Refreshing exploration of art, creativity, and the "Christian Music" Industry
351272
I loved this book.  I like Michael's music a lot and I expected based on his musical style that the book was going to be something "different", as in, nonstandard (and it is).  I think his ideas about the purpose of and the motivation behind creating art (specifically music) are spot on, and his unabashed honesty about his own experiences and how he came to the conclusions about which he writes are really deep and really human.  The book is injected with a quirky sense of humor which keeps it entertaining, as well.  A few parts were slightly shocking in nature, but didn't detract from the impact that this book had on my own desire and inspiration to create "real" music: that which doesn't serve a market or expectation, but instead is the true expression of those things which make us human and tie us together.
2051850
In an industry that's hung up on elaborate hooks and beats it's refreshing to hear a unique sound from one of the best independent gospel artists I've heard in a long time. Frank Jackson may not be a name you know but I assure you that it won't be long before his name will be heard alongside Darryl Coley, Tonex, Kirk Franklin, Kevin McFadden, Fred Hammond and others. His unique style enables the listener to see a glimpse of his life through his music. I must say that my favorite songs on this CD are "Grace", "Timeless", "A Backslider's Prayer" and "Can't Stop Me". Each song delivers heart touching melodies that you're sure to enjoy. Take it from an independent promoter, Frank Jackson is an amazingly talented artist!
--Kenny G (Ken's Gospel Crib)
3876366
This is the only CD that I own of Mark Baldwin's, so I can't speak for his other productions. Still, I have listened to this particular one almost everyday for the last month for several reasons. It is an album full of surprising turns that promise complete roads of musical innovation ahead. His arrangements are clear, uncluttered, supportive, and rarely predictable. Some of Mark's earliest music influences shine through, passages of classically inspired picking, adding texture to the whole sound. Yet, one can definitely sense a dedication to a modern and personal vision of guitar music.

There may be some unevenness in the choice of pieces at the beginning of the album, but this is easily overlooked. Shades of Light is a joyful, sensitive treatise on contemporary music; deep, spiritual, proud and thought-provoking music.
2366398
After listening to the first half of the album, I realized that Fraser is legitimate. The music reminds me of Sarah McLachlan, Nichole Nordeman, Jennifer Knapp, and others. One of the most impressive elements of Fraser's music is her serene, beautiful voice. The musical production is tight and the are thoughtful lyrics relate to her listeners.
It's exciting to think about what she is capable of doing in her career. Brooke Fraser comes from Hillsong, an internationally-recognized Christian worship from New Zealand. This is the first time I've heard of her. She has put out an impressive album, and she's only in her 20's.

Practically all the reviews on www.amazon.com are positive. She does an excellent job of combining beautiful music with Christian faith. This isn't always easy to do in CCM (Contemporary Christian Music).
ChristianityToday.com wrote, "What's striking about Fraser is how well she's able to reconcile her beliefs with her singer/songwriter side. A worship leader at heart, Fraser can't help but write songs addressed directly to God, but in a way that's at once artistic, prayerful, and introspective."
Excellent album Ms. Fraser! We're going to enjoy this album and look forward to more from you in the future.
2251872
This is the kind of book I will be thinking about, talking about, recommending, giving to friends, and re-reading regularly for many, many years. The essays collected and edited in this volume each stand alone as relevant, helpful, well-crafted works around the topic of art and the church. Taken together, they form both a manifesto on the beautiful kinship between the arts and the church, and a manual for how to best foster that kinship. One of my favorite things about the book was the rich diversity in the ideas presented. Taylor has gathered a blend of voices, each speaking thoughtfully from their varied perspectives on topics for which they are perfectly suited. And yet, even though the authors are diverse in age, experience, and background, the book maintains a sense of continuity and flow throughout its entirety.

