Feed Your Ears

[Luigi]

This is a guy named Rory Feek (what kind of a name is THAT?!). He's a singer/songwriter with a very relaxed style and simple string accompaniment. The song is "Salvation." It's a narrative in which our singer learns a simple but good lesson from a stranger. 

 

[Luigi]

Here's a classic, "There Is a Fountain," played in a pretty straightforward Gospel style by Willie Nelson. 

 

[Luigi]

Danny Burns is an Irishman who's been gigging around for twenty years or so. He's enthralled by American folk/country music. This is his composition "Come To Jesus," featuring Sam Bush, a mandolin player & singer who was in Emmylou Harris' band for a good long while. It was recorded in 2023, I think. I'd classify the sound as country rock. 

 

[Luigi]

In today's epistle, Paul tells the Ephesians, "In Christ we have redemption by his Blood, the forgiveness of transgressions, in accord with the riches of his grace that he lavished upon us." This is Rev. Ruben Willingham singing "Nothing But the Blood." I can find no information whatsoever about Rev. Willingham, but he creates an interesting Gospel music sound - piano and minimal drum accompaniment, a women's trio or quartet providing soft smooth background vocals, and Rev. Willingham preaching loud and rough over it. It's an interesting contrast. 

 

[Luigi]

This is a very old folk hymn, "Ain't No Grave Gonna Hold My Body Down." It's been recorded by just about everybody, but I like this version by Chosen Road. 

 

[Luigi]

Andrew Peterson is an author as well as a singer and songwriter. Some of The Pham probably know who he is, but - like a good find in a resale shop - he's new-to-me. I heard an interview with him by a couple of Dominicans, so I went looking for his music. This is "Is He Worthy?" It has an interesting structure: The singer asks a series of questions, to which the choir responds "He is" or "We do" or "He will" or whatever. Peterson doesn't have a great voice, but it's a good serviceable voice, and he's an excellent all-'round musician. I'll probably post more by him in the future, unless there's an outcry from The Pham against it. 

 

[Luigi]

Today's Gospel focuses on treasures in heaven. This is the Mark Trammel Quartet, a standard country Gospel male quartet, although they've got quite a broad vocal range. Their song "Treasures in Heaven" uses the tune of "Down By the Riverside." 

 

Edited October 22, 2024 by Luigi

[Luigi]

John Bowman has been making Gospel music since 1991 with some of the biggest names in the field. He went sol a while ago. This is a quiet reflection called "Lies the Devil Told Me." It's full of specific detailed examples rather than abstractions; his examples may not be your examples, but the point comes across nonetheless. 

 

[Luigi]

Patti LaBelle singing Art Reynolds' recently composed up-tempo "Are You Ready for a Miracle?" 

 

[little2add]

2 hours ago, JoaquinOrexy said:

Гарантия 6 
 

 

 

 

[Luigi]

This is an old classic, "Said I Wasn't Gonna Tell Nobody" (but I couldn't keep it to myself. There are many versions out there - this one is pretty straightforward and the words are easy to decipher, which is not always the case with a mass choir. The singers are Bobby Jones and Al "The Bishop" Hobbs. 

 

[Luigi]

Vern Gosdin was a country singer (1934-2009) known as The Voice for his resonant baritone. He sings an old standard, "Jesus, Hold My Hand" written by Albert Brumley. It's standard country Gospel, with that piano accompaniment that rises up the scale (heavenward) three or four times throughout the song, and it has that offset harmony chorus, too. Good stuff! 

 

[Luigi]

The O'Neal Twins and the Interfaith Choir with "Walking Up the King's Highway." This is not good Catholic theology - like "This Train Is Bound for Glory," it implies that sinners have to get right with God before they can get on the road. This is a very simple song, even repetitious. It was used as the entrance song at Mother Willie Mae Ford Smith's eightieth birthday celebration in her church,  so it's got that strong 'walking beat' that I like in Gospel music. But when everyone is in place, the song changes tempo and bursts out joyfully. Unfortunately, I can't find the video from the celebration, so you just have to look at the album cover. 

 

[Luigi]

In distinct contrast to yesterday's song, this one is long and complex (lyrically). It runs ten minutes, and it has a good "lyric video" with it - lots of time lapse nature photography. It's Andrew Peterson's "Don't You Want to Thank Someone." It's basically a personal reflection, but he's made it into a palms-in-the-air anthem. 

 

[Luigi]

In today's Gospel, Jesus chooses the twelve apostles from among the disciples. This song is from Nashville Tribute Band, recorded in 2014. It's called "Apostles," and it's written from the perspective of the apostles, after the resurrection, as they prepare to carry the message into the wider world. I think the lead singer is Jason Deere. The song is short but powerful. 

 

[Luigi]

Here's Andrew Peterson again with "In the Night (My Hope Lives On)." It's simple instrumentation and his solo voice - no harmony or anything. The lyric structure is exemplification - one example after another from the Bible that causes his hope to live on. There are nine verses, and he sings the words clearly, but if you miss a line, you can click on "...more" in the blue box under the video to see the lyrics. 

 

[Luigi]

A Gospel song that so classic it's practically trite, but it's appropriate for All Saints Day. Louis Armstrong et alia with a straight-up Dixieland version of "When the Saints Go Marching In." There's only one verse - or is it a chorus? - so there are lots of instrumental solos. Write it off as making a joyful noise unto the Lord.

 

Edited November 2, 2024 by Luigi

[Luigi]

Sister Shirley Caesar sings "One More Battle to Fight," which is a 19th-century spiritual, but her version is almost Dixieland what with the clarinet, trombone, and the whoopee whistle. And in my mind it sort of relates to All Souls. 

 

[Luigi]

This is Keith Green's 1982 setting of the Twenty-Third psalm. I posted one or two of his other songs previously. Most settings of this psalm are calm, peaceful, pastoral, maybe even saccharine. This one is not. 

 

[Luigi]

Today's Gospel tells the story of the shepherd leaving the 99 to find the lost sheep. There are lots of Gospel songs and hymns that retell this story, some of which are cheesy indeed! This one is by One In Him. I can't find anything about One In Him except a YouTube page that has lots of music - all a cappella -  but no explanation. I think it's one guy who records all the the harmony parts. This particular song's lyrics have that old-fashioned syntax that twists phrases around, the way a lot of the 18th & 19th century hymns do. But the music sounds even older than that - almost like a madrigal or something. OF all the songs I've posted, this isn't my favorite, but it has an interesting sound.