Create

The Rapture - In The Grace Of Your Love

2012-01-11T09:12:00.000-08:00

The Rapture

This is a subject that has got lots of tounges wagging. I am not talking about being taken up in the air with the eschatological theology of many North Americans. I am talking about a band.
I was introduced to this band by my brother who was able to get tickets to a london gig.

It is not a brand new album but I thought I would do a quick review as I have been enjoying it.

"In The Grace Of Your Love" is The Rapture's Third studio. Hailing from New York the band serve a blend of indie rock, post-punk and electronic sounds.
In The Grace Of Your Love
Is an eleven track delight with a mix of genres. The stand tracks are "Sail away" which has received some coverage on sports programmes in the UK and would fit into a Fifa soundtrack nicely. The vocals are higher end with open snares on the drum kit. There is lots of hammer on hammer off action on the guitars which have an 80's feel.

In The Grace Of Your Love is another stand out track and has profound and liberating lyrics. "In the Grace of your love you don't turn me away, in the grace of your love no-one ever dies."

"How deep is your love"- has an anthemic feel with an almost Gospel ending, bring in the choir for the re-mix.

"Come back to me" and "Can You find a Way"" have the biggest dance/electronic influences.

I was quite pleased to have seen the band live before hearing the album. They are a really tight band, and talented musicians who create energy and space on stage.

If you have not checked "The Rapture" check them out now before it's too late!

Track list

1. Sail Away 5:21
2. Miss You 4:10
3. Blue Bird 3:06
4. Come Back To Me 5:38
5. In The Grace Of Your Love 5:36
6. Never Die Again 3:59
7. Roller Coaster 3:41
8. Children 3:56
9. Can You Find A Way? 2:52
10. How Deep Is Your Love? 6:27
11. It Takes Time To Be a Man 5:41

Rapture Website

Boy with Compass

2011-12-01T08:34:00.000-08:00

"Boy With Compass" are an Aberdeen outfit who bring a refreshing breath of air to the Scottish Music Scene.
A music-making collective consisting of Donald Thomas - vocals, guitars, harmonium, thumb piano; David Roy - guitar, harmonium, melodica, bass, percussion, vocals; Samuel Tranter - myriad percussion peculiarities, etc.; give or take two or three, or four.

Musically the band have an Acoustic led sound with additional instruments that fit in with layered sounds and at times the lightest of touches.
The EP "This Dear City" is easy to listen to without being "Easy listening".
The vocals often sit higher in the mix and have nods to indie bands such as "Athlete".
The EP seems to develop in the number of layered sounds and ends with the crescendo of "How many roads" with the searing guitars and drums taking the EP into the final road home.
It is well worth adding this EP to your collection.

Track list
Abandoned Fireworks
Crux
Almost Home
How many roads

Listen to and buy CD here http://boywithcompass.bandcamp.com/

Leigh Nash Hymns and Sacred songs Review

2011-11-30T02:31:00.000-08:00

Leigh Nash's name is often associated with the name "Sixpence None The Richer".
The song that most people would have heard her vocals on is"Kiss me".

Leigh Nash's work with "Sixpence None The Richer" was always intriguing and was on the creative edge in comparison to ready made CCM.
There are creative artists who get others to think about God but are willing to explore the darker days as well as the good times. Artists who use metaphor and parabolic language to intrigue and inspire others. I was therefore surprised to hear "leigh Nash" making a Worship album. Is this not an Oxymoron to what I have just described? It is useful to know that Leigh's journey has not been all together easy and her desire to do this album as been fuelled by an exploration of these hymns and sacred songs as a way of helping her worship.

So what is the album like?
The vocals are great and the songs have had a re-working to incorporate her style.

Musically there are some roots sounds as well as nods to "Sufjan Stevens". Many of the songs display an ability to keep a distinct unique sound without re-working the hymn too much. There is a familiar tune "In Christ Alone" which has been remade as "Power of the Cross".
If you enjoyed "Sixpence None The Richer" you will enjoy this, if you like "Hymns and Sacred songs" you will also enjoy this.

1 Saviour, Like A Shepherd Lead Us
2 Come Thou Fount Of Every Blessing
3 Isaiah 55 (Nothing You Can't Do)
4 O Heart Bereaved And Lonely
5 Power Of The Cross
6 Give Myself To You
7 Come, Ye Thankful People, Come
8 Blessed Redeemer
9 Out Of My Bondage
10 Song Of Moses
11 Praise The Lord Who Reigns Above
12 Be Still My Soul

U2 Achtung baby uncovered Q magazine CD - review

2011-10-26T10:52:00.000-07:00

Q magazine must be bumping up their sales this month with an exclusive CD called “Ahk toon Bay - Bi) a play on the name “Achtung Baby.”
The Cd includes a number of bands doing covers of each track on Achtung baby.

The Tracks are

1) Zoo Station - Nine Inch Nails

2) Even better than the real thing - (Jaques Lu Cont mix)

3) One - Damien RIce

4) Until the end of the World - Patti Smith

5) Whose gonna ride your wild horses - Garbage

6) So Cruel - Depeche Mode

7) Gavin friday - The fly

8) Mysterious Ways - Snow Patrol

9) Trying to throw your arms around word - The Fray

10) Ultra violet (light my way) - The Killers

11) Acrobat - Glasvegas

12) Love is blindness - Jack White

U2 played a lot of Achtung Baby at Glastonbury and the set was not that impressive. It seem tired uncolourful and in need a fresh splash of songs to brighten up the whole thing.

A remastered version of Achtung baby is on the way but for now we are now given a re-working of the album by various artists.
Albums Covered by different artists can be hit and miss. Think of an open mic night and people doing covers and each person has a different take on a song. Some try to copy the song and others try to mash it up doing a total re-make, whilst others sit in the middle and change it a little bit but play it safe.

I thought I would give a brief description on each song.

1) Zoo Station - Nine Inch Nails - they seem to go for the similar approach and it is ok but a bit too similar to the original.

2) Even better than the real thing - (Jaques Lu Cont mix) - This seems a strange place for this song to come - ok it’s a remix but features “Bono’s” vocal it maybe better as the last track on the album. It is odd hearing his vocal the second track in does not really set the tone of a cover album

3) One - Damien RIce - This is a fairly smooth version that sounds very like “Damien Rice” it is a good version and does not try to be Bono or ham up the song too much.

4) Until the end of the World - Patti Smith - This is one of the best versions, it changes pace, keeps the song loose and is in keeping with the artist.

5) Whose gonna ride your wild horses - Garbage - I’m not a big fan of garbage and this seems a surprise band to ask. This version is well done and had been thought through in keeping with the band’s sound.

6) So Cruel - Depeche Mode - I was looking forward to this track and thought it would be more electronic and current. The vocal sounds more U2 than Depeche Mode would be better if it has some classic Mode all over it.

7)Gavin friday - The fly - Gavin is a friend of the band that goes way back. He knows their songs. This is quite interesting musically it has a diversity to the sound.

8) Mysterious Ways - Snow Patrol - This sounds like Snow patrol, they have clearly gone for a decision to slow the track down but it is maybe a bit too slow in contrast to the original. The key reason the melody works in the original is because of it’s momentum.

9) Trying to throw your arms around word - The Fray - ever been a supermarket and heard a version of a band and thought is that??? U2? then realised no it is one of those cheaper versions that they put out in store to save royalty money. Ok that sounds a little harsh maybe its because it’s on track 9.

10) Ultra violet (light my way) - The Killers - If the Killers released this as a single it would go top ten, it’s fresh sounds current and is well produced. I guess The Killers have been the best U2 cover band anyway.

11) Acrobat - Glasvegas - I like the Scottish accent in the Vocals and the energy it is great rock and a big tune

12) Love is blindness - Jack White - Great energy and keeps to his own style a good ending.

So what is the best track?
I think “The Killers” song is the freshest and best track and sounds least rushed.

Considering the Magazine is £4.50 it is worth a buy.

Idiot abroad series 2 - Episode 2 Russia review and personal reflection on trans-siberian

2011-10-05T08:00:00.000-07:00

It was interesting to See Karl went on the trans-siberian train. I have been on that very train twice and it was like smell-a-vision for me. I could smell the sweaty train carriages and can still remember the pungent smelling toilets that had no toliet cleaning squished down it. (buy a few duck things! lemon fresh).
karl set off on the train and experienced the variety of classes that is found on the trans-siberian train. The open carriage was a challenge to him as there are people who are sleeping everywhere, dressed and half-dressed.
The magnetic man was intriguing, karl had fun putting spoons on his face and yes they stuck him.

I recall it being a particular challenge turning on the bed (shelf) as you could easily fall off. Idiot abroad gave a good account of what it is like to travel on the train and in particular the boredom. Anybody in the UK knows how frustrating it is when a 5 hour train journey turns into 8hrs. Try spending 72hrs on a train. The view out of the window tends to be silver birch trees and silver birch trees. There are also little summer houses that look like your Grandad's allotment shed.
In this Episode Karl was able to get off the train and be treated to a rough massage as well as, getting involved in a wrestling match in mongolia. This was a unique experience. The most mind blowing thing Karl did was going to the space station, where he was spun around in one of those James Bond style pods until he reached some G force. Hat's off to karl for doing this a brave man!

As the episode went on he ended up in China where it seems he had a more positive experience compared to his last one.
This series seems to be at a faster pace, and more edited to create that momentum. It is more varied with karl having a variety of tasks within one show.

As I have been on the trans-siberian (am I am boring you with that info yet) I thought it would be fun to give you a few things that Karl might have been experienced on the trans-siberian that could have featured.

1) Hot water Urn - there is a hot water urn for classes 2 and beyond, we spent the whole time using it for pot noodles and super noodles. It took a couple of years before I could face a noodle again.

2)Meat flavoured doughnut - When you stop at a train station there are many things to buy. One of those most intriguing foods we bought was a meat doughnut. Imaging biting into a doughnut an expecting some jam in the centre only to find a meaty paste on your taste buds.

3) Police giving you grief on the train - a number of times we had the Police giving us some grief. The worst was being giving a warning that we were going to be thrown off the train. They though we had drugs and lots of dirty cash (bibles maybe).

4) Vodka cheaper than Water - Moscow is expensive the rest of the country is not as expensive. Vodka seems to be cheaper than Water.

5) Buffet car - nobody is ever in it - there was a shot with karl in the buffet car and nobody was in it. There is never anybody in it. Unlike a UK train where we seem to queue for 15 mins to get a Kit-Kat

New Kindle Fire Demo

2011-09-29T09:50:00.000-07:00

I have put a video of the new Kindle Fire being demonstrated below.

What is the Kindle Fire?
Here is some blurb on it.

The new Kindle fire builds on the success of the Kindle e-reader and now allows the user to engage in full colour on a 7 inch screen.

It has -
* 18 million movies, TV shows, songs, magazines, and books
* Amazon Appstore - thousands of popular apps and games
* Ultra-fast web browsing - Amazon Silk

* Free cloud storage for all your Amazon content
* Vibrant color touchscreen with extra-wide viewing angle
* Fast, powerful dual-core processor

Is it a challenge to the IPad 2?

The $199 (£128) colour touchscreen tablet called the Kindle Fire was unveiled at a press conference in New York with all the secrecy and prerelease teasing Apple usually sprinkles on its launches.

The new Kindle is far less advanced than the iPad. It doesn't offer a mobile connection, working only with Wi-Fi; it doesn't have a camera or microphone; and its screen, at 7 inches, is smaller than the iPad, at 9.7 inches.

However, at half the price, analysts said it presents the first serious challenge to the iPad's dominance of the tablet market, as Bezos tries to build on the success of his company's Kindle book reader with a colour-screen, multimedia offering for US consumers. In Britain, buyers will have to wait until next year at the earliest.

However it really is a threat. The Kindle fire is enabling the book reader to do more and yet still trust the name "kindle".

Will this change the way we interact with books?
I think in time this will. Look around most homes. How many new CD's or Dvd's are on the shelves? Many people know have most things stored on their computer and can watch through their wide screen TV. Books look nice but there will be less need to have a physical book.

This all has implications for communication and for word based teaching. How will publishers get on board with this? I suspect that like CD's there will be still a market for people wanting the physical product but in time there will be less books on our shelves.

Review of Vice Verses Switchfoot Album

2011-09-17T12:02:00.000-07:00

Switchfoot's 8th album "Vice verses" brings the same energy, passion and lyrical intrigue as former albums.
Vice Verses treats us to social commentary, a reflection on the human condition, views on the past, the future and the present. If you are an avid Switchfoot fan you might say "what's new?" you will of course be aware that previous albums deal with such lyrical content. One of the key differences is the freedom and flow of the songs musically. Switchfoot no longer need to bow to the record company board room nor need to check into a hit factory machine. We are treated to a range of sounds that convey a range of lyrics but are held together with a cohesive truth.

Afterlife
This songs starts with a classic Switchfoot guitar sound and will not disappoint people who love to see the band live. It sounds similar to some of the "Hello Hurricane" tracks in sound.
"I've tasted fire i'm ready to come alive". "I'm ready now, I'm ready now, I'm not waiting for the afterlife". This is a call to live our lives and enjoy the now as well as future that is to come.

The original
This song takes us back to more of an orignal "Switchfoot" sound, you can imagine surfers driving along to the beach with this blaring in their cars, It is sunny, quirky, bright and tasty.

The war inside
This song reminds me of an 80's track from somewhere. (in a good way) Jon talks/sings the first verse in an almost rap.

Restless
This is one of the best tracks that combines the best of the bands talents. Strong melody, strong emotions, and strong reflection of our human state. "I am restless, I am restless, looking for you." This song reflects our brokeness, as we are looking to find rest in a fallen world.

Blinding light
Nice light guitar touches on a radio friendly track with a louder drum and bass section. This song reflects some of the earlier albums that featured a greater use of drum and bass with vocals that follow the guitar rhythms.

Selling News
We are introduced to almost spoken word from Jon. Hats off to the band for trying some new sounds and attempts to stretch their creative production. "suspicion is the new religion".
"fact is fiction"

Thrive
A vocal melody that follows the guitar melody, with more loops and sounds that layer their way up through the song. It is a nice warm sound less digital sounding.

Dark Horses
A song that has been previously heard on the bands website. This is full fat rock. There are no fat free guitar licks on this track. This is moving, motoring and enthralling.
"I've made my mistakes, I've seen my heart cave in" "it's not over now, we've been down but we are neverout"

Souvenirs
A medium pace song with atmosphere. The song builds into layered guitars with some nice production. This has a cinematic qualities and could match the plot of a film about the past.

Rise above it
High end guitars with a slight nod to friendly fires along eith more rap esque intro. This song is encouraging us to not take the bait to give into what often draws us in and drags us in the wrong way.

Vice Verses
A beautiful song that has the lightest of touches, ambience, and intrigue. The band have shown great restraint in not changing this song midway. "everything seems rusted over, tell me that you are there". Feel the pain, honesty and truth in this song. A song the band can be very proud of.

Where I belong
This song gives a nod to Arcade fire whilst remaining very much Switchfoot. The song deals with the tension of what you might call the present Kingdom and the Future kingdom. It displays Jon's knowledge of C.S.Lewis writings and has a strong eschatological flavour.
"Still looking for a home in a world where I belong",it has a gospel even Hymnal Quality.

It could be easy for a band like Switchfoot to lose momentum, to lessen in creativity and the passion to play. Their 8th album brings together the tensions of life that are seen through 20/20 vision no sign of any rose tints glasses here.
Well worth buying.

Switchfoot Album Vice verses is available on September 27 2011

Official Video of Restless

Worship Central Album Review - Spirit Break Out

2011-09-10T06:59:00.000-07:00

This is a live worship Album recorded by the guys at Worship Central.It features many songs by Tim Hughes, Ben Cantelon, Al Gordon, Nikki Fletcher and Others. 1) Spirit of the Living God 2) New Day (feat. Ben Cantelon) 3) Saviour of the World (feat. Ben Cantelon) 4) At Your Name (feat. Tim Hughes) 5) Wait for You (feat. Nikki Fletcher) 6) Spirit Break Out (feat. Luke Hellebronth & Myles Dhillon) 7) Heaven's Roar (Spontaneous) (feat. Tim Hughes) 8) Now Is the Time for Us (feat. Luke Hellebronth) 9) For Your Glory (feat. Ben Cantelon & Myles Dhillon) . 10) Sing Alleluia (feat. Al Gordon) 11) Counting On Your Name (feat. Tim Hughes) 12) Wake Up (feat. Tim Hughes) 13) Undivided Love (feat. Ben Cantelon) 14 All Glory (feat. Nikki Fletcher)Live worship albums often given us the sense of a collective group of people joining together in praise. There can also seem more space and flexibility. A recent release by Matt Redman brought about a great vitality with most of his songs on "10,000 Reasons" being new. "Spirit Break Out" is an album featuring songs that will be familiar with crowds attending Soul Survivor and similar events. The songs are well played and it is a great recording, "Spirit Break Out" is the title track and features a rap which may not be replicated by thousands of churches but works at a festival or conference. "Saviour Of the World" seems to work really well and is a great missional song. "Sing Alleluia" creates a melodic break in the album which is welcome. It is useful to have songs that are not just driven by the lyric or the Chord structure but by a variety of melodic sounds."All Glory" Is a helpful song in turning us towards the majesty and glory of God. It seems that worship music is reaching a cross roads which matches current theological perspectives in the sub cultural world. If these are songs for the worshipping community let's have songs that help us be more of a community who worships God as opposed to, me,myself and my little 'ol faith. Let's turn our eyes to the one we are worshipping his name is Jesus and lets look to see Jesus in each other as we come together as his body. Many of the songs on this album help us to focus on Jesus and it is worth a listen.The Album is available on September 12 2011 on ITUNES and online Worship central

Is this the end for 3D films?

2011-08-26T02:17:00.000-07:00

You may have a love hate relationship with 3D? I remember wearing 3D glasses in the 80's that were red and blue but let's face it did very little in terms of changing the vision of the film.
The latest 3D technology is effective and does work. It does however raise some questions for me.
Do we need it? Is this just a money making scheme by film producers?
3D films change the cinema experience it feels more like a theme park experience at times. Bullets flying towards you, spaceships going over your head, people jumping off cliffs and somewhere in the midst of these explosions there maybe a narrative.
The narrative is what I think has suffered the most. Great films draw you in and build suspense, they encourage you to relate to the characters and tell you a great story. There have been so many blockbuster movies that simply don't tell a great story if hardly at all.
I recall the Cinema as a very special place as a kid. I would go and immerse myself in the wonder of film and the ambience of the cinema. There were lots of people around to serve you. The people in the booth who knew something about films. The ticket person, the person on the top of the stairs, the ice cream ladies selling you treats in the interval as you paused to take hold of a "Cornetto" (I am sure they were bigger then)
Critics may suggest I am harping back to the "Good old days" and I need to move on. I embrace technology and love newness, however 3D in the cinema has never engaged me and I can't see it lasting into the future.
3D TV maybe a different case, and I have friends who have described football and other sports on 3D as amazing. I suggest we leave the cinema 2D and if you want to go for a multi-sensory experience go to a theme park or at least and IMAX.