I would highly recommend this book to anyone, but especially to a few specific folks:

-all those in pastoral or worship ministry
-artists of all kinds
-believers who feel no connection to the arts, and wonder why churches should bother with them at all

Whether you are a pastor, an artist, or someone who has serious doubts about the connection between church and art, this book is an absolute must-read.
14017
I discovered this book when a chapter was featured in Musician magazine, and recommend it to anyone who aspires to be a good songwriter, musician, or performer. It's written in a very clear, straight-forward way and presents a sincere, insightful account of the search for authentic self-expression.

Boyd has a unique perspective in that she has both a PhD in psychotherapy and been married to professional musicians. She knows both sides, the intellectual and the emotional/spiritual, and here bridges the gap. She'll quote Rilke on one page and Keith Richards on the next.

The book began out of her own search for understanding creativity, and the musicians, many of whom are her friends, knew she understood and confided openly about their own experiences and processes. In fact, almost half the book is quotes. Boyd simply sets up the themes of each chapter and then lets the musicians speak for themselves.

The chapters cover many areas, including early exposure to music, dedication, inspiration, composing, performing, and connecting to both the collective unconscious and with one's audience. There's also a clear-eyed view of drinking and drugs, and how the best parts of performing are not about impressing people, but when you disappear into a song.

First published in 1992, the book focuses on musicians of the late `80s. They cover folk, pop, rock, blues, and jazz, and the same insights would apply to any musical field you're interested in. There's decades of wisdom collected here.

Finally, when I went to buy a copy for my nephew, I noticed there's a new edition out, with the same material, called&nbsp;<a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/It-s-Not-Only-Rock-n-Roll-Iconic-Musicians-Reveal-the-Source-of-Their-Creativity/dp/1782194622/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">It's Not Only Rock 'n' Roll: Iconic Musicians Reveal the Source of Their Creativity</a>, and I've posted some photos there so you can read for yourself how good it is.
3821274
"Justin St. Vincent has gathered some of the leading lights in world spiritual music for his deeply thoughtful book THE SPIRITUAL SIGNIFICANCE OF MUSIC. This is a wonderful collection of heartfelt descriptions of the spiritual and personal meaning of music by foremost composers, musicians, and writers on music and spirituality. Here we find inspiring words by some our most inspiring people in music. As I read, I find myself truly linked with other musicians and those who live in the healing power of music. Ideal for an expanded concept of what to listen for in music and continued creativity in life."
- Peter Davison, composer, musician, and producer
1654608
I love studying God's Word and I love listening to music so I was excited to review this Bible study that combines both. This unique Bible study includes a book, 13-song CD, and digital album download card. All songs were written and sung (except two) by Ginger Tabot. She's a gifted singer and songwriter. Scott and Ginger Tabot (husband and wife) both have a passion to be used by God to help people know and love Him more. They want to use their God-given gifts for God's glory and God's kingdom. It's clearly shown in Live SoulFull which is a music-driven, gospel-centered, immersive Bible study. Ginger's original songs beautifully reinforce messages in each chapter. The lyrics and text in the book present Biblical answers to some of life's common questions, such as "How can we know that God is real?" and "Why does God allow evil and suffering?" Some important topics covered in this Bible study are soul needs, creation, God's grand love story (rescue & restoration plan), newness of life, the Trinity, God's presence, spiritual growth, Christlikeness, prayer, spiritual warfare, evil and suffering, and Christ's return. The book offers practical ways to put what you learn into action: Take a Selfie (challenging questions for reflection and discussion), Reach Up (prayer), Reach Out (share the songs and lessons with others and interact with others), and Sound Waves (listen to the songs again and focus on specific parts of each song). Each chapter has a box of key idea. I enjoyed both the CD and the book. God often uses music to seal His truths in our hearts. What a fun way to study the Bible! You will learn how God, the Giver and Filler of Life, fulfills your deepest needs and how you can live a vibrant, authentic Christian life full of hope and joy. Live SoulFULL is great for either personal Bible study or small group Bible study. Christmas is just around the corner. This book would make a wonderful, meaningful gift.

