Inheritance Deluxe Addition - Audrey Assad

One of the year’s best is now better

Inheritance Deluxe Addition

Artist: Audrey Assad (www.audreyassad.com)

Label: Fortunate Fall Records

Length: 16 tracks/approximately 1 hour

One of the year’s best releases is now even better. Audrey Assad teams with acclaimed cellist Cara Fox to reinterpret four songs from the original release in a neoclassical style. Cello, violin, harp, electric guitar and drums blend together live on “Be Thou My Vision,” “How Can I Keep from Singing,” “New Every Morning” and “It is Well with My Soul.”

The addition of the harp stands out and adds a beauty not heard on the originals. It’s an underutilized instrument in popular music, which is a shame because it has such pure tones. Though it is mixed with the other instruments, I found myself listening for it.

“New Every Morning” is a gorgeous original. The line referring to the beginning of creation, “You broke an unbroken silence” is a beautiful bit of poetry. In a way, I might summarize the whole release as poetic.

Worship leader Sarah Kroger adds her voice to “How Can I Keep from Singing” and “It is Well with My Soul.” The former starts with “I Wonder as I Wander.” You can almost feel the cold. Imagine a winter night with stars overhead. It then seamlessly transitions to the warm “How Can I Keep.” It’s like going from darkness to dawn. The music is radiant.

I may prefer this version of “It is Well.” It seems a little less traditional. The original features a congregation, but I like just hearing Assad and Kroger.

“Oh, The Deep, Deep Love of Jesus” remains a favorite from the initial release. It is coupled with the music associated with “Morning Has Broken” and includes Fernando Ortega, who along with Assad is excellent in adapting old lyrics.

In my prior review I never mentioned the opening track but feel compelled to do so here. “Ubi Caritas” is an ancient text sung entirely in Latin. As one reviewer noted it sounds more Celtic than Gregorian. It’s haunting but holy as captured on this YouTube video, which includes a translation. Assad writes, “I began this record with ‘Ubi Caritas’ because it felt like the perfect way to begin a collection of songs that shaped up to be a love note from me to the church.”

This is artistry that is relevant but timeless. It combines a judicious use of technology with mostly ancient verse. The latter springs to life anew.

The excellence makes me want to investigate all of Assad’s subsequent releases, and maybe even prior ones.

The reworked songs, dubbed The Fox Sessions, include live videos contained on a DVD or flash drive. So those who purchase this Deluxe Addition will have even more to savor.

Songs of the People - Prestonwood Worship

Michael W. Smith and Paul Baloche highlight a solid release from Prestonwood Worship

Songs of the People

Artist: Prestonwood Worship

Label: Integrity Music

Length: 13 tracks/1 hour 15 minutes

Being unfamiliar with Prestonwood Worship, advertised guest appearances by Paul Baloche and Michael W. Smith on Songs of the People caught my attention. Each of them deliver brief but effective performances. Of the two, Baloche plays a larger role being part of three songs. Smith’s sole contribution is the closing “We Are Alive,” which would be at home on any of his live albums. He brings his typical enthusiasm.

Overall, the sound and style is comparable to the mainstream releases in this genre. It’s contemporary but conservative, not edgy or alternative, which widens the possible appeal.

It may falter a little in being distinct from other similar albums. Nevertheless, I enjoyed a few of the subtleties: the string introduction on “You Can Have it All,” which is a performance of “I Surrender All,” and the call and response on “Let the Redeemed” where the choir is prominent.

At least three of the tracks incorporate phrases from hymns, which seems to be a recent trend. The best example is “Our Story Our Song” a truly joyful ode that borrows from Franny Crosby, “This, this is our story/this, this is our song/We are praising, praising our Savior all the day long, all the day long.” These phrases have never sounded better.

This, along with Smith’s anthem “We Are Alive” and Baloche’s “We Turn Our Eyes” are three of the best moments. The latter is quietly worshipful.

The tracks feature a variety of song leaders, only two of them led by women. They all acquit themselves honorably.

These are all new songs performed live at the 42,000-member Prestonwood Baptist Church, which has two locations in the Dallas, TX area. It’s one of the largest Southern Baptist congregations in the world. Dr. Jack Graham is the pastor.

The River - Jordan Feliz

Could it be that simple … that the cross can save us all?

