What I Am Hearing-CCR

I've been a CCR fan for a long time. I have to be honest, I have a hard time getting into Fogerty now. When I watch him perform it just seems forced, to me anyway. I hate it that hey broke up. Isn't it great what the music business can do! :)

This song has everything you could want. Great haunting guitar intro, catchy melodic chorus, and a GREAT riff throughout.

Enjoy
-J

New Music Tuesday-Public Radio - Sweet Child

I absolutely love everything I have ever heard Mark Mathis (the singer) do. If you have not checked out his solo singer/songwriter stuff you should. The guy writes GREAT songs.

Enjoy
-J

Song Of The Week

I have always loved AIC. I think it is the combination of their great harmony drenched vocals and the very melodic chord progressions. This song has always been a favorite.

Enjoy
-J

Lyric Of The Day

This is a new idea I had; sharing some of my favorite lyrics. This a few lines from a song called Please Do Not Let Me Go by the great Ryan Adams.

Great banter within this lonely conversation.

You were sweet enough to sing,
Oblivious to melody
Red suitcase full of clothes
Washed up on the shore of memory

Enjoy
-J

Influences-Neil Young

Every time I hear this guy it reminds me of how songwriting should be done. He is, and always has been, a songwriting genius. I love his picture/word illustrations. He has impacted more of my songwriting influences than possibly any one else out there.
Here are two of my favorite songs, something old and something new.

New Music - Gov't Mule

This is a GREAT band. I have always loved Warren Haynes. He is an amazing guitarist and I've always had a soft spot for a 3 piece band.

Gov't Mule - Blind Man In The Dark - 12/31/1999

Your Thoughts

‎"People seldom do what they believe in. They do what is convenient, then repent."— Bob Dylan

Here's a little Ryan for your Holliday-Fix It

Here is yet another reason why I love him. I had never heard the piano version. I was awestruck. To take an upbeat, electric song and bring it to the keys in such a soft delivery. Wow. Hope you all like these. Great song either way.

-J

Old/New Music

I don't think i have posted anything with a female singer, which is odd now that I think of it. So here is a great song from a wonderful singer brandi Carlile. I love the different tones in her voice. Couldn't find any live videos that had good quality, so this will have to do.
Enjoy.

-J

Ryan Adams - Meadowlake Street

Good Morning-

This song very well could be my favorite on Ryan Adams' epic Cold Roses album. I love the pictures it creates in my mind. I love how it touches something deep in me. I love that he is off key at the end and doesn't care. Just an amazing song. This is an example of why I consider him one of the best song writes of my generation.
Enjoy.

-J

Voices

I have wanted to write this blog for a while now. Honestly, I did not know how to say it, or where to start for that matter.

These past months have been wonderful. There are so many things that I am grateful to the Lord for doing. He is so near. It is not as if I am depressed or even sad. I just miss my Dad. I have been writing some songs about some of these things. In some ways it has helped me think about and maybe process these things.

It all started.... well, I guess walking at the farm where we live. I began to think about the last conversations we had together. They were good conversations. We were happy and he was smiling allot. But as I reminisced I began to think back to something simple yet striking to my core. His voice. It has been 3 years since I heard his voice. I had almost forgotten what it sounded like without even realizing it. How did it sound when he said my name? What did his expression of "i love you" sound like in my ears?

At first I felt very guilty. As if I had let part of him go. I knew that I hadn't. I knew that wasn't it. It is simply time. Time. It's like when you eat at a fabulous restaurant while on vacation. You love it. You relish every bite. If your like me you eat there every chance you get. But after a few weeks of being home you begin to get further from the remembrance of that taste. It is as if that memory stopped in time and you kept moving forward, taking you further and further from being in touch with it.

That is how I felt. Now, before I begin to sound too dark and poetic let me tell you that I was able to find that place in me where I still could hear his voice. It wasn't easy though. My Dad was a major part of my life, especially the last five years. He was part of every major decision in my life. We just talked. I wish we could just talk.

