Andy Zipf Traveler’s Psalms and Carols
Nov 27, 2009 CD Reviews
Andy Zipf
Traveler’s Psalms and Carols
P is for Panda
Andy Zipf is an independent singer/songwriter with a creative and pensive gift of musical artistry. He’s also a very grassroots artist with a unfettered passion to share his music with anyone who will listen, even if that means getting escorted out of a mall after an outburst of music or serenading a group of listeners at a restaurant with his own renditions of familiar songs like “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road.” What ever it takes – whatever the size of the audience – Andy plainly loves what he is doing.
Just in time for this Christmas season, Andy has a handful of new songs celebrating the birth of Christ. The Christmas EP is his second EP released under the P is for Panda label partnership. The label is fittingly independent and more of a partner in the process than a director of style and content.
The Christmas album contains one original Andy Zipf song, “Baby, What Do You Want For Christmas,” two carols, “Oh, Holy Night,” and “Silent Night,” and three hymns. One of the hymns is a very spirited version of “Jesus, I My Cross Have Taken.” Another hymn is “Traveler’s Psalm,” was written by Andy’s father. On Andy’s YouTube site you will find videos entries for both of these songs.
I have been completely mesmerized by Andy’s ethereal version of “Oh, Holy Night.” I could literally put this song on repeat and get lost in the feeling. The original, “Baby, What Do You Want For Christmas,” has a very upbeat and friendly sentiment, bringing the contemporary together with the sacred. Overall, the album has a very sacred feeling to it, and with Andy’s distinctive vocals makes it an even more spirited project.
The new Christmas songs are just a small piece of Andy’s music, and for your benefit the Christmas songs have been tagged with the previously released “Our Voice Is A Weapon.” For a meager $10.00 you can purchase both project together right from Andy’s website. While you are there, check out the YouTube videos mentioned above as well as a few others for fun. You will also notice that Andy has a new full-length release coming out titled “The Long Tail.”
Ken W.
Traveler’s Pslams and Carols via Andy Zipf’s web store at http://www.andyzipfstore.bigcartel.com/product/our-voice-is-a-weapon-travelers-psalms-and-carols
Tags: Andy Zipf
Phil Keaggy Welcome Inn
Nov 27, 2009 CD Reviews
Phil Keaggy
Welcome Inn
Independent
The latest from legendary guitarist Phil Keaggy is an airy Christmas CD with a strong emphasis on the Christ-Spirit rather than the typical holiday spirit. Songs like “Best Christmas Morn” and “Welcome In” sing the account of Christ’s birth from a first-person perspective.
The album is a nice mix of original songs, instrumentals, and classic carols. A few of the Keaggy family show up on the recording as well as daughter Olivia and son Ian make guest appearances. One of the more serene tracks with daughter Olivia is “And On That Day,” peaceful and beautifully done.
“Welcome Inn” has that very distinct Keaggy sound right down to the tasteful yet powerful guitar solo in the middle of “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen,” to the instrumental “Shades of Green” where Keaggy weaves together several of his favorite Christmas carols into one song. The quality of the recording is significant, but the real value is in the Christ-centered focus of the overall project. It has a very intimate feel that makes for a more reflective and upwardly directed project than the usual fanfare of Christmas CD’s.
Check out Phil Keaggy’s official website for more information on “Welcome Inn.”
Ken W.
Tags: Phil Keaggy
Downhere How Many Kings
Nov 27, 2009 CD Reviews
Downhere
How Many Kings
Centricty Records
Having attended the“Bethlehem Skyline” tour last January I was quite partial to Downhere’s single “How Many Kings.” It was with much anticipation then that I approached this full-length Christmas CD by the same name. I have not been disappointed as the album holds all things that are cool about Downhere. The eclectic upbeat modern rock style, the smooth production, and the duel lead vocals as highlighted in “Silent Night.”
