November 02, 2005
a toe in CCM? - need suggestions
my tastes in music are constantly evolving, but one aspect that has remained for a long time is a general distaste for CCM (contemporary Christian music). I actually used to like Amy Grant when I was a kid, and then I was into Petra in my early teens, but that was about it. I've gone from pop/rock to modern jazz to bluegrass to folk to various other stuff since then.
I've always been far more cynical than I should be, and haven't liked pop/rock for ages, so most of CCM is right out. besides not liking the tunes, perhaps the root of the issue is that as I was growing up it just wasnt cool to sing about Jesus like that. sure it's fine in church to sing the old hymns, but something about rockin out for Jesus rubbed me wrong. thankfully, I think I'm starting to get over that.
Michelle has always been more open to CCMish stuff and praise music in general, since she would play guitar for youth group and such, so I'm glad her appreciation for some of it has rubbed off on me. she's helped me drop my cynicism a bit, and listening to the less-poppy Christian radio in town has helped too. I can now honestly believe that the folks singing the songs really do love Jesus, and it's good to sing along too. dang, my arrogance runs rampant sometimes.
anyway, these days some of the guys and I do "preparatory" music for our church service. basically we play and sing a song at the beginning of the worship service. most of the stuff we do I would call modern folk, usually with a foot planted in old hymns. learning and playing these songs has made me hunger for recordings of similarly-styled stuff.
so does anyone know of any albums that have worship songs and/or hymns that arent pop/rock or a schmaltzy boys choir? it seems common for CCM (or almost CCM) artists to do an album with hymns or worship songs, but it's hard to find any that I like. here are those I've found so far:
many of the songs we do I've learned from Indelible Grace, a band that does new tunes to old hymns. they're easily my favorite band these days, although I dont like some of their initial stuff. Jars of Clay has an album that's mostly IG songs.
there's also a good album by Claire Holley and one by Randall Goodgame that we have. we play these pretty much all the time.
the Innocence Mission's album Christ is my Hope is simply awesome.
I've grown to appreciate Chris Rice's stuff, who has a few nice songs when he can avoid over-producing it. most of his songs arent appropriate for opening a worship service at our church at least, as most of his stuff seems more oriented toward youth rallies. but more than anyone else, his stuff has made me soften my stance toward CCM. and that "mama prays" song is a tear-jerker.
I heard Fernando Ortega on the radio and it sounded pretty good. definitely more CCM style, but perhaps worth checking out? and amazon says I'll like these guys. we'll see.
any others anyone knows of? I dont mind a little rockin out (since we do have a bass and little drum at times in our band), but power chords and trying too hard to sound cool are out. bonus points for mandolins.
Posted by bobw at November 2, 2005 10:25 PM
Bob, just last night, when I was searching iTunes for something, I thought to myself, I think Bob would really like Carolyn Arends. Her brother is one of the Clumsy Lovers, whose early stuff I like as well and think you would like. BUT, on topic, as for hymns... I'm not sure. I really like Rich Mullins stuff for church. Especially the stuff with the dulcimer... cause don't we have a good dulcimer player in our church? Or maybe it is just that one song... I'll think on this one.
Derek Webb (formerly of Cadmen's Call) has a great album called She must and Shall go Free, it has a great song about the Church that he sings with his wife Sandra McCracken.
Yeah, Derek Webb is good. He's an intense guy too.
thanks for the suggestions. yeah I think Derek Webb is actually on a couple tracks on the Indelible Grace album and I learned his version of "She must..." from them too. I just checked out his album and it's good stuff.
Enter the Worship Circle, Rita Springer, and if your feeling up for some improv worship "out of the box" Jason Upton. Also Vineyard recordings "Hungry" and "Surrender" are really nice and low key. All worship, some much more scripture filled than others. But do check out Enter the Worship Circle. If you like folk worship and drums drums and more drums you'll love them. Oh worship with a modern Celtic flare: Robin Mark.
hmmm... bet you weren't expecting me to post a comment to this one, eh friend Bob? No, I am not going to suggest early James Brown (even though that would liven up the service a bit 'Please, please, please...'). No sir, I have somethin' just a bit obscure for ya that came my way through some RPCNA friends. The band is the Sons of Korah (how's that for names you might not have picked from scripture) and you can find them here:
http://www.sonsofkorah.com/
They have adapted Psalms to folky sort of acoustic tunes; very OPC/RPCNAish. Last I checked they are very amiable lads who sell their CD(s?) through their website only. Very talented and mellow.
Anyway- cheers to you and yours
the Sons of Korah are fun.
I love Andrew Peterson's new album _The Far Country_ and his older stuff, too. His Christmas album is a MUST have. It's mostly original music, goes from the OT prophesies through to Christ's birth and has songs ranging from goofy and fun ("Matthew's Begats" -- the geneaology of Jesus) to intense and powerful. And lots of nifty people (Derek Webb, Sandra McCracken, Jill Phillips, etc.) lended vocals to different songs. I listen to it all year round, and when I was a teacher, learned "Matthew's Begats" along with my third graders.
Jars of Clay has a new CD out that is all hymns, I am really enjoying it. I tend to generally avoid CCM music too but this one is really good.
Bob,
You should read this interview with Jars of Clay! It was very enlightening to me about the disenchantment that even some in the CCM industry have with the way the songs have gone.
http://www.christianitytoday.com/history/newsletter/2005/oct20.html
cool article Danny, thanks! the funny thing is they're totally talking about Indelible Grace the whole time (Kevin Twitt is the founder of the band) but they never mention them by name, which I think is a shame. a bunch of the songs on the Jars album are done much better by IG, according to my tastes at least. either way, it's cool folks are getting into this stuff more and more.
and thanks again to others for the suggestions. I'm liking Robin Mark especially.
Rich Mullins is a great songwriter. "Color Green" is a favorite.
Also Stuart Townend (author of "In Christ Alone" among others) is worth checking out for modern (British) hymnody, although his songs may not be readily available this side of the big pond.
Fernando Ortega has some really nice versions of hymns, especially on "This Bright Hour". His "Jehovah, Senor de los Cielos" is gorgeous. Michael Card is sort-of along the same lines.
Delirious? has some really good U2ish songs, at least their older stuff (the cutting edge). And the Passion worship band puts out some really good songs, even if one doesn't care for their production.
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