I know that my Dad did not always agree with the decisions I made. He was a very strong personality. He was very opinionated, I wonder where I get it.

Maybe I should compile an album with song of these songs. They might make more sense. Probably not though.

Ultimately he is so much a part of me. I cannot separate it. Sometimes I just have to go back to where he is to find it.

-J

I've been missing you

This guy is probably my favorite artist ever. I am so glad that I found this cd again.

Black Peppercorns - Love is all you need

Special Treat

Ryan Adams- I Taught Myself How To Grow Old

Time for Something New?

I once read that good music, like truth never falls in your lap, it must be sought after. I cannot express how much I fully agree.

There are few things I enjoy more than listening to music. I may not be the most well listened person you’ll meet but I certainly enjoy the music more than almost anyone. But, to tell you the truth, I’ve been in a bit of a slump lately concerning worship music. I don’t think I’ve heard any album in the last 6 months (possibly a year) that’s knocked me on my butt. I have been looking to find that "next thing", but to no avail. I have been waiting for something to come across my ears that draws me in line the first time i heard Prosch's Reckless Mercy.

Now don't get me wrong, I thoroughly enjoyed Misty Edwards's Relentless and Audra Lynn's new album stayed with me for a while. The MorningStar youth cd Crash This Place has been a great supplement. I cannot express how much I loved The Medicine by John Mark McMillan. That has been my staple over the last few years. But I am looking for the next Songs Inside The Sound of Breaking Down. Not an album that sounds like that, but an album that makes that type of effect on what worship can be.

The other day in my pursuit I went to iTunes to look around. I went to the Christian/Worship genre for the first time in years. What I found was utterly disappointing. I listened to a quick snippet from the top three or four albums. It was the same song, well not literally, but it had the same tired phrases and chord progressions.

Phrases like, "we are the generation" and"such a time as this" throughout. How can we possibly expect to pioneer fresh visitation and experience with Him if we keep trying to express our hearts with the same old words? It is true that words loose their potency over time.

The first time i heard Palanquin and Prosch said I empty out the pockets of my life it did something to me. It caused me to open and express my heart to the Father in a new way. This perspective touched the way I connected to Him.

As human beings we have a tendency to relate the music we hear to what was happening in our lives at that point. Van Halen Is This Love immediately reminds me of the feeling I had as a teenager listening to that song. My girlfriend had dumped me and that song was on repeat.

We are similar in our relationship to worship music. I feel that I have a tendency to relate an album that i was listening to in prayer to the season of my spiritual life. David Ruis Fragrant Oil takes me back to exactly what I felt the Father doing in my heart at that time in my life. I know that we operate this way. Is that why I feel this standard of what music i am looking for? Is that why every time I hear a new artist I compare it to the gold standard I have set in my heart? Is that really fair at all?

Sometimes I feel so cynical. I look at my feeling toward music and think "why do I have to be so difficult"? Why can't I just be like this guy who devours every Hillsong cd like it's God's holy nectar? Then, I hear Van Morrison sing Into The Mystic, or Ryan Adams' I Taught Myself How To Grow Old and I think "if I feel this way when hearing this why shouldn't something that is directed to our Father cause me to feel something even greater"?

I think it is time to raise our standard. To not allow anything less than honesty to be expressed to Him. Who cares if it will be the next corporate phenomenon. Who cares if it is "singable". Why is it necessary that a song have a catchy chorus?

If you communicate your heart to the Father it will cause those listening, or worshipping, to be draw in to a personal conversation of their own. It will mobilize, and not exclude them. That is the album I am looking for. That is why I am writing this. I know that God is doing some amazing things in my heart. He is drawing so near to me at this time. I am just looking for the Album that marks THIS season.


In love not judgment
-J

What I am Hearing (part 5) -Oh the Harmonies

Ryan Adams and Neal Casal- Two


Mumford and Sons- White Blank Page

Bon Iver - Blindsided


Crosby, Stills & Nash- Guinnevere


The Swell Season -Falling Slowly

An Another- Skinny Love Live

Another great song.Enjoy

-J

What I am hearing (part 4)

Bon Iver- BloodBank

Well, this weeks song is one of my favorites this year. I have had this album for quite awhile and still cannot get away from it.

