Tag Archives: Folk/Roots music

Latest Steve Bell CD a treat for the ears and food for the soul

06 Friday Jan 2017

Posted by in CD/Music Review

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , ,

The first thing that hit me, when I listened to Steve Bell’s Where the Good Way Lies for the first time, was a warmth to the sound that I hadn’t heard for a long time.

I grew up listening to music recorded, edited and mixed using 2″ reel-to-reel tapes. There was always a warmth to those records which has yet to be replicated by today’s digital technology.

For Where the Good Way Lies, Bell and his fellow producers Murray Pulver and Dave Zeglinski pulled out, refurbished and used Signpost studio’s now “ancient” analog equipment. The result is a CD which is a treat for the ears.

But Where the Good Way Lies is more than an aural treat. Bell is a master craftsman when it comes to songwriting and his lyrics are food for the soul.

While much of Bell’s music falls within the folk/roots category, the CD takes a few musical chances

Where the Good Way Lies opens with “Bring It On,” co-written by Murray Pulver which includes verses like “Fumbling forward on the way/Why regret, just journey on/In the end it’s all okay/Bring it on, bring it on.” The song’s lyrics affirm Bell’s comment in the CD’s notes: “We wanted to write something lighthearted to celebrate the wide swath of extreme weather that is the Canadian experience, as it mirrors the bracing depth and complexity of our lives.”

Bell finds inspiration in everything from the Shoal Lake 40 First Nation isolation (“Freedom Road”), the Church calendar (“Bethany in the Morning” and “Ash Wednesday”) and the words of Robert Louis Stevenson and N.T. Wright (“Let Beauty Awake.”)

While much of Bell’s music falls generally within the folk/roots category, the CD takes a few musical chances. “Bring It On” has a more upbeat vibe than some of his latest works. Adding to the enjoyment of this song are the trumpet parts, played by Bell (who was well on his way to being a jazz trumpet player before turning to guitar). Listeners will hear the influences of bands like Chicago, Lighthouse and the Tower of Power in the trumpet arrangements in both this song and elsewhere on the CD.

Another surprise is the title track, “Where the Good Way Lies,” which combines the stylings of First Nations vocalist Co-Co Ray Stevens and rap artist Fresh IE in a jazzy little number that takes some of its lyrical influence from a “hand-stitched quilt…that memorializes the seven sacred teachings of Indigenous wisdom.”

Where the Good Way Lies successfully straddles that dangerous ground between providing the music fans look forward to and recording music that stretches the artist’s creative muscles. And that makes it worth listening to over and over and over…

**********************

For more information on Steve Bell and the Where the Good Way Lies CD check: http://stevebell.com/

To listen to the Arts Connection interview where Steve Bell talks about recording of Where the Good Way Lies check: http://tinyurl.com/zfgjrmz

Enter the Worship Circle brings fresh sound to worship

16 Wednesday Nov 2016

Posted by in CD/Music Review

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , ,

down-here-and-up-above-cd-coverEnter the Worship Circle’s new EP, Down Here and Up Above, grew from the seeds planted by two music ministries.

High River, Alberta singer/songwriter Karla Adolphe found herself fatigued after surviving the 2013 flood (which severely damaged their new home), taking care of a growing family and meeting the needs of an expanding music ministry. This led to her taking a break from music as she sought God’s direction.

Enter American singer/songwriter Ben Pasley who Adolphe had worked with as part of a previous version of Enter the Worship Circle. Pasley also found himself searching God’s direction and the path of the pair’s spiritual journey led to a new incarnation of Enter the Worship Circle and an EP of worship songs with their roots in the Psalms.

A fresh sound to worship with songs that have lyrics strongly rooted in scripture

Enter the Worship Circle brings a fresh sound to worship with songs that have lyrics strongly rooted in scripture: “Every knee will bow, every tongue confess, both down here and up above” (“Down Here and Up Above”), “bring the robe and bring the ring” (“Tie Me Down”) and “Every hair on my head a number/You’re counting once again” (“You Will Remember”).

