joshua@fluke.UUCP (J.B. LaRue) (05/15/84)
There is another kind of music that has not been discussed on this net since I've been reading it. As the subject implies, I am into what is called 'Jesus (rock) Music'. 'In the Beginning', I was under the impression that all this religious music was a representation of the psalms and hymns that I used to sing in church. I now see that there is totally different kind of christian music: ALL labeled "Contemporary Christian Music". The problem here is that, as all you 'netters' found out, there are alot of various kinds of music to listen to (even in CCM). My subject for this message is the 'rock' in CCM. I would like to address this area to see how many people are aware of this, actually very fast growing industry. I am very closely associated with the particulars involved, being a recording artist myself. I have been surprised over and over by the artistry being opened up in the field. Many popular artists have been (to use a cliche' term) converted and are now performing and recording Christian music. Some examples are: Bob Dylan, Leon Pattillo (formerly of Santana), B.J. Thomas, 99% of Kansas, Donna Summers, Cliff Richards, etc Now this presents a question: Just what kind of music are these people NOW performing that they have 'changed'? It actually hasn't changed very much, except for the lyrics. They are the main thrust in any song (except for some we have heard...) and are that much more important in this kind of music, because of the intent of it. All I hope to do is to start a new conversation that will be of interesting topics. Happy Netting!!! JB
gtaylor@cornell.UUCP (05/21/84)
It's real possible that this column will fill up very quickly with flames about the relative merits of discussing "religious" music, the relatively mindless preoccupations of all such inclined folk, etc. To avoid the possible mess to come, I'll try to file early. Perhaps inadvertently, you've raised an interesting question that we batted back and forth during the recent classical brouhaha: the notion of music and special interest. (NOTE: for those of you who are ofended by the discussion of CHristian musicians, do a global substitute of band names like Prairie Fire, Style Council, and the Gang of Four wherever you see the name of an overtly religious artist. The discussion should maintain its same flavour). Being a rabid fan of Jacques Ellul and Walker Percy (and a fine Episcopalian to boot), I am certainly interested in others of like mind. My problem as a music critic is that very little of what I've heard in this area is very interesting musically. I can think of a couple of reasons for this:First, the approach that sets off a specific area and calls it "Christian" (or "Marxist" or "Buddhist") music has set up a hierarchy whereby the music itself is subservient to some identification with a group. This is not to say that individual artists don't or shouldn't identify with others of like mind: but the people who do CCM come across to me all too often as persons who do CHristian music rather than Christians who do music. As such there seems to be a sense in which style is constrained by the notion that whatever this music is, it had better be acceptable enough to the general public that they'll stay to hear "the message." All too often, it becomes a case where the only ones who stay to listen are the converted. Not that people of religious faith are the only ones affected by this. The drive to make "palatable music" is rampant in the marketplace, and the same drives which build a sense of conservatism and safety into it are also at work there. In addition, there's also a sense in which the propositional nature of a religious text-yes, even songs of "praise" fit into this category mean that the "words" have to be important. It is rather difficult to find bands who work for a "whole music" As a result of this, I tend to be continually disappointed by musicians who are firmly entrenched within the CCM cubbyhole (and it's not as if a lot of my friends don't keep hunting for people i'll "really like"). I also find that when asked to name Christian musicians, lots of CCm folks wind up pointing you at artists who are in that category I mentioned earlier- Christians who make music rather than people who do Christian Music: I'd cite Bruce Coburn, ATF, Bob Dylan (though everyone seems less than interested in him now that he's eitherbecome more Mseeianic or less overtly Fundementalist -I can't tell which merely on the basis of his music) and the ever popluar U2 and T-Bone Burnette as examples here. Their music stands on its own. Well, I hope that I've thrown out a few observations about belief and the act of making music that go beyond merely hunting up fan lists for our Christian faves (RalphVaughnWilliams "Mystical Songs"). ANd please don't think I've singled out Evangelical Fundementalism here as the bogey: the Orthodox Marxist is just as programmatic, pedantic, didactic, and boringly undanceable for just the same reasons. Pax en charis. gtaylor m f