I was inspired to write this piece after watching an episode of "The Culture Show" on BBC 2. If you are in the UK check out the link below.

Latest Culture show looking at Film

Society Broken? How can we know true love and respect?

2011-08-15T10:35:00.000-07:00

Society broken? How can we know true love and respect?

A few weeks ago I did a talk that looks at serving others and in particular the family. The passage I look at in Colossians looks at Marriage and Parents and Children, loving, serving and respecting each other. It seems apt in the light of the recent Riots in England and the debates to post this on this Blog.

Self-service? Sermon on Colossians 3:18-4:1 - Clive Parnell from Clive Parnell on Vimeo.

The Evolution of Shopping

2011-08-03T04:23:00.000-07:00

Shopping has dramatically changed over the past 30 years. Once upon a time we walked to the local shop and could buy just about anything. As we strolled through the door with the chimes of a bell ringing we would be greeted by "John" who would know our name, where we lived and our whole family. "John" would stock a whole range of food and was delighted to inform us of how apples varied in taste, along with how to fit a curtain rail using his nails and screws he had under the shelf. The key difference was the exchange of cash was highly relational and bedded in a closer community life.

The next stage in the evolution of shopping is the supermarket. Remember "Safeway?" In the UK they are no more. The supermarket seemed very exciting as a kid. I would walk down the aisles blown away by the choice, I did not need John telling me what apples I could eat I could immerse my self in individual choice, and the range of cereals now expanded beyond cornflakes and Rice Crispies. In going into the supermarket and moving beyond the cornershop we got to know the name of the teller but they did not know ours. We know knew it was "Sue" serving us at the till as her name badge declared it. If however we choose to say "Hi Sue" she would have probably have freaked out "uh How do you know my name?" The supermarket gives us greater choice but lessens the relationships we might have once had.

The evolution of shopping moved beyond the Supermarket with the introduction of the internet. We can now order our shopping to arrive on our doorstep without even leaving the house. We engage online and put our order in without having to talk to a single human being until he or she arrives at our door. The human often arrives to declare that there are ten things we ordered on the list that are no longer available and they have been substituted. The substitution consists of tomatoes being substituted for courgettes and apples for pears. The introduction of the internet has helped us in our busy lifestyles but does decrease our human contact.

The final stage that we are currently at in the evolution of shopping is the self-service checkout. This enables us to go into the supermarket to walk all the way round gathering our own food in our basket. We Then take our food to the till and serve our selves. We have autonomy. Where did this desire to not have to deal with other humans come from?
Has technology decreased our ability for social interaction?
Are we buying into a culture of self service?
We find life when we serve others. Life is not supposed to be a solo flight. We are made to be in community, we need to connect with others. Are we purely serving ourselves? Are we willing to serve others and be served?

Retro Treasure In The Attic?

2011-07-18T09:56:00.000-07:00

I have been clearing out our house over the past few weeks along with my family. It is amazing what you discover in your attic and your cupboards. There are many books, magazines and clothes that are just not read or used anymore. The most striking things not being used are things that were contemporary at one stage. These things mostly relate to technology and were seen as the latest edgy thing. I have listed such items below and thought some of them were quite amusing. Hope they bring back a memory or two for you. It also reminds me that we can store up lots of things on this earth, some small things, and some even like treasure. I guess we should store up a little less and live for what lasts.

1.modems

2.Software disc for 56K dial up and lots of software discs for computers

3.4 Ethernet cables

4.countless scart leads - (HD killed them off)

5.Many many cassettes, music and talks

6.Numerous videos, even some original star wars ones

7.Mini Discs - this is odd, I really did think that these were so cutting edge and here to stay (Mp3's put them out in the cold)

8.User manuals for many of the above

9.Lots of CD-RW discs

10.Floppy discs (such little memory looking back)

Glastonbury main line up

2011-06-23T03:44:00.000-07:00

Glastonbury takes place this weekend and has some big hitters and some good underground bands.

Festivals always remind we are worshippers. We are born to worship someone or something, that maybe ourselves, work, relationship, God or music. When you look out on the sea of people singing with their hands in the air, abandoned to the music, ask you yourself the question who am I worshipping?

Artist Start Time End Time Stage Day

U2 22:00 23:45 Pyramid Friday
Morrissey 20:00 21:15 Pyramid Friday
Biffy Clyro 18:15 19:15 Pyramid Friday
B.B. King 16:30 17:45 Pyramid Friday
Wu-Tang Clan 15:00 16:00 Pyramid Friday
Two Door Cinema Club 13:30 14:30 Pyramid Friday
Metronomy 12:05 13:00 Pyramid Friday
The Master Musicians of Joujouka 11:00 11:40 Pyramid Friday

Coldplay 22:15 23:45 Pyramid Saturday
Elbow 20:15 21:30 Pyramid Saturday
Paolo Nutini 18:30 19:30 Pyramid Saturday
Tinie Tempah 17:00 18:00 Pyramid Saturday
Rumer 15:30 16:20 Pyramid Saturday
The Gaslight Anthem 13:45 14:45 Pyramid Saturday
Tame Impala 12:15 13:15 Pyramid Saturday
Stornoway 11:00 11:45 Pyramid Saturday

Beyoncé 21:45 23:15 Pyramid Sunday
Pendulum 19:45 21:00 Pyramid Sunday
Plan B 18:15 19:15 Pyramid Sunday
Paul Simon 16:30 17:45 Pyramid Sunday
Laura Marling 15:00 16:00 Pyramid Sunday
Don McLean 13:30 14:30 Pyramid Sunday
The Low Anthem 12:10 13:00 Pyramid Sunday
Fisherman's Friends 11:00 11:45 Pyramid Sunday

Primal Scream 22:30 23:45 Other Stage Friday
Mumford & Sons 20:45 22:00 Other Stage Friday
Fleet Foxes 19:10 20:15 Other Stage Friday
Bright Eyes 17:35 18:40 Other Stage Friday
The Wombats 16:10 17:05 Other Stage Friday
The Vaccines 14:50 15:40 Other Stage Friday
The Naked & Famous 13:30 14:20 Other Stage Friday
Brother 12:15 13:05 Other Stage Friday
Chipmunk 11:00 11:50 Other Stage Friday

The Chemical Brothers 22:30 23:45 Other Stage Saturday
White Lies 21:00 22:00 Other Stage Saturday
Friendly Fires 19:30 20:30 Other Stage Saturday
Jimmy Eat World 18:00 19:00 Other Stage Saturday
The Kills 16:30 17:30 Other Stage Saturday
Jessie J 15:00 16:00 Other Stage Saturday
Twilight Singers 13:30 14:30 Other Stage Saturday
Treetop Flyers 12:20 13:00 Other Stage Saturday
Alice Gold 11:00 11:50 Other Stage Saturday

Queens of the Stone Age 22:00 23:15 Other Stage Sunday
Kaiser Chiefs 20:30 21:30 Other Stage Sunday
Eels 19:00 20:00 Other Stage Sunday
TV on the Radio 17:30 18:30 Other Stage Sunday
Bombay Bicycle Club 16:00 17:00 Other Stage Sunday
Noisettes 14:30 15:30 Other Stage Sunday
Cold War Kids 13:05 14:00 Other Stage Sunday
Clare Maguire 12:00 12:40 Other Stage Sunday
Dan Mangan 11:00 11:35 Other Stage Sunday

There are also 100's of other bands, check Glastonbury

Review of Matt redman Album 10,000 reasons

2011-06-21T03:42:00.000-07:00

Matt Redman 10,000 reasons

This album sounds fresh and vibrant as it has been recorded live. There is something special about this album. There have been plenty of live albums that can sound a bit obvious and overdone. This is often due to the songs already being familiar if not over familiar. 10,000 reasons is not one of those albums. Matt brings his experience and passion to the table. A songwriter probably most known for (heart of worship and Blessed be your name) he has the knowledge of how to write a good song and bring about worshipful intimacy with vibrancy. I appreciate songs that often reflect honesty, Matt’s honesty resonates with our own journey. The stand out songs on this album are in that mode. They combine strong melodies with honest heart felt lyrics. “10,000 reasons (Bless the Lord) is probably the strongest song on the album. It is full of melody and space, “whatever may pass and whatever lies before me, let me be singing when the evening comes, Bless the Lord oh my Soul, Oh my soul, Worship his holy name, sing like never before, oh my soul worship his holy name.”
“Never once” is another standout track that relates the reality of life to our everyday worship. “scars and struggles on the way, yet our hearts can say, yes our hearts can say, never once did we ever walk alone, never once did you leave us on our own, God you are faithful, God you are faithful.”
This is a refreshing album that brings strong songs to the individual worshipper as well as the worshipping community.

Track listing

We are the free
Here for you
Holy
10,000 reasons (bless the Lord)
Fires
Never once
Where we would be
We could change the world
Magnificent
Oh this God
Endless hallelujah

Hear Matt talking about the new Album

review of "Every teardrop is a watefall"

2011-06-03T14:10:00.000-07:00

You Can hear the new track by Coldplay "every teardrop is a waterfall" by clicking the link above. The lyrics are below.

The song has the anthemnic hallmarks of Coldplay but somehow sounds a little different. The drum sound is not so full kick drum, and the piano has been replaced by a synth keyboard which makes it drag a little less. I suspect the success of "Mumford and Sons" has influenced a little bit of a folky/guitar lick that is also giving nods to 80's simple minds or even has the hint of the band "James".
I suspect the instrumental version will be overplayed on the x factor as the contestants cry their eyes out when departing their 14.5 minutes of fame, 30 seconds short of the famous 15 minutes.
Coldplay don't stray into new land with this track and in many ways keep the music the same and the lyrics straight forward. In saying this it appears that only a band such as Coldplay can get away with singing lyrics like "BUT MY HEART IS BEATING AND MY PULSES START CATHEDRALS IN MY HEART" I have never imagined having a cathedral in my heart but I guess it does rhyme with Start if you are looking for a rhyme.
An engaging pop song but one that will wear out after a few plays.

I TURN THE MUSIC UP, I GOT MY RECORDS ON
I SHUT THE WORLD OUTSIDE UNTIL THE LIGHTS COME ON
MAYBE THE STREETS ALIGHT, MAYBE THE TREES ARE GONE
I FEEL MY HEART START BEATING TO MY FAVOURITE SONG

AND ALL THE KIDS THEY DANCE, ALL THE KIDS ALL NIGHT
UNTIL MONDAY MORNING FEELS ANOTHER LIFE
I TURN THE MUSIC UP
I'M ON A ROLL THIS TIME
AND HEAVEN IS IN SIGHT

I TURN THE MUSIC UP, I GOT MY RECORDS ON
FROM UNDERNEATH THE RUBBLE SING A REBEL SONG
DON'T WANT TO SEE ANOTHER GENERATION DROP
I'D RATHER BE A COMMA THAN A FULL STOP

MAYBE I'M IN THE BLACK, MAYBE I'M ON MY KNEES
MAYBE I'M IN THE GAP BETWEEN THE TWO TRAPEZES
BUT MY HEART IS BEATING AND MY PULSES START
CATHEDRALS IN MY HEART

AND WE SAW OH THIS LIGHT I SWEAR YOU, EMERGE BLINKING INTO
TO TELL ME IT'S ALRIGHT
AS WE SOAR WALLS, EVERY SIREN IS A SYMPHONY

AND EVERY TEAR'S A WATERFALL
IS A WATERFALL
OH
IS A WATERFALL
OH OH OH
IS A IS A WATERFALL
EVERY TEAR
IS A WATERFALL
OH OH OH

SO YOU CAN HURT, HURT ME BAD
BUT STILL I'LL RAISE THE FLAG

OH
IT WAS A WA WA WA WA WA-ATERFALL
A WA WA WA WA WA-ATERFALL

EVERY TEAR
EVERY TEAR
EVERY TEARDROP IS A WATERFALL

EVERY TEAR
EVERY TEAR
EVERY TEARDROP IS A WATERFALL

New Coldplay Single - Every teardrop is a waterfall

2011-06-01T08:04:00.000-07:00

Coldplay are about to release a new single called "Every teardrop is a waterfall."
The single is released on June 5th 2011

"We're about to play a bunch of summer festivals so it's as good a time as any to put out a new song," drummer Will Champion wrote. The announcement of Every Teardrop Is a Waterfall puts an end to speculation about Coldplay's recent series of cryptic tweets: these were not hints for a new LP, just lyrics from the new single. The band had also posted two animated doodles (here and here), which showcase lines from the track. Among the lyrical gems: "I turn the music up/ I got my records on/ from underneath the rubble" and "Every siren is a symphony/ every tear's a waterfall."

I will review the single soon.

New song by bono and the edge "Rise Above" for the spiderman musical

2011-05-26T09:56:00.000-07:00

The new single by "Bono" and Edge got an airing on "The American Idol". The song is called "rise above". It is sounds like a U2 song but will be performed by "Reeve Carney"in the musical and made an appearance in the video below. The musical has not had a great press so far with teething problems regarding the technical aspects of the show as well as some of the script.
The show will no doubt get some greater press coverage after this outing on "American Idol". The track is OK and musically it is not as interesting but I guess they have tailored this for a mid-show number.

What are British people watching on TV?

2011-05-25T14:44:00.000-07:00

It is interesting to note how much TV influences our thinking. Advertisers know this, that is why so many people spend a great deal of money advertising their products on TV. It can be easy to be a slouch before the TV in both body and mind.

I thought it would be interesting to look at what Brits are watching on TV and ask how our viewing habits shape our thinking?

For the first week in May 2011 here are some stats.

BBC 1

Figures on the right are in millions
1 THE ROYAL WEDDING (BBC) (FRI 0800) 13.59
2 BBC NEWS (FRI 1340) 10.76
3 EASTENDERS (TUE 1930) 9.59
4 EASTENDERS (FRI 2000) 9.13
5 EASTENDERS (MON 1959) 8.87
6 EASTENDERS (THU 1929) 8.30
7 DOCTOR WHO (SAT 1801) 7.30
8 MASTERCHEF (WED 2100) 6.60

It is clear to see that apart from the unusual "Royal Wedding" most Brits view Eastenders, Doctor who and Masterchef. The news had a high figure due to the Royal wedding.
Roughly 1/6 of people in the UK are watching "Eastenders", I don't watch this but it has made realise how much of an influence this is in popular culture. I guess the soap opera still intrigues people as they look at different narratives and characters.

BBC2

1 WORLD SNOOKER CHAMPIONSHIP (SUN 1900) 2.48
2 SPRINGWATCH EASTER SPECIAL (MON 2001) 2.35
3 SIR BOBBY CHARLTON: FOOTBALL ICON (THU 2102) 2.21
4 DAD'S ARMY (SAT 1833) 2.19
5 GREAT BRITISH MENU (MON 1831) 2.05
6 WORLD SNOOKER CHAMPIONSHIP (SAT 1902) 1.97
7 HAVE I GOT A LITTLE BIT MORE NEWS FOR YO (SAT 2138 1.97
8 GREAT BRITISH MENU (TUE 1831) 1.95

For those non-Brits Snooker is a game that is lengthy, has lots of coloured balls and is, well, a less energetic sport. This brings the viewers in though. I find it interesting that such an old programme such as "Dad's Army" features up the list so high - Why? "Have I got news for you" engages with the british political culture, and gives a good indication as to where we are at with humour and politics

ITV 1

1 BRITAIN'S GOT TALENT (SAT 2001) 9.27
2 CORONATION STREET (MON 2033) 8.94
3 CORONATION STREET (MON 1934) 8.71
4 CORONATION STREET (FRI 1932) 7.90
5 CORONATION STREET (THU 2031) 7.89
6 CORONATION STREET (FRI 2030) 7.33
7 EMMERDALE (THU 2000) 7.24
8 EMMERDALE (FRI 1901) 6.85
9 EMMERDALE (MON 1903) 6.82
10 EMMERDALE (TUE 1901) 6.74
11 THE SUSPICIONS OF MR WHICHER (MON 2105) 6.70
12 EMMERDALE (WED 1900) 6.55
13 EMMERDALE (THU 1901) 6.48
14 CORONATION STREET (SUN 1930) 6.47

I am beginning to see a pattern of an interest in all things British being a running theme. "Britian's got talent" is a follow on from the X factor and attracts, odd bods, untalented people and a few talented people, for what end? To be on the Royal variety performance although I suspect that is not the motive of most people on the show. It is more the aim to be famous.
"Coronation Street" shows the appeal of the soap opera. This a programme I don't watch but also has a high influence on people's thinking and reflects british culture.

Channel 4

1 CUTTING EDGE: MY BIG FAT ROYAL GYPSY WED (THU 2101 4.56
2 THE SECRET MILLIONAIRE (TUE 2101) 2.45
3 FILM: THE BANK JOB (2008) (SUN 2104) 2.29
4 SUPERSIZE VS SUPERSKINNY (TUE 2000) 2.15
5 THE MILLION POUND DROP LIVE (FRI 2101) 2.06
6 THE MILLION POUND DROP LIVE (SAT 2102) 2.06
7 DERREN BROWN: MIRACLES FOR SALE (MON 2100) 2.03
8 THE HOTEL (SUN 2003) 1.87

Channel 4's programmes are much more diverse. The programmes don't attract as big an audience and are mostly real life documentaries which also have an insight into british culture, so we are just watching ourselves once again.

Channel 5

1 CSI: CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATION (TUE 2103) 2.60
2 THE MENTALIST (FRI 2104) 2.48
3 CSI - NEW YORK (SAT 2211) 2.19
4 NCIS (WED 2103) 2.14
5 THE HOTEL INSPECTOR (MON 2103) 1.64
6 THE WALKING DEAD (SUN 2202) 1.54
7 CSI MIAMI (TUE 2202) 1.48
8 NEIGHBOURS (TUE 1729) 1.42
9 NEIGHBOURS (WED 1729) 1.33

I was surprised to see "Neighbours" has over a million people watching it. It appears a high number of Channel 5's programmes are American imports.

