Mike King.

He Writes:

This video features a song written by Randy Bonifield at Christ Community Church here in Kansas City. Christ Community is a significant partner with YouthFront. Many of our staff attend there and we have great relationships with their staff. Pastor Tom Nelson is working through a series on Eschatology. Randy, who obviously was scared to death (put me in that category) by the eschatological imagination and tactics used by many post 1970 Left Behind advocates (also put me in this category from 1978 - 1991), wrote a song expressing his experiences. Very funny and appropriate critique.

Bill Mallonee

Bill Mallonee is in OKC on Monday night. I arrive back from Memphis around 5. The show starts at 8pm. It takes 2 hours to drive...
hmmmm....

Songs I wish the Shuffle had picked

aka - songs I think are cool that you might not have heard before:

War Pigs (iTunes Original Version) - The Flaming Lips

Take Five - Dave Brubek - Dave Brubek's Greatest hits

Fire Sign - David Berkeley - After the Wrecking Ship

World Spins Madly on - The Weepies - Say I Am You

My Friend Ringo - Youth Fresh Fellows

iTunes Shuffle

Dan taqged me with the iTunes Shuffle.
Here's how it works.
I'm told to go to iTunes and hit shuffle.
The first 10 on the list.. i put here on the blog.
I love music. I love to hear what others are listening to.

Here are my 10.

It Ain't Me Babe - Joaquin Phoenix and Reese Witherspoon- Walk the Line Soundtrack


Man did I like that movie. I saw it in Nashville with a bunch of youth
workers from the NYWC.

Place for My Head - Linkin Park - Hybrid Theory

Wow. I haven't listened to this in a long long time. I'm listening to this right now and remember how much I like Linkin Park



Power To the People - John Lennon - The John Lennon Collection

Not my favorite Lennon song by a long ways. I do have 93 John Lennon songs in my iTunes though.

Stalin Malone - Elvis Costello - Spike

I don't think I've ever heard this song honestly. Hmmm. Oh. It's an instrumental.

Unaccompanies Cello Suite No. 6 in D Major, BWV 1012: I. Prelude - Yo-Yo Ma - The Bach Cello Suites

Simply incredible. No words for how good this album is.


The Best of Times - Styx - Greatest Hits

My first two albums ever were Disco Duck and Styx (mr. roboto). I have not diea what he's talking about but it's fun to listen to.

Intoxicating - David Crowder Band - Illuminate

What can I say about Crowder other than he's one of my favorite worship lyricists. (is that how you spell it?)

Wicked Web - Waterdeep - Everyone's Beautiful

I haven't heard any thing new about Waterdeep in a few years. I love this band.

Ghost - Indigo Girls - Rites of Passage

No writes and sings like these two do.

Synchronicity II - The Police - Synchronicity

awww. the police. Sting before he was playing odd midevil instruments. This song has the lyric "a humilitiating kick in the crotch" and no ones used it sense with success.

Bill Mallonee

Those who frequent this blog know I am a big fan of Bill Mallonee. That's probably an understatement. I have always loved great music. In college I started loving lyrics more than ever. I found folks like the 77's, Adam Again, The choir and the Lost Dogs and LSU (Mike knott) to be a refreshing realistic voice with lyrics that present the world as it really is, not like most of CCM does. I still remember lyrics like, "Hang on baby when you feel like driving us into a ditch."; or
"holding up to heaven
the winnings of your plow
look into the poor man
show him what he must do now
you've got all the answers
but he's got a book that shows him how"

But by far Bill Mallonee is one of the greatest lyricist of our day. If you live in a city he's coming to and you don't go then it is totally your loss.

This iTunes review of him says it well.
"If Bob Dylan were touring small venues in relative obscurity, his brilliance exposed to only a few would be tragic. No less tragic is the treasure that is VOL (Bill Mallonne) that, to this day, remains underground. These lyrics alone could be straight out of a journal of a man who isn't afraid to look for the truth as well as question whatever truth he finds." It goes on to say, "Lyrically it is art. Art in the sense that it gives the listener a story to get lost in, a question to ponder, and a truth to consider. You won't sing along to this, but you will think along to this."