The River

Artist: Jordan Feliz

Label: Centricity Music

Length: 11 tracks/36 minutes

The first sounds from The River by Jordan Feliz are a needle dropping on vinyl followed by the crackle often heard on a record. The pure tones of an acoustic guitar then launch into a blues melody. It’s like listening to an old classic. What a start for lovers of vinyl and/or the blues!

This 59 second intro to “The River,” the first single, serves as a stark contrast to a contemporary R&B/pop sound featuring prominent hand claps on a driving rhythm.

The forceful singing is a call to faith. This river is the water of life, found in Christ.

Next up, the second and current single, “Never Too Far Gone.” It’s a worthy followup with an equally captivating rhythm, and again, a message of hope that can apply to anyone.

Perhaps “Simple” could be a future single, one of the finest tracks found here. A playful melody serves as the background for basic questions with profound implications:

     Could it be that simple, that you love me and that’s it

     And we only need little, a little bit of faith that’s heaven sent

The latter part of the chorus points toward the revelation that this world so desperately needs:

     Don’t want my pride to get in the way, of the love that you give away

     Give me you, Give me truth, that the cross can save us all it’s really that

     Simple

The clarity is refreshing; the music compelling.

If the latter is more elemental on the stanzas of these songs, it highlights the expansiveness on the choruses. It may not be anything new, but I like how full and grand these punchlines sound. It’s along the lines of “Paradise” by Coldplay; the verses a little subdued followed by a majestic chorus. Though pop oriented, R&B is in the mix.

This is one of the things that intrigues me about contemporary music. You hear sounds that were unimaginable years ago. I’m fascinated by the synthesis of the manufactured and organic. One moment you hear something bewildering; the next, the strumming of a guitar or a piano.

Occasionally, you get heavy industrial synths, but it merely serves as the setup for a more satisfying resolve. Overall, the production is top-notch, on par with what you might hear on the radio.

It moves along on a steady clip until the last two tracks where it slows down. It fits the weighty subject matter: constancy and longing. The closing “Satisfied” showcases the raw talent of Feliz.

This is a solid debut. Expect to hear more.   

Modern Art and the Life of a Culture - Jonathan A. Anderson and William A. Dyrness

Seeing God in the shadows

Modern Art and the Life of a Culture: The Religious Impulses of Modernism

Author: Jonathan A. Anderson and William A. Dyrness

Publisher: IVP Academic

Pages: 374

I’m grateful that years ago recording artist Jeff Johnson recommended Modern Art and the Death of a Culture by H. R. Rookmaaker. It fascinated despite being a bleak assessment. It did, however, offer a hopeful vision for Christian engagement in the arts.

This is the background for Modern Art and the Life of a Culture, in which the authors acknowledge the contributions of the former but offer correctives to the view that modernism was bereft of religious influences. Rookmaaker tended to see in terms of black and white, whereas the authors of this book provide a more nuanced view of art history. They find the religious influence where it is not obvious but nevertheless a factor. It is a little like seeing God in the shadows.

This makes it not only informative but a delight. As stated in the Afterword by Daniel A. Siedell, “This book is a gift to those whose lives as Christians have been shaped by modern art and culture. It reveals the authors’ love for their subject. Their words are nothing if not life-giving” (338).

It helps if you have a background in art history, and/or have read Rookmaaker, but even if you have not, the biographical sketches of the artists examined are engaging and inspirational. In particular, I enjoyed reading about Vincent van Gogh and Andy Warhol. The story of the latter takes me back to the quote at the beginning of this volume, “One should reject nothing without a determined attempt to discover the living elements within it” (Vasily Kandinsky). On the surface, one might judge the works of Warhol to be irreligious, but as they do so adeptly throughout, the authors find signs of life, prompting an alternative view to the accepted, which is not always accurate. This reminds me of the words of Jesus, “Do not judge by appearances, but judge with right judgment” (John 7:24 ESV).

I have heard it said that reviewers often get it wrong. I know that it’s been true of this reviewer, which makes the following a favorite: “If anyone imagines that he knows something, he does not know as he ought to know” (1 Corinthians 8:2 ESV). Pride and hasty judgments lead to error. It’s why I appreciate the careful exposition found in this volume. The authors are not immune to our human propensity to get it wrong, but their mastery and love for the material is obvious, as well are the irenic tone.