It seems most Brits are watching soaps that portray fictional British life, or we are watching documentaries that show British people living in Britain, living out life. Profound.

Passion - Here for you - CD review

2011-05-16T02:33:00.000-07:00

Passion, "Here For You", is a live worship album recorded at the Passion Student event in Atlanta Georgia in January 2011. Passion have produced a number of albums and this is not simply a carbon copy of previous albums. There is a new sense of energy and passion on this CD. There seems a focused attempt to enable people to engage with the awesomeness of God with songs like "Forever reign" sung by "Kristin Stanfill" and tracks such as "Our God" which is sung by "Chris Tomlin". This track also features "Lecrae" a rapper who brings a different dimension and energy. "David Crowder band" bring a depth and width of creativity to this album with songs such as "Sometimes" which portrays sheer honesty "When there is nothing left, let your healing come. It's your love we adore it's like a sea without a shore, we're lost in you." A big gathering tends to need it's anthemnic songs and these are found in "Our God", "Here For You", and "Forever reign". "Spirit fall" is an encouraging addition to the set list. In pursuing a song to sing/lead about the Holy Spirit it can be hard to find adequate songs that help. This song brings the intimacy and reality of the Holy Spirit. I find that these songs are uplifting, edifying and encouraging as they remind us of different characteristics of God and his love for us. This is worth spending your ITUNES vouchers on.

Songs on "Here for You"
01. Here For You - Chris Tomlin
02. Symphony - Chris Tomlin
03. Waiting Here For You - Christy Nockels
04. All My Fountains - Chris Tomlin
05. Shadows - David Crowder*Band (Feat. Lecrae)
06. Lord, I Need You - Chris Tomlin
07. Set Free - Chris Tomlin and Matt Redman
08. Forever Reign - Kristian Stanfill
09. Sometimes - David Crowder*Band
10. Always - Kristian Stanfill
11. Carry Your Name - Christy Nockels
12. Spirit Fall - Chris Tomlin
--Deluxe Edition:
13. All To Us - Chris Tomlin
14. Constant - Charlie Hall
15. Our God - Chris Tomlin & Lecrae

The Apprentice 2011

2011-05-12T05:05:00.000-07:00

The Apprentice 2011 has kicked off and as I write there has already been a couple of people fired. We are treated to the usual helicopter generated panoramic camera views of London along with extreme close ups on the contests as well as, Sir, Lord (vader) I mean Sugar. The show has got a winning format, but alas it has been a little tweaked for this series. Lord Sugar is no longer content (or can't be bothered) employing a person winning a contest, but wants to invest £250,000 into their project. Lord Sugar has now become an investment banker, all in aid of our entertainment. What is it about "The Apprentice" that draws us in? Why do we now look for the likeable people and the nasty nick's from day one? We want to be in on the inside track and be behind the scenes of all that's going. There is also a sense in which we might look to those who may not do the job as well as we would. Is there a person to whom we can relate? Are there people who are better than us? Or maybe seeing a total loser makes us feel better? What about putting ourselves into a task? We want to imagine what product we would design and how we might do the promo a bit better.
The Apprentice is on the whole enjoyable and at times intriguing. My only point in my note book, Sir Alan is spend less time going over the week before. It does feel like a 45min show is stretched out to an hour at times.

To find out more check the BBC Apprentice website here

Sufjan stevens on Tour and the securities and insecurities of artists

2011-05-08T07:39:00.000-07:00

The talented artist "Sufjan Stevens" is on tour in the UK this May.
He is an artist who has brought a range of sounds to the table. Not many independent artists would have used brass on their songs until "Sufjan" did. He is a multi-instrumentalist and has been able to produce innovate albums such as "Seven Swans", released in 2004 and "Illinois", released in 2005. Sufjan transformed the notion of Christmas Albums from cheesy Cliff Richard tunes to an artistic masterpiece with the release of "Songs For Christmas." His best selling Album is the "Age of Adz", released in 2010 is Ironically one of his hardest album's to engage with.

Sufjan is touring around the UK and Ireland in May (not Scotland unfortunately). He recently was interviewed by the Guardian newspaper about his music. It appears like most great artists he has been on the see saw of emotions. Moving high with confidence only to come down with artistic insecurities only to soar up again.
The interview which you can see a link to below made me realise how much artists are sensitive people. To observe things you need to spend time. To process well you may need to reflect for longer. To have imagination means imagining the amazing, colourful, innovative but can also mean imagining things that are less colourful, some times distressing and challenging. Thinking outside the box can leave you feeling on the fringes. Security comes through knowing we are loved and approved, through knowing acceptance. The greatest creative freedom comes from a God who loves to love, loves to create and delights in imagination. Knowing that I am loved and approved by God means that I should not be worrying about people's opinion. If we live for the opinion of others then we can become paralysed from doing anything. Like Sufjan being a Christian should not reduce life to "Life In all it's smallness" but "life in all it's fullness". When you know forgiveness, love and hope it does not stop the storms and trials, but gives an eternal perspective which starts today.

Guardian interview

UK Tour dates

Thursday
2011-05-12 Royal Festival Hall
Belevedere Road
London, LO United Kingdom, SE1 8XX
Sold out.

Set: 7:00pm | Â£22.50 (Buy)
With: DM Stith
Friday
2011-05-13 Royal Festival Hall
Belevedere Road
London, LO United Kingdom, SE1 8XX
Set: 7:00pm | Â£22.50 (Buy)
With: DM Stith

Saturday
2011-05-14 Brighton Dome
Brighton, United Kingdom
Set: 7:00pm | Â£22.50
With: DM Stith

Monday
2011-05-16 The Sage Gateshead
Gateshead, United Kingdom
Set: 8:00pm | Â£20 (Buy)
With: DM Stith

Tuesday
2011-05-17 Olympia
Dublin, Ireland
Set: 7:30pm | 40EUR
With: DM Stith

Wednesday
2011-05-18 Olympia
Dublin, Ireland
Set: 7:30pm | 40EUR
With: DM Stith

Thursday
2011-05-19 Apollo
Manchester, United Kingdom
Set: 7:00pm | Â£20
With: DM Stith

The kennedys TV program - On History channel in the UK but not the USA

2011-04-01T01:38:00.000-07:00

The Kennedy's - you guest it is a program about "The Kennedys", and is to be broadcast on the History Channel in the UK on April 7th 2011. It would be easy to see this as just another TV drama adding to the other 50 being shown on an ordinary evening.
Sitting on this side of the pond we may take a passing interest but the show has been causing quite a stir in the USA before it has even been shown.

It cost $30 million dollars to make, and features an all-star cast including Greg Kinnear, Tom Wilkinson and Katie Holmes. This show was supposed to reposition America's History Channel as having more to offer than Second World War documentaries and reality shows about alligator hunters in Louisiana. Let's face we have all sat and watch those shows falling asleep late at night.

The history channel in the USA pulled the plug on the show and having spent a fortune on production was left looking for a buyer.
The program has not been bought buy ABC or another big player but on the little known cable network ReelzChannel, which paid $7m for the US rights after a number of bigger names turned it down.

So what went wrong?
A report in The New York Times suggested that the two historians asked to vet the show for accuracy (Steve Gillon, author of The Kennedy Assassination: 24 Hours After and retired history professor and Pulitzer Prize nominee Robert Dallek) had concerns about the final product and had raised those concerns with History. (The production team behind the series have strongly refuted the Times piece, with Surnow calling suggestions that Gillon or Dallek were unhappy "a fiction".

In January the History Channel dropped the project, their first attempt at a scripted drama, announcing,that: "this dramatic interpretation is not a fit for the History brand" and referring to it as "historical fiction".

The problem in the USA has done little to put off foreign investors. The show will be on the UK's History Channel on 7 April before being repeated on BBC2 in either May or June.

Programs such as these raise questions of interpretation.
How do we convey what is historical? I guess the difficulties of such a TV production arise when you put it on a TV station called "The History Channel". The producers are clearly suggesting that the program will be historical/factual.

An interesting line from the trailer below says "it's not what you are it's what people think you are". This demonstrates an early perception of PR and is slightly ironic given what happened to the production in the USA.

Other articles bring further light to the story including an in depth interview with the creator "John Surnow" at Atlantic

Trailer

Noah and the Whale - Last night on earth

2011-03-29T08:29:00.000-07:00

"Last Night On Earth" is the third studio album from Noah and the whale.

The band's sound has developed since the NU-Folk album "Early Years and Peaceful, the World Lays Me Down" (2006-2008)
"last night on earth" sounds less folky in music and vocally. There are upbeat tracks such as "Life is Life" which gives a nod back to the 80's. It sounds different vocally and it reminds you of collection of bands from the 1980's fused with a bit of classic Lou Reed. There are distinct key sounds high in the mix with an unashamed range of piano sounds mixed in with
The stand out track and single is "L.I.F.E.G.O.E.S.O.N." - The influences of Lou Reed are evident on the vocal and delivery of the lyrics.
The only track that seems a link to the NU-Folk past is "Just Before We Met"
"paradise Stars" continues the recent trend of bands on their Albums. This trend appears to be to have greater amounts of instrumentation as well as single tracks that are totally instrumental or with minimal lyrics. This is a nice spacious tune.
"Old Joy" is a chilled Gospel sounding tune. This acts as a nice epilogue to a very listenable album - "you'll sing day by day, Oh Joy comes back to me".

Track listing
No. Title Length
1. "Life is Life" 3:37
2. "Tonight's the Kind of Night" 3:10
3. "L.I.F.E.G.O.E.S.O.N." 3:52
4. "Wild Thing" 4:50
5. "Give it All Back" 2:56
6. "Just Me Before We Met" 3:38
7. "Paradise Stars" 1:30
8. "Waiting for My Chance to Come" 2:57
9. "The Line" 3:30
10. "Old Joy"

John cage - "Everything we Do Is Music"

2011-03-10T06:19:00.000-08:00

I recently went to a John Cage Exhibition at the Hunterian at Glasgow University

The pictures are interesting and well crafted using different forms. At first they appear random and it seems there are no obvious concepts behind the work. At further inspection the work Echoes the artist’s use of chance to create work, the exhibition has been selected and installed using a computerised version of the Chinese oracle, the 'I Ching'.

The area I was most intrigued by were the video pieces. The most famous was 4'33- 4 minutes and 33 seconds of silence. This is suggesting to us we listen in different ways.

Below is an example of a work called "Water Walk"

Cage uses everyday objects to make music with. This seems to display his view that "everything we do is music". Right now you are typing on the computer that your are viewing this blog on. It makes a rattling sound. You put your coffee on the table and a thud and a chink occurs. You pour water into a glass and it makes a sound.
It is amusing to see the reaction of the audience as he produces his work. The TV audience are so different to our overfed 24/7 generation. They have not been fed Britains got talent, American Idol and the X Factor. Their reaction is one of wonder and nervous amusement.

It is interesting that music in popular Culture is often relegated to background music. How much attention do we give to the sounds, and the words we are listening to? Aside of written music how much do we engage with the sounds around us? The birdsong? The sound of the wind? The roar of the ocean? The rustling of the leaves?
I think we can often block out natural sound by sticking on our headphones. We can miss the natural sounds, beats and melodies that surround us every day.

Maybe we should travel on public transport without any headphones on for a day, a week, or even a month?
Maybe we could appreciate the music that surrounds us.
Let me in the sound.

7 questions about Popular Culture with........Marcus Speller (The football ramble)

2011-03-03T14:31:00.000-08:00

1) What book are you reading at the moment?
'78: How A Nation Lost The World Cup

2) What was the last film you saw at the Cinema?
The Way Back

3) What was the last CD/Vinyl you bought?
The Dandy Warhols Best Of

4) What's the best thing on TV right now?
There's nothing outside of sport that I watch on a regular basis but I've been told and ultimately will be getting into The Boardwalk Empire soon.

5) What's your favourite gadget?
I've just got a new ipod nano, which is decent.

6) How has culture changed over the past 10 years?
It's become an even more obsessed consumer culture with people wanting everything at their convenience but not actually having to commit to anything.

7) Where will culture be at in 10 years time?
An exaggerated version of the above statement.

Marcus Speller is a presenter on one of the most popular football podcasts in the UK "The Football Ramble"
Check out the football ramble website

7 questions about Popular Culture with..... Wes Chung (boris smile)

2011-02-25T06:55:00.000-08:00

1) What book are you reading at the moment?
The God Delusion by Richard Dawkins

2) What was the last film you saw at the Cinema?
The Kings Speech

3) What was the last CD/Vinyl you bought?
Age of Adz by Sufjan Stevens

4) What's the best thing on TV right now?
Harry Hills TV Burps

5) What's your favourite gadget?
Really been digg'n the Zoom H1 recorder. Makes really nice recordings anywhere.

6) How has culture changed over the past 10 years?
Indie is mainstream now. That's a shift. examples: twilight soundtracks, garden state/little miss sunshine/500 days of summer, Arcade Fire wins a grammy, a book called "Hipster Christianity," etc... The best article I've read on music and indie culture going mainstream is by Nitsuh Abebe from Pitchfork (http://pitchfork.com/features/articles/7704-the-decade-in-indie/)

7) Where will culture be at in 10 years time?
Well, I agree with Abebe's article that something new must come. Some variation we haven't seen too much of. I think in music we are seeing a resurgence of punk and emo. And my friend Jon thinks there may possibly be a fourth wave of ska (we both hope not). It is hard to say what culture may be in the next ten years, but something has gotta change. And most likely it will have a lot more synth in it.

p.s. my answer to question number 4 was a joke (couldn't think of a show)

A. Wesley Chung is in indie/pop band Boris Smile from Long Beach, CA Boris smile facebook page Wesley writes music and works with youth.

7 questions about Popular Culture with........Tim Hughes

2011-02-22T01:38:00.000-08:00

1) What book are you reading at the moment?

Too busy not to pray - Bill Hybels

2) What was the last film you saw at the Cinema?

The Kings Speech

3) What was the last CD/Vinyl you bought?

Laura Marling - I speak because I can

4) What's the best thing on TV right now?

Match of the Day

5) What's your favourite gadget?

iPad

6) How has culture changed over the past 10 years?

More fast paced. Changing all the time. More diverse.

7) Where will culture be at in 10 years time?

No idea!

7 questions about Popular Culture with........Al Gordon

2011-02-16T15:11:00.000-08:00

7 Questions about Popular culture with .....AL Gordon

1) What book are you reading at the moment?
Facebook. And Leslie Newbigin - The Gospel in a Pluralist Society. Also doing the Bible in One Year project with Nicky Gumbel - amazing initiative.

2) What was the last film you saw at the Cinema?
The King's Speech and Morning Glory. Both made me cry for different reasons.

3) What was the last CD/Vinyl you bought?
James Blake's new self-titled album. In the wake of the XX we'll hear lots more like this in 2011, but this stands above the others, stunning production and sound. Also trying to download Tim Hughes' amazing amazing new record, but my computer keeps mashing it up. Look out for it in March.

4) What's the best thing on TV right now?
Brits highlights... epic night. Very very pleased for some friends of mine who finally won an award they deserved. Otherwise just downloaded the iPlayer iPad app, which is excellent. Loving Human Planet.

5) What's your favourite gadget?
My iPad... It's changed my life in the past year, as I work on the move all the time. I've been trying to learn to work paper free and cloud-based, which is easier than it sounds. I use an app called Evernote to photograph and record everything and work from that, so even if someone hands me a piece of paper I'll take a photo of it and hand it back. It's amazing once you learn how and saves trees, time and travel weight.

6) How has culture changed over the past 10 years?
The digital revolution has changed the way we relate, but we're still lonelier than ever. People are hungry for hope, and we've seen a sign of this on the millions of people who are doing Alpha.

7) Where will culture be at in 10 years time?
Simplicity, authenticity and collaboration. Jesus is the King of Culture, and we're going to see traces of God in the arts, in the sciences, in the most unexpected places. It may be dark, but sun is rising.

http://www.myspace.com/algordon

Al graduated and returned to Holy Trinity Brompton in 2000 where he joined the staff as a Worship Intern. He was later employed as Assistant Worship Leader and is now the Associate Worship Director for the church.

Al is passionate about seeing the local church become a vital, vibrant expression of Jesus. Alongside Tim Hughes, Al heads up Worship Central, a ministry offering global training conferences, UK retreats and online resources. Started in May 2006 Worship Central is a school of worship with a vision to encounter God, empower and equip the church. Al hosts the bimonthly podcast with Tim which hit number 1 on the iTunes podcast charts, under the religion & spirituality section

Table and Chairs and The Yard Ape at The Modern Art Gallery Edinburgh

2011-02-11T05:40:00.000-08:00

I went along to the Modern Art Gallery in Edinburgh yesterday with a guy who is working as a "Relay" worker called "Thom".
I was trying to inspire some creativity in him and myself and I was struck by 2 pieces of Art.

The first was by "Therien" and is entitled "Table and Chairs".
When walking into the gallery you are greeted by a huge table and Chairs. My initial reaction was to walk around the Chairs. I did not go under the table even though I could have as it was at least 10ft high. When looking at paintings we are often told to stand back, don't touch, don't alert the security people. Having observed the huge chairs i turned to see a couple walk into the room. The man walked straight up to a chair and knocked on it like you would a door without a doorbell. I was taken back, this man is touching art. He then walked underneath the vast table and demonstrated to me that you can actually walk under the table.
The piece seems to be conveying to us that we take for granted the beauty of everyday objects like tables. One of the reasons we don't appreciate the beauty of a table is due to our perspective. Think back to being 5 years old. You saw more of the legs on the table than you did the tabletop itself. We think and interact subjectively and objectively.
This table reminded me of how we can hold back from things in life due to our wrong or limited perspective. When we think of God he is so much bigger and is above all things yet he wants us to interact with him rather than walk around the edge of him. We can be the ones holding back, thinking we simply know it all.

"The Yard Ape"- 2003, Lowe, Thomson and Lucas
What is the Yard ape?
This is an installation that comes in the form of an old English bar but on wheels.
There are many interesting nuances.
I was drawn to the Portable TV that sat on the edge of the bar. It was small and the picture was not great. The TV was not a main feature of the bar. I saw this in contrast to what we have in bars these days. The big screen is central and offers SKY HD and 3D to watch the football.
The 1980's portable was there as a passing reminder as to what the weather may be like or what scores were coming in at 5pm on a Saturday after the wrestling had been on.

