avalon
Listening to tunes today, and it rolled down the list to Avalon. It’s been years since I listened. Such great singers, such awful songwriting.
Tagged: CCM RSS
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michael
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michael
Groupthink: Send the Songs, My People!
OK, kids … everybody know what time it is? That’s right, it’s time for you to help Mr. Michael Lee do his work! For free!Settle down, kids. No, there are no snacks. No, Timmy, I will not cut you in for points on the backend … Timmy, where did you learn about that kind of thing anyway? Oh, your last name is Mottola. Well, that explains a lot, Timmy.
For the rest of you, here’s the assignment. I need you to help Mr. Lee think of songs for his little singing group to perform. Think big guitars, drums, a very cool band, and 6-part vocal harmony tight enough to peel the lipstick off a pig. No, Timmy, I wasn’t making a joke about your daddy’s ex-wife.
So, if you had that kind of group, heading out on the road to perform concerts for medium-size churches, and also doing some stints as a high-school camp worship band, what kind of rep would you throw at them?
Anything. Anything at all. It doesn’t have to already be arranged for that kind of band + vocals, it can be a song that you think could be arranged well for the lineup.
The floor is open. Hit me.
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Rach
Aaron Shust- My Savior, My God; Avalon-The Glory; Toby Mac- No Ordinary Love, I Was Made to Love You; David Crowder Band-Wholly Yours, Come Awake; Eogan Heaslip-Lord Have Mercy; Planet Shakers-Open Up the Gates; Sarah Kelley-All I See; Joy Williams-Say Goodbye, Here With Us; Matt Redman-Breathing the Breath; Switchfoot-24, Dare You to Move, Third Day, and modern worship and stuff. And some original music would be awesome!
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aly hawkins
I think it’s fairly obvious that “Oh, Happy Day!” must make an appearance. Duh.
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michael lee
Awesome.
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michael lee
So, here’s my nomination:
It’s Mute Math doing a cover of “40″ by U2. On the chorus, picture those melodies being stretched out over 6 parts, all moving in tension and suspension to each other. I can almost taste it.
I figure the purpose of the small groups is either to lead people to a saving knowledge of Christ, or to lead them to a saving knowledge of U2. Either way is cool.
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John
Six tight vocalists? How about “Suit Fugue” from “Shaming of the True” by the late Kevin Gilbert? More hooks than a tackle box. Oh wait, this is for churches.. never mind.
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John
By the way, that Ernst and Young video gave me bad dreams. Shame on you.
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Chad
http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewAlbum?playlistId=5441146&s=143441&i=5441128
It’s an oldie, but it still thumps, and most importantly, I have custom rhythm and vocal charts… :)
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Heidi
Sexyback.
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Stick
How about “Higher Love”? I’ve heard it covered badly by some random CCM radio artist, as is the ‘hip’ thing to do. But, if the singers are rippin’ a great Manhattan Transfer-style arrangement would be killer.
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Stick
And this George Rowe guy did some cool stuff that it would take at least 6 singers to cover… check out “Say the Word” and “We Exalt You”.
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corey
Chad- any idea who did the guitar stuff on that live disc (which was tracked a few minutes away from my hometown of Spring, TX- and right across the street from the hospital where Nolie was born)? Is that Shawn Tubbs? It sounds like the guitars are mixed pretty hot, and if it’s Tubbs (or any name startng with “Seamus…”), then I’d like to get it and dive in.
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michael lee
Nope, Dave Cleveland played guitars on that record. I think he played guitars on every single record released that year, by anybody in CCM.
The drummer is a guy named Tony Morra. He and I played for Jody McBrayer a few years ago, and over dinner I launched into this monologue about how amazing I thought that Crystal Lewis recording was, and that “Poeple Get Ready” was one of my favorites of all time. I had no idea he had played that concert, and was on that record, and he was just sitting quietly and smiling the whole time.
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Daniel
Anything Bill & Gloria Gaither wrote-FOR SURE.
AHHHHHH!!! NOOOOOOO!!!!
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Jonathan
I am always a fan of Taste and See, and that one we played sunday that I can’t remember right now. All those kinda funky ones. I think they would be good.
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corey
yeah, doesn’t that Houghton guy do a bunch of large-scale arrangements?
