I downloaded this for my children. I know how much they love the songs at Vacation Bible School - long after the week is over, my oldest (aged four) can be heard singing the songs, even if she does get some of the words wrong (but insists that she has it correct, and I'm just deluded). For this year's VBS, she's convinced that the chorus to the VBS anthem goes "Oh, oh, oh, let the past voyage begin". Upon trying to correct her "It's VAST voyage", she will have NONE of it... She's right and I'm wrong. 

Nevertheless, I digress...my point was to say that these songs write themselves on the children's hearts. I'm 30 years old and still catch myself singing songs I sang when I was in Sunday School...songs I've not sung for 20+ years! One that springs to mind (just so you know I'm not making this up) is:

In the stars His handiwork I see
On the wind He speaks with majesty
Though He ruleth over land and sea
What is that to me?

Then by faith I met Him face to face
And I felt the wonder of His grace
|And I knew that He was more than just a 
God who didn't care
Who lived away up there

And now He walks beside me day by day
Ever watching over me lest I stray
Helping me to find that narrow way
He's everything to me

Songs that we learn as children can mark us indelibly. As Shashank Nakate writes, regarding memorization: "The process of singing helps in binding given words in a rhythm. The word then fits permanently into our memory. Singing is one of the earliest tips and techniques being used".During the dark times as we grow older, it's often these songs that can spring up unbidden (or Holy Spirit bidden) to minister to us when we do not have the words, when we do not have an answer. These are the sources of encouragement. This is why God commands us over and over and over again to sing songs! (see Psalm 104:33, 1 Cor 14:15, Ephesians 5:19-20, Colossians 3:16, James 5:13). Did you know that God even sings over us? (Zeph 3:17)

So what better thing to do than to find some Christian kids music that's based on scripture (or rather ripped, virtually word for word, from scripture? I mean, can you imagine your children / grandchildren as they grow up finding themselves caught in a period of doubt: "Does God really love me?", especially when circumstances seem to indicate otherwise? Or they've sinned and they loaded down to the ground with a profound sense of guilt. Well imagine if the following lyrics float to the surface of their consciousness at that moment?

Even his own son he did not spare
Even his own son he gave for us
How will he not also give all things to us?

So what then shall we say?
What then shall we say?

If God is for us, who can be against us?
If God is for us, who can be against us?

They would be drawn out of that pit of despair by the lifeline of scripture, embedded in a song. It's happened to me over and over again. I'm sure many of you have held tight onto a favourite hymn or worship song that just serves to reconnect you with your heavenly Father. 

Click on the play button below to listen to the first song on the album "If God is for us" (based on Romans 8:31-32)

A few things about Tallowood Kid's "The Doorpost Songs (Next Generation)" that I like:

• The kids don't overwhelm the songs - they sing them very well
• The adults singers (Dave and Jess Ray) do a great job of complementing the children. I actually enjoyed listening to Dave and Jess's voices.
• The songs are very well written, and steer well clear of the trite or cheesy. The melodies are fun, easy to sing but surprisingly complex (which keeps the songs interesting for a music snob like me) 
• The orchestration / instrumentation is fairly rocky with a heavy dose of pop. "Jesus love me", this ain't!
• The songs are based on scripture and can aid in bible memorization

But the best, BEST thing is that you can get it free and legal. All you need to provide is your name and email address. If you're worried that, by supplying this basic info, you're opening yourself up to a floodgate of spam, don't worry. I downloaded the album quite a while ago, and I have yet to receive a single email from Tallowood Kids. 

• Get the album HERE (for free or a donation / tip)
• Visit the Tallowood Website HERE
• For more scripture-based songs (female singer with guitar) click HERE

I first downloaded "Queen of Cities" over a year ago, and was instantly struck by a number of things

a) How the descriptions of Turkey, of the Bosphorus and Istanbul seem to draw me into a landscape where East meets West and where so many of the Church's roots can be found (this album, though sonically different, has a similar effect on me that Loreena McKennit's "An Ancient Muse" has on me...I begin longing for the bazaars, the camel trains and the connection with all who have gone before me)
b) it is an album of exquisite poetry and gorgeous orchestration, both of which serve to undergird the message of God to His church
c) it channels the spirit of Sigur Ros at their most elegant and understated;  yet also has the feel of an acoustic Pearl Jam session

Queen of Cities is an album that is in no hurry. It languorously moved from the glockenspiel led intro to the almost primal urgency of the title track, a wedding song from God to His Bride. Then we ease back into the Mogwai-esque build of "Asleep in the Breakers" before slipping into a simple acoustic guitar-driven  picture postcard of the city of Kadıköy. We then follow the songwriters into the daybreak (or is it twilight?) of "A Dwindling Dawn", replete with gentle hand claps, echoing guitars and a repeated musical theme that gives the song a beauty in structure. The album continues with perhaps one of the most beautiful, and heart-breaking, songs, I've ever heard, written from God to His unfaithful bride, the Church. Hosea could have written this song. Finally we are left on a note of hope: "I crown you with my love, for all eternity. i see who you've become, most fair of all queens"

This album affects me on many levels: I am reminded of when I was 16 and I visited my pen friend in Rijeka, Croatia. For some reason, "Kadikoy", and "A dwindling dawn" instantly take me back there. On the other hand, the love-letters from God, not as Father, but as Husband, speak into my soul - words of pride, intense passion, utter heartbreak and finally hope restored. 