This installation was based on a London pub, there was a small postcard stuck on the timbre frame. The postcard sent to the pub was from "Eastbourne" which is on the south Coast of England is a reminder that the world was much smaller and slower. No internet, no mobile phones, no texting from LA, but a postcard from a holiday taken 1 hour away.
We are now in a world that is more instantaneous, we don't savour things for as long, we dispose of products and expect more.
This little pub reminded me of how we have changed but how change is not always as helpful as we might think.

Visit Modern Art Gallery Edinburgh

How do we relate?

2011-02-03T11:18:00.000-08:00

I was walking past a bus stop the other day and as i looked across the road all the people awaiting the bus were facing forward not looking at each other. There were no conversations, no banter, no chat about the weather, or even how buses always come in three's,
Having travelled a lot I am amazed by the silence on buses and trains only interrupted by the hissing of people's headphones.
So why is it that in the UK (a cold culture) we don't seem to talk to each other?

Why do we sit reading the tube adverts 20 times over rather than talk to our neighbour?

I think it is because we have lost a bit of what it means to be human.
We are made to be in relationship with one another. we are not made to live this life as a solo pilot.
We are made in the image of God who is Father, son and Spirit,in relationship within the Godhead.

If we don't see that we are made to relate then we can veer towards self centred behaviour.
We become the centre and the world revolves around us.
People not talking to each other at the bus stop or on public transport is a small picture of how we relate to the world at large.
Turn on the news today and there is fighting in Egypt. Read your newspaper and there is talk of murders unsolved and countless crimes.

Listen to the beautiful sounding words of Philippians 2 in the bible
3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, 4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.

This is not just about being moral people but living as a new creation, a new way to be human.

The way we interact with people can be likened to the way we interact with commodities as opposed to real people.
If we don't have a basis for the way we relate or a desire to relate we can view a number of areas in life as a consumer.

A friend of mine Ellis Potter has given a great talk on "Is Art a Commodity or a relationship".

With regards to Art, music, TV, and work how does being relational affect the way we live?

Listen to Ellis Potter's talk on "Is Art a commodity or a relationship"

An Idiot abroad - Series 2 is underway, watch the trailer

2011-02-02T09:03:00.000-08:00

Sky TV have announced that there will be a second series of "An idiot abroad".
Watch the trailer here
An Idiot Abroad 2: The Bucket List (working title) will again see a reluctant Pilkington travelling the world, but this time concentrates on the experiences people should have before they die. He questioned the premise, saying: "I've never understood the 'things to do before you die' idea. If I was ill, I'd be in no mood to have a swim with a dolphin."

Sky1's director of programming Stuart Murphy today said: "We love Karl, Ricky and Stephen and loved An Idiot Abroad. They are cheeky monkeys announcing this when we had a whole announcement plan sorted, and before we'd formally signed off, but that's the mental fun of working with this lot."

Formal details will follow, though some reports claim filming begins next month, with a TX date sometime later this year.

If you missed you first series then you missed "Karl Pilklington's" take on the world.
It is not in the same ilk as "Michael Palin" or your average travel program.
The good thing about his travels is that he shows us the reality of having to engage with different cultures and not just the obvious tourist areas.
Karl had previously had little travel experience and it shows us what happens when we go outside our small world.
The comedy is in the interaction of his own quirky ways and the culture of those he meets, they are both aliens to each other.

Review - TIm Hughes - Love shine through

2011-01-27T10:40:00.000-08:00

"Tim Hughes" new Album "Love shine Through" is released in the UK on March 21st and in the USA April 19th.

Produced by Martin Smith (Delirious?), the album features collaborations with writers like Ben Cantelon, Nick Herbert, Nikki Fletcher, Keys Kraayenoord, Stu G and Martin Smith. Musicians included members of Rend Collective Experiment, Kim Walker-Smith (Jesus Culture), Marc James (Vineyard, Verra Cruz), Michael Guy Chislet (Hillsong United). Jerry Brown (Girls Aloud), Mark Prentice, David Grant and Fay Simpson on backing vocals, the Jesus House Gospel Choir and the keyboard genius of Josiah Sherman (The Listening). There is also a bonus track, produced by Nathan Nockels.

So what does it sound like?

Produced by "Martin Smith" formerly of Delirious it sounds like Martin has been very involved as a producer.
There are beautiful instrumental moments at the start on "Counting on your name". What Martin has brought to the table as a producer is a wider musical knowledge.
We get hints of "Arcade Fire" nods to "The Killers" yet still remaining "Tim Hughes".
The Album takes us on a journey and the songs link together well.

Many of the songs are catchy, and have strong melodies. There is diversity without it being too diverse or emulating the sound of today for the sake of it.
I must praise Tim and the production team for having restraint on the woah woah woah's.
It seems that many worship artists are having lots of woah, woah, woah's on their songs and they make tasteful appearances.

I think the stand out tracks on this album are

1) Wake up - Some great hooks "Wake up, rise up, all the earth is singing." Tim has pushed himself creatively. It is good to see evidence of creative thinking and musicality.

2) Love shine through - The Album title provides us with a strong song. I think the initial production on this sounds a little obvious with the "tape rewind sound" minor point - but the lyrics are strong and is again a strong melody. "love shine though, all the pain I feel, in my darkest hour, I am weak, but you are strong, holding on, don't let me go, in your light I will follow, Christ within me shine, Christ within me shine.
The personal reflection is welcome but Tim does not negate the Christological aspect of who it is we are worshipping. It is not just any old god.

3) All Glory - although this will be known to those who have been to a "Worship Central" event this is a dynamic version. It builds and builds. The sound in the later part of the song is enhanced with a Gospel choir and the sound is BIG.

4) At your name (Forever) I think this is the most creative song on the album. It is simple but has lots of nice layers and keeps you intrigued until the end. It manages to develop different nuances that make you want to listen again, and I especially like the birds at the end.

This a well produced album with strong songs. There is a good mix of personal and congregational songs. It will be out on Kingsway and available on ITUNES.

'Love Shine Through' Track Listing:

1 Counting On Your Name

2 God Is Coming

3 Never Stop Singing

4 Saviour's Song

5 All Glory

6 At Your Name (Forever)

7 Jesus Saves

8 Love Shine Through

9 Keep The Faith

10 Wake Up - you can hear a demo version of this at worship central

11 Ecclesiastes

12 At Your Name

Oscar Nominations 2011

2011-01-25T08:59:00.000-08:00

So we have just had the Golden Globes and now it is time to roll out the red carpet again.

What was the best film in 2010?
I enjoyed "inception" and have yet to see "Social Network" I need to use Orange Wednesdays a bit more.

Here is the the full list of nominees.

Best Picture
Black Swan
The Fighter
Inception
The Kids Are All Right
The King’s Speech
127 Hours
The Social Network
Toy Story 3
True Grit
Winter’s Bone

Best Director
David O. Russell – The Fighter
Tom Hooper – The King’s Speech
David Fincher – The Social Network
Joel And Ethan Coen – True Grit
Darren Aronofsky – Black Swan

Best Actress
Natalie Portman – Black Swan
Annette Bening – The Kids Are All Right
Jennifer Lawrence – Winter's Bone
Michelle Williams – Blue Valentine
Nicole Kidman – Rabbit Hole

Best Actor
Javier Bardem – Biutiful
Jeff Bridges – True Grit
Jesse Eisenberg – The Social Network
Colin Firth – The King's Speech
James Franco – 127 Hours

Best Supporting Actress
Amy Adams – The Fighter
Helena Bonham Carter – The King’s Speech
Melissa Leo – The Fighter
Hailee Steinfeld – True Grit
Jacki Weaver – Animal Kingdom

Best Supporting Actor
Christian Bale – The Fighter
John Hawkes – Winter's Bone
Jeremy Renner – The Town
Geoffrey Rush – The King's Speech
Mark Ruffalo – The Kids Are All Right

Best Original Screenplay
Another Year - Mike Leigh
The Fighter - Scott Silver, Paul Tamasy, Eric Johnson, Keith Dorrington
Inception - Christopher Nolan
The Kids Are All Right - Lisa Cholodenko & Stuart Blumberg
The King's Speech - David Seidler

Best Adapted Screenplay
127 Hours - Danny Boyle & Simon Beaufoy
The Social Network - Aaron Sorkin
Toy Story 3 - Michael Arndt, John Lasseter, Andrew Stanton & Lee Unkrich
True Grit - Joel Coen & Ethan Coen
Winter's Bone - Debra Granik & Anne Rosellini

Best Animated Film
Toy Story 3
The Illusionist
How To Train Your Dragon

Best Foreign Film
Biutiful (Mexico)
Dog Tooth (Greece)
In A Better World (Denmark)
Incendies (Canada)
Outside the Law (Algeria)

Best Score
How to Train Your Dragon – John Powell
Inception – Hans Zimmer
The King's Speech – Alexandre Desplat
127 Hours – A.R. Rahman
The Social Network – Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross

Best Song
Coming Home from Country Strong – Music and Lyric by Tom Douglas, Troy Verges and Hillary Lindsey
I See the Light from Tangled – Music by Alan Menken Lyric by Glenn Slater
If I Rise from 127 Hours – Music by A.R. Rahman Lyric by Dido and Rollo Armstrong
We Belong Together from Toy Story 3 – Music and Lyric by Randy Newman

Best Cinematography
Black Swan – Matthew Libatique
Inception – Wally Pfister
The King's Speech – Danny Cohen
The Social Network – Jeff Cronenweth
True Grit – Roger Deakins

Best Costume Design
Alice in Wonderland – Colleen Atwood
I Am Love – Antonella Cannarozzi
The King's Speech – Jenny Beavan
The Tempest – Sandy Powell
True Grit – Mary Zophres

Best Art Direction
Alice in Wonderland – Robert Stromberg, Karen O'Hara
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1 – Stuart Craig, Stephenie McMillan
Inception – Guy Hendrix Dyas, Larry Dias and Doug Mowat
The King's Speech – Eve Stewart , Judy Farr
True Grit – Jess Gonchor, Nancy Haigh

Best Visual Effects
Alice in Wonderland –Ken Ralston, David Schaub, Carey Villegas and Sean Phillips
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1 – Tim Burke, John Richardson, Christian
Manz and Nicolas Aithadi
Hereafter – Michael Owens, Bryan Grill, Stephan Trojanski and Joe Farrell
Inception – Paul Franklin, Chris Corbould, Andrew Lockley and Peter Bebb
Iron Man 2 – Janek Sirrs, Ben Snow, Ged Wright and Daniel Sudick

Best Sound Editing
Inception – Richard King
Toy Story 3 – Tom Myers and Michael Silvers
Tron: Legacy – Gwendolyn Yates Whittle and Addison Teague
True Grit – Skip Lievsay and Craig Berkey
Unstoppable – Mark P. Stoeckinger

Best Sound Mixing
Inception
The King's Speech
Salt
The Social Network
True Grit

Best Documentary Feature
Exit through the Gift Shop
Gasland
Inside Job
Restrepo
Waste Land

Best Live Action Short Film
The Confession
The Crush
God Of Love
Na Wewe
Wish 143

Best Animated Short Film
Day & Night
The Gruffalo
Let's Pollute
The Lost Thing
Madagascar

Best Documentary Short Subject
Killing In The Name
Poster Girl
Strangers
Sun Comes Up
The Warriors Of Qiugang

Best Editing
Black Swan
The Fighter
The King's Speech
127 Hours
The Social Network

Best Make-up
Barney's Version
The Way Back
The Wolfman

The King Is Dead

Social Networking with a Christian mind - Guest Blog by Andy Weir

2011-01-23T15:55:00.000-08:00

We are all users. It's easy to feel like a user when on a bus or paying for parking in a multi-storey. We are using products and services all the time. We would define a user as a person who makes use of something (obvious, right?). The phrase "user-generated content" was first used in 2005 to indicate a shift in the creation process. Particularly in the media we consume.

The moment you leave a comment on this blog, you are more just a user, you are a participant!

Which brings us to the point of this piece:

Social Media. You can read more about Social Media on Wikipedia.

To the uninitiated, unaware or uninterested, Social Media can seem mindless or self-obsessed, but many of these tools started life as ways to share information across the internet. We may think of Facebook and Twitter being Social Media, but there were a whole list of other services along the way, you can read more here.

So let's think about what approach a follower of Jesus might take to Social Media. Clearly we can't quote chapter or verse from the words of Jesus here as the internet on which Social Media was built is just a little too young for that.

Let's take Matthew 28:19-20 into account:

"Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age"
Jesus has given us a mandate to engage with culture. To join with Him as He builds his Kingdom. If we are engaging with our culture, can we run away from Social Media hoping that it leaves us alone? I don't think so. Which is not to say we sign up for every service going, or try to connect with everyone on the planet!

Clearly, face-to-face is the most direct we can be with people. As we live more of our lives on the internet - whether that's Social Networking, consuming news or doing our shopping, a part of our identity is wrapped up in who we are online.

Social Media can help us connect with people in another way. It's an opportunity for use to be salt and light in the life of others. We can bring the presence and reality of Jesus by the ways we choose to "speak" online, the way we respond (do we build up or pull down?). As the status update has become a part of people's lives, the richness of our relationships can be much greater.

We can share links to online content, for relatively little money we can create and share great things with our friends and contacts. We can find work, or share good news. Many people find it easier to be honest about how they are feeling in this semi-dislocated environment.

But that could all sound a bit like voyeurism and an unhealthy distraction from the *real* world.

What if we used our friend's status updates to help us pray for them? What if we thought about our responses as an opportunity to share life with people, to laugh and cry with them? What if it helps us find common ground?

Clearly there are risks. We should be wise about who we connect with and what we say online. It's worth thinking about your online profile (whichever your network or service of choice) as being written in pen. It's not easy to rub it out and if you try and tipp-ex it, you'll just mark your screen.

There's lots of wisdom in Proverbs - in particular chapter 26:17:

"Interfering in someone else's argument is as foolish as yanking a dog's ears."
If you think someone is out of line, use a private message facility - or even better speak to them in person/over the phone. It's best to avoid washing it out in public or in writing. If you can resolve the issue, and all those involved agree, it can be helpful to share what happened and how it was sorted out. Sharing is what these tools are about!

Don't just listen to the people online who you agree with. Test what people say up against what you find in the Bible. You'll get to know your Bible a bit better too!

Remember: you don't have to accept every connection request and most Social Media tools let you block and report spammers. It's important to stay safe and not get caught up in something that will do us harm.

A final thought:

People who post nothing more than abusive comments online are generally referred to as Trolls. I wonder if a hyper-zealous Christian leaving lots of "Jesus Loves You" or "You need Jesus" messages would be lumped into that category too. While there motives might be sincere, their methods are perhaps at odds with the cultural context.

Social Media can help us to point people to Jesus, to share how God has impacted us and is part of how we live. It can be a great tool to share inspiring art.

We are not online and offline people. We are human. Let's be real and let's bring Glory to the Creator.

Follow Andy on Twitter - @theweir

read his blog

Brit Awards 2011

2011-01-20T15:41:00.000-08:00

The Brit Awards are back and the list of nominees are below.
The awards take place on 15 Feb 2011.
The Brits have an eclectic groups of nominees, like Robert plant, Cheryl Cole and Arcade fire.

One of my albums of the year for 2011 - Arcade fire is up for best international Album. Arcade fire are also up for best international act.

The artists performing on the night include Arcade fire as well as a lot of pop.
Ironically the International album nominees look a bit better than the Brits and it is the Brit Awards. My preferences would be for bands and singer songwriters but many of the British artists are more pop, rap and r&B.

Enjoy Scrolling through the list of nominees.

Full list of nominees here:
BRITISH MALE SOLO ARTIST:

Mark Ronson
Paul Weller
Plan B
Robert Plant
Tinie Tempah

BRITISH FEMALE SOLO ARTIST:

Cheryl Cole
Ellie Goulding
Laura Marling
Paloma Faith
Rumer

BRITISH BREAKTHROUGH ACT:

Ellie Goulding
Mumford & Sons
Rumer
Tinie Tempah
The XX

BRITISH GROUP:

Biffy Clyro
Gorillaz
Mumford & Sons
Take That
XX

BRITISH SINGLE

Alexandra Burke ft Pitbull - All Night Long
Cheryl Cole - Parachute
Florence & The Machine - You’ve Got The Love
Matt Cardle - When We Collide
Olly Murs - Please Don’t Let Me Go
Plan B - She Said
Scouting For Girls - This Ain’t A Love Song
Taio Cruz - Dynamite
Tinie Tempah - Pass Out
The Wanted - All Time Low

MASTERCARD BRITISH ALBUM OF THE YEAR

Mumford & Sons - Sigh No More
Plan B - The Defamation of Strickland Banks
Take That - Progress
Tinie Tempah Disc - Overy
The XX - XX

INTERNATIONAL MALE SOLO ARTIST

Bruce Springsteen
Cee Lo Green
David Guetta
Eminem
Kanye West

INTERNATIONAL FEMALE SOLO ARTIST

Alicia Keys
Katy Perry
Kylie Minogue
Rihanna
Robyn

INTERNATIONAL BREAKTHROUGH ACT

Bruno Mars
Glee Cast
Justin Bieber
National
Temper Trap

INTERNATIONAL GROUP

Arcade Fire
Black Eyed Peas
Kings of Leon
The Script
Vampire Weekend

INTERNATIONAL ALBUM

Arcade Fire - The Suburbs
Cee Lo Green - The Lady Killer
Eminem - Recovery
Katy Perry - Teenage Dream
Kings Of Leon - Come Around Sundown

CRITICS’ CHOICE

Jessie J (Winner)
James Blake
The Vaccines

BRITISH PRODUCER

Ethan Johns
John Leckie
Markus Dravs
Mike Pela
Stuart Price

The Brits website

Should we be asking whether Art is Christian or not?

2011-01-12T08:35:00.000-08:00

I write this blog digressing from a theological essay I am writing. It is on Colossians 1 15:20
I say it is a digression but actually in many ways it is strangely connected.
My friend Cully sent a post called "can offensive Art be Christian?"
The link below to the article in relevant magazine raises interesting question.
Is Art that deemed to be Christian too safe? Do Christians talk about sex and the whole of life in their art? it is worth a read and is written by Dan h from Jars of Clay
Relevant Magazine

It seems to be that there are few grounds for seeing things as Christian art and non-Christian art. Few grounds for seeing things as Christian music and Non-chrisitan music. This kind of talk produces dualism. It can be possible for people to create a sacred/secular divide. Art is art and music is music.
I guess we may want to think about what we use that music/art for?
In the case of music it is possible to see how some people would find hymns/choruses hard to engage with. It may be that these songs are used for the purposes of Christian worship. It may also be that somebody listens to a song about the need to belong that is written by somebody who is not a Christian and such a song can evoke our human need to question our belonging and our need to love
I was only yesterday listening to a Ray LaMontagne song called "A falling through"
The Lyrics are below

"A Falling Through"

Laid our blessings on the ground,
The softening of sound
Draws us closed again

Stay, stay and watch the coals
Till they cease to glow
Like empty promises

Why, Why did you go, why did you go away?
Why, Why did you go, why did you go away?

