Winter EP - Audrey Assad

Who can find a warmer winter song?

Winter EP

Artist: Audrey Assad (www.audreyassad.com)

Label: Fortunate Fall Records

Length: 3 tracks/12 minutes

Who can find a warmer winter song? “Song for a Winter’s Night,” the Gordon Lightfoot composition, falls on the ears like light footsteps on freshly fallen snow. The organic blend of drums, guitars and keyboards are inviting. A strong hook takes listeners in. Cares recede in the enchanting glow.

The temperature drops in “Midwinter”: “In the bleak midwinter, frosty wind made moan, earth stood hard as iron, water like a stone.” This is an adaptation of the well-known carol. The second stanza and subsequent bridge are new along with a slight change to the last line, but all in keeping with the original lyrics.

Even the music is chillier than the first song. The added hooks are dreamy and elongated. The bridge, make it a snow-covered one, includes a biting guitar solo.

The resolve, like the dawn of a new day, comes on the last stanza, which has never sounded more beautiful with its sparse musical backing. It makes the lines of the final stanza stand out:

What can I give him, poor as I am?

If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb;

Yes, and if I was a Wise Man, I would do my part;

But all I have to give Him—I will give my heart.

This ends with the breezy, keyboard-driven “Winter Snow.” It likens God’s coming to gently falling snow. It calls to mind the following verses:

And he said, “Go out and stand on the mount before the LORD.” And behold, the LORD passed by, and a great and strong wind tore the mountains and broke in pieces the rocks before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind. And after the wind an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake. And after the earthquake a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire the sound of a low whisper (1 Kings 19:11-12 ESV).

The spectacular gets more attention, but the falling snow can be like a low whisper.

The last song was first recorded as a duet with Chris Tomlin on Glory in the Highest (2009). The album cover, like the recording, is a work of art.