Week 29...

One of my all-time favorite musical artists is a guy named Jeremy Enigk. He was the frontman for the bands Sunny Day Real Estate and the Fire Theft. More recently, he has been releasing solo material. Every bit of it is great. His emotive sound, vocal range and inspiring creativity continue to move me. When I listen back to some of his records, complete seasons of my life appear in front of me, incapsulated within the music. They are engrained in my soul.

"Heaven" is from the Fire Theft's 2003 self-titled album. It took my breath away the first time I heard it. So, so good. Let me know what you think.

 Enjoy,

 Christopher

     Recorded July 16-18. I've been missing purity in my voice for a while. Is it tired? Is it allergies? Is it over worked? All I know is, I'm getting frustrated with it. It hasn't been easy for a good long while. "It" isn't there right now. Sorry about that.

     "Heaven" written by the Fire Theft.

Week 28...

A friend of mine from Ridge Church recently lost her mom. In those situations, I don't always know the right words to say, so I thought I'd sing them. The old hymn, "It Is Well With My Soul" has always been there to comfort me in times of grief. Here is an instance.

When I was young, I did not like school. Nothing interested me. It wasn't that I was bad at certain subjects. It wasn't that it was hard. It was mostly that I didn't like doing something I wasn't interested in. Still don't, honestly. My eighth grade year, something changed. I was given a teacher who made me excited about learning. Mr. Ozment was my science teacher. He found a spark in me and knew how to build it into a flame. I performed wonderfully on his projects and tests; Even did my homework. That year, I started a Bible study group that met before school. Mr. Oz was our sponsor. I loved everything about the man and was sad when the year ended. Even though he was no longer my teacher, I would often make my way to his classroom, just to hang out with him.

One day, I was sick and stayed home from school. Later that afternoon, one of my friends called me on the phone to see how I was. He said, "I heard the news and figured you had to leave school." I was confused and said, "What news? That I was sick?" He replied, "No, that Mr. Ozment died of a heart attack this morning on the way to school." I remember not being able to speak. I was genuinely crushed to the point that no air was moving in and out of my lungs. When I finally could talk, I told him, "I have to go," and hung up the phone. I sat down on my bed, leaned over and turned on my radio, then laid down with tears in my eyes. The song that was playing through the speakers was, "It Is Well With My Soul." I just wept.

If you don't know the story behind the song, you can read it over here. Horatio Spafford lost everything, but he knew he served a God who is just and righteous. The same one that I serve. Sometimes the words may be hard to find, but there is peace in the arms of the Great Comforter. When everything seems to disappear, He is the only constant in this world. I am glad that I know who He is.

Enjoy,

Christopher

     Recorded July 16-18, 2012. This one goes out to Danielle and Brett. Praying for peace for you and yours.
     "It Is Well With My Soul" written by Horatio G. Spafford. Tune by Philip Bliss.

Vacation...

Betty Droppin' Bombs (the Suburban) heading out to sea...

Ummm... Yeah... I'm on vacation with my sweetheart. I'll be back next week with a double dose. I promise. In the meantime, listen to this song I penned for my dearest one.

Enjoy, 

Christopher

Week 27...

Celebrating America! Happy Fourth, y'all.

One of my latest obsessions is the talent and voice of Kimbra Lee Johnson. If you haven't heard her, go check out some of her live videos like this one! I promise you will enjoy it. She is powerful and creative. That's a fun mix.

I decided to take on a song called "Settle Down" from Kimbra's album, Vows. There are layers upon layers of vocals in this one. Tension filled and angelic harmonies all put together in this entertaining four minute piece of musical perfection. I don't know if she can do any wrong with that voice. I, on the other hand have been nursing a summer cold. That is why I was late posting. Please forgive the tardiness and raspy-ness of the recording. My bad.

There is a fun little circle that goes with this release. My buddy Adam introduced me to Kimbra's music. Kimbra is from New Zealand. Yesterday, I ate at New Zealand Cafe for the first time. New Zealand Cafe is Adam's favorite sushi place in town. See what I did there?

Happy Fourth of July! Go America!

Enjoy,

Christopher

     Recorded July 1-4, 2012. Thank you to Rachael, Lucas and Avery Kincaid and Michael and Austin McCallum for helping create the stomps and claps for this recording. Nice work, people. I recruited my two year old, Ames Emmanuel for the "Hey" parts near the end. He had already been singing them all week long. I figured it was only right to put him in there. He kills me.

     "Settle Down" written by Kimbra Johnson and Francois Tetaz.