Baby?

There's nothing I can say
Nothing I can do
To bring you back again

This of life I know is true
It's all a falling through
And so I reach for you

Why, Why did you go, why did you go away?
Why, Why did you go, why did you go away?

Don't you care
That it may seem unfair?
(You steal things you ought to borrow)
Don't you find
That it may seem unkind?
(I'd rather breathe than drown in sorrow)

Why, why did you go
Why did you go away baby

It reminds me of one of the big themes in writing the "journey". I was reminded of this meta-narrative last week by Ellis potter.
The journey is Home-away-home. This universal theme is there in our make up as humans. If a song is written by a Christian or a non-christian we can all appreciate the longing of perfection, brokeness, perfection. Love, lost love and love again.

It is helpful to interact with what people are saying, and what people are painting.
I think a greater danger is that we simply consume art as entertainment without thinking about it.

How does this connect with my essay? I have been reading and studying about Jesus, by whom, through whom and for whom all things were made.
Colossians 1:16 For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him.
So this suggests not just the the things that have the Christian stamp on it. Now we can distort things, twist things, abuse creativity but he is the creator of all things not just Christian music and Christian Art.

TV selection box and Apple TV

2011-01-03T14:14:00.000-08:00

So what did you make of the TV this Christmas and New Year?
In the UK it is a tradition to not only sit down with the turkey and trimmings but to also wait in expectation for the festive TV. This expectation is often dashed by a bland selection but there are often a few tasty treats in the mix.
The advances in technology no longer mean buying 10 VHS tapes from "Woolworths", it also means not having to sit patiently by the video player in case the tape runs out "SP/LP" remember that? If not ask your mum or dad.

The challenge that faces us today is the vast selection of programmes on tv,Cable, and the internet or even Apple tv.
I got Apple TV as one of the toys in my stocking this year. Apple TV enables you to rent films via Apple and it is all quite smooth and in HD. It also enables you to watch youtube, podcasts and fire your own photos to your TV.

I was able to watch a few movies over the holidays as well as TV programmes.

Nativity - a feel good movie for the family, reminding us of what we treasure most

It's a wonderful life - to my shame this is the first time I have seen this movie, enjoyed it and if you are like me and somehow missed it (in the minority) watch it now

Karate Kid - Better than I thought it would be and made me want to have a play fight afterwards in the way you did when you came out of the cinema as a kid.

Butterfly on a Wheel - this is a thriller and really engaging was on the BBC Iplayer

What were your favourite's?

BBC Nativity - Is It Just Another Story Being Retold?

2010-12-20T09:20:00.000-08:00

X factor is over for another year, The Apprentice has been hired and the strictly winners are resting.
So what happens next on BBC TV?
A bit of coverage on the Christmas story maybe?

This is where Nativity comes in. I have already seen my First Nativity play of the season but now it's the BBC's turn.
We have had all types of previous interpretations in years gone by and most of them have either been dull or a bit cheesy.
This year's take is being spoken of in better terms.

The Nativity has been Written by Tony Jordan (Life On Mars, Hustle, EastEnders)and is produced by Red Planet Pictures in association with Kudos through BBC Wales

Tony Jordan said: "The challenge for me was to retell a story that has been told countless times before, a story that everyone knows intimately, yet to do so in a way that will still surprise and move you, to see parts of the story you'd never seen before. I really think that we've achieved that and I'm incredibly proud to have been asked by the BBC to be involved in such a wonderful project."

Telling stories in a contemporary way is not a new thing. In fact writing from a particular angle is not alien to the gospel writers themselves. The Gospels have different nuances, allusions, echoes and perspectives depending on the writer.
Around the world where many people are oral learners many have come to understand bible stories through people telling the story or by watching films such as the "Jesus Film".

I listened to Tony Jordon on BBC radio 2 on Sunday morning and I was impressed by his honest search to find and understand Jesus. He said " he did not like organized religion", neither do I. I prefer relating to God through Jesus and knowing that I am loved by him. This does not exclude me from sharing this with others. If fact the Christian faith is so relational that as followers of Jesus we are children of God. We can approach God the father as Daddy. We are loved and cherished and promised life in all its fullness not life in all its smallness. This fullness of life comes through being willing to know Christ the saviour and redeemer.
The Christian faith encourages to find life in dying to self in order that we might becoming fully human as Christ is. Galatians 2:20 I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

If people can start talking about who Jesus is and how he relates to us as humans then that is a good thing.

Click here more info - It is showing for the next 4 nights on BBC1 available on the BBC IPlayer.

Top 10 albums of 2010

2010-12-16T07:46:00.000-08:00

What are your top 10 albums of 2010?

There are differing opinions as always.

Here is my top 10 for 2010.
click on each one and you will find a link to hear their music

1)Hot Chip - One Life Stand
2)Edwyn Collins - Losing Sleep
3)Arcade Fire - The suburbs
4)Jars Of Clay - The shelter
5)Belle and Sebastian - Write about Love
6)Sufjan Stevens - The Age of Adz
7)Miriam Jones - Fire Lives
8)Steph Macleod - Light in the darkest of Nights
9)Foals -Total life Forever
10)Kings of Leon - come around sundown

I have listed 2 other top 10 albums for 2010 below

Relevant magazine in the USA

And the Guardian newspaper which is doing a daily countdown

Engage with some BBC short films

2010-12-15T09:42:00.001-08:00

BBC Film Network

This is a great way of watching short films for yourself or even for the use of a discussion group.

The film below is called "flung" and is a Scottish based film.
I like the black and white style and for half of the film there is no talking.
It is interesting to see the connections between the boy and the old man.
There is a sense in which we all create our place called "home" and are looking for home. I like the shot where you see the older man's bed up against the wall. This to me denotes the association with home, the need to rest to sleep.
There are challenges to our routines and ways of living. Even if we have very little do we want our routines and space invaded?

Watch flung along with other short films

Is the X factor helping produce good music or killing music off?

2010-12-14T08:10:00.001-08:00

The X Factor has taken over the social lives of many people in the UK during the Autumn/Winter months.
If you are in the USA watch out, it is coming to a TV near you.

The X factor gives mass TV exposure to singers. 18.8 million people tuned in to see "Matt Cardle" win the 2010 X factor competition.
This means nearly a third of the UK population sat and watched the show on ITV, that is mass appeal.
The winning song is Biffy Clyro's (Scottish band) song "Many Of Horror". Which for the sake of popular TV has been changed to "When we collide".
Many Biffy Clyro fans are unhappy about this and have staged a campaign to buy the band's track instead of "Matt Cardle". They are hoping the Scottish band will reach the number 1 spot instead of the X factor song.

Is the X factor helping produce good music or killing music off?
I think a big problem with such shows is the perception it portrays about music to non-musicians. When people find out I am a singer/songwriter they often say - you should go on the x factor. But why? and What would I achieve?
There is a distinction between creating, making, producing music and wanting to be famous.
I want people to hear and engage with the music I write but I don't want to be famous or a celebrity.
There are thousands of musicians who make good music,who we don't know about. There are many who are happy to not be part of pop culture.
There are issues of artistic integrity and issues around being very commercial.
There are similar issues for artists. Do artists want their work to be loved by millions and be famous?
Are they happy with their paintings going on tea coasters, oven gloves and table mats?

Musicians would love you to listen to their music but don't all want to be famous.
Musicians are keen for you to spend time mulling over the words of their songs, but are less keen to see their tracks being used on advert for a bank or soft drink just for the sake of the cash.

I can see why it is tempting for a singer/songwriter like "Matt Cardle" to go on a talent contest after grafting in pubs and clubs for years.
Did he and the others enter the competition to become famous? Did he sign up to sing other people's songs? Did he sign up to wear yellow trousers? What about his own artistic integrity?

There is nothing wrong with people enjoying light entertainment on TV but please don't confuse it with the art of the songwriter and how this gift is honed over a lifetime. This may mean 50 people listen to you or 10,000 but enjoy the gift.
If you are a singer/songwriter don't give up on what you are doing. Enjoy the art form, enjoy the process, enjoy the performance even if that is to an audience of one.

Check out Biffy Clyro's original version

Check out Matt Cardle version

O Come, O Come, Emmanuel - Belle and Sebastian Review

2010-12-13T08:28:00.000-08:00

Belle and Sebastian are joining the Christmas vibe and have released a new single " O come, O come,Emmanuel ",
They are not the first alternative/indie band to release a lo-fi version.
Sufjan Stevens' version is in a similar style.

This version starts off very minimal with the first section having just guitar and vocal.
The melody seems to stay down in the chorus "rejoice, rejoice" which does not sound the obvious form of rejoicing. This however brings an interesting angle to the song.
Being in awe and rejoicing is not just about having a cheesy grin but can involve being awestruck.
We are then treated to some strings and one of those keyboards that you play whilst blowing into the top of the keyboard(please inform me of its name with a comment below).
A nice female vocal gives a different dynamic along with beautiful harmonies.
Put this on while your are having your mince pies.

Listen and buy on Amazon

Jars Of Clay - "The Shelter" Review

2010-12-09T09:10:00.000-08:00

Jars of clay have been together since the early 1990's

I remember seeing them at Greenbelt festival about 10 years ago and have always impressed by their songwriting.
They are a band who write about the whole of life. Love, hope, faith,Cups of tea, and the journey that is life.

The shelter is their eleventh studio album. The band are well experienced and are able to craft a good song. Their music has shades of Crowded house and more recently Arcade fire.

The shelter brings different dynamics to the table. There is more female backing vocals and a range of instruments on this album. This brings a greater diversity in the sound.
It appears that at times band such as Jars of Clay can flit in and out of Dualism.
Are they a Christian band? Or a band who are Christians?
For me the songs that work best are the ones that explore areas of love and life with a Christian mind. This does not mean saying goodbye to metaphor and prose and replacing it with cheesy Christian jargon. It is the opposite, it is writing songs that are poetic but remind us of the grandeur of God,and the transcendence, without forgetting earth.

So what are the stand out tracks on this Album?

"Out of my hands" is a great track with a nice underlying organ. The song flows with a nice musical change in the chorus.
"We grow where the light is, like tree's in the highlands, we're bent by our plans to keep us in the dark, I act like an orphan forget that you found me but you came like a whisper and saved me with a spark".

"Run in the night" starts of with a nice gentle ambient sound that builds and builds.
Some songs work best when they delay the guitars and make you wait and wait.
This song is really worth the wait and speaks of hope in the dark.

"Shelter" this song reminds us that being human is being relational. That we often look to live life as individuals but there is something refreshing about thinking on otherness. Other people and the relational aspect of God.
"in the shelter of each other we will live, you will never walk alone"

"Lay it down" has clear Arcade Fire overtones with a Female vocal high in the mix.
This is the rockiest track on the album.

"love will find us"
Emotive and compelling, Love will find us gives you a reality check "so hard to see the fires of hope when all we see is darkness/ These orphan hearts will find a home, Love will find us all."

If you like Jars of Clay you will love this album. If you don't know them try them out.
Check this live acoustic version of shelter on Video

Daft Punk - Tron Legacy Soundtrack Review

2010-12-07T12:33:00.000-08:00

In sitting down to listen to Daft punk's sound track I was asking myself a couple of questions.
Do i like movie soundtracks? Have I ever bought any?
Apart from Star Wars the answer is no.
Disney are behind the new Tron movie and they commissioned Daft Punk to write the soundtrack. This again seems like an oxymoron - Daft Punk and Disney?

So does this combination work?

Daft Punk released their Debut Album "Homework" in 1997 and the French duo have moved from the world of clubs to produce a movie soundtrack.
The music is atmospheric and involves an array of string sections that combine with electronic sounds to produce a real wall of sound at times.
It is fitting that some tracks are more electronic given Tron tells the story of a computer game designer trapped in digital universe.
Some are comparing this to the key works of "Jean Michel Jarre" and Mike Oldfield.
There are some passing similarities but Daft Punk's sound is clearly more contemporary and yet just as sophisticated.
Film soundtracks work on different levels, If you have seen the film then you will recall the parts of the film that go with the music. This can be helpful in putting pictures to the sounds. Listening to the soundtrack not having seen the movie enables you to judge what emotions are being portrayed and form pictures in your own mind as you would with any instrumental music. I guess the purpose of the average soundrack is to allow you to join the two up in your mind.
Tron Legacy would work on its on. Close the curtains, turn the TV off and crank up the HIFI to enable you to hear the variety of sounds.

Available from ITUNES
TRON LEGACY MOVIE TRAILER

The Review Show And The Turner Prize 2010

2010-12-06T10:27:00.000-08:00

Review show BBC 2

The review is a great place to engage with film, books, music and art.
You can catch the latest episode on the BBC Iplayer.

Watch the show here
In this episode the film "monsters" is reviewed along with some chat about "The Turner Prize 2010".
What I like about the Review Show is the dialogue. It is not one person telling you what they think like it or loath it. The chat engages, intrigues, frustrates and delights you.

The Turner Prize 2010 like other years always raises the debate over contemporary art. Many tabloid's and news updates talk about it with a wry smile. In many ways this demonstrates the narrow view that art is simply drawing or painting. One of the key aspects of contemporary art is the intent of the Artist. Many artists have an idea, a concept a view to share. I find this refreshing as it stimulates conversation about a variety of subjects. Who we are? How we make sense of political situations. How we interact with words, noises and

The turner prize who should win?

Coldplay - Christmas lights - Review

2010-12-03T08:15:00.000-08:00

Christmas night
Another fight
Tears we cried, a flood
Got all kinds of poison in
Of poison in my blood
I took my feet to Oxford Street
Trying to right a wrong
Just walk away, those windows say
But I can't believe she's gone

When you're still waiting for the snow to fall
It doesn't really feel like Christmas at all

A cup of candles, oh they flicker
Oh, they flicker and they float
And I'm up here holding onto all those chandeliers of
hope
Like some drunkard Elvis singing
I go singing out of tune
Saying how I always loved you, darling
And I always will

Oh when you're still waiting for the snow to fall
It doesn't really feel like Christmas at all
You're still waiting for the snow to fall
It doesn't really feel like Christmas at all

Those Christmas lights
Light up the street
Down where the sea and city meet
May all your troubles soon be gone
Oh Christmas lights, keep shining on

Those Christmas lights
Light up the street
Maybe they'll bring her back to me
Then all my troubles will be gone
Oh Christmas lights, keep shining on

Oh Christmas lights
Light up the street
Light up the fireworks in me
May all your troubles soon be gone
Those Christmas lights, keep shining on

Colplay join the long list of Christmas releases. Clearly inspired to a write a Christmas number one and defeat x factor the guys thought they would have a bash.

So are we treated to a bit of slade or a bit of Sir Cliff?
Well neither is the answer. It is an interesting song. I guess it was written a couple of years ago with the absence of Snow in the UK. A bit ironic that as we sit in one of the biggest snow falls in November since the 1960's Chris Martin sings
"When you're still waiting for the snow to fall
It doesn't really feel like Christmas at all" umm there's loads of snow in the UK but in a dry winter we know what you mean.

Lyrically it is not going down as a Rock n roll classic. I guess the tension in writing a Christmas song is the potential to sound trite or to just know its cheesy and ham it up a bit like the darkness did a few years ago.

It does seem Coldplay have not changed their style a great deal, which for the consumer who likes little change that is not a bad thing.
I do wonder how much of this is indicative of a band whose music is built on the basis of 90's indie rock such as Radiohead and Travis. Can coldplay change their style? Do they want to?
Do their fans want to?
Get used to the sound of Chris singing about the lack of snow as the single plays in our shops, cafe's, radio stations and supermarkets whilst the snow piles up outside on the streets lit by the Christmas lights.

Christmas lights video

Sufjan Stevens - Songs for Christmas

2010-12-02T05:57:00.000-08:00

OK, so this is not a new release but it is seasonal.

"Songs For Christmas" is the Christmas album for people who love music and appreciate something non-cheesy.
Sufjan creates a mix of songs that in part give a nod to some traditional carols but also provides some unconventional songs. The traditional tunes are not laboured and in many ways sound quite intriguing. The music enables you to engage in different ways, you could sit with a glass of mulled wine and listen intently or it could act as something more ambient.
With 24 tracks not only is it value for money it is a full Christmas feast.

So what are some of the highlights I hear you say?

There are instrumental nuggets such as "The incarnation" and "Emmanuel" that remind us of the humanity and divinity of Christmas.

Songs such as "Put the lights on the tree" remind us of celebration including the festive lights.
A good Christmas would be incomplete without the Christmas jokes and irony. "Get behind me santa" brings this to the table.

Joy
Anticipation
Nerves
Celebration
Hope
Praise
Wonder
Santa
Christmas trees
Jesus

They are all in the mix

It is worth checking this album out and adding it to your Christmas Party.

Buy on ITUNES

Check out the video to "put the lights on the
tree"

Miriam Jones - Fire lives - Review

2010-12-01T00:40:00.000-08:00

Miriam Jones is a singer/songwriter with a timeless voice. The kind you find in the voice of Carole King, and Joni Mitchell.
The difference with Miriam (born in Canada and living in Oxford) is she brings contemporary lyrics to the table.
Jones has been featured on CBC Radio and has licensed several songs to North American indie film makers, as well as a song to Global Television’s ‘Falcon Beach’ series. Jones is regularly gigging in London, and is already a favorite at the Greenbelt Festival in Cheltenham.

Female singer/songwriters are in vogue at the moment, Amy Macdonald, K T Tunstall, to name a few.
So is this Album just another singer/songwriter churning out some cliches and basic chords?

"Fire Lives" is Miriam's 3rd full length album along with EP's and single releases.
It is an Album full of well crafted songs, that have great production and songs that intrigue and beg you to come back for a second listen.

The stand out tracks -

"Helicopter" - Inspired by an incident regarding a person on the run. (no trite cliches there then) This has a strong melodic line in the Chorus that will stick in the melody part of your brain for weeks on end. Miriam's songwriting ability is not in just writing a good tune but her lyrics too. - "The afternoon comes sliding sweet beneath the kitchen window in the heat/in my glass the ice retreats/From the sky the rising rumblin' of a helicopter freezes me".