Below is the list of songs:
1. SoulFULL
2. Masterpiece
3. History
4. Let Me Love You (Feat. Jason Fowler)
5. I Invite You In
6. Alive in Me
7. Ordinary Miracle
8. Beautiful Like You
9. Raining Down
10. When We Pray
11. God of Mystery
12. All Things New (Feat. Monte Hunt)
13. I Choose Joy

~I received a free copy of this Bible study from the FrontGate Christian Blogger Network in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.
1595970
Popular Christian blogger Tim Challies has teamed up with infographic illustrator Josh Byers to produce a singularly unique book that combines practical theology with the skill of an artist. At its heart this book is about Christian health, growth, and maturity communicated through word and picture. It's a visual theology!

This book is structured by the four main disciplines that give us spiritual fitness: growing closer to Christ, understanding the doctrine of Christ, becoming more like Christ, living for Christ. In examining each of these in greater detail Challies guides Christians through the benefits of redemption and how those are communicated to us, what our identity in Jesus entails, how to cultivate a continuing relationship with him by Word and prayer, and centering us on Jesus in our vocation, relationships, and stewardship. Each page is accompanied by color-bursting infographics which may help visual learners connect with what is written.

This is an excellently formatted presentation that does not read like some demanding books on spiritual disciplines. Challies has mastered the skill of brevity without sacrificing the depth of content, and his refreshing look at the Christian life is thoroughly Christ-centered. With little exception this reviewer was quite pleased with the content only wishing a few things would be expanded or clarified. Case in point was the terse section on the role of preaching for the Christian life. The author mainly emphasized an individualistic approach of preaching to one's self, rather than the authoritative proclamation of the Bible as one of the primary means of grace. Nevertheless, the content was helpful.
The infographics are a unique addition. As one who was not overly familiar with them it seemed, at first, they might be a detraction from the written words. However, that was not the case. Aside from being an visual aid to the reader, they lend the book a certain aesthetic appeal that can only be described as fresh and crisp. Perhaps one day they will be seen as dated, but hopefully this book is an enduring help to growing Christians.
4612385
This is a fantastic sophomore effort from KK. One of the biggest differences here is that the album feels definitely less like a Christian TM worship album, and more like a collection of songs written from the heart. I didn't really get that from Becoming Who We Are either, but it's even further removed from the standard structures of CCM. They talked about "not having any epic builds" on the album, and I think that was the correct decision. (perfect example is in A Prayer where there's just silence and then bam).

I'm a huge fan of layered and complex music and this album delivers. From the subtle track "Dust" to the sick groove in "In This Ocean, Pt. 1" they've worked hard at making this album as musical as it is spiritual. "Lost?" brings similar memories of "Zion" from BWWA. The trio of songs "Gone","A Prayer", and "Trackless Sea" are completely loaded with honesty and admonishment for God. Rarely do we see such honesty and reflection shared so candidly in the context of religious music. How often do you hear a worship band not only admit to using the language that the culture uses, but using it in a redemptive manner? IMHO, the album version of "A Prayer" just doesn't hold the same weight. Found out after purchasing that all of the physical CD's are printed with the "clean" aka "album" version.

In any case, I've already listened through the album a number of times, and will continue to do so to explore all the densely layered pieces.

Favorite Tracks: "In This Ocean, Pt. 1", "A Prayer", "Sabotage / Home"

FFO : Anathallo, Paper Route, Dustin Kensrue
4033052
Burning Bush 2.0 is a well written examination of popular media and how it relates to Christian faith.  This is a fast read, as the author zips through many of the most popular titles in movies, television shows, books, music and video games, giving proof that God is to be found in all of them, no matter the story.  Whether it be the hope to be found in a zombie movie, the moral choices to be made in video games, or the sheer joy to be heard in music, the author effectively brings God into everything.  It turns into a refreshing look at a society that sometimes seems awash in darkness, reminding us that God's light is always there.