What stands out for me is a theological depth in the lyrics that I often find missing in some of today’s worship songs. “Tear the Veil” talks of the things that get in the way, the noise of the world and the voices “that want to be heard,” all of which prevents us from finding a deeper fellowship, leading to the chorus that expresses a heartfelt cry for intimacy: “Tear the veil, reach on through/Take my hand and lead me to/A quiet place with you.” And that’s only one example of the deep places Pasley and Adolphe plumb in this EP.

Musically, Down Here and Up Above is simple without being simplistic. While instrumental arrangements are bare and laid-back they’re exactly what the songs need. This is refreshing because it means small worship teams won’t feel intimidated in trying to incorporate the songs into their sets

There’s also a freshness to the sometimes raw vocals of Adolphe and Pasley, especially in their harmonies. And for music that was recorded in Pasley’s home studio there’s no lack of quality in the production. In fact, it seems to add an ambience to the EP that would be missing if produced in multi-million dollar facility.

Down Here and Up Above, as a six-song EP, is a treasure. I hope it’s also a harbinger of more to come.

*************************************************************

For more about the Down Here and Up Above EP go to: ttp://entertheworshipcircle.com/#down-here-and-up-above

To listen to an Arts Connection interview with Enter the Worship Circle’s Karla Adolphe, go to: http://tinyurl.com/jt5otuj

Singer/songwriter Ali Matthews plumbs the depth of her spiritual experience for new CD

20 Thursday Oct 2016

Posted by in CD/Music Review

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , ,

ali-matthews-so-shall-we-love-cd-cover“I have travelled this road/I have wrestled these fears/I have carried this load/And cried a sea full of tears/Though I may rise, though I may fall/You are my hope, You are my all/Forever this be my song and my story/To God be all of the glory.”

With those touching words, and equally touching keyboard backing, Ali Matthews opens her latest CD: So Shall We Love: Songs of Worship and Faith.

Musically So Shall We Love is a slight departure from Matthews’ previous works, relying more on a ballad style. That’s not to say every song is sombre or slow. An experienced songwriter, Matthews knows how to vary the tempo and timbre of the songs and her ability to match words and music shows a songwriter at the peak of their craft.

Ali Matthews’ ability to match words and music shows a songwriter at the peak of their craft.

On the intro page of the CD’s crowdfunding campaign, Matthews wrote: “My life journey has led me to the top of mountain peaks and the bottom of deepest valleys. Throughout every experience, the glue that kept me together was the ever-constant, faithful presence of God. His grace has blown my heart wide open.” The lyrics of So Shall We Love are a testimony to this:

“I am not my fear/I am not my failure/You tell me that I am a child of grace/Forgiven and loved…” (“Story”)

“Here in the stillness/My heart is at rest/Alone in the silence/That’s where I hear You best/In the rush of the river/Like a song in the breeze/It’s here in the stillness/You speak to me…” (“In the Stillness”)

The two songs which really stand out for me are “We Remember,” which I predict will soon be a standard song used before, during or following communion in many churches, and “I Saw Jesus,” which recounts Matthews’ emotions and experiences during a trip to Ecuador with World Vision.

Matthews also gives her own take on a few traditional songs: “It Is Well” (paired with “No Curse of Life”), “Abide” (which begins with the scratchy, vinyl album sound for the first verse of “Abide With Me”) and “Come Thou Fount.”

In the past, Matthews’ has relied on the strength of her songwriting and simple musical arrangements with a modicum of backing musicians. So Shall We Love producer Andrew Horrocks brings a rich, lush sound to the song arrangements which often feature a host of exceptional musicians, strings and background vocalists. A treat for listeners are the guest musicians Matthews includes: Tim Neufeld (Starfield and Tim Neufeld and the Glory Boys), Jacob Moon, Kevin Pauls, Joel Auge, Dan Macaulay, Matthew Grieve and her daughter, Jo Matthews (on “Love Like You” which they co-wrote).