I love the imagery and feel of the song. Simple, yet compelling.

Bon Iver's music reminds me so much of the bands from the early 70s. It is so raw and emotional. You can feel that he is attached to each word and note.

If only more worship leaders would use the same model. Sing a song like it's your last and make sure each word touches your heart. As I've said, if the song i am singing doesn't move me, why should i expect it to move God.

That's enough for now.

p.s. -in your listening please forgive the naughty word.

-J

Mumford & Sons - White Blank Page

Had to share this song. It just blew my mind a little bit.

To those that say music has to be "heavy" to be intense... watch this! There isn't even a drummer, yet the energy of the music is "hard" without being heavy. Metal? Yes my friend, Metal.

-J

What I am hearing (part 3)

This week in music.

I love these guys. I have always loved these guys. They write great riffs and have spot on harmonies. The way they married thick riff rock with soul and emotion is nothing short of amazing.

In my opinion one of the most overlooked rock bands of our time.

Oh yeah, and they are still together and touring with original members after 25 years.
Long live King's X.

-J

What I Am Hearing (part 2)

Gearing up for a new week. What lies ahead in the realm of music?

I just purchased an album call Neon Bible by the band Arcade Fire. I am really enjoying their sound right now. Somewhat manic, but manic can be good....right?

Here's a taste. Enjoy

-J

What I'm hearing this week.

Sometimes I feel somewhat pretentious writing these things. I think "why in the world do I think anyone else would care what I have to say about this, let alone what music I am listening to?! "

But I think I am going to do this anyway ,and for who know how long, I'm going to try to share each week what I have been listening heavily to.

So here it goes......

My wife and I were talking last night about how it seems that for a short time you seem to forget about DMB. New music hits you and you are preoccupied for a while. Then for whatever reason you hear a DMB song and are blown away all over again. It is possibly one of the sweetest feelings I have ever felt, regarding music.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zaBn-j_cj0w

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mSJ-1VkbOEw

Hope you enjoy.

-J

A Lot Of Thinking

Good Morning-

I have been quite busy as of late, and as is the case with busyness, I let this blog go unkept for too long.

I have been working on a lot of music lately. It seems that some of the things I have been writing have been pulling on things within me that at first glance were only surface deep. As life goes, it is easy to pass over seasons of our lives and not really acknowledge certain aspects of our feelings.

Now let me clarify, I think that feelings are sometimes overrated. Feelings can lead you to make a decision that, if logic were applied, is no benefit at all. I tend to be quite pragmatic. In my mind responsibility always comes first. Feelings can be temporal and directly related to a moment or emotion in that moment. In my mind feelings should only be the shading within the picture outlined by my overall goals and responsibilities. If I only allow feelings to dictate the outline, the vista of my life will constantly be changing to the feelings of that moment. That's a lot of erasing!

Back to feelings. The Lord has been very good to me. I am grateful that it would almost seem that He protects me in moments of overwhelming emotion. He causes me to not have irrational reactions but allows me to move forward. It would seem that I can then look back and fully deal with said situations, but removed from the initial feels of reaction.

I have been looking back at some of the things that have happen to me in the last few years. This is why music is so therapeutic for me. As I write I can re-examine how things have touched me and made me who I am.

In some ways this is why I love sad songs. Anyone can quickly pen out and describe the initial feeling of puppy love. That is probably why love songs are a dime a dozen. A sad song is a reflection of deep intrinsic thought. Even the language of love songs seem over used. To me this certainly causes the meaning of these words and feelings behind them to be neutered.

It could be for this reason that I do not identify very well with most Christian music. Maybe it's the language? When I read the lyrics to most Christian music, worship included, it feels like words. Not heart. It seems that there is no blood in it. No life.

Anyone can have a high time with Jesus and write a chorus that says "You are awesome,
I love You so much, I will praise You because You are worthy."

