Jonathan Rundman

Protestant Rock Ethic

Salt Lady Records

Grade – B

Rundman is an interesting fellow.  He is a versatile artist who claims to feel at home in just about any venue.  However, the CD that he handed me at Lifest is definitely for the church.  “Protestant Rock Ethic” is a 2 CD compilation spanning several years of Rundman’s career.  As the byline states, PRE contains rally songs, musical scripture, and Bible stories. 

The rock ethic goes in all directions stylistically, including country, blue grass, rock, and rap.  As it states in the liner notes, the “Protestant Rock Ethic” is more about function over form.  Many of the songs are therefore fairly easy to play, and sing, and not in a bad way.  They fit their purpose, which is to equip the church.

My experience with such songs is that they are usually more successful with an audience of Jr. High or younger.  However, with this large of a project there is going to be a song for just about any audience.  I prefer songs like “Wide Awake” as it reminds me of a late 60’s-ish folk song.  I am also on a quest to make “Workin’ My Committee” the opening song for any congregational meeting! 

Like I mentioned earlier, Jonathan is a very interesting person.  As you go digging around his web site, and that of Salt Lady Records, you will also find that Rundman was the executive producer of a Styx tribute album.  Compare that to the upbeat arrangement of “Will the Circle Be Unbroken” and you have a very unique personality. 

Check him out at http://www.jonathanrundman.com/.

Ken W.