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ash
“O Taste the Lord”, by Marty McCall, is a song that makes baby Jesus smile. Do it with a mean loop and all will be right with the world.
http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewAlbum?playlistId=95846558&s=143441&i=95845712
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Jon
Some of the Hillsong United stuff could be cool for that, such as “Salvation is Here” but I do have to give my plug for Mute Math…
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Morphea
Please don’t kill me, but I’ve got a big “Ew” for that MuteMath cover. If your band covers 40 make SURE they listen to the U2 version, OK? For me? But if Ash isn’t pitching a fit then I guess I won’t either.
[I am going to pitch a 'bleah' though, because this is America.]
Cerise
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Rach
Oh, my bad, I was thinking music that your normal kid in an APU small group could actually sing. And songs that your normal mid-western (key: not from LA) church congregation might relate to…
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Sharolyn
Rach, I thought your list was impressive.
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june
Keith Green’s There is a Redeemer. I have no idea how you’d do that for six parts. Don’t you music people just have a “6 parts” button on yer computers or something?
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Scott
Yikes, I’m not cool enough to suggest anything in front of this crowd. But if you want a step away from the norm and need a Take 6 transcription, gimme a call.
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michael lee
[quote comment="75422"]Don’t you music people just have a “6 parts” button on yer computers or something?[/quote]
Almost. We have a “6 parts” button on our cell phone, and it calls Jud Shelton.
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michael lee
[quote comment="75287"]Please don’t kill me, but I’ve got a big “Ew” for that Mute Math cover. If your band covers 40 make SURE they listen to the U2 version, OK? For me?
[/quote]I know this probably rock and roll heresy, and I will certainly loose any emergent points I had previously accrued, but I actually like the cover version better. The U2 version has always seemed a bit … meandering. To me, at least.
Flame on.
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Morphea
No, no. I dissed MuteMath – it’s only fair that you get to shake a finger at some early U2. This is America, like I said.
I mean, you’re clearly wrong even in expressing this as a personal opinion, but you’re certainly free to do so.
Cerise
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michael lee
Cerise, I love you, even when you’re wrong. It’s what Jesus would do.
Then, he would laugh at you behind your back when he goes out drinking with the boys.
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corey
What Would Jesus Drink.
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corey
that felt dirty.
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Chad
That really doesn’t sound remotely like MuteMath. Are we sure on our intel?
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Morphea
It’s Michael, Chad. Of COURSE we’re sure. And Michael, I can say to you in love that I’m certain that Jesus would prefer U2 to MuteMath in all things. Even if they STILL haven’t found what they’re looking for.
Cerise
P.S. Corey, you rotter. You naughty, naughty boy.
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Chad
I dunno Cerise… have you heard Typical?
That’s a hot guitar riff…
Any band that sues a CCM label and that has a drummer whose pre-concert ritual includes duct taping his headphones to his head is ok by me.
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michael lee
[quote comment="75573"]That really doesn’t sound remotely like MuteMath. Are we sure on our intel?[/quote]
It’s not Mute Math, but it’s Paul Meany leading worship at his home church. The drumming sounds very, VERY familiar though. Maybe Dave Hutchison or Darren King (not THAT Darren King, the drummer).
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Morphea
Oh, THIS keeps getting better and BETTER. Not only is a member of Mute Math covering U2 – badly – (almost on a par with Third Day’s slaughter of “Still Haven’t Found”; I heard it live) but he’s doing it for a WORSHIP SESSION.
[head explodes]
Is this true or is Pernicious Michael trying to goad me into suicide?
(Again, friends, I really am sorry for the dissing but this goes beyond the pale.)
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michael lee
We aren’t forgetting that the U2 song was originally pulled from the Psalms, right? It was a worship song first, then a rock tune, now a worship song again.
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Morphea
No, WE’RE not.
OK, we did. [hangs head] You got me. Even I (nay – even Ash) can’t claim that U2′s oeuvre predates King David.
[dammit...]
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grammy
How come Michael gets the cool black background while the rest of just schlep through with the boring old white screen? I’m just saying…
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michael lee
He who writes the code makes the rules.
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June
Ok, get your tomatoes and what not ready to throw at me: I pretty much stopped being a U2 fan when I was 21ish and went to an Atchung Baby tour concert. When Bono helped a very young female fan onto the stage and then groped her while he sang (and everyone cheered wildly) and ended a song by burying his face in her stomach I was……well, I was not impressed.
Some images just stay with you. Haven’t been a fan since.
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Scott
June, I have to agree that there’s definitely something fishy about his “bringing girl on stage and _______, to the sounds of music and screaming fans” routine. He’s almost being worshipped.