Now, hear my heart here. He is worthy. He is awesome. We love Him. But to me God is not looking for another Hallmark card from the Church. Something that has already been said a thousand times over and we did not have to give any thought or investment to write. In many ways we pick a card off of the shelf and sign our name to it and call it a song.

He wants our expression to be drawn from a place that has touched us, impacted us in some way. Our language. Our heart poured out. Which is sometimes quite messy.

"Feelings, nothing more than feelings".

-J

Beautiful Feet

The Bible calls the feet of those that deliver the message of God's heart beautiful. This is an interesting thought to me.

Many things are said of feet within the scriptures. However, this scripture has always meant something special to me. This does not speak simply of the appearance of our feet. The definition of the word beautiful in the Hebrew is " to be at home". This word is only used three times in the entire scripture.

Isaiah 52 states that our feet are beautiful "upon the mountain" when they mobilizing on behalf of the message of the Father. This does not simply mean that we live on the top of the mountain. I recently returned back from a ministry trip to France. The locations where we were invited to speak were amazing. The incredible landscape and handy-work of God overwhelms me at times. On several occasions we journeyed to a gathering place that was strategically placed atop a mountain. It was necessary as we journeyed to gather together to climb the steep terrain.

This is the picture of this passage. We do not live on top of the mountain. Our feet are to be "at home" as we navigate the difficult terrain necessary to deliver the message of the Lord. We are at home here. It is easy to feel at home on top of the mountain. Our joyful place of function is to be found in the process of doing whatever necessary to fulfill the will of our Father. This is what He calls beautiful.

Publish Peace. Isaiah 52:7

-J

Ryan adams , if i am a stranger (Acoustic)

This song has chased me all week. Can't get it out of my head. I just thought I would share it.

Influence #4- Dave Matthews Band

What can I say about the Dave Matthews Band. This band shaped the way I view music in so many ways. The intensity, the passion, and the ferocity with which they play is compelling.

This band taught me that you can be hard and not have to be heavy. Your sound can hit someone in the chest and not have to have screaming guitars and death metal pedals. Seeing them live is one of the greatest musical experiences that i can recall. This band does spontaneous music and vocals better than anyone I have ever seen, in or out of the church. They also taught me to never get in a hurry with music. Sometime you have to let it marinate.

In my opinion Dave is one of the best songwriters in many years. His lyrics are some of the best I can recount. Before These Crowded Streets is in my opinion one of the best album i will ever own.



Dave Matthews Band- Don't Drink The Water

Influence #3- Bruce Springsteen

It's is no wonder they call him "The Boss". Everything from Thunder Road to Secret Garden, I love it! I love that he can say exactly what's on his heart; share something so personal and exposed and still be a "tough guy" from Jersey. That is amazing!

I love his passion for music and well...passion! Even if you do not agree with his expressed views you should appreciate his passion towards what he believes in.



Bruce Springsteen- Born To run

Influence # 2

John Mark McMillan-

What can I say about this guy. He writes worship music that does something in me. He says the things that I feel. In my opinion the best worship songwriter i've heard since Prosch.

Sound. I love his raw sounds. His guitar player James Duke is probably in my top 5 of favorite guitarists out there right now.

Lyrics. I can't say enough. He writes lyrics that touch you and leave room for your personal expression. I love that his lyrics draw a picture, but don't color everything in for you. That leaves room for the listener to feel part of the song as they listen.

His blog says that John Mark writes songs for God and humans to listen to. Interesting.



John Mark McMillan- Ten Thousand

Influence

I have been thinking some lately about my influences, musically speaking. Not, "who do i try to sound or write like". But rather who has helped shape the way I think about music and creating a song. I will try to make the list as concise as possible.

Ryan Adams-

Ryan Adams is an amazing artist. From guitar tone to lyrical expression his music has certainly had a large effect on me. This song is one of my favorites.



Ryan Adams and The Cardinals - "Everybody Knows"

The Worship Project YouTube Channel

Just wanted to let everyone know that The Worship Project now has a channel on YouTube. I posted a few videos from last months Worship Night. The video quality is not great, but the audio is not bad.