So Shall We Love is the second CD I’ve heard this year that comes from a musician’s experience of a brokenness which finds solace in God’s grace. Whether this is a trend or not, singer/songwriters seem more willing to plumb the depths of their own spirituality and listeners seem ready to hear about it. No matter where you are on your journey So Shall We Love: Songs of Worship and Faith will be a CD you’ll want to have accompany you the rest of the way.

********************************

To listen to the latest Arts Connection interview with Ali Matthews, where she talks about her new CD, go to http://tinyurl.com/habxcju

For more about Ali Matthews and the So Shall We Love CD, go to http://alimatthews.com/

Three items you need to add to your must-buy list

19 Thursday Nov 2015

Posted by in Book Review, CD/Music Review

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , , , ,

Welcome back. Yes, I’ve been busy. No, I haven’t posted for a while. And, sorry for not meeting my self-imposed deadlines and keeping up to date with this blog.

But I’m back. While my schedule isn’t completely clear (Meet You at the Manger is in full-blown rehearsal mode and I’m still working on memorizing my lines), I do intend to keep up with the blog on a regular basis.

With this post, I want to catch up on three items that have come to my attention that need to be on everyone’s must-buy list:

SMRTdigipak_template_0.5mmlower_11by17_TEMPLATEKarla Adolphe – Live at the Space

Alberta singer/songwriter Karla Adolphe’s (http://www.karlaadolphe.ca/#!home/mainPage) latest release is a five-song EP recorded live at The Space, a recording studio in Red Deer, Alberta.

Anyone who has heard Adolphe’s previous releases, Honeycomb Tombs and Lingering, along with her work with The Emporiums and Jacob and Lily are familiar with her sweet voice and intricate guitar work. Live at the Space showcases a maturing artist and songwriter through a crisp production, that includes a tight studio band whose accompaniment supports Adolphe without overshadowing her.

The opening track, “Trouble Won’t Go” is probably the most poignant and personal. The song’s opening lines, “Trouble won’t go and peace won’t stay/Oceans roar and levy break,” harken back to the 2013 flood that devastated her home, and hometown, of High River, Alberta. It’s also the only song on the EP Adolphe didn’t write.

My personal favourite is “Child of the King,” the EP’s final song, which presents a joy and hope that juxtaposes the pessimism of “Trouble Won’t Go.”

The only problem with this EP? It’s too short. One can only hope Adolphe is working on more songs and a full-length CD is forthcoming.

********************

Creative Church Handbook – J. Scott McElroy

Creative Church HandbookAnyone thinking about starting an arts ministry in their church, or even those who have started one, needs Creative Church Handbook by J. Scott McElroy, the Indianapolis-based director of the New Renaissance Arts Movement (http://jscottmcelroy.com/).

The book, subtitled Releasing the Power of the Arts in Your Congregation, methodically presents both a biblical and practical rationale for the place of the arts in churches. Through interviews, e-mail conversations and personal experience, McElroy provides real-life examples of individuals and churches making an impact on their congregations and communities through the arts in all its forms.

This isn’t a book where Canadians have twist themselves into knots tying to figure out how American examples can be translated into the Canadian context. McElroy provides examples of Canadian churches releasing the arts and artists for ministry

An added benefit is the myriad of web-based resources McElroy provides, which couldn’t be included in the book.

********************

Seeing the Unseen: Launching and Managing a Church Gallery – Sandra Bowden and Marianne Lettieri

Seeing the Unseen - coverPublished by CIVA (Christians in the Visual Arts http://civa.org/), Seeing the Unseen is a step-by-step handbook for those who want to display art in a church gallery setting. Starting with the basics of defining what kind of gallery program you want to have, the book also explores the details of how to exhibit, hang and light paintings and how to engage viewers.

This comprehensive guide can seem overwhelming, but for churches truly interested in engaging their congregation, and the general public, through art, Seeing the Unseen is book to have.