That’s not to say that the music is bad… if you put your tomatoes away, get them back out, because I don’t really know much U2 music, but I’ve seen a DVD where he does his “lucky audience member” thing, and it really amazed me just how hypnotic and cultish the whole thing was. But what do I know?
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Scott, 
june and 15 others are discussing. 
michael
15 Hymns: O Come All Ye Faithful
As part of their ongoing effort to whip the blog readership up into a rabid fan frenzy, The Dailies have submitted this tune as their first contribution to 15 Hymns. O Come, All Ye Funky.
OComeAllYeFaithful_TheDaili.mp3
photo by Pascalichouchou
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aly hawkins
Dynamite, guys! I love it when a Christmas carol is reimagined so that it’s both familiar and surprising. Awesome.
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Chad
I wanted to do a full intro for this tune, but… life is totally out of control and I didn’t even have time to tune the vocals. Stick will get a little twitchy at times.
My brain got seared by Mannheim Steamroller’s Christmas album when I was a kid. I got this crazy idea that Christmas and electronic music went together. This tune was meant to play in that same space.
Hope ya’ll enjoy.
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Stick
[twitch]
Sounds cool. When it’s time for the Dailies’ Christmas Joint, we’ll do some mixahizzle.
michael
15 Hymns: Labor of Love
Chad once said something that I will co-opt, and bastardize, to suit my purposes; “Every Christmas song worth a damn was either written 300 years ago, or is ‘Labor of Love’ by Andrew Peterson.” I loved this song from the moment I first heard it on a rehearsal demo for Chad’s Christmas musical a few years ago.
Since everyone else involved in this project seems intent on sending in radio-ready masters of incredible arrangements, I decided to play the contrary, and deliver this thing up, warts and all. I tried to stay with the simplicity of the original song, just alone at a piano in a noisy room, recording the song as it went down. If you want to hear the much, much better version, follow the happy itunes link:
For the rest of you, enjoy.
photo by introspectre
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michael lee
Also, click the link to the photo, and see who the 2nd comment is from. I didn’t notice until I had already grabbed the link. Great minds think similaritously, eh?
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Jonathan
You should do this for offeritory some time soon.
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Sharolyn
Wow. Thanks for sharing this great song. Click on the link. Those photos are breathtaking!
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Morphea
Wow. Lovely to hear your dulcet tones again, Mike. This is, as you said, a very good song. Thanks for bringing it to my attention.
Weird to see a picture of my friend Intro on this blog. Six degrees, eh?
Cerise
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Stick
Nice work. No sacbut, but I’ll let it slide in this case. It’s Christmas after all.
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aly hawkins
Darn good warts, Michael.
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Introspectre
Thanks, sweetness. That was lovely…
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Morphea
I brought this to Introspectre’s attention today and she was really pleased to represent The Virgin. [snicker]
Seriously, the song made her cry and she luuuurves Michael’s voice.
Cerise
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Morphea
…and my eworlds collide. Ka-BLOOEY.
Cerise
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Introspectre
Is that like a bad Ka-BLOOEY, or like the Ka-Blooey of the Stay Puff Marshamallow Man at the end of Ghostbusters? Just curious if it’s a gooey happy sticky the world is saved explosion (or is that implosion?) or the kind where your head pops off (which in some cases is a most excellent vacation.)
Thanks, Cerise, darling. You rock. Now let’s hear you sing, too. I await… -
WifeMotherMe
As a hater of all things Christmasy …I have to say you made me cry. I am not sure if I appreciate that or not.
PS Your oh so wrong, the Itunes link is not the better version.
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Sheila
Hi..I’m a “lurker”..had never heard that term before today. I’m one of Sharolyn’s gal pals who enjoys dropping in from time to time to be enlighted by you of a younger generation. So many intriguing thoughts to ponder and frequently a much needed laugh.
Today it’s tears…I am sobbing, note- not weeping, sobbing, in response to Labor of Love.
Speechless. So how to reply? Thanks for this poignant look back on the most important moment in history. You really took me there; visually, physically, emotionally. I swear I’m having contractions! But not just the womb kind, the heart kind also. So much compassion for this young girl (my daughter’s age) and what she went through to birth the Savior of the World. So much love for that precious newborn baby.
All the “merry” things I’ve been working my butt off doing to contribute to the celebration of Christmas seem almost gross in contrast to a humble girl on a cold stable floor giving birth without her mom, (not to mention no epidural), fully engaged in something she’d never asked for, but completely submitted to. Truly, a labor of love.