We will be posting new videos from time to time.

http://www.youtube.com/user/worshipprojectmusic
-J

This is how it should be done. how He loves preformed by the one who WROTE the song, JMM.

Truth and Ink

So I am going today to get a new tattoo. Through this process I always think, "ok this thing is going to be on me forever, I want to make sure it says something to ME, before it speaks to someone else." And that it speaks to my life as it continues to develop.

As i have been contemplating what I would like to have done I began thinking about how this process should apply to life.

Some of the dumbest things I have ever done or said came out of such heartfelt conviction at that moment. It would seem that what was "truth" at that moment caused me to act in a way that defended said convictions .

It is strange how in just a few short years as we develop and learn more "that specific truth" doesn't look as "holy" or compelling as it once did. I once thought, for example, that certain genres of music would send you to hell. I was thoroughly convinced of this, and felt I had God's approval to believe so.

I am not implying that we should live in a gray area of complacence or indecision. I am simply asking if your current belief was a tattoo would you be as quick to put it on for all to see forever? I think that some of the most damaging things I have ever seen have come out of strong religious or moral fervor.

Ultimately truth is as sharp as a two edged sword, but we are those entrusted to wield the sword. We must always be cautious that the truth we are carrying is correctly dividing soul and spirit.

I never want to be someone who looks back at my impact in someone's life and sees it as an old tattoo that I don't even recognize.

J

Darkness and Light

I have been thinking allot lately about the power of darkness and light. It would seem that we have been programmed to think that darkness, and anything regarding darkness, is evil or bad. This is a very curious thing. While i do recognize the scriptural precedence for evil works and darkness I do think we might need to refocus.

As I have considered light and how it is established throughout creation i feel that darkness might not be the absence of light, but rather an appeal for light to come.

If you consider the first instance that light and darkness are found in the Bible you find a world that has been touched by the rebellion of the enemy and those that followed him in the fall. The scriptures state that the result of the world, or creation, when confronted or faced by iniquity was darkness. The spirit then moved upon the face of the waters and subsequently darkness was separated and light was reintroduced.

1 In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. 2 And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters. 3 And God said, Let there be light: and there was light. 4 And God saw the light, that it was good: and God divided the light from the darkness. 5 And God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And the evening and the morning were the first day. Gen 1:1-5

The Bible mentions again in the Gospels that in the beginning, dealing with creation, that light was there but darkness could not comprehend it. (John 1)

I think that creation itself has been touched by darkness as a result of iniquity. As a result darkness comes as an appeal for light to be known.

How can we expect to know where to shine unless darkness is the current state. A candle in a lightened room does no good, but a candle in a dark room makes the whole room illuminated.

I think that the Lord is telling us that if we expect to shine as light we need to stop trying to shine a flashlight in the daytime.
Process is just as important as content. The Bible says that when we receive new wine we must recognize the importance of new methods wherewith to house and steward the wine. New wineskins are vital.

It is time to do things like we have never done them and see results like we have never seen. It is time to see places that have been dark for decades, waiting for light to come, being illuminated with the light of the Lord.

Let's go shine.

-J

Upcoming Album Cover

Guitars

Something To Say

/This is a re-post from a previous blog that I had./

I once heard someone say that the ultimate measure of a song comes down to one thing; does it move someone?
I continually find this to be true. If a song does not stir me then how can I expect it to stir anyone else. With that said, how can I expect it to stir the Lord?
There is an old saying, that while crass, rings true even now. "Poop or get off the pot". The idea is that you can write lyrics all day long. You can write cord progressions that flow beautifully, but neither of these mean that a song is found within them.
Don't try to sing when you don't have anything to say. Make absolutely sure that each song contains a part of yourself. If your heart is the thing that God wants in worship, then make sure that your heart is given each time you offer a song. In that sacrifice of yourself you offering will be a sweet smelling savor before the Lord.
- Joel

Hello

Hello Reader-

This is my first post. Talk to you soon.

J