Overall it gives the album a bit of the nostalgic and a dose of modernism. I love the acoustic “What Child Is This” with its retro singer-songwriter soundtrack – similar to a Simon and Garfunkel tune from the 70’s. Lastly, the new CD comes with a remake of the title track “How Many Kings Re-Imagined.”
For more information on “How Many Kings” check out Downhere’s blog entry below.
Ken W.
http://downhereblog.blogspot.com/2009/10/how-many-kings-songs-for-christmas.html
Tags: Downhere
Rev. Jimmie Bratcher Man It’s Christmas
Nov 27, 2009 CD Reviews
Rev. Jimmie Bratcher
Man It’s Christmas
Ain’t Skeert Tunes
The Rev. Jimmie Bratcher is a blues master singer/songwriter and preacher. He uses his gift of music to reach a distinctive audience with a style of music that hits home whether that is at Sturgis (a huge motorcycle rally) or Leavenworth prison. The blues is the type of music that can enter into the heart of the hardest of man and melt them down to nothing.
The titled track, “Man It’s Christmas,” is a jazz flavored tune that hits the mark on the consumerism side of things – singing about how the card is maxed and I’ll pay for it next year! It’s a fun song, but the heart of the album lies in the signature blues songs like “Bell Carol Blue” and “I’ll Be Home For Christmas.” There are also some instrumentals that are very unique, including “Go Tell It On the Mountain” and “What Child Is This.”
The Rev. Jimmie Bratcher official website has a lot of video (including the video below) and more information on ordering “Man It’s Christmas.” If you’re a blues fan or someone looking for something out of the ordinary Bratcher is it.
Ken W.
Tags: Jimmie Bratcher
Matthew West Something To Say (Christmas Edition)
Nov 27, 2009 DVD Reviews
Matthew West
Something To Say (Christmas Edition)
Sparrow Records
This is a bit of a different approach to a Christmas album than I have seen traditionally. Instead of being a separate release the Christmas album has been tagged to the already released “Something to Say.” The new songs include the tracks listed below.
The theme of the album goes along with the concept of giving to those in need and coincides with Matthew’s involvement with “Operation Christmas Child.” Accompanying the CD is a new book titled “101 Ways to Give This Christmas Away” (Tyndale). The lead song, “Give This Christmas Away” can also be heard at the end of the latest Veggie Tales DVD “Saint Nicholas: A Story of Joyful Giving.”
The song “Christmas Makes Me Cry” also gives you another perspective on the holidays. There are many who cannot be with their families at this time of the year and some are facing Christmas for the first time without a loved one. This song brings warmth to the heart as it directly tackles the issue.
More information on the new songs, tour and Operation Christmas Child can be found on Matthew’s official website. http://matthewwest.com/
- Ken W.
1. Give this Christmas Away feat. Amy Grant
2. Christmas Makes Me Cry feat. Mandisa
3. Away in a Manger (acoustic)
4. The Motions (acoustic)
5. Save a Place for Me (acoustic)
Tags: Matthew West
Chris Tomlin Glory In The Highest
Nov 27, 2009 CD Reviews
Chris Tomlin
Glory In The Highest
Sixsteps Records
Chris Tomlin takes the familiar path with this worship style Christmas CD. The album has that large congregational sound which Tomlin is well suited for. As a part of the recording process Tomlin filled the Ocean Way Studios in Nashville with an audience of friends, fellow worship leaders and music biz folks for the recording, which also gives it that “live” congregational sound.
The album is 12 tracks long and includes classics like “Angels We Have Heard On High,” “O, Holy Night,” and “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing.” Arrangements for the classics have been given a new twist by Tomlin and the album also includes 4 original tracks. Guests appearing on the recording include Matt Redman, Christy Nockels and Audrey Assad. I particularly loved the hymn “Come Thou Long Expected Jesus” featuring Christy Nockles. It was done a-cappella and Christy sounds amazing.