Thanks for the moving reminder of beautiful servantude and getting me back to the heart of the matter. I’m on my knees before the manger.
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Sharolyn
Hooray, Sheila is here!
Recently, the movie The Nativity helped bring me back to the manger. Because I rarely see movies these days, I thought it was just great. Chad could write a better review than I could. I’m sure some people out there probably have something not to like about it, but in very simple terms it was a reminder of how Christ’s birth is so beautiful and breathtaking.
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vicki
Andrew! How can I get a copy of the WART version!? I can’t believe you haven’t recorded this…it’s awesome. Is it buyable anywhere?
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michael
Vicki, sorry to disappoint, but this site has nothing to do with Andrew Peterson. This was just a quick knock-down version that I did for Christmas a few years back. It’s not for sale, but you can always find it here.
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Chad
We need another 15 Hymns session this year. I’m cooking up at least one doozy.
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michael lee
anyone else in?
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michael
What about including originals as well as covers? Anybody working on any originals?
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Gretchen
I heard Stick was working on something.
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michael
Yeah, but that guy is a hack.
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Stick
Yeah, besides the entire CD worth of instrumental versions of Christmas hymns that’s available now on my website and at the major online retailers, nothin’ in the works.
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michael
nice. subtle.
Zack
New Music – Travis McClain
OK, Roadies – mark your calendars: Today marks the first musical recommendation from me that is actually from a Christian artist.
Travis McClain is the boyfriend of a sister of a friend of mine. I stumbled onto his stuff via MySpace, and loved what I heard. I wrote him – he told me 5 bucks (+$3 for shipping) would get me his new CD. I stuffed some filthy cash into an envelope, and waited. Two days later, I have his CD.
It’s brilliant. He’s a very talented songwriter, with skills to match. I told him he reminded me of early Ryan Adams (See: Heartbreaker) – he wisely took it as a compliment. The recording quality, although recorded in his kitchen, is very good. Lush vocals, nice backup from Lindsey Yegan (younger sister of Ashley, for those in the know), and wonderful lyrics. Haunting at times, inspirationally reminding at others – it makes me think of how lonely Brooklyn can be. Further comparisons to Joe Purdy. Travis is good people: A wise and talented musician who has yet to be absorbed by the system. Check out his MySpace profile here, and get your hands on this very hand-made record.
Listen to “Central Park” – it’s the song that would have kept me from abandoning song-writing, had I written it.
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ash
Okay, “Yeah Travis, etc…”, but what I’m saying is that Ryan Adams’ cover of Wonderwall kicks much ass. Better than Oasis by a long shot! That is all.
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ash
Okay, just heard Travis… Nice call.
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Zack
Yes, Ryan Adams does a decent cover once in a while. In fact, the scared the holy hell outta me when he recorded “Rock And Roll” (Which induced neither, by the way). I’m so glad he’s moving backwards now – with The Cardinals.
Travis is good. One of those kids you can see only getting better.
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Travis McClain
he’s alright I guess…if you like that pansy music and what not.
Travis
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Morphea
We’ve been visited by Himself, in person. You know, he’s a bit like Nick Drake, to look at especially. Lovely.
Cerise
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Zack
Travis – don’t be intimidated by Cerise’s whorish ways. She’s a god loving music fan herself. :)
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Morphea
Dreadful man. I’ll have your job, Sir.
Cerise
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Zack
Right now, I’m editing more effing teen theater than I ever wanted to look at. So, you can have my job. Gladly.
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Sharolyn
Zack, give us some brilliant lines of teen theater and we will suffer with you.
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Ryan Vaughn
So i’ve known Travis for a while (high school, college, real life, etc.) and, yes, he is a pansy. But his music is hardly pansy music. I also have the pleasure of living in the NYC area and playing in the NYC area. I have seen Ryan Adams up close and personal… and I must say Travis is as good a musician and much better people than Ryan Adams ever could be. Travis’ personality shines through his music to touch the souls of each of his listeners in a truly unique way that only his music can. Travis is real… and that is all ant artist can strive to be in such a “reality tv” based country. When reality isn’t real art has to burn through the bullshit and the artist has to persevere to speak the truth. This is the essence of Travis McClain for me.
Chad 7:03 pm on 6 January 2009 Permalink
Oh c’mon!!! What about “A Maze of Grace?!?!” Get it? It’s like Amazing Grace, but it’s a maze instead.
GET IT?!??!??!??!??!?!?!??!?!????!!!!!!