As an outsider to the art world, who sometimes felt a little lost in the details here, the thought of F. W. Boreham helped me to persevere in my reading:

If a man is to keep himself alive in a world like this, infinity must be sampled. Like a dog on a country road I must poke into as many holes as can. If I am naturally fond of music, I had better study mining. If I love painting, I shall be wise to go in for gardening. If I glory in the seaside, I must make a point of climbing mountains and scouring the bush. If I am attached to things just under my nose, I must be careful to read books dealing with distant lands. If I am deeply interested in contemporary affairs, I must at once read the records of the days of long ago and explore the annals of the splendid past. I must be faithful to old friends, but I must get to know new people and to know them well. If I hold to one opinion, I must studiously cultivate the acquaintance of people who hold the opposite view, and investigate the hidden recesses of their minds with scientific and painstaking diligence. Above all I must be constantly sampling infinity in matters of faith. If I find that the Epistles are gaining a commanding influence upon my mind, I must at once set out to explore the prophets.… ‘The Lord has yet more truth to break out from his Word!’ said John Robinson; ‘and I must try to find it.

I don’t normally read this type of book. Art history is a foreign culture, but I see the wisdom in Boreham’s advice. I have gained understanding.

If Rookmaaker left me despairing of culture, I recognize again that things are not always what they seem. I never want to be undiscerning, but to borrow the thought from an old song, I want to have my Father’s eyes: “Eyes that find the good in things/When good is not around.” The authors have this type of vision and it’s worth emulating.

Where the Light Gets In - Jason Gray

God works through the broken places in our lives.

Where the Light Gets In

Artist: Jason Gray (www.jasongraymusic.com)

Label: Centricity Music

Length: 13 tracks/45 minutes

The title of Jason Gray’s latest release, Where the Light Gets In, reminds me of a thought shared by a friend that he gleaned from a book. God works through the broken places in our lives. It’s where the light not only gets in but becomes visible to others. The apostle Paul expressed it like this when he recorded the answer of Jesus in response to his earnest prayer for deliverance from his thorn in the flesh, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness” (2 Cor. 12:9 ESV). God’s glory is manifest in human frailty, or to quote from Paul, “We have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us” (2 Cor. 4:7 ESV).

What amazes about Where the Light Gets In is that in song after song Gray expresses variations on the theme of brokenness.

Some might be tempted to think that this would saddle the recording with heaviness. If they could hear “Death with a Funeral,” they might use it as an example. It is a poignant break-up song. In defense of it, the gentle acoustic playing, the lovely strings, and the eloquent sentiments make it the most beautiful song of the album. The light obviously penetrated through this heartbreak and the song shines as a result.

No, this is not a gloomy album. Many of the tracks are celebratory and filled with hope. In fact, this continues a remarkable streak that you will find on the first track of any of Gray’s recent releases. It’s like the light gets in, and the joy has to come out. They have a roots music swagger, one that makes a person want to sing, clap, shout or dance. 

The only weakness here might be occasional sounds and words that are pedestrian. These moments are few.

In the world today we need more of the mindset found in the closing “Thank you for Everything,” which poetically expresses gratitude not only for the agreeable but the disagreeable. God uses both to bring us to the place where His light not only shines in but through us. “For God, who said, ‘Let light shine out of darkness,’ has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ” (2 Cor. 4:6 ESV). As my friend put it, the light shines through the cracks. And as Proverbs 4:18 says it, the believer in Christ has the hope that this light will continue to get brighter, just as dawn gives way to the full light of day. 

This collection of songs shows that God is still in the business of making light shine out of darkness. The discouraged will find this more than a little encouraging.

Same-Sex Attraction and the Church - Ed Shaw

Creating a culture where life without sex is a grace to enjoy

Same-Sex Attraction and the Church: The Surprising Plausibility of the Celibate Life

Author: Ed Shaw

Publisher: IVP Books (www.ivpress.com)

Pages: 172

For quite some time I wanted to read a book conveying a biblical perspective on homosexuality. It’s not that this type of book is scarce; it’s just that until now I never made it a priority given the many titles competing for my attention.

One thing that I immediately noticed about Same-Sex Attraction and the Church is the setting. The author, Ed Shaw, pastors a church in Bristol, England. I will never forget the adventure that I had in Birmingham, England, where I lived for the last half of 1984 and the first half of 1985. Back then, homosexuality was not the issue in the church that it is today. Both here and abroad it is a complex and divisive issue, which is why I wanted to read about this subject. I want to gain understanding and wisdom, and I found it here.