The enigma and influence of Bruce Cockburn explored in “rumours of glory”

24 Tuesday Feb 2015

Posted by in Book Review

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

, , , ,

Rumours of glory - cover

I was one of those young people who almost wore the grooves out of my copy of Dancing in the Dragon’s Jaws in the early 1980s – especially once I was told Bruce Cockburn was a born again Christian and “Wondering Where the Lions Are” was based on a metaphor for Jesus Christ.

I also wasn’t one of those evangelical Christians who tossed their Cockburn collection because of the mild profanity in “If I Had a Rocket Launcher” and the harsher profanity in “Call it Democracy.” I considered the lyrics in context and always felt the songwriter chose the words he knew best conveyed his thoughts.

That’s why Cockburn’s autobiography, rumours of glory, was at the top of my Christmas list this year and became one of the first books I plowed through in my post-Christmas reading binge.

For many evangelical Christians, Cockburn has been an enigma. Coming out in the late 1970s with statements that led many to believe he had a salvation experience, Cockburn’s “witness” in years to come left many scratching their heads about his beliefs.

For those, myself included, who picked up rumours of glory to hear Cockburn use the magic words “born again Christian,” they’ll be sadly disappointed. One encounter Cockburn has with legendary Christian rocker Glen Kaiser (of Resurrection Band fame) will leave no doubt about where Cockburn stands among those in the evangelical camp. Yet, ever the enigma, Cockburn shares about a spiritual experience that seems pull from Christianity and a host of other religions/faiths that he’s been exposed to as a world traveller and observer of human behaviour. Is he or isn’t he a “Christian?” Only God knows for sure.

Putting dogma aside, Cockburn still remains, as a singer/songwriter/guitarist, a key influence on many Canadian musicians, including Christians such as Jacob Moon, Steve Bell, Ali Matthews, Jay Calder, Kev Morse. And rumours of glory is a window onto Cockburn’s creative process, which has evolved and matured over his nearly five decades as a musician. For me, the most enjoyable part of this book was taking a look behind the curtain as he explains the influences and experiences behind his songs. I did find, however, some of the political rants became a little tiring after being repeated a few times.

Does rumours of glory provide a definitive answer to the question “is Bruce Cockburn a born-again Christian?” No. Does rumours of glory provide a look at one artist’s creative process? Yes. And for that reason it’s a must-read for any artist.

Kev Morse’ “In the Blood” CD taps a musical vein to produce a gem

10 Tuesday Feb 2015

Posted by in CD/Music Review

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , ,

Arts Connection - Kev Morse In the Blood CD cover

So tap into my vein/And strike the mother lode/it’s all in my genetic code/This is the way You’ve made me/It’s in my blood/It’s what I’ve made of. “In the Blood” by Kev Morse (copyright 2014)

The more I listen to this CD, the more I find in it to like. Kev Morse, a singer/songwriter from Milton, Ontario (just west of Toronto) has tapped into a musical vein and produced gems that run the gamut from folk, blues, R & B and rock.

Morse has been part of the central Ontario indie scene since his days with Greytown (whose single “My Life as an Office Clerk” found rotation on Much Music’s Indie Street). When not performing solo, Morse is also part of The Great Wooden Trio.

It’s his work as a singer, songwriter and guitarist that shines through his newest CD, In the Blood right from the up-beat folk-rock opening number “Happy Ever After” to the final number, the sweet duet “Trust of a Child.” Morse is a thoughtful songwriter, tackling subjects like commitment in marriage (“Happy Ever After”), prevailing through trials (“Smile”) and repentance (“Turn it Around”).

If, however, you’re looking for explicit Christian lyrics, In the Blood isn’t the CD for you. If, however, you want songs that look at life from a Christian perspective and convey the Truth thoughtfully and truthfully, then you’ll find yourself turning to this CD time and time again.

In the Blood is a true musical gem that sparkles with originality. Give it a listen.

(To listen to an interview where Kev Morse talks about the CD, check out: http://selawministries.ca/content/arts-connection-monday-february-9-2015-kev-morse-new-cd-blood)