gds@mit-eddie.UUCP (Greg Skinner) (05/21/84)
> My subject for this message is the 'rock' in CCM. I would like to >address this area to see how many people are aware of this, actually very >fast growing industry. I am very closely associated with the particulars >involved, being a recording artist myself. I have been surprised over and >over by the artistry being opened up in the field. Many popular artists >have been (to use a cliche' term) converted and are now performing >and recording Christian music. > Some examples are: Bob Dylan, Leon Pattillo (formerly of Santana), >B.J. Thomas, 99% of Kansas, Donna Summers, Cliff Richards, etc There are others. Al Green stopped recording popular music in the late 70's (I think) and became a minister (Baptist, I think). Paul (I Go Crazy) Davis records Christian music once in a while -- in 1980 he released a tune called "Do Right" with a spiritual theme. > Now this presents a question: Just what kind of music are these >people NOW performing that they have 'changed'? It actually hasn't changed >very much, except for the lyrics. They are the main thrust in any song >(except for some we have heard...) and are that much more important in this >kind of music, because of the intent of it. I wouldn't say that Donna Summer's music has changed too much (not enough for me to consider her a non-rocker). Her music has gotten more serious -- more addressive of social concerns (She Works Hard for the Money) and has more references to spirituality (State of Independence, Unconditional Love). I can't say much for the others, considering I haven't heard anything from them recently (didn't Kansas have an album out in '82? I don't remember anything different about it). On another note, Christian music/music about God, religion etc. has not been a stranger to popular music by any means. We have all heard, and will continue to hear, I'm sure, all about George Harrison and "My Sweet Lord", there was a song that came out in 1971 or so called "Put Your Hand in the Hand" by Ocean that had a religious theme. More recently, James Ingram/Michael McDonald's "Yah Mo B There". My favorite came out around 1969 or so, it was called "Oh Happy Day" done by the Edwin Hawkins Singers. These would make good quiz songs. Why am I giving them away? -- Be ye moby, for I am moby. Greg Skinner (White Gold Wielder) {decvax!genrad, eagle!mit-vax, whuxle, ihnp4}!mit-eddie!gds And he who wields white wild magic gold is a paradox ...
merchant@dartvax.UUCP (Peter Merchant) (05/21/84)
{ Why do I have this urge to utter "Jesus Christ!"? I guess I'm just weird. }
"Contemporary Christian Music" is done, from time to time, by various "non-
CCM" artists. However, it is usually a one-shot deal. I believe Donna
Summer's song came shortly after that marvelous piece of smut, "Love To Love
You Baby." Donna is, of course, back on the pop airwaves and I didn't notice
any CCM on her latest album "She Works Hard For The Money."
Some CCM is very good. The music that has good hooks and lyrics that don't
shove the artist's "belief" down your throat like a battering ram is quite
good. Some CCM artists, though, must be reminded that just because you
mention God in your song does not make a good song. Stop trying to convert
me.
--
"Someone must have blessed us when he gave us these songs..." -- Jim Steinman
Peter Merchantrcd@opus.UUCP (05/22/84)
I'll offer three (if I may dare to expand to "Judaeo-Christian rock")
currently performed in truly rockin' style:
The Greatest Story Ever Told
Samson and Delilah
[My] Brother Esau
...by the good ol' Grateful Dead. (You might want to be careful about
labeling their music, though:-)
--
...A friend of the devil is a friend of mine. Dick Dunn
{hao,ucbvax,allegra}!nbires!rcd (303) 444-5710 x3086got@houxf.UUCP (R.GOTTESMAN) (05/22/84)
On this subject, I must mention Phil Keaggy. He's a great guitar player and presents religious stuff in a way that I don't mind. Also, he has an album out called "The Master and the Musician" which is very similar to Anthony Phillips' "Geese and the Ghost" album. Phil used to be in a group called "Glass Harp" who made three albums in the early 70's. Phil's contributions to the "How the West was One" album has some excellent guitar work although it is a three-record set. Also, the album "Love Broke Thru" is very good and recommended. Bob Gottesman
etan@tellab1.UUCP (Nate Stelton) (05/22/84)
I'm a totally non-religious person, but there are some fantastic things
happening in the Christian Rock world. It seems to me that on the
average, Christian rock music is of a higher level of quality than your
average FM rock. On a few occasions (too few, I might add) I have come
across radio programs broadcasting this material and was BLOWN AWAY!
The form was sort of classical-rock or art-rock. I think enjoyers of ELP,
early Genesis, early Crimson, good Vanelli, middle period Renaissance
(the band) and fusion music would really get into it. I don't know who
most of the artists are, but Michael Omartian and Phil Keaggy are two
reccommendables.
