Saturday 1 December 2012

More Christian Music Recommendations (Tim Challies)

Some more christian music (mainly hymn type things) recommendations from Tim Challies excellent blog.



Hymns for the Christian LifeHymns for the Christian Life - It’s always noteworthy when Keith and Kristyn Getty release a new album. Keith Getty is one of today’s foremost Christian hymnwriters who, along with Stuart Townend, has sparked a resurgence in hymnody with such songs as “In Christ Alone” and “How Deep the Father’s Love.” This new album “comes from the challenge to consider not just what we sing on those occasions when we’re all together but how the shared lyrics of our faith speak into all the moments in between. Musically, Hymns for the Christian Lifereflects both the Celtic and American folk traditions, old and new world brought together, just as we lean on the rich legacy of Church music we already have with songs written for the life of the Church today.” It is available at Amazon oriTunes.
Hymns MillerHymns - Hymns is a new album from Stephen Miller who leads worship at the Journey Church in St. Louis (where he ministers with Darrin Patrick). The album consists of eleven traditional and contemporary hymns set to new arrangements of the traditional melodies. In other words, it’s quite a straightforward album that revisits a collection of everyone’s favorite hymns. The album is available atAmazon or iTunes.
Under the New SunUnder the New Sun - Smalltown Poets were one of my favorite bands back in the day (by which I mean the 90’s). Their first two albums would still rank on my list of all-time favorites. Now, all these years later, they’ve released a new EPtitled Under the New Sun. They say they’ve “gotten back to our beginnings by crafting lyric-intensive songs from the ground up, doing our best to turn a few phrases, sneak in a few puns, and challenge our listeners to dive in and bring their own imaginations.” It’s a fun album that is very consistent with the good old days ofSmalltown Poets and Listen Closely. You can check it out at smalltownpoets.tv.

Christian Music Recommendations from Tim Challies


Joy Beyond the Sorrow by Indelible Grace - Indelible Grace may well be the name most closely associated with today’s trend of setting old hymns to new music. I still remember listening to their music for the first time while driving my sister’s car around Atlanta—listening to it and loving it. Indelible Grace has just released their sixth studio album and I think it may be their best yet. Joy Beyond the Sorrow includes 14 traditional hymns set to new music. Many of the melodies are ideal for corporate worship, something that has always been a strength of their albums. Standout tracks include “From the Depths of Woe (Psalm 130),” “Did Christ Over Sinners Weep?,” and “Hail to the Lord’s Anointed.” You can buy theCD at their website or listen to the complete album (and buy MP3s) at Bandcamp.
T4G Live IITogether for the Gospel Live II by Sovereign Grace Music. In April of 2010 and 2012, thousands of people gathered in Louisville, Kentucky, to participate in the Together for the Gospel conferences. This album contains 16 of the songs they sang, led by Bob Kauflin on piano. The tracks include traditional hymns, contemporary hymns, and songs by Sovereign Grace. While all of these songs can be found on other recordings, the joy of this album is being able to sing along with thousands of voices (mostly male) raised in the praise to the Lord. It is available at Amazon for $8.99 as is the first volume, recorded at the 2008 conference.
Come Ye SinnersCome Ye Sinners by Sojourn. According to Sojourn, “Come Ye Sinners was recorded live on Good Friday, 2012 at Memorial Auditorium in Louisville. It’s not just a record for that day or for the Easter season. It’s a reminder—every day—that we’re invited to meet God at the cross, where mercy abounds, sin is paid for, and death itself is conquered by the blood of Jesus.” I see Sojourn as the older, hipster cousin of Indelible Grace and Sovereign Grace Music. If Sovereign Grace is wearing corduroys and Indelible Grace is wearing khakis, Sojourn is wearing skinny jeans and sporting the perfect soul patch. Their music is less congregational then the others and fits more closely with contemporary musical trends. I can’t deny that I prefer their older albums to their more recent ones, and almost feel like they are trying a little bit too hard these days (I consider Before the Throne and Advent Songs their best). I may well be the exception here and certainly would not knock their musical talents. You can listen to samples and buy the new album at Amazon.

Wednesday 28 November 2012

50 Key Moments in Jazz (Guardian)

A history of jazz in 50 key moments, as chosen by Guardian and Observer writers. See the whole series on the Guardian Page.

A History of Modern Music (The Guardian)

A history of jazz music timeline

A History of Modern Music: the timeline

In a seven-part series, Guardian and Observer critics chart the history of modern music, tackling a different genre each day and picking 50 key moments. Use this interactive guide to travel through time and see their selections