"Come Clean" is a beautiful song with an amazing melody, the additional production touches such as extra guitars adds good layers. The songs deals with those tensions of admitting who we are and where we need forgiveness.
"Things that i wouldn't see you bring before me daily/the light throw in the dark and then the dark in my own pretty heart".

"Wondrous Mysterious" - get those banjos and any guitar you can find to jam along. This is a Christmas tune that you will not get bored of in June.

"Routine Runaway" - Feels like a tune you would play whilst driving on route 66. Miriam's voice displays different dynamics and it sounds like a classic.

"Fire lives" - is the most musically diverse track, it is very different from it's original acoustic version. It is a nice change in the mix.

The digital copy allows you to read Miriam's Lyrics on your Ipod/IPhone when you listen to the track.

If you have never heard her music, it is worth adding to your collection. If you have heard her before then it is a must buy, what are you waiting for!
I hope that Miriam gets some good coverage on this CD and "helicopter" is surely worthy of being play listed on Radio 2.

The Album is released on December 8th 2010 all good stores and ITUNES as well as direct from miriam's website.

Buy "fire Lives"

Check Miriam's website

Kings of Leon - Come Around Sundown

2010-11-30T01:28:00.000-08:00

The kings of Leon's latest album "Come Around Sundown" comes on the back of the very successful "Only By Night".
Many bands that seem to hit the big time apparently appear over night. The band are not flash in the pan, in fact "Come Around Sundown" is their 5th studio album, so hardly lucky rookies.
The album recorded in New York between February and June 2010 with Angelo Petraglia and Jacquire King.

The Album's art work gives an indication of where the tunes are going. Sun kissed beach with old school rock on the radio.
For some reason this Album sounds a little more southern than west coast. I guess the guys are from Tennessee so this does constitute southern rock, tracks "Back Down South" and "Pick up truck" confirm this.
"Radioactive" is the most radio friendly track with a gospel U2 Esq Chorus that will be a favourite on their forthcoming world stadium tour.
"Pyro" is another stand out track and presents to us how things can so easily burn and pass.
"Everything I cherish Is dying or Its gone" sings lead singer "Caleb Followill". The song's notion of the temporary is highlighted by the chorus - "i won't ever be your cornerstone".

A high fret bass part on the "Immortals" mixed with an anthemic guitar part serves as another bit hitter on the live scene.

The Kings of Leon are southern rock band playing rock with a sizable size of southern Jack Daniel's fused rock.
The album is worth a listen. I do find my northern taste buds declining some of the tracks but on the whole worth a try.

Come Around Sundown Track List:

* "The End"
* "Radioactive"
* "Pyro"
* "Mary"
* "The Face"
* "The Immortals"
* "Back Down South"
* "Beach Side"
* "No Money"
* "Pony Up"
* "Birthday"
* "Mi Amigo"
* "Pickup Truck"

buy on ITUNES

Belle and Sebastian - Write about Love - Review

2010-11-29T05:53:00.000-08:00

Belle and Sebastian - Write About Love

Formed in 1996 "Belle and Sebastian" have released their 8th studio album in 14 years on "Rough Trade" records. The Scottish Indie outfit have released an album worthy of a summer release. It is full of bright melodic tunes that draw you in like an enticing sunset.
With many bands revisiting the 80's vibe "Belle and Sebastian" are no exception. We are not given an 80's electro makeover rather the melodic variety. With brass, clean rhythmic guitars and male/female vocals. In some ways it is reminiscent of bands such as "Prefab Sprout" especially on the hook filled "I Want The World to Stop".
The Album also has two guest vocalists, "Norah Jones", and "Carey Mulligan".
The title track "Write About Love" would not go amiss as the theme tune to a 60's TV show.
One of the key differences Belle and Sebastian bring to the table is their ability to write songs that musically sound like they are from a different era ,yet lyrically encapsulate the philosophy of the day.

Belle and Sebastian Write About Love:

01 I Didn't See It Coming
02 Come on Sister
03 Calculating Bimbo
04 I Want the World to Stop
05 Little Lou, Ugly Jack, Prophet John [ft. Norah Jones]
06 Write About Love [ft. Carey Mulligan]
07 I'm Not Living in the Real World
08 Ghost of Rockschool
09 Read the Blessed Pages
10 I Can See Your Future
11 Sunday's Pretty Icons

Video of "I want the world to stop"

Belle and Sebastian on myspace

Available on Itunes

art, technology and culture

2010-11-15T07:58:00.000-08:00

Part of being human is that we are creative. We are made to create (Genesis 2).
We may like making cakes, pictures, photographs or songs.

I was at a meeting in sheffield last week and had about 40mins in between meetings.
I popped into an Art Gallery that was showing art between 1915-1945 the 1st and 2nd world wars.
A couple of pictures struck me - they were advertising the London underground in 1920. They were full of optimism and hope. The underground was this amazing thing that would transport you places.
It will take you shopping, to the theatre and to see friends. These pictures was colourful, vibrant and futuristic.
It made me think about where we are at today. What poster/picture would reflect the age? It is likely that a picture would have a warning sign on it. WATCH OUT FOR SUSPICIOUS BAGS or KEEP AN EYE OUT FOR TERRORISTS.

We have created an age of fear and suspicion. It is important that as Christians we remember that we have been made to invent, create and reflect God. This may mean showing people a new way of being human.
Creating art also helps people reflect upon where they are at in this big universe and what is true. I wrote a song recently and played it to a friend. He immediately said that song would be really helpful for a friend of mine to hear as he has drifted in his faith and is struggling. The song was not preaching a message of repentance but reflecting the highs and lows of life. It is not as though art forms always need to moralistic but they may help people see who they are warts and all, a bit like a mirror.

lausanne 2010 part 2

2010-11-03T01:53:00.000-07:00

Having painted a backdrop to Lausanne 2010 I now want to talk about some of the content of the talks, mutliplex sessions and dialogue sessions.

One of the highlights from the congress was the story of a girl from Asia that brought a standing ovation from the floor.
Her father was involved in politics in an Asian country and was arrested for his faith.
The family moved to another Asian country and the father then returned only to be arrested again and now presumed dead/murdered.
The teenager telling us this story observed all of this when younger and is now 18 years old.
In the process of this heartache and loss she came to a point where she realised she needed Christ as her saviour. It would be easy for her to stay and grow in a more comfortable setting but she has now decided to do something costly. She will now go back to this difficult country and live and speak for Jesus. She told the story a lot better than I am attempting to do now, and I have to be selective in place names etc. It was a very real moment. It was a moment that spoke of the reality of the gospel. We have not been called to live a comfortable life a Jesus + life, Jesus + School, + good degree + + + + .
For me to live is Christ, for me to die is to gain - was the prominent thoughts that came to my mind. The challenge is how we now live that out?
For some of my table group living in northern Nigeria which is mostly Muslim the threat is greater. For those of us living in the west the threat is more losing popularity, losing face, being isolated from the masses.
John piper spoke on Wednesday morning and faced a rare challenge. The challenge read "28 minutes" the time displayed on the screen that faced him and was situated behind us. Each speaker was giving a set time to speak and the countdown clock began.
A side note to John piper - I was in the toilets the day before and an American man asked "How do I work the taps on these sinks?" I turned around and it was John Piper.
"I am just a silly North American, I don't know how to work different taps" - I felt I needed to help. Following advice on the global use of taps, I had a chat with John piper about teaching/preaching - He was helpful and willing to listen despite the numerous interruptions in 10mins by Piper fans enthusiastically interjecting. (note to people at conferences try to wait before somebody has finished their chat - at least hover about 3 feet away with intent). John Piper was encouraging me to teach the bible if there is a need (which there is in UK), I have been wondering what i will be doing next and wondering what is the best area to serve in.
Getting back to the Piper talk He spoke on Ephesians 3 - He focused in on vs 8 - that Paul would preach the unsearchable riches of Christ and that this would be made known not just to people but to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places - cosmic demonic forces.
His second main point was that God has chosen his servants as to be imprisoned as a way of bringing about his cosmic purposes - looking at the link between suffering and Glory (vs 13). Piper also looked at the importance of prayer (vs 14) which speaks of paul being on his knees in prayer - my side note here - prayer was missing in a big big way from this congress, at times it seemed as if the most important thing to do was move on with the program rather than getting on our knees in prayer. I think what piper was talking about regards to Paul was how prayer is this gift to us as Christians and it is powerful - imagine 4000 people from 150 countries praying for 35 minutes a day seeking God's face that sounds a bit more powerful.
Piper unpacked the passage and also took a side run into 1 Corinthians 15 and 1 Corinthians 1:22 - He helpfully said We preach Christ crucified, the Crucifixion is not the power of the world. To those who call on the cross it is the power and divine wisdom. The stark truth from this passage is that the wisdom of God will be made know through the Church. God's design and plan is to make himself know through the church. Church then is not just a little gathering, a little club, but a people of God making christ known.

Moving on from Piper - i want to talk about one of the mulitplexes.
These were afternoon sessions where there was often a few speakers who spoke then took questions.
One that I want to highlight is "a fresh approach to witness in the 21st century: a global perspective - this included Becky manly Pippett, Michael Ramsden and Benjamin Kwashi.
It was good to hear about approaches to evangelism and I had heard most of Becky's talk before - I often take what she says in some of my talks but use it in a different way - I don't think she spends enough time focusing on developing relationships being a God given human gift. we don't just be relational to share our testimony but to demonstrate that we are made in his image, that Christians love the whole of life and in doing so embody the gospel. We are to proclaim and share but I think we could all be a lot more relaxed if we embraced the 1st commission as well as the 2nd commission.
Ben Kwashi is a fired up Archbishop from Nigeria and it is refreshing to hear him talk of his passion for the gospel. Michael Ramsden is always interesting listening and it was refreshing to hear about how he would often feel weak about speaking to different people and how he needs the power of the holy spirit to be made known in this weakness.
It would have been great to have had more of this kind of passion and realism from the main stage.

Dialogue session

I went to a couple of sessions on popular culture - It was good that these areas were been covered and Tony Watkins did some good chat on Film. I think that it would have been helpful to have had more on contemporary art and music.
I wonder if the average evangelical interested in contemporary art? Are they interested in popular music and different genres of music other than film, classical musical, worship, etc - If people are not fine that's fair enough - but it is important to engage people who are and think this through from a Christian perspective. I have noted at many international gatherings this element has often been missing.

There were so many good things to process each day and I was pleased to meet with a few people from the UK each night and process some of the above as well as other areas.

Musings about Lausanne 2010

2010-11-01T07:59:00.000-07:00

Hi

First of all I had hoped to blog from capetown 2010 but the internet was very patchy and it was hard to get online for long.
i will try and do a few blogs about the trip in stages rather than blurt everything out at once.

So Stage 1
I left the UK to travel nearly 6000 miles to cape town the furthest away I have been. And certainly the furthest south.
The BA flights behaved themselves and I had smooth flight down from Edinburgh to London and an even smoother flight to Cape Town from London. I bumped into my two colleagues Natasha and Richard and also met Vaughan Roberts (St Ebbs). We had a good chat about the use of the Iphone abroad and I gave him a few tips - come to think of it I probably saved him a couple of hundred quid.
I arrived in Cape Town about 8am with no sleep (why can't i sleep on planes!!) the sunshine made up for the sleep deprivation.
My first big cultural lesson came at the airport. Feeling a bit tired I approached passport control as I would in the UK. Looking a bit straight faced it is generally not the place for a laugh and a joke. The guy behind the desk told me to relax "you are in Africa" and went on to chat about not being nervous - great if you are the one in authority not so great if you are the sleepless guy who looks like a fish out of water.
That said we were then ordered by a team of volunteers to await our next move. In need of a pee and some water (a paradox) I wanted to go and fulfil both. I was quickly instructed to not do either as were the rest of the group. This order and minute by minute accounting was useful but it some ways was a taste of high programming that was to come.
We were taken onto coaches and driven to the conference centre and then had a few hours to kill before registration.
Fast forwarding a group of us headed to the Victoria and Alfred (yes that is Alfred not Albert) waterfront - the sheer heat of a spring day sun in Africa brought energy to the previous bought of insomnia.
Looking out from a Cafe across to table mountain was amazing but also slightly surreal - the wonders of air travel transports you from the autumn of scotland to the sun of south Africa in hours - this is something that would have taken weeks in years gone by.
Being in a new setting and a new situation takes a while, the one thing 4000 delegates had in common was that we were all travelling from different places.
I spent the next day adjusting to the new surroundings and working out how to get from my hotel to the conference centre,
A nice afternoon was then spent with my two colleagues on a boat where we saw whales, dolphins and seals. We even got a chance to see Robben Island where nelson mandela was held captive.

Having got my bearings I then set off for the conference to begin and it began with a big opening celebration, it was loud, colourful and busy - 4000 of us were positioned around tables with 6 at each table.
It took a bit of getting used to at first, sitting sidewise on looking ahead and across to a mass of people. The idea behind the tables was so we spent time with 5 other people from different parts of the world for the whole conference. This was a great idea and one of the highlights. I was at a table with people from Nigeria, India, South Africa, America and Japan.
As the music played and the celebrations began it was clear that this was a big deal. It was not the olympics nor the world cup but you could tell we were in Africa and the noise levels rose.
Looking around the room there were obvious signs of some of the people there, bishops, arch bishops, ministers, pastors, but less obvious too. Students, missionaries, finance people, media people, medics a whole host of influential people from different walks of life.
The big evening gave us a big picture of the big world and what God is doing, how he is at work.

The next day was the first full day - routine involved Breakfast 745 - walk to Conference centre in admist the commuters in cape town, arrive at the venue for 830 for morning celebration.
The celebration focused around the book of Ephesians. The first talk was by Ajith Fernado.
Our table then looked at Ephesians 1 doing an inductive bible study - we then looked at the application questions after Ajith spoke.
The morning sessions seem to be the best and it was when we were focusing on studying and What God is saying.
My main issue with many of the sessions was the lack of prayer - there were 4000 people who could spend more time praying out to God together and that is so powerful. If you recall my description of our arrival at the airport, much of the sessions were programmed to the last second. If you are a programmer program in time for space otherwise it will not happen.
It would have been great to start each session with prayer and end each session. The lesson here is that we must be prayerfully expectant that God will speak and respond in a prayerful way.

The evening sessions were ok but in many ways full of information about information - again it would have been useful to have a little more teaching and more time to pray and respond. Throughout the evenings there were many videos used and drama sketches these areas reminded me of a bigger issue that came across in the week.
Style
Many of the evening sessions followed a seeker service feel that involved fast pace, videos, drama and worship that was not that intimate or spacious.
The aim of the seeker friendly approach is in my mind about ten years out of date. I tended to find my self zoning out in the evenings as the pattern was the same. In order to be creative we have to think about dynamics, space, colours, pace, sound, feel, tone. If what we do is just the same we all become too familiar. If what is being offered is lots of information and no chance to respond it leaves people feeling passive.
So as you can tell I was not jumping up and down in joy about the evening sessions.

I think I am going to leave this here before the next blog - I want to paint a real picture of what it was like an I hope this helps?

countdown to capetown

2010-10-12T12:15:00.000-07:00

I am heading off to Capetown on 14 October and hoping to do a bit of blogging when I am out there.
Where and Why am I going?

I am going to be to be a delegate at a conference called "Lausanne" - you can get more info here Lausanne2010
I will be looking at some of the key issued happening in the global church and along with 4000 other leaders engaging in discussion.
It involves me flying from Edinburgh via London on a 11hr 30mins flight to Capetown.
It makes me realise how far north edinburgh is when thinking of heading way south to South Africa.

I will try and comment on some of the chat and incidentals of the time over there and even try and post the odd photo or video.
Until next time
Clive

Francis Chan Video Interview

2010-09-28T02:00:00.000-07:00

I have updated this blog as it is the most popular so far with a link to DVD series Francis did called "basic" check below

Just to let you know I had the opportunity to spend some time with and interview Francis chan.

you tube trailer of Basic DVD

You can also hear a 1 hour chat as part of one of the afternoon workshops with the other link.
Forum talks

BASIC DVD in USA

Basic DVD in UK
enjoy

Clive

"life" new Album by Clive Parnell

2010-08-23T03:24:00.000-07:00

Hi

I have just released an Album on ITUNES - Called "life". BUY IT ON ITUNESThe album has 10 tracks on it and it is largely a compilation of songs I have written and recorded over the past few years. There is a live demo called "61" which is based on psalm 61.

The tracklist is

Serenade
Small voice
For your Glory
Salvation
Flood
walk with me
Come my way
You are almighty
Human
61

Check out video for "For Your Glory"

The Album is called "life" because it is all about the whole of life.
I don't see there being a sacred/secular divide a spiritual/non-spiritual - I believe all of life is lived for God's glory. This can be driving, making music, playing football and praying.
This album takes you on a journey - God sings over us, it is about his love for us being at work, he first loved us. He speaks to us by the Holy spirit awakening us, we were made in his image and now have a God shaped hole in our life that we are trying to fill with things that are not God. This is why our lives often feel out of touch.
He speaks to us to let us know there is something much bigger much greater - the earth, the universe and the vastness of life found in him made by him and for his glory.
He is the famous one not us.
Our hope now and for the future is found in the person of Jesus and he only can redeem us and enable us to be fully human, he is the one who comes to forgive us for the rubbish in our lives, for the rebellion we have towards him and each other.
To understand this we need to exercise faith, not blind faith but faith based on truth.
When others around think this is mad as they did in the day of Noah, we exercise faith in God knowing he is the one who give us ultimate hope, when all else is gone Faith, hope and love remain.
This faith is not passive it means following and walking with God. It means following him in our work, in the school, in the university and in the home. It means walking though the good times and the bad times, the stillness and the storms that are Life.
When we sometimes least expect it, when we are in silence or the noise, God comes our way, he speaks to us by the holy spirit and we can know the very presence of God and it takes our breath away.
When we keep on running this race called Life which is not a sprint but a marathon, when we hit a few walls and when we are reminded of how small and weak we are as humans we can be made aware that being weak is something God can use. He can make his power made known in our weakness.
He teaches us a new way to be human, one in which we don't run around trying to gather lots of toys, comparing how many toys we have at they end of the day to the next guy. He teaches us that Grace enables us to be free of what others think of us. We don't need to seek validation from others, we don't need to seek approval from others because God's grace is enough and sets us free to be really human.
Life following Jesus brings fresh wind into our sails as we sail through this journey called life - like the psalmists and countless songwriters through the ages we are trying to find meaning in life. To make sense of life through, music, art, books, work and a host of things. We need a rock and a foundation to stand on not moving sand.
We need perspective to see that we are small and God is big, that we are not God but we can know God.
So this all affects life right here right now. Many of the songs on "life" follow the journey I have just described.

