A few days before Christmas an old friend of mine emailed me to say that God had put on his heart to send me one of those visa pre-paid credit cards.  He asked me to spend it on things related to making better music….actually he said music, I just added better.  Anyways, it was so kind and thoughtful, so I thought I might show you what I bought with it.  

*One note about these Books and CD’s.  While I do think that we can grow from books and CD’s that might have points of view that I disagree with, I always want to be careful to filter it through the lens of Scripture.  So a word of caution… I think that some of these have conclusions that might be dangerous to our hearts and minds if wisdom is not taken….)

1. Snow Patrol – A Hundred Million Suns – I’ve only listened to it 4 or 5 times, but I can already tell this is going to be one of my all time favorite albums.

2. Greg Laswell – I don’t know much about this guy, but the album came highly recommended…and he seems to have a real knack for pop melodies.

3. Bruce Ware – Father, Son and Holy Spirit – I’ve been really convicted lately about how little I consider the doctrine of the Trinity in planning musical worship.  I’ve heard this is the best book around on the subject.  I hope it brings more conviction and change in me.

4. Joshua Radin – This guy is really dylanesq.  Not in a bad way.  But it’s all over his music.  He too has a some great melodies.  

So there it is…how I spent my songwriting money.  I know I have a ton to learn from these singers/writers.  Hopefully some ideas for some good tunes will come out of these resources.  

Thanks for reading.

Three things about this video.

1. I’m sure this is the video equivalent of me telling some story about my children that I think is hilarious, but other people are bored by it….but it’s my blog.

2. My wife is a freaking metronome.

3. I’m not sure why Bennett licks her fingers when she gets excited.

Danielle, Bennett, Eden and I are all at Camp Junaluska in the mountains of NC this week.  We’re with a group called The Christian Business Men that have a family camp here every year.  They asked Dave O to come run the college students side of things and I’m helping Dave O out with music.  Its been fun to have Danielle and the kids along.  And also to be away for a week before fall hits.  I’ll try and get some pictures up tonight or tomorrow of the scenery….it’s amazing. 

It’s been fun to be in the car so much this week…I’ve missed spending time listening to music.  I think I’ve listen to the Crowder Band, Can You Hear Us 7 times already this week.  I know allot of people think that A Collision is their best work, but I really think the song-writing/musicianship/production on Can You Hear Us, is their best stuff.  

Have any of you heard this CD?  It’s their first CD on a label…I think…I could be wrong.  It’s funny how many things they have hidden throughout this CD.  Like an obsession with the number 7.   Actually, I think everything hidden revolves around the number 7.  I’ll see if I can put a list together of what I find.   

Anyways, just thought I would share.

Hope your week goes well.

I’m reading a book right now called Give Praise to God.  It’s a pretty good book.  The best thing about it is all of the good quotes on corporate worship. 

Here’s one by Calvin that I thought was so cool.  I love the imagery of weight and majesty.

“….we know by experience that singing has great force and vigor to move and inflame the hearts of men to invoke and praise God with a more vehement and ardent zeal. Care must always be taken that the song be neither light nor frivolous; but that it have weight and majesty…”

Isn’t this an amazing song.  And what a great idea to play some songs in Central Park.

We’re with a bunch of my family this week so I’m hoping to get a little bit of time to read. Not sure how much time I’ll have since we have a one week old….. but i have a few books that i’m pretty pumped about.

The first is What is the What, by Dave Eggers. It’s an autobiography of one of the lost boys, told by Dave Eggers….who is an amazing writer. I’m about halfway through this one and love it.

The other is a book by a guy i heard on NPR. I know that makes me pretty nerdy, but it sounded really interesting. It’s called Foreskin’s Lament (yes, it was awkward to ask the lady at Barnes and Noble where to find this book) by Shalom Auslander. It’s a memoir of a guy who grew up in a really legalistic Orthodox Jewish home. I’ve only read a few pages, but I already like how funny/witty he is.

Have any of you read either of these books? Did you like/dislike them?

Also, I’ve listened to Viva La Vida about 8-10 times now, and absolutley love it. I love CDs that are put together with themes. I like knowing that intentional musical and lyrical decisions were made in putting the whole thing together.

I woke up feeling a little sick this morning, so Danielle picked me up some meds from the store and brought them by Providence. She also surprised me with Viva La Vida (the new Coldplay CD) to which she added her own sharpie artistic edit. She thought the lady would look better in a three-quarter length shirt. haha

Have any of you bought it yet? What do you think?

I really like it, my only thought is that their musical influences really come through….a lot more than on their previous stuff. I hear so much of the Beatles, Radiohead and U2 in these songs. But i’ve only listen through a few times. Still a wicked good CD.

Oh and still no baby. I’ll let you know.

Well the weekend came and went and still no baby. There were a few times that we thought contractions might be starting….but then they would go away.

I’ll keep you posted.

Bennett and I were able to go to the David Wilcox show in Durham on Friday night. Didn’t hear “How did you find me here”, but it was still a good show. I’ve never understood what people mean when they say, “so and so is an American singer-songwriter.” Seems like a really weird category to me. But I think I kind of understand why people would say that about David Wilcox. He had so many songs about what it means to grow up in rural America and about what Americans seems to find valuable. And he’s one of the best guitarist I’ve ever watched. I always want to write a song in DADGAD after I hear his music.

Here are a few pics from the show.

Just found out about this. We’re going to try to go if it’s not too hot.  Maybe “how did you find me here” will compel this baby out of Danielle.  haha

Anyone else in RDU going to be there?

I love this guys voice.