I would like to hear from others who know more about this genre of music
in order to expand my record collection. However, please, no Jesus rap!
I've heard it already; I respect it greatly; but it's not a part of my
life.
-Nate (I don't have a cute signoff either,
but maybe some day...) rlr@pyuxn.UUCP (Rich Rosen) (05/23/84)
The Bongos' first album on PVC, "Drums Along the Hudson", makes use of Biblical references in the lyrics to many of the songs, esp. "The Bulrushes" (Oh, Sally, let's look for baby Moses). -- "Submitted for your approval..." Rich Rosen pyuxn!rlr
rs@hou3c.UUCP (rs) (05/23/84)
[] More Christian Contemporary Groups which non-Christians might be interested in listening to include: Jeruselem: Heavy Guitar and synthesizer work Servant: Very technical rock Seawind: Light Jazz-rock sound (leaning more toward jazz) Rez Band: (AKA The Resurrection Band) Very contemporary rock, their "Bootleg" Album is highly recommended Their are others but these come to mind immediately. Note that you might have great difficulty locating these records in a normal record shop. Even though the music is good, the people who order the records for these shops (e.g. Sam Goody stores, etc.) tend to "overlook" these artists. Go to a Christian Book Store (look in the phone book for one) and you probably find these and many other groups. Some stores have a rack of "demo" tapes for you to listen to before purchasing an album you haven't heard. Enjoy, Bob Switzer
ron@brl-vgr.ARPA (Ron Natalie <ron>) (05/24/84)
[Hot Rock Radio: If the records weren't free, we'd be ALL NEWS!] Actually, right after her first album for Geffin (which is interesting because it is a departure from the straight disco that she was doing before) called the Wanderer came out she discovered God and country music. There were pictures of here in pink cowgirl outfits and the like. Fortunately her next album and more recent concert appearances shows the new mainstream Donna. Although she still acknowledges the change in her life a devotion to Jesus has made, she's dumped country. I always thought it was funny that she went to country, pop disco was long dead and so was pop country. The format-of-the-week radio stations had already switched to something new. I think I'll just stick to listening to my Isaac Air Freight albums. -Ron
ron@brl-vgr.ARPA (Ron Natalie <ron>) (05/24/84)
By the way...My Sweet Lord (model of modern plagiarism) is not referring to Christianity. The entire background (formerly the Do Wah Do Wang part) is the Hare Krishna chant. -Ron
gds@mit-eddie.UUCP (Greg Skinner) (05/24/84)
A soundtrack album to the movie "Say Amen, Somebody" was recommended to
me as a great piece of Christian popular music. I heard it was really
uplifting, too!
--
[This space available
for rent.]
Greg Skinner (White Gold Wielder)
{decvax!genrad, eagle!mit-vax, whuxle, ihnp4}!mit-eddie!gds
And he who wields white wild magic gold is a paradox ...rlr@pyuxn.UUCP (Rich Rosen) (05/25/84)
> By the way...My Sweet Lord (model of modern plagiarism) is not referring > to Christianity. The entire background (formerly the Do Wah Do Wang part) > is the Hare Krishna chant. How dare you accuse George Harrison of plagiarism!!!!! I've studied his work extensively and... [WHOOPS! THOUGHT I WAS SOMEONE ELSE...] If I recall, the "Hare Krishna" chant was echoed in the second section of the song, while in the first verse the backing singers (really George Harrison as the "O'Hara Smith Singers") were chanting "Hallelujah". I always thought the Chiffons were singing "Doo lang doo lang doo lang" in "He's So Fine". Another example of Harrisonic plagiarism is cited in an interview with the still living member of Beaver & Krause, pioneers in electronic music. (Sorry, one of the two has died and I don't recall which one.) Anyway, in this interview, he described his trip to Harrison's house to show him how to use his new synthesizer. Little did he know Harrison was recording the "lesson", which was later released as his own album "Electronic Music". (He also remarked that Harrison had commented on being a vegetarian while sitting on his leather couch. He seemed very bitter about the whole experience.) On the positive side, Harrison has recorded some great music, including the rarely played "Savoy Truffle" from the white album. Note that Clapton and Lennon, respectively, are uncredited as co-authors to "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" (on which Clapton plays lead guitar) and "Taxman". Harrison and Lennon actually wrote together during the early years of the Beatles, collaborating on an instrumental called "Cry for a Shadow". -- "Submitted for your approval..." Rich Rosen pyuxn!rlr