The transformation of the classics into a more contemporary worship arrangement works well for this album. It is a comfortable place for Tomlin and with the addition of the four new tracks “Glory In The Highest” is certain to be a holiday favorite for many.
Ken W.
http://www.christomlin.com/home.php
Tags: Chris Tomlin
Dream Christmas
Nov 27, 2009 CD Reviews
Dream Christmas
Dream Records
The Dream Center is a national non-profit organization that has been established to assist with restoration of inner city residents. The Los Angeles center itself is reported to have served over 30,000 meals a week and an additional 1 million pounds of food have been distributed per month. The proceeds from this various artist holiday project will go directly to the Dream Center.
The album host a variety of artist and voices, but the most notable is the group Press Play. Press Play had recently released one of the most interesting debuts of the year for 2009. The band is joined by some spirited friends, including Coffey on “Joy, Joy, Joy, Joy to the World.” Also, Stephen Wrabel, Stephen Petree, Sada K, Tyler Logan, Joel Bodker and I’m OK Your OK. The CD is 13 tracks long and it includes a smoking guitar rendition of “Carol of the Bells” by I’m OK Your OK. Other classics like “O, Holy Night,” “Jingle Bells,” and “Winter Wonderland” have been recorded with a more contemporary sound.
You can find more information on the CD and the Dream Center at http://www.dreamcenter.org.
Ken W.
Tags: Dreamcenter
Sandi Patty Christmas Live
Nov 27, 2009 CD Reviews, DVD Reviews
Sandi Patty
Christmas Live
Stylos Records
“Christmas Live” is a grand production including a full orchestra and choir backing up Sandi Patty whose vocal intensity is at its best. The album was recorded live at the First United Methodist Church, Richardson, TX (in June of 2009). The DVD gives some insight into the production with a short “behind the scenes” look at the preparations. “Christmas Live” is very much a classical Christmas production with a jazzy “”The Christmas Song,” a lively and operatic “Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee,” and a warm ending with “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas.” The DVD lacks chapter markers making it hard to skip around from song to song. And as I mentioned earlier the only extra is a behind the scene look at the production, but it is only a few minuets long.
For more information and tour dates check out http://www.sandipatty.com.
Ken W.
Tags: Sandi Patty
Big Daddy Weave Christ Is Come
Nov 27, 2009 CD Reviews
Big Daddy Weave
Christ Is Come
Fervent Records
“Christ Is Come” is an exciting new Christmas project. It’s a more contemporary sounding album with some really cool new originals like “Glory.” Even the traditional songs like “Joy to the World” have a fresh new sound derived from the influence of the band. I particularly like the southern bluegrass banjo on “Joy to the World” and the more contemporary pop/worship sounding “Go, Tell It On a Mountain.”
An autographed copy of the album can be purchased from the bands official website for just under $10. That’s a price point value and certainly worth exploring.
- Ken W.
1) O Come All Ye Faithful
2) Joy to the World
3) Glory
4) O Come, O Come, Emmanuel
5) I’ll Be Brave This Christmas
6) Go Tell It ON A Mountain
7) Peace On Earth
Christ Is Come
9) Silent Night
10) Angels We Have Heard On High
Tags: Big Daddy Weave
Mark Harris Christmas Is
Nov 27, 2009 CD Reviews
Mark Harris
Christmas Is
INO Recordings
Vocalist Mark Harris is known for his years of singing with the vocal group 4Him where he scored multiple awards for No. 1 songs and multiple Dove awards as well. Now well embarked on a solo career, Harris has released his debut solo Christmas album called “Christmas Is.” The album retains a traditional Christmas sound with some new arrangements for old favorites like “O, Holy Night,” “Silent Night,” and “Little Drummer Boy.” A highlight of the album is the title track that features Harris’ 13-year-old daughter, Maddison on vocals. The majority of the album centers on the vocals of Harris. It is a quiet and reflective CD.
Ken W.
Tags: Mark Harris
