What Else?
CHO
Well... I have been really looking at good groups and Christian
singers to listen too... And, some of the ones that I find extremely
blessed....are the following... (Note: These groups and singers aren't
neccessarily old...but ones that I like)
1) Farrell & Farrell -- A high energy/technopop group. They do very
few concerts nowadays and usually can be found in a Baptist conference
or something similiar... This is a man/wife team that have been
blessed (I think) in creativity and faithfulness. They have I do
believe 5 albums out: Jump to Conclusions, Decisions, Manifesto,
Superpower, and a Greatest Hits album. Check them out... :)
2) Newsong -- A seriously ministry oriented singing group composed
of some seriously talented musicians, a music minister, and a
converted secular artist. They are definitely the group to watch for!
Check out their song, "Light Your World." Incredible. I think they
have 3 albums out (not sure). Their music is high-energy, folksy,
and at times intimate. :)
3) First Call -- I am surprise I don't hear much about this group on
this newsgroup. Another wonderfully talented and blessed singing
group. These people have serious voices...and you'll be impressed
by their singing. They are humorous, convicting...and can shift
anywhere from "Graceland" style songs, to "popish", to just plain
Praise music... :)
4) Michael Card -- A singer/scholar of high calibre. If you get a
chance to see this guy in concert. By all means do so... He is just
so incredible in his minisitry...yet so very humble. For a good sample
of his stuff, may I suggest "The Final Word." He is a no non-sense
musician with only one thing on his mind... Glorifying the Lord.
His stuff rides from praise, to folk, to powerful high-energy music.
5) Imperials -- This group is as old as it sounds... Been around for
a while and their ministry is still goin strong. They can play with
the best... technopop, high-energy, traditional, and yes...they tend
to come out with innovative pieces too. A number of artists that
are now promiment in the Christian sector come from this group.
Probably the most prominent is....hmmm...well, I wanna say Russ Taff.
Yes, I think thats right.
6) Harvest -- A down to earth, convicting group... Not big on fame,
but big on the Word. My favorite from them is the song "Go." And,
if you like a nice acoustic guitar, piano, and light drums...this is
a group to hear.
7) The Praise Band -- I know many of you have heard of the Maranatha
singers... Well, 3 guys and 3 gals from that group of talented singers
decided to start a "band". A praise band to be more precise.
Definitely high-energy and yet they can be so soft and intimate.
They really bring out the best in some of the praise songs they
sing...and yes...they do occaisionally come out with their own stuff.
8) Steve Green -- Another great singer who is set on Glorifying the
Lord. He sings anywhere frmo praise to large beautiful orchestral
pieces. Some of his songs that I really adore are "The Mission" and
"What Are the Words?" He also has albums out in Spanish... A real
must see in concert too.
9) Keith Green -- Need I say anymore? A man whose ministry still
lives on... Probably one of the most influential singers ever. I find
praise songs galore....written by him. His music has that 70s sound,
and his music can be funny...and extremely convicting. I adore the
man greatly...for he truly had a heart for God. Oh, and he is an
awesome piano player. You might want to read his biography and his
published journals... To sum Keith Green: No Compromise.
10) Phil & John -- A relatively new group from the UK. Has a very
European soft technopop sound to them... Their music is I guess what
you'd call soft-techno-pop. They only have two albums out (the first
being "The Lonely Dancer"). They are beautifully subtle in their
music...but any Christian wilk know what they are talking about...
I think. :)
11) Recess -- A relatively new high-energy/technopop group. For a good
sample, check out their first album, "Recess". My favorite from them
is a song called Search Me. I don't know too much about this group,
but their spectrum of music hits from almost pseudo-metal to soft
pop.
12) Twila Paris -- A wonderfully blessed songwriter... Many of her
praise songs are sung in churches and college groups. She sings with
a beautiful voice...and her style is either praise, intimate, or...
or...well, you'll just have to check her out. :) I look at her as I
had looked at the Amy Grant prior to "The Collection" Twila's life
is devoted to missions...
13) Jamie Paige -- I have to put this guy down, even if you'll
probably never find his albums... A wonderful singer...whose songs
are Word-based...and just an all-out glorifying of the Lord. I hope
one day, he'll take some time off his travelling ministry and put
some of those wonderful songs on an easily attainable Christian record
label. :)
Well...there are a few others...but some are mentioned already on this
group...and I dont want to make this too long (yeah right!). Nuff
said! God Bless all! -John Cho
Paul Andrew Bennett
>
>Well... I have been really looking at good groups and Christian
>singers to listen too... And, some of the ones that I find extremely
>blessed....are the following... (Note: These groups and singers aren't
>neccessarily old...but ones that I like)
>
...9 band reviews deleted...
>
>10) Phil & John -- A relatively new group from the UK. Has a very
>European soft technopop sound to them... Their music is I guess what
>you'd call soft-techno-pop. They only have two albums out (the first
>being "The Lonely Dancer"). They are beautifully subtle in their
>music...but any Christian wilk know what they are talking about...
>I think. :)
>
Not bad - at least you were 50% right :)
Phil and John actually have four albums out: "Lonely Dancer", "Don't look
now...it's the hallelujah brothers" (produced by Steve Taylor and Lynn
Nichols, of Chagall Guevara fame...), "Live!" and "Shine Like America"
(although I think I heard that this last one would be released under a
different title in the states).
"Live!" is undoubtedly their best album. In fact, had I only heard their
studio stuff, I'd never have taken these guys as Musicians. That may seem
hard, but when compared to their set, the albums are _bland_ to say the
least.
Phil & John's set generally includes a lot of anecdotes / banter, and it
is this that makes the guys a pleasure to watch. Some of this comes
across on the live album, as do a couple of Simon & Garfunkel covers.
Unfortunately, they may see the live album as a mistake. Their banter
hasn't changed considerably for quite a while now, so when I last saw
them (at Greenbelt 90), their gig could have been a huge flop. Why?
Because most of the crowd had memorised the jokes. Amazingly, though,
the guys bounced off this, joking about the audience, encouraging
participation, and ended with possibly my favorite gig of all time.
Rumours round here tell me that a video of this gig will be release by
Word Records probably at Greentbelt 91 (late August), tentitively
titled "The Day Phil & John Died at Greenbelt".
If you can't see them (I don't know how much touring they do outside
the Uk - most of their time is spent doing the University circuit over
here), I can strongly recommend this video - it should have you rolling
around on the floor in laughter, but also pondering the lyrics of their
last song - they got the audience singing a Christian chorus, and left
in the middle of it. A truly original way to finish a gig, and certainly
a challenging one. (What have I just sung...?).
>
>Well...there are a few others...but some are mentioned already on this
>group...and I dont want to make this too long (yeah right!). Nuff
>said! God Bless all! -John Cho
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