It was during my time in England that I became aware of Cliff Richard, who performed at Mission England, Billy Graham’s evangelistic outreach to the country in 1984. Richard, who has never married, is one of the most well-know pop stars on the planet, except in the US, and a committed Christian. Not too long ago, I read his autobiography, My Life, My Way, and came away with admiration for the way that he conducts himself.

I was, however, somewhat troubled by his support for same-sex relationships. He chooses to accept and not judge, making commitment the principal thing.

In contrast, Ed Shaw provides a different perspective. He is same-sex attracted, but maintains that living a celibate life is not only right but attractive. His entire book is about making it plausible since life without sex might seem unreasonable.

Championing celibacy does not mean the author sees it as easy. He is transparent about his own struggles and failures. The pinnacle of the climb that he takes with readers is the concluding chapter on suffering, where he refutes the myth that it should be avoided. He extols it as the means God uses to produce Christlikeness.

One could easily assume that this is just a book for same-sex attracted Christians. As a single person, I found it relevant to being faithful while being attracted to the opposite sex.

Shaw upholds the biblical ethic that marriage is between a man and a woman, and is the only acceptable relationship for sex.

In one of the chapters Shaw highlights the biblical view that men and women are equal, but they are not interchangeable. In other words, the male/female union in marriage is a depiction of Christ and the church. Anything other than that, distorts the picture. It’s a fascinating argument against same-sex marriage.

Throughout the book the author appeals to the church for help in holding-up celibacy as a genuine alternative to sex outside of marriage. Each chapter highlights a different falsehood that is prevalent today. The solution is repentance that creates a culture where life without sex is not a burden to bear, but a grace to enjoy.

In the back Shaw lists the top ten books that everyone should read. Plus, in the two appendices, he provides an overview of what the Bible advocates and how it fits in with the overall story. He then shows where and how those holding to new interpretations get it wrong. These are terrific summaries of the main points on both sides of the issue. 

He helps readers to see that convictions sometimes spring from emotions and other considerations that might seem more humane and realistic than what the Bible teaches. However, if we can examine them impartially, in the full light of Scripture, and in relationship to a God, who is more loving and good than we can imagine, we might find that our ways are weighed in the balance and found wanting. So often what we believe falls short (because we do), whereas God is faithful and true forever. The mightiest waves of culture can relentlessly crash against this rock but to no avail. His foundation is firm. When we build on it in love and compassion we make it realistic in the eyes of others.

This Changes Everything - Cana's Voice

New vocal group includes former Avalon member

This Changes Everything

Artist: Cana’s Voice (www.canasvoice.com)

Label: StowTown Records

Length: 54 minutes

2016 is already a momentous year for former Avalon member Jody McBrayer. Earlier he released Keep Breathing, his first full-length solo recording in 14 years, and now he returns with Cana’s Voice, a new group making their debut. Joining him is TaRanda Greene, a regular featured vocalist on Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir projects, and Doug Anderson a founding member of Signature Sound.

You hear a little of all their backgrounds on This Changes Everything: pop, R&B, inspirational, country and gospel. Doug Anderson brings an enjoyable country flavor to the tracks in which he sings lead. My favorite might be “Love Anyway,” which encourages listeners to stay when feeling like leaving.

One unique track musically is “I Give it to You,” with banjo and hand-clap leading the way on a song about God redeeming everything brought to Him.

The sound is contemporary but conservative. At times I hear a southern gospel influence on this recording. This is crafted in such a way as to give it broad appeal. Even so, I give the edge to McBrayer’s  solo release because musically it’s a little more sophisticated. However, if you are a fan of McBrayer, or of the past work of the other two artists, you will most likely enjoy this and want to add it to your collection.

As you might guess given the resumes of these singers, the vocals are stellar. The production is clean. The songwriting is loaded with encouragement and solace.

One of my favorite lines comes from the chorus of “Jesus Never Fails”: “You might as well get behind me, Satan/You cannot prevail/Because Jesus never fails.”

Aside from the work of artists like Keith and Kristyn Getty, you might not hear songs about the blood of Jesus that are relevant to those not raised on hymns like “Power in the Blood.” “Let the Blood Speak for Me” succeeds admirably in music and sentiment. It not only speaks for me but to me.

The album also includes a lovely, soulful rendering of Kirk Franklin’s “Hello Fear.” 

“Holy Spirit Come Fill this Place” is petition and worship. It’s beautiful to hear all three members gently harmonizing on the chorus. This could be a closing song in concert as well as serving as the closer here.