My only problem with this work is the sheer volume of examples the author utilizes.  I found myself craving more of his conclusions and insights and less of his specific analysis.  I worry that the number of contemporary cultural references will date this work and perhaps dilute the author's valuable message.  Perhaps the most important moment in this book comes when the author encourages the reader to enter any type of interaction with media as an intellectually aware, discerning participant.  I agree wholeheartedly with the author's assertion that it is important for Christians to not shut themselves away from popular culture, but to instead be an active member.  I also think that it is important to not let media wash over you, but to interact and actively search for God's word.  This will be an important read for any parent feeling the pressure of helping their teen make solid media choices.  I plan on passing this book on to my 16 year old son, who is currently walking his own path toward discernment.
4340542
Beautiful...Food for the mind and soul of the creative artistic connoisseur
1588583
Normally I would take a great deal of time to savor new music, before writing an evaluation.  Not only would I practice it for a number of weeks, but use it at church before writing about it, in order to estimate our people's responsiveness to what they are hearing.  I am making an exception in the case of the book, first because it is Christmas music and cannot be played at church for some months, not giving enough time for other church musicians who might wish to select it for the 2017 holiday season.  Second, having just received the book today, and having played through most of the individual pieces immediately, I feel unusually enthusiastic.

I have no other music arranged by Faye Lpez.  I heard of her on a sample CD sent out by Lorenz and Lillenas publishers.  I must confess, I had discarded a number of 2016 and 2017 catalogs, but brought the sample CD's enclosed in each one to my car player, listening sporadically as the narrator would announce a composer/arranger and then play samples of a number of works by each.  Since I am not a music major, but one of those church organists/pianists who studied little yet played for congregations for many decades,  I'm always uncertain what books will actually prove usable, within the limitations of my ability, and feel most comfortable at the upper-intermediate level.  I feel a huge high when I can use something at the advanced level, but doing so without lots of practice is usually dependent upon the style of the arranger.  For example, I can almost always play music by Tom Fettke, perhaps my favorite Evangelical piano arranger.  I also do well with most of the Alfred sacred music series.  For organ, Lani Smith is probably my favorite arranger.  Faye Lpez was totally new to me, but the lilting, winsome nature of what I heard on that sample CD led me to look for her music on Amazon, and I was delighted to see this book as one of the Alfred Sacred performer series.  I will most likely look for more of her work in the future.

All this being said, I am thoroughly delighted with the book from a number of perspectives.  First, the music is both worshipful and playable.  I can read through it at first glance, and know with a little polishing almost every piece in this generously-sized compilation will be of use at our Sunday evening services during Advent.  Second, the music flows; it will be enjoyable to play, inspiring to both the musician and the congregation.  Finally, though there are challenging key changes and sufficient variations to make it interesting, most of the pieces do not contain pitfalls of small, tricky sections that can discourage a non-professional pianist.  It irks me especially when I get to the very last few measures of something beautiful, only to find them unplayable, forcing me either to adapt the ending, or to discard the piece entirely.  Faye Lpez's music seems consistently usable, with endings that are satisfying, but not unduly challenging.  I am excited at the prospect of practicing this new Christmas music, a worship experience in itself, then using it to bring people Christmas joy, drawing them closer to the Lord.
3218127
I really enjoyed this book, and have been recommending it to others.  It is more than just a good read.  The author skillfully weaves Scripture in with her life story and provides questions and the 'whitespace' necessary for the reader to delve deeper into God's rest through contemplative meditation, prayer and journaling, so it is not the 'typical' Bible study guide.  I was an avid reader of the author's weblog prior to purchasing the book.  She is gifted in helping readers to see spiritual truths through Scripture, godly Christian counsel, and application.  The book is a good companion to the work represented in her blog.  Joining her blog community makes it even more interactive, fun and eye-opening on a regular basis, so I highly recommend joining faithbarista.com for fresh 'shots' of spirituality and photos (snapshots) as well. I'm looking forward to more encouraging and enlightening writing by this helpful and talented author.
2458723
Pierson invites those of us who plan worship to consider ourselves as artists whose medium is worship, and to see artists within and beyond the church as catalysts for a new way of seeing, incarnating, and experiencing the presence of the holy (perhaps even the presence of God) in the fabric of life. He spells out the lexicon and practical, hands-on understanding of worship curation in a way that Jonny Baker (in his very fine interview/anthology "Curating Worship") does not, although I think Baker's book goes much farther in introducing neophytes like me to the breadth and diversity of worship curation, collaboration, and rationale. Pierson's book is filled with practical, useful testimony.