Do yourself a favour, download this album, and tell your friends about it. Not only is it musically one of the most stunning albums I've yet to hear, but it is also one of many layers - all waiting to be peeled back to reveal yet another layer of alluring depth. Oh, and it's free!

Thank you, Luna Roslyn for this gift.

Dan

Downloading instructions are at the bottom of this review.

I stumbled across Stephen Gates record quite by accident (can't even remember how I got there. All I know is I'm grateful this rabbit trail transpired!

Gates offers a worship record unlike any I've heard. It's quiet, powerful - just one man and his guitar, yet it never feels sparse or empty. I don't know why it's not available anywhere else on the internet except for a single blog - it seems a shame not to give this artist the coverage he deserves (note to Stephen: put your music on www.noisetrade.com at least!)

"I know You don't take a broken heart lightly
I know I can trust you to stand by me
So have mercy on my heart and soul
I know I've been running hard and getting cold
But there's nowhere to go when my heart is in pieces
I know I've been living my life without reason
So I'm asking now
Take me, take me"

These are all songs of redemption, songs of hope. Coming across like a mixture between Jack Johnson (his guitar style) and Jeff Buckley (his vocals - listen to Buckley's "Lover, you should've come over" for a comparison - it's quite striking), Stephen Gates does something special. He manages to sing songs of repentance without slipping into a dirge - the emphasis always seems on hope. His effortless guitar style is a balm to the ears, and his beautifully understated vocals hint at restrained power. I would like to hear Gates really showcase his vocals off now and again (to see if the Buckley comparison bears out in the louder side of the musical register), but then that wouldn't be true to the timbre and flow of the musical style he obviously excels in.

I think this is a fantastic record, and you can check it out (and download it for free) by clicking on one of the pictures above.

OK, so I thought I was excited about "Sweet Sacrifice" (see post below). And then I heard "Come Holy Ghost", and felt my heart turn upside down and inside out. My first impressions are "Damien Rice does worship music". Reminiscent of my other favourite offering of the mysterious, almost eerie side of worship Bifrost Arts , this album raises the hairs on the back of my neck. It's pure honey, yet totally absent of any hint of anything saccharine. Majoring on the minor key, and highlighting the hope found in the dark night of the soul, it stirs something deep within - a reminder that worship music exists outside of CCM's top 50 and that my God is wild, my God is a consuming fire, my God is not safe, my walk with God is not a walk in a rose garden....
Before wasting any more words on recommending this, I just say to click on the image above and follow the instructions.

Here's what the website itself says:

The book of Job is the oldest book of Scripture and it asks one of the oldest questions, 'Is there hope?'

'Is there hope for a tree cut down? ...Yes. At the mere scent of water it will bud and grow green shoots.'

That is what we are discovering together at Church of the Beloved - a hope. Hope that something new is beginning that has very old roots. Hope that God is growing life out of our devastation, trust out of our cynicism, love out of our fear, community out of our isolation.... And that's what this album is about - fumbling into God's grace. It is a seismic and humble shift when our heart can hear the words that God has been saying to us for all our lives, '...nothing can separate you from the Love of God which is in Christ Jesus'. These songs say 'Yes' to God's claim upon your life that, 'You are my Beloved.'"

Sweet Sacrifice touches on the themes of lament, loss, slavery and freedom in worship songs created for Lent.

Seattle-based artists Molly McCue, Kurt Dyrhsen and Brian Moss collaborate with longtime Christian artist Michael Card on this project.

Click on the image above to be taken to the website.
Each song is available for download for free. Plus you can download jpeg images of the song lyrics, powerpoint slides of the songs and, for many of the songs, even the written music / chords.

I love particularly these words, from "A Better Freedom"

Christ revealed Himself to me
Enslaved my soul to set me free
I was bound to at Him at Calvary
And found a better freedom

That Soul who suffered in the dark
Has purchased and unchained my heart
A shining slavery did impart
To find a better freedom


The production is flawless, understated and will aid anyone looking to create space for contemplation during Lent. This really is a treat, and a wonderful addition to anyone's Lenten journey.