Bill's MySpace
Bill's Website

Bill Mallonee

Those who frequent this blog know I am a big fan of Bill Mallonee. That's probably an understatement. I have always loved great music. In college I started loving lyrics more than ever. I found folks like the 77's, Adam Again, The choir and the Lost Dogs and LSU (Mike knott) to be a refreshing realistic voice with lyrics that present the world as it really is, not like most of CCM does. I still remember lyrics like, "Hang on baby when you feel like driving us into a ditch."; or
"holding up to heaven
the winnings of your plow
look into the poor man
show him what he must do now
you've got all the answers
but he's got a book that shows him how"

But by far Bill Mallonee is one of the greatest lyricist of our day. If you live in a city he's coming to and you don't go then it is totally your loss.

This iTunes review of him says it well.
"If Bob Dylan were touring small venues in relative obscurity, his brilliance exposed to only a few would be tragic. No less tragic is the treasure that is VOL (Bill Mallonne) that, to this day, remains underground. These lyrics alone could be straight out of a journal of a man who isn't afraid to look for the truth as well as question whatever truth he finds." It goes on to say, "Lyrically it is art. Art in the sense that it gives the listener a story to get lost in, a question to ponder, and a truth to consider. You won't sing along to this, but you will think along to this."

Bill's MySpace
Bill's Website

Playlist for today

The Kidz on Drugz (or Life) Bill Mallonee
Sundress Ben Kweller
Drown Son Volt
The Guide Borne
Thirteen Ben Kweller

Bono at the NAACP awards

His message to the church at the end is worth your time.

link

Update: I've transcribed some of his passionate speech for you.

“and to those in the church who still sit in judgment on the AIDS emergency let me climb into the pulpit for just one moment. Because whatever thoughts we have about God who he is or even if God exists most will agree, that most will agree that God has a special place for the poor. The poor are where God lives. God is in the slums, in the cardboard boxes where the poor play house. God is where the opportunity is lost and lives are shattered. God is with the mother who has infected her child with a virus that will take both their lives. God is under the rubble and the cries we hear during wartime. God my friends is with the poor and God is with us if we are with them. This is not a burden. This is an adventure. And don’t let anyone tell you it can not be done. We can be the generation that ends extreme poverty. Thank you.” - bono

My Playlist for Today

Rise up with Fists - Jenny Lewis and the Watson Twins
Rabbit Fur Coat - Jenny Lewis and the Watson Twins
World Spins MadlyOn- Weepies
Kiss Off - Violent Femmes
Spanish Harlem Incident - Bob Dylan
Lua - Bright Eyes
Forever My Friend - Ray LaMontange
some Bill Mallonee
and the amazing Yo-Yo Ma - UnAccompanied Cello Suite No. 1 in G major

On to Bethlehem

On to Bethlehem
by Bill Mallonee and Vigilanties of Love

so i'm at this wheel it's three am
waiting for the caffeine to come around
and life rears it's ugly head again
they say your radio's cool and retail's way down

and i'd like to say i'm faithful
to the task at hand
speaking gospel to a handful
and others with their list of demands

it's cold this year and i'm late on my dues
it's cold in here ah but that's nothing new
my heart's electric with your love again
so it's on to bethlehem

you might surmise that i ran there
but i really only crept
lead me to the place where love runs wild
and then it dogs your every step

you know how fickle my heart is
prone to wonder my Lord
yeah it's hot but it's at arms length
always got one eye on the door

God wraps Himself up in human skin
for those who want to touch
and God let them drive the nails in
for those of us who know way too much

You come bearing all our burdens
and take Your lovers for a ride
but we stay holed up in our cages
fashioned by our own design

so tell me what is your secret
what's on your blister soul
what is that one little secret
you know the one that has taken its toll

'cause daddy's banging on your gate again
yeah he won't leave you alone
got a whole lot of dry warm rooms
and the finest of homes

Recently Added from iTunes

Chelsea Hotel No.2 (live)- by Rufus Wainwright - Leonard Cohen:I'm your man
Lessons Learned - Ray LaMontagne -Till the Sun turns black
9 Crimes - Damien Rice - 9
The whole Amos Lee (self-titled) album
Subterannean Homesick Blues - Bob Dylan - Bob Dylan's Greatist hits