Another reviewer expressed a problem with Pierson's example of repeatedly using water instead of wine or grape juice for communion/Eucharist in various worship settings. Pierson also repeatedly stresses the importance of respecting the context of the worshipping community in curating worship. That means the worshipping community that already attends worship, at least to begin with, and some of the most vocal critics of worship creativity (change) and innovation (although Pierson encourages curators not to submit to the tyranny of these lowest common denominators, even as we listen to them and make space for them). In short, Pierson does not advocate changing wine or juice into water for everyone, but uses this element as a real world example of the kind of change curation can employ.

Pierson's book is filled with practical examples and suggestions for expanding the role or worship leader beyond solo performance to community (Pentecostal) collaboration, in the spirit of Paul's description of worship in 1 Corinthians 14:26ff. What results is a highly detailed distillation of lessons Pierson has learned the hard way, and an invitation to share the experience of transformation in preparing a space for worship with the whole community, and particularly with the artists among us, regardless of how many people show up to see the show. He writes an authentic, humble, helpful, and courageous book in the fervent hope that more of God's curious, creative children will pull up stakes and journey to a place we do not know, but that we have faith God will show us on the way.
402610
A friend tipped me off to this book and at first I was skeptical because it was on country. I am a music fan and respect country as a genre - its history and legacy, but I don't generally listen to it. But I picked this book up anyway and boy, am I glad I did.

First, this is a beautiful book - literally. It feels really nice to the touch, the layout is sharp, and the photos look great. The publisher is to be commended.

Second, what allowed me to bypass my general antipathy towards country is that it is about the producers of country, not so much the musicians. The focus here is on how the actual album/cd you own is the way it is - why this song and not some other song; how the songs and sound came together; what was done to make the song the way we know it, etc... These kinds of questions transcend genres.

And the text is not just about record producers but it is actually the producers talking. The author has pulled together the most salient parts of over twenty years of interviews he conducted with the most influential producers in the field. What this does is fill the book with narratives of creation rather than things particular to the genre itself. What I love about the book are the stories the producers tell and the fact that they are stories about how humans worked together to make art, to make music.

Finally, because the book is told in a chronological fashion, you have some of the producers showing up again and again, like developing characters. They discuss how they changed, how the recording studio changed, and how all of that changed the art they made. This gives the book an intriguing historical scope while feeling at times almost like a novel.

All of these things give it focus that reaches beyond the country fan and includes anyone who is fascinated with how the music you hear is created. If that is you, pick this up.
4348178
Before picking up this book based on a mention in a music biz blog, I'd really only known of Amanda Palmer from her kickstarter fame. And even now, I can appreciate her music but it would not be something I'd put in my typical playlist.  However, I'm a real fan of her as an intelligent, insightful artist after reading this book. I was half expecting a bit of a narcissistic tale of 'how I became a success', but the style and tone is not that at all. Instead it is a well written mashup of her experiences and the insights they provided her. She may be in a niche business relative to mainstream pop art, but this is a smart person with something to say of value to anybody involved in creative acts, which is almost everybody in some ways.