December 2011
103 posts
"Mary's Song" by Ordinary Time
See my previous post for introduction to the grrreat band called Ordinary Time.
I was just reminded of their terrific musical setting of Mary’s Magnificat.
This is one my favorite versions … can’t wait to use it next Christmas season!
How can it be that I am blessed To bear a gift so tender My soul rejoices in the LORD The one true God my Saviour They will surely call me...
Americana version of "Cradle Song" by Isaac Watts,...
Ordinary Time is my favorite Americana trio that does Christian songs, many original.
From their website at http://www.ordinarytimemusic.com/
“Ordinary Time is an independent folk acoustic trio rooted in the Christian tradition. Comprised of Ben Keyes (guitar, piano, mandolin), Peter La Grand (guitar, banjo, dobro), and Jill McFadden (guitar, violin), Ordinary Time presents extraordinarily...
Just Another Christmas Song - Stephen Colbert
Big band swingin’ jazz, cynical tongue in funny cheek lyrics - what’s not to like? :-)
3 free albums of Christmas Music from 'Folk Angel'
The band ‘Folk Angel’ supports the ministries of Compassion International. Through that connection, they’re giving away their 3 albums of Christmas songs.
To download them, go to http://www.folkangel.com/?page_id=813
The password is COMPASSION [all caps].
Good stuff.
Liz Janes - Shepherd's Song
I like this new song - good lyrics, happy music, and accompanied by ukulele!
Get a free download of the mp3 and discover the whole album here: http://familyrechristmas.bandcamp.com/track/liz-janes-shepherds-song?mid=5556
advent and christmas music recommendations 2011,...
Read his recommendations here
http://graceseattle.wordpress.com/2011/12/15/advent-and-christmas-music-recommendations/
Advent & Christmas Songs from Sojourn Church...
I’ve visited Sojourn Community Church a few times, in Louisville Kentucky, and am thrilled to learn what God is doing in the congregation and the community through their emphasis on the arts. http://sojournchurch.com/
They create so much marvelous music that they have a separate website dedicated to music and worship: http://www.sojournmusic.com/
Check out their album “Advent...
Music from India to Celebrate the Nativity in...
From Chris Hale of Aradhna:
“We had a wonderful time with a whole bunch of unique and beautiful people at Yeshu Jayanti Satsang tonight! [Dec 16 2011] This is a recording of the Live Stream that many joined from around the world (which you can see if you press the social stream button). The first song starts at around the 37th minute. Also beware of the Advertisements that invade every...
Victor Wooten - God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen &...
Hopefully you know of Victor Wooten, one of this age’s greatest players of the electric bass. He rose to fame with Bela Fleck & The Flecktones.
Here’s one of his marvelous solos. The crowd noise is horrendous - who wants to clean the audio file and send if back? - but it’s still a superb solo.
Victor Wooten playing “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen and Christmas...
Carol of the Bells: jazz bass trio
This was recorded at New Life Church in Colorado Springs some years ago. The players are Matthew Fallentine, Darrel Porter, and Don Harris.
Jesus Joy of the Highest Heaven (new Irish...
Keith & Kristyn Getty were recently in town, this song (from their new Christmas CD) was a great hit.
I like their Christmas CD… but it veers towards being overproduced for my tastes. I have more appreciation for these songs performed live, with their 7-piece backing band.
Children’s Christmas Carol “Jesus, Joy of the Highest Heaven” written and performed by Keith...
multicultural christmas song: Jingle Bells with...
Hopefully you’re already familiar with Bela Fleck and Tuvan throat singing. Here’s a clip from a 2009 perfornance with the melody in the overtones of the singer.
Advent & Christmas resources from re:Worship
Advent Worship Resource Index http://re-worship.blogspot.com/2011/11/advent-worship-resource-index.html
Christmas Worship Resource Index http://re-worship.blogspot.com/2011/11/christmas-worship-resource-index.html
Also see the new hymn lyrics for Advent songs here: http://re-worship.blogspot.com/search/label/contemporary%20hymns
and Praise & Worship Songs for Advent here:...
...
Mary's Magnificent Monologue
Here is Mary’s magnificent monologue from The Message:
“I’m bursting with God-news;
I’m dancing the song of my Savior God.
God took one good look at me, and look what happened—
I’m the most fortunate woman on earth!
What God has done for me will never be forgotten,
the God whose very name is holy, set apart from all others.
His mercy flows in wave after...
Christmas Itself Is By Grace: Frederick Buechner...
Ah, Frederick Buechner - a long-time favorite author. My friend Jim McNeely pointed me to this blog http://www.mbird.com/2011/12/christmas-itself-is-by-grace/ which has this thought-provoking quote:
Christmas itself is by grace. It could never have survived our own blindness and depredations otherwise. It could never have happened otherwise. Perhaps it is the very wildness and strangeness of the...
12 Days of Christmas....via Bollywood
12 Days of Christmas video clip re-worked in a Bollywood style of India. Performed by animated popstar, Boymongoose and Indian boyband. To download 12 Days of Christmas and other songs or find out more about our show, visit www.boymongoose.com Also available on iTunes.
This has already reached nearly 8 million views in the 5 years it’s been posted on YouTube.
Sugar Plum Fairy by P.Tchaikovsky - on Glass Harp
Glass Duo (Poland) - Chamber Music Festival in Bologna, Italy - June 2010. Placed in Chiostro della Basilica di Santo Stefano. Festival di Santo Stefano XXII edizione. P.Tchaikovsky - Sugar Plum Fairy (The Nutcracker) Glass Duo na Festiwalu Muzyki Kameralnej w Bazylice Santo Stefano w Bolonii. http://www.glassduo.com
Proclaiming the Christmas Gospel (book)
John D. Witvliet and David Vroege offer this outstanding collection of Christmas messages from giants of the Christian faith, such as John Calvin, St. Augustine, Martin Luther, Bernard of Clairvaux, and more. Each classic sermon includes a brief introduction to and interpretation of the message, along with an appropriate hymn text. Layreaders will appreciate the wisdom and insight that these...
As We Wait (new Advent Acclamation)
2011 was the year for me to joyfully meet and befriend Darrell Harris of Nashville. He’s played many roles over decades in the Christian music business. Now, one of the hats he wears so capably is that of Chaplain for the Robert E. Webber Institute for Worship Studies, where I am a visiting professor.
Darrell also helps to lead a house church in Nashville. He and a colleague recently...