Passion? What are you living for?

2010-05-10T07:35:00.000-07:00

Ok passion, I know it sounds odd when your mates ask what you are doing at the weekend and you reply, " I am off to passion conference". People do bring other connotations to the table but this is kind of the point.
We are all passionate about something and our culture in many ways wants to encourage us to be passionate about sex, money, power and well rock n roll.
So often unknowingly we go along with the flow, our deep passion for validation means we walk or even run down the run of passion that leads to a number of things.
Am I passionate about the person of Jesus? May sound odd in the year 2010 to suggest we should be passionate about a person who lived on this earth in person over 2000 years ago. Should we not just get over it and live for ourselves?
Surely the answer is in ourselves? Surely life is what you make it? Are we not the ones in control?
I guess the reality is we are not in control? Try and control the volcanic ash cloud to enable you to fly home. Try and stop the rain pouring down as you leave work. Try and hold off death, you and I will not live much beyond 100 even if we have a good innings.
We have turned man into a god. We are the ones who believe we hold the power yet like it says in the book of James in the bible we are like a vapour - swiiiissh - one minute we are here the next minute life is gone.
Yet we live our lives as though we are the most important thing. We hold onto that which is temporary and make it foundational.
We elevate romantic love as the new transcendent answer to all our problems. We gamble on a 1 in 14 million chance of hitting the jackpot to elevate our being to a greater more comfortable existence. One minute it is here the next life is gone.

Jesus offers us life, he offers us an eternal hope that begins now, He died that we might know life. He wants us to live for something greater, something bigger than ourselves. He wants us to find a new way to be human.
He wants us to know that we can be validated by our heavenly father, that as the Father loves the son so he loves us.
Even while we were still sinners Christ died for us.
He wants us to see that living a new life is not just about enhancing our being our self worth but is about living for his glory.
Jesus desires for us to consider not only our own interests but the interests of others, being other focused is I believe counter-cultural in the western world.

So do you want to explore true passion to meet with the giver of life in a deeper way.
If you are a student or student leader why not come to Wembley Arena on May 14/15 you can get your ticket at the link below.
Check out the other links for more info, see you there.
Passion world tour tickets
Hear Louie Giglio talk about the passion London event
Watch promo video for event

Passion in London

2010-04-27T06:20:00.000-07:00

Hi

I just thought I would write about the "Passion" event in London May 14-15 2010 Passion

If you are a student this event will help you enlarge your view of God, and warm your heart with the truth of the gospel.
Too often we absorb our surrounding culture and become self-centred and our world becomes too small. Our view of God can often be too small. Louie Giglio and the guys at Passion are great at helping us explore what it is to live for God's glory and fame. Passion london costs just £20. There are not many events or conferences in the UK for £20.
It would be great to see many students going to this, I know that you will come away from Passion 2010 with an increased heart for God and be more willing to live and share the gospel.

Where is it?
Wembley Arena, London

When?
May 14-15 2010

Who is speaking at it?
Louie Giglio and Francis Chan

Who is leading worship?
Matt Redman, Chris Tomlin, Dave crowder band amongst others.

How do you book?
go to the website at www.passionworldtour.com and you can book tickets there.

To preview a bit of a Louie Giglio talk check this link - Louie's talk

To check out francis chan - check - Francis' talk

To hear some of Matt redman check - Matt redman

To hear some of Dave crowder check - Dave crowder

I am going and know many students who have already booked - look forward to seeing you there

Delirious history maker - what's it all about?

2010-03-31T10:38:00.000-07:00

I was following this little band Delirious years ago and something strange has happened.
They have decided to stop playing as a band and as I write this their track "history maker" is number 4 in the ITUNES UK charts.

when playing in "indigoecho" we were inspired by Delirious, in the way they had a heart to play their music in bars, have their songs in the charts, and sell them in places called "record shops" (remember them).
When we talk about "Christian music" we are creating a sacred secular divide - I was never comfortable with Indigoecho being called a christian band. In the same way that somebody who works as a dentist would not be referred to as a Christian Dentist.
I know that there are words that we can use that denote biblical and theological themes in the way a dentist does not, but we are human beings who are christian. We are musicians who are christian as opposed to christian musicians.
What does christian music mean to the ITUNES buying public?
I am pleased that delirious are in the top ten because of the hard work they have put in over the years.
I am glad that conversations about faith in God will happen and that's good.
From an artistic point of view I am less pleased that history maker is the track they have in the top ten.
I think their songs such as obsession or inside outside are far better.
On a positive note maybe this song will unlock the key to a new way of getting music into the charts and giving people access to songs that are made by Christians, quality bands such as Jars of clay whom most people don't know.

Let's see what happens.

looking for a relay worker - music related

2010-02-24T09:40:00.000-08:00

Hi I am looking for a relay worker to work with me from September 2010.

Relay is a 10 month scheme run by UCCF: The Christian Unions where recent graduates are trained and discipled while working alongside a Christian Union Staff Worker.

You will participate in the relay scheme and you will be able to spend some time writing songs and performing at events around Universities in the UK.

If you are interested move fast as applications close this friday.
thanks
Clive

check this link http://www.uccf.org.uk/relay

Get out the house and let the music play

2010-02-08T09:34:00.000-08:00

I have been thinking about how I have been involved in music over the years.
I think music is a creative gift that comes from God but I don't think that music should be kept inside a church building or at Christian events.

when I look back there have been many worshipful moments playing at a venue like King Tuts or the Liquid rooms.
I love to lead worship at church and see how God meets with us in an intimate way but I also want to take out the sound to people who don't come anywhere near a church building.
One slight concern I have with worship events and big Christian events is that there is sill a bit of a closed mentality.
There is often a presumption that people will come to the events the church is putting on as opposed to going to where people are and letting creativity flow out.

When I played in a band Indigoecho we were taking the music to the people, all over the place, singing songs of truth and hope.
One of things I love about my job now is I get the chance to play my music in the heart of university campuses.
These are often events in pubs, cafes where people hang out.
I don't think we need to spend £5,000 on putting on an event to make it work, we just need to go and let the music play whether it is 10 people or 1000.
We need to guard against the celebrity sub-culture and develop good artists who can engage with culture but also be distinct.
Where are the new singer/songwriters who can raise questions about the world we live in?
Where are the rappers? The DJ's?

We need to be careful that we don't just create music for the sub-culture that nobody else cares about or even ever hears as it is always played in church or to church groups.

So get out of the House and let the music play

Switchfoot - Hello Hurricane review

2010-01-25T14:19:00.000-08:00

Hello Hurricane

One of the greatest gigs of my life was being able to support Switchfoot at the Edinburgh Festival playing with Indigoecho.
It was one of those nights that was loud from the first chord and people were up for it. I am on board with Switchfoot and have been amazed at their work rate in both writing and performance

I got a pre-release of this album and to my shame it has taken me this long to write a review, sorry lads.

I think this could be the best switchfoot album to date. I know when an album is good because it inspires me to want to write.
It is one of the moments where you think wow great turn of phrase, brilliant guitar hook or tasty melody.

So what is so good about Hello Hurricane you might ask?
Well dig deep into the lyrics, unlock the codes, see where their worldview fits into the myriad of worldviews out there.
Take the song "mess of me" -" I've made a mess of me, I want to get back the rest of me, I want to live the rest of my life alive"
Or "there ain't no drug, there ain't no drug, no drug to make me well, it's not enough, the sickness is myself".
What a great description of how we may appear to be living, have a hedonistic lifestyle but in fact maybe sick, and even dead.
What is it to live? what is it to die? We need to see where the hope lies.
I love the way Switchfoot offer an apologetic to our age - they raise, questions, give answers, and raise more questions - I want to write some more songs like that.
Having said this I am sure switchfoot would love everyone of there songs to display the mind and skill of C.S.Lewis and not all songs do - some are simple lyrics but they work as well, it is not a case of every song needing 10,000 words. A good song can have a simple melody and lyric and be just as effective.

Musically there was a time where Switchfoot gave more of a nod to U2, this is less so now and thankfully Switchfoot have still got a current sound.
The music is at times turned up to volume 9 and at other times is chilled to suit the lyric.
A song that is ambient, atmospheric, that sends shivers down the spine and Psalm like is Sing it out- "sing it out, Sing it out, take what is left of me make it a melody" - Switchfoot seem to be able to pick up on the climate of the day but yet remain distinctly Switchfoot.

I'm off to get my notepad - Now where is that distortion pedal

Track listing
1. "Needle and Haystack Life" – 3:49
2. "Mess of Me" – 3:27
3. "Your Love Is a Song" – 4:22
4. "The Sound (John M. Perkins' Blues)" – 3:47
5. "Enough to Let Me Go" – 3:52
6. "Free" – 4:03
7. "Hello Hurricane" – 4:04
8. "Always" – 4:20
9. "Bullet Soul" – 3:24
10. "Yet" – 3:53
11. "Sing It Out" – 5:17
12. "Red Eyes" – 4:50

Available on ITUNES and most places.

Personal reflections on Stephen Chapman and Life

2009-12-31T01:41:00.000-08:00

On Sunday December 13th 2009 My Brother in Law Stephen Chapman died in a tragic accident whilst Canoeing.
Stephen was a great Husband to Lesley and Father to Orla and Duncan. He was a great son to his Father Arthur Chapman and a good brother to Grace, Liz and Hilda.
Stephen was a fairly quiet guy but with great leadership skills, people would follow him, people would ask his advice and seek his help.
Last summer my family along with his family spent a few days in Aviemore. We went fishing and most of us were amateur anglers. It was a fish farm where it seemed somebody got a bite every 5 seconds. Stephen was manly enough to pick the fish up and take the hooks out. He was willing in his quiet way to go for it - to take the lead and demonstrate by example.

I shared a love of music with Stephen and I recall many times where we talked about the latest bands. He lived in Scotland for a while and I always recall an array of tapes on shelves. The ones that stood out were Larry Norman and Bob Dylan.
Stephen along with Lesley challenged us to live a more simple life because 2/3's of the world have no choice.
Stephen was talking about fair trade and justice along time before others. It is easy to talk about these things now as many know about them and it is seen as cool.
Stephen stood up for justice with a heart for the poor even if that meant he was counter-cultural.
His heart for the poor and the environment were driven by his Christian faith. This belief that God has called us to be good stewards and to care for the poor.

It is very sad for us to lose Stephen aged 47 years old.
His life was short. We hold his death in the light of Future hope. The reality that death is not the end. That we are moving towards a new creation where one day all things will be made new. Those who love Christ will be with him and be resurrected as he was resurrected. One day we believe we will be with Stephen in a tangible new creation, where we will share beautiful music, where there will be many shared stories and where God's glory will shine in fullness.

James 4:13-17 says 13Now listen, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money." 14Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. 15Instead, you ought to say, "If it is the Lord's will, we will live and do this or that." 16As it is, you boast and brag. All such boasting is evil. 17Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn't do it, sins.

The personal challenge of these verses and Stephen's death is that too often I want my week, month, year and decade planned out.
This signifies that I want to be in control. The truth is none of us know what tomorrow brings. The stark reality is our lives a like a mist, one minute they are hear the next minute they are gone.
What I/we need to do is live according to God's plan for this life and eternity.
Too often we find security in the Job, the pension and the retirement plans, but those things might not even come. It would be a shame to think a talented artist seldom painted because they found security in working in the bank. It would be sad to think gifted musicians thought less of themselves for playing music full-time than working as a Doctor.
There is a sense in which we have all been given gifts and talents, but how are we using them?
Stephen lived a full life working at the University of Ulster, coaching canoing,and working for many charities, as well as giving so much time to his family and church.

How are we living our lives?
Are they empowered by God's saving grace and the work of the Holy Spirit?
Are they people centered rather than project centered?
Are they living day by day or are we trying to map our whole lives out?

There are many challenges, and as we come to the end of 2009, there have been trials, loss and pain but there is also joy, peace and a future hope which begins today.

News Paper Article about Stephen Chapman

You are with me - Available on Kingsway and Purashop

2009-12-12T08:03:00.000-08:00

Hope you are well and looking forward to Christmas?

Just to let you know that buying my debut worship CD, "you are with me" has never been easier -
it is now available at Kingsway and Purashop

All you have to do is click the link below, and order direct. They will send you out the CD with free delivery in the UK.

If you are looking for a new CD yourself, or for ideas for Christmas presents just click the link and go for it.

Thanks and happy shopping,

Clive

Win a new Ipod Shuffle

2009-12-10T00:41:00.000-08:00

Hi

I am giving the chance to win a new IPod shuffle.
All you need to do is go to my worship facebook page click link Enter here
and leave a comment on the section win an ipod shuffle.
Comments left between Dec 9 2009 an Jan 30 2010 will be put into a hat and the winner will be notified.
Remember you can buy my CD "you are with me" at ITUNES

Enjoy
Clive

Switch off the Iphone and relax

2009-11-16T07:10:00.000-08:00

The introduction of the IPhone and the Blackberry means we are never far from an email, facebook or Twitter.

There is a sense in which our minds can always be thinking about what comes through that little machine.
It may be that we get a nice email from a friend or relative other than work but there is still this pull towards connecting in cyber land.
The Internet has brought us amazing advances in being able to access mountains of information, provide bountiful music, and endless programs from TV to catch up on. How is the IPhone and other such phones helping our face to face communication?
How do we learn to switch off?
Where is the space in our head in our minds to dream? Where is the space for creativity?
Are our ears so full of music that we can't create our own tune? Can we know longer hear a new melody?
Are our thoughts so full of what others are saying in cyberspace that we are missing what others are saying in front of us?

I am learning the principle of sabbath rest. That we lay down our tools and rely on grace rather than performance.
That we can leave work in the office or turn off the email, twitter and facebook for at least a day a week - shock horror!
How could we?
Do we need to be in constant contact? So what if I find out a football score 5 hours later as opposed to 5 secs after the goal has been scored?
What if we find out the x factor loser is out a day later, rather than 10 mins later? Does it really make a difference?

I suspect that artists may become less creative if we are constantly bombarded with information. I don't think there is an "APP" for creativity.
We need to get time to reflect, to smell the roses, taste the coffee, savour the landscapes, and hear the noise of the city without the headphones on all the time.

Maybe we could turn off the IPhone from 8pm until the morning?
Maybe the off button could be pressed on Saturday night and be turned back on Monday morning?
So don't be offended if I don't reply to your facebook message in 5 seconds or your text message in 1 hour, It just may be that I am trying to read one of my kids a story, or I am chatting with my wife, or playing some football.

This is not about being religious and a strict rule observer - it is about creating space. It is carving out time to remember that to be human is to rest, is to engage in face to face conversations, to play and enjoy life.

Worship music - How can we be creative?

2009-10-30T03:34:00.000-07:00

I Recently put the post below on the worship Central website and I was encouraged that a great discussion followed with 40 posts.

Feel free to comment below.

I enjoyed going to the Worship Central event in Dunfermline recently and loved all the visuals and the way in which the event displayed creativity and left space for God to move.

A few questions/thoughts arose that I challenge myself with.

1) Does contemporary worship all sound a bit too similar?

A couple of friends who are are Christians often find contemporary Worship music difficult musically.
They often listen to music that is not mainstream an example of which Is"The welcome wagon".
Their complaint is that often the music at worship events all sounds like U2, Coldplay and the Killers.

I think they probably have a fair point - to get an anthemic sound you need to get the sounds those bands tend to produce.
Tim and Al were talking about being creative - how can we encourage the church to have different sounds? How can we cut new paths?

2) How does contemporary music reflect the surrounding culture?
To what extent should worship music reflect styles of music in the specific culture?
In Acts 17 Paul engages with the art of the day and uses it as an apologetic.
Could it be that if we engage with our surrounding culture but not always assimilating it we produce a new way of thinking for people who are not even Christians as well as those who are.
I good example of this is Jon foreman - in his work in switchfoot he looks at what it is to be human, to think about hope, and other areas. in his solo work he takes elements from todays culture and the psalms.
Maybe are songs should reflect a less dualistic life and one that looks at the material and physical.
What about worship songs to do with work?
Songs about relationships?
I know we are writing songs to praise God but the content of our songs could reflect us not just offering up our lives as a general phrase but being specific.

3) Where is the place for songs that are not congregational?
It seems to me that many worship leaders produce albums that appear to be for the use in the church but are not always singable?
This is not always a bad thing but is this what is suggested on the tin as it were.
For many years i have written singer/songwriter songs that are worshipful but would not be sung by a church.
Making a transition to writing songs for congregations is a different art. Should the two however be mutually exclusive?

4) To what extent do our songs present a reduced theology of worship?
One of the good things about the recent Worship Central event was the start with Ben Cantelon singing "you alone are God" with lots of visuals.
It made me think about the place of people worshiping by listening and watching and not singing or be encouraged to sing.
If it was ok in church or at events to have space where we did not sing but listened to a song being sung, a video being played maybe we could sing songs that cover a wider subject matter?
It maybe would allow our theology of worship to be wider to involve more space for refection?

looking for more creativity under God
Clive

Being Human - being physical

2009-10-15T08:18:00.000-07:00

I have been doing some prep for some seminars on "living full lives". The seminars are for a training day for students from all over Scotland happening in Dundee this Saturday.

The emphasis on the seminars is not to "live full lives" by being busy Christians - 2 prayer meetings a week, 3 Sunday services, an Alpha course, and another outreach event.
Living full lives means living lives that are full of the goodness and glory of God. God is not just interested in our Church/CU activities he wants us to give him the glory in all we do. In our work, rest, and play.
It is spiritual to ride your bike, to eat food, to have a laugh with friends, to play football and to do a bible study.

Why is it that we reduce spirituality to church activity?
Why do churches seem focused on growing bigger and bigger?
Why is it that many of our churches seem too focused on outreach as being the be all and end all?

Ellis potter who often works with L'abri once said "evangelism is not the most important thing the glorification of God is".

I suspect most of our driven behaviour has more to do with us than God's glory - Will people applaud my ministry? Will people think that our church is great?
Platonic thinking also has an impact on our actions too - Plato tried to convince us that the most important thing was our souls, the physical does not matter much. Plato suggests that when we die we will float off as dis-embodied souls into some unknown heaven.
As Christians we have taken on board a lot of this Greek thinking and have created a dualism in our lives the Sacred/Secular.
We must realize that we have been made to give glory in the physical things of our lives.

“Whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God” 1 Corinthians 10:31

1 Corinthians 6:19-20
“You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body”

“Chief aim of man is to glorify God and enjoy him for forever”. Catechism.

Too often our focus on being super spiritual means we forget to look after our body, not getting exercise, eating the wrong foods, drinking too much wine and neglecting our bodies.

We can cut corners at work, develop lazy patterns because after all it's just work!

“God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in him” John Piper

Giving God the glory, living a full life is not trying to be morally superior it is about being satisfied in God. There should be an overflow in the whole of our lives.

Our view of future hope affects the way we live now. If we don't believe that there will one day be a new Heaven and a new earth we are likely to trash our bodies and the earth.
Who cares! we may say, it is all going to end anyway!
The bible clearly teaches that we will be resurrected people living in his kingdom on the new earth. That means rather than being a blob floating around the stars we will be eating, working (yes work was God given before the fall) and being physical.

This new creation gives us a fresh perspective on how being physical and being human is important now. We are not simply getting though, putting up with this nasty physical things, but we are to enjoy full lives now and into the glorious future.

We will then put value on playing football, sleep, eating, caring for people, conversing with people, holidays, watching movies because God has made us to be human not machines.

If you would like to hear some other thoughts on this subject check out this
Jerram Barrs talk

You are with me CD review

2009-10-13T09:28:00.000-07:00

Hi
I have posted a review found in Evangelicals Now paper - I never thought I was so kendrick! shine Jesus Shine - I guess he is a legend of a songwriter so should be a compliment.
If you would like to submit a review of the CD then please send it to me - always useful to have some reviews
Thanks
Clive

Here is the Review -

You are with me
Beating Time

TITLE: YOU ARE WITH ME
ARTIST: Clive Parnell
WEBSITE: http://www.cliveparnell.blogspot.com/
PRICE: £6.00
FORMAT: CD (7 tracks, 23 mins.)
STYLE: contemporary worship

I managed to blag a review copy of Clive’s CD when I bumped into him on a soggy field in the Welsh borders. Clive is a Creative Evangelism Trainer for UCCF, and the occasion was a Phatfish gig at Forum 09, an under-canvas conference for CU leaders.

Over the past decade Clive has fronted bands such as IndigoEcho and The Mystery Tent at the Edinburgh Festival and Greenbelt (three albums are still available via the iTunes store). You are with me is his debut solo album and represents a recent, yet initially reluctant move into leading worship.

His voice and guitar are not unlike Kendrick’s, but the writing style more akin to Redman’s (by which I mean: simple lyrics, an emphasis on rhythm, and a fair amount of repetition). The songs have the integrity of coming from the heart, reflecting Clive’s recent walk with God. The focus is on who God is, what he has done in Jesus, and what our response should be. In a word: useful.

PGDH,
http://www.colossiansthreesixteen.org

© Evangelicals Now - October 2009
Please consider supporting this ministry by subscribing. http://www.e-n.org.uk/

you are with who?

2009-10-08T15:46:00.000-07:00

Ok

New webpage set up for the CD - click here

Mr weir has made this up thanks to him for that.

I have been amazed to hear of people as young as 3 and as old as 90 singing the songs, now that is a broad appeal.
It is encouraging that the CD is appealing to lots of people - Christians, those on the fringes looking in and those who don't believe at all.
Music is said to be a universal language and I hope these songs continue to speak.

thanks
Clive

Did dave crowder band copy me?

2009-09-22T14:10:00.000-07:00

So I know many of you have been wondering about what all the meetings I have been having with Passion in the USA are about?
I have been wondering about them myself too - I went to Washington DC a year and a half ago went to the Passion regional, met Chris Tomlin, Charlie Hall and Mr Redman, but no Dave crowder.

I went to a meeting in London this year, no Dave crowder?
So I was surprised to find that Dave crowder was recording at the same time as me??
I was more surprised that ITUNES was releasing "Churchmusic" on the same day as My CD.

So basically my theory is Dave crowder has been spying on me - yes he said he was not in Washington DC but I reckon he was under cover as a student.
He was not in London but he was probably hiding as one of the Queens Guards with the big hat on.
He was in Edinburgh when I went to frenzy I was supposed to meet him for an interview did he show up? - NO

If you wanted to copy me dave you should have just asked - and those rockumentary things, i wondered where they went off my laptop those amazing scripts.
So if you are wondering why my ad campaign is so boring ask Dave crowder - ok so your CD is better than mine, but listen I am just a rookie on the worship CD front - Look forward to meeting up next May.

thanks
Clive

"you are with me" out on ITUNES

2009-09-22T04:07:00.000-07:00

you are with me" out on ITUNES

Just to let you know the CD is now available on ITUNES around the world.

Just follow this link Clive parnell CD on ITUNES
and you will be taken to the ITUNES store and you can hear some tracks and buy the CD.

look forward to it getting to number 15,683!

thanks
Clive

What on earth is going on?

2009-09-15T08:30:00.000-07:00

What on earth is going on?

Do you ever get those days?
I was preparing to do a talk/music at Stirling Uni today had the songs mapped out the talks sorted for in between and set off in the car.
I got there ok, found the venue ok, and it all seemed to be going fine.
I then got up to play and about halfway through my song (to which i was playing with no PA) people were talking really loud - suddenly it all became a bit piano bar - bloke in the corner.
The point of these lunchtime events is to engage people with the songs I have written and the chat.
The problem here was - well they were loud and I was not.
So plan b in my mind is there one?
Well not really apart from praying and asking God what to do. As I began to play I decided to play some of the new songs from my new CD which is more of a worship CD not the obvious one to play in Uni setting.
I began to the sing songs about how God is with us, about how he is faithful, and his glory and fame.
This led to me asking people to reflect on who God is, and explaining we can know him because of Jesus - as I sang the last song people sat in silence reflecting on if they knew him and if He is indeed with them.
Afterwards I spoke to a few freshers who each got a free CD.
It struck me at this time of year how scary it could be for a fresher - left home, new home, new friends, new almost everything.
How comforting and real to know God is with you, he is faithful, every step of the way.
It reminded me to pray for freshers more and to be more sensitive to their needs, this is a big transition in their lives.
It also reminded me that God's story is in motion and we need to try our best to not maintain our agenda for the sake of it nor be ashamed of the gospel.

http://www.myspace.com/cliveparnellmusic

Story behind the song part 3 - You are almighty

2009-09-14T05:53:00.000-07:00

Part 3 - You are almighty

D Dsus4
When I am weak
G/B Asus7
You are strong
D Dsus4
When I fall down
G/B Asus7
You pick me up

D Dsus4
When life is hard
G/B Asus7
When troubles come
D Dsus4
You are with us
G/B Asus7
You never fail

G
You are almighty
D
You are Lord
G/B
You’re above all things
Asus7
The first and the last

D Dsus4
When doubts arise
G/B Asus7
And fears set in
D Dsus4
You can deliver us
G/B Asus7
And bring us peace

D Dsus4
You are our rock
G/B Asus7
Our hope in the storm
D Dsus4
Our peace and our joy
G/B Asus7
For evermore

Clive parnell 2009

This song was written during a tough point in my life, I had a bad virus for around 3 months and it felt like I had the stuffing knocked out of me.
when we don't have our strength we can feel lacking and lose confidence, but life is something much great and bigger.
It is easy to think that life is all about being bigger, stronger and fitter but these things largely relate to the exterior. What happens on the inside of us when we are fit or ill?
We can appear to have it all together, be very active, going from one thing to next, being the life of the soul of the party but what is going on the inside?
The Gospel view of strength is in many ways counter-cultural, it is when we are weak, we are strong. It is when we are weak, he is strong. In many ways this points to our dependency it points to where we turn to.
This song also points to the faithfulness of God - his existence or prevalence in our lives is not dependent on whether we are rich, fit, strong, or poor, weak or healthy. He is with us whatever the circumstances whatever the weather some sun or rain.
The problem is we often forget about God until something goes wrong. Personal problems, wars and issues in the world.
It is at this point that we want to point the finger.
God is not like us in the sense that he is in control and he is almighty, he is all seeing and all knowing, he is eternal and in comparison our joys and troubles are like a tiny, our lives are like a vapour or puff of smoke - one minute they are here and the next minute they are gone.
We can hold onto life so tightly as it this is it - but the truth is there is more to come - he is the first and the last he is all knowing - his plan is to deliver us into his kingdom, where we know him now on this earth but in the new heaven and earth.
I hope this song gives us perspective that he is almighty and that we should worship him and trust in him for now and the future.

Recording process
The recording of this song involved a few things.
Graeme recorded the Acoustic with a nice classical guitar and and Thomas Dean did some great Violin on this song.
It was a process to get the right melody in the studio and get the instruments sounding as we wanted. This song reminded me of how instruments can create strong melodies and breadth. The violin takes on a strong melody and you can sense the act of worship as Thomas plays it.
Yvonne did the backing vocals and added some great texture to the song. It was fairly straight forward but could have been easy to over produce the song, i think we got a nice warm sound
Buy now CDBABY

take that take this

2009-09-11T08:35:00.000-07:00

Ok who said the boys in UCCF can't have a laugh.

Check this out.

thanks
Clive

Story behind the song Part 2 - I Look at the Cross

2009-09-09T06:31:00.000-07:00

In part 2 of the Story behind the song I am going to look at the song "I look at the cross".

First up here is the song "I look at the cross" lyrics and chords
Capo 2

G D G
I look at the cross
Csus2 Em7 G
And thank you Lord
G D G
You took my sin
Csus2 Asus
Upon yourself
G D G
You suffered in pain
C Em G
Nailed to a cross
G D G
Paying the price
Csus Asus
For what I deserve

G
There is no
Csus2
Condemnation
EM7 Csus2
For those in Christ
G
You’ve paid the
Csus2
Great cost lord
Em7 D
For all our sin

G D G
I look at the cross
Csus2 Em7 G
And thank you Lord
G D G
Your blood has washed
Csus2 Asus
Me whiter than snow
G D G
Our subsitute
Csus EM7 G
Our sacrifice
G D G
Our Great high priest
Csus Asus
We worship you Lord

Clive Parnell 2009

I wrote the lyrics to this song in a short space of time with some re-edits.
One day I was aware of my sin and how this side of glory how I can fail, and rather than choosing to live a Holy life and in God's way at times I choose to go my own way. It really hurts when you mess up, but what do you do with that?
Do we become hard hearted and ignore our failings? Do we become absorbed by guilt?
When I fail I quickly recall the Cross - the cross gives us perspective - when we look at and remember Christ on the cross he suffered and died to pay the price for our sin, my sin on him - he pays the penalty, the wrath I deserve was paid by Jesus.
I remember listening to a talk by John Piper and he was talking about how we need to regain perspective and he said, "look at the cross, just look at him, just look at him"
I hope this song reminds us of the work of Christ on the cross, that there is freedom as we turn to the saviour.
I got the chorus from Romans 8 which says -
1Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus,[a] 2because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death. 3For what the law was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the sinful nature,[b] God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful man to be a sin offering

It is great and freeing to know that when trust in the work of the cross we are no longer under condemnation.
It is amazing to know that Jesus pays the price for our sin past, present and future.

The recording process
Before going into the studio the song was more hymnal. It did not flow as well as it could. We decided to do an instrumental intro and the song really builds on the chorus and is very anthemic.
One of the most exciting parts of the recording was the middle 8. I did not know which way this was going vocally. When making a worship CD there are differing tensions.
How do you get a bit of spontanity but keep it musically tight? I ended up doing 4 different vocal endings and Yvonne Lyon did some backing vocals around it.

I hope you enjoy the song you can buy it here CDBABY

Story behind the song Part 1 - Jesus name above all names

2009-09-08T04:07:00.001-07:00

I am going to attempt to do a bit of blogging about each song on the new CD "you are with me" - Clive Parnell.

In each section I hope to give you some insight into the song lyrics but also a little story or two about the recording process.
First of all the lyrics and chords.

Jesus name above all names
A D
Saviour, healer,
F#7 D
Deliverer, you are Lord
A D F#7
Redeemer, exalted one,
D
You are Lord

A E D
Jesus you’re the name above all names x2

A D
Living one, Lamb of God,
F#7 D
You are Lord
A D
Our righteousness, our substitute
F#7 D
You are Lord

A E D
Jesus you’re the name above all names x2

A D A E
We glorify, We glorify you, We Glorify, We glorify you

Clive Parnell 2009

The song came about as I thought about the different names and attributes of Jesus.

I also thought about this In Philippians 2

9Therefore God exalted him to the highest place
and gave him the name that is above every name,
10that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
11and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.

It is really powerful to think about Jesus being the name above all names.
As we live in a world obsessed with celebrity and people seeking fame, man's fame is tiny in comparison to Jesus.
Jesus came into this world as a baby with nothing being fully human, yet fully divine.
He was with the lowest of the low, able to go without and able to enjoy good gifts.
He was verbally abused by many, beaten and rejected. Jesus obedience led to him dying on a cross in order that the he may pay the price for our sin, the penalty that I was due was paid by him. He did not stay dead but was raised from the grave defeating death - God comes down to us and shows us not only how to live, but that he is the answer to our future hope in Jesus.
This is why I say it is important to talk about Jesus being

living one, Lamb of God,

You are Lord

Our righteousness, our substitute
You are Lord

He is alive not dead and has risen and one day will return.
He is our righteousness and our substitute - you see it is not about us trying to be righteousness or us trying to lay down our lives to impress God.
He has done the work for us but wants to be our Lord, he is to be Lord of all things.

In a 1000 years how many people will remember "David Beckham"? or in 1500 years Obama?

Jesus however is eternal and his name is worth of praise he is the great deliverer he is the one who gives hope and is the great healer - Jesus is the one who is to be praised.
My hope is that when this song is played on a car stereo that people may come for a first time and realise this, or it may shape the students perspective for the day as they walk to college listening to their IPod.
As we sing this truth "Jesus your name above all names" there is a willfulness it is not about me being the greatest but it is about Jesus. He is to be glorified it is not about our glory.

Writing process and recording
The song started life in G (capo 2) and it was a good idea at the time but chatting to Gary Francis (bass) player he suggested it was better in a lower key.
We then came across the key of A and it all seemed to work much better. It seems to be that the song works well when sung by a church or at an event as people get the melody.
we also decided to space out the rhythm rather than a constant strum.
In the studio the recording of this song was fairly straight forward and it seemed to change a fair bit in the mixing stage.
It seemed that the vocals were too far back in the mix and it just lacked a bit of dynamics. I remember going into the studio one day as Sandy Jones one of the producers was working on it and came up with an idea that changed a lot about the song.
Yvonne Lyon (backing vocals) had sung BV on the song but it was fairly low in mix, I wondered if I dropped out of the first part of the middle 8 section and we pushed her forward would this work better?
The result is YES YES - I am in a new awe of producers and mixers and I am always listening to songs on the radio etc and wondering if things need to be added or subtracted.
Jesus name above all names has turned out to be many people's favourite and to be honest it did not stand out too much before the studio, God bless producers!
check the song out and buy it at CDBABY

You are with me - Clive Parnell CD out now

2009-09-05T07:39:00.000-07:00

Ok just to let you know you can know buy the CD online around this little old planet of ours at CDBABY
The CD is available as a hard copy the one you put into your fancy machine or for a download to use on your IPOD/mp3 player.
It will be released on ITUNES and AMAZON soon but be the first to get it by clicking that link - thanks enjoy
Clive

New Podcast on ITUNES - it's a good opportunity to die

2009-08-21T05:11:00.001-07:00

I just thought I would let you know following on from a previous post that I have made a podcast it's a good opportunity to die.
It is not morbid I promise - in fact it will bring hope and freedom.

Click this and I pray it's a blessing to you - PODCAST on ITUNES

Matt Redman - We shall not be shaken

2009-08-20T04:27:00.000-07:00

I have enjoyed Matt Redmans songs for years I have sung them, played them and listened to them on the train, on a plane and chilling at home.
Matt in many ways expanded my awareness of worship being in awe of God and yet at times more intimate. I have had the privilege of meeting Matt a couple of times in London and in Washington D.C. - he is a very humble and gracious guy who also likes a laugh.
Amazingly this is Matt Redman's 7th studio album. There is in many ways a prophetic edge to this CD. It reminds of God's faithfulness in a time of fear, and uncertainty. - on the song "through it all" he sings "through it all you are faithful, Jesus you are faithful to the end" how we need to hear and sing these truths in the days we live in.
Redman shines a light on culture by further exclaiming these truths in "we will not be shaken" by singing "nations could be quaking, economies failing, when fear is found all around, your the solid ground. Our God you are all that you say your are, you never change, you never fail, you never fade" - I want us to wake up in the morning with these truths in our mind and shout them out to the BBC breakfast news on the TV - hear is truth.

Another key theme of the CD is salvation - a beautiful melodic song that rings out as a quiet anthem is "you alone can rescue" - here we hear the truths of a God who saves, rescues and will resurrect us in the future - " you are alone can rescue, you alone can save, you alone can lift us from the grave, you can down to find us, lead us out of death, to you alone belongs the highest praise" - how we need to remind ourselves of this beautiful hope we have.

Matt furthers the theme of salvation by the song "remembrance" another welcome song that could be used for communion.

If you are looking for the ultimate anthemic song on these CD that it has to be "Gloria" what a tune! This will be a bit harder to sing in a small group of 10 but at a bigger church or event, it will be worth exercising the lungs to "Gloria, Gloria,Gloria heaven and earth sing how great you are"

For a reflective song that you may play on your own or use for a time of reflection in a group then "my hope" is a song to help.
"When the mountains are falling, when the waters are rising, still I'll be safe in you"

Musically the CD is well produced and it is rich in dynamics. When the songs are up they are up with nice electric guitars, when they are chilled we have spacious keys and strings.

I guess it is one thing to listen to a CD and another thing to play/lead the songs if you so wish.
I predict that the songs that will take and be used are "you alone can rescue", "Gloria", "this is how", "how great is your faithfulness".

The CD is released on August 25 on sixsteps records - more info Matt Redman myspace

it's a good opportunity to die

2009-08-06T04:20:00.000-07:00

it's a good opportunity to die! - no i am not being morbid, this is what a friend said to me yesterday in terms of leading worship etc.
The truth is the christian is not about living his/her life in their strength but it is about learning to live as Christ lives. It is learning how to die to self. Galatians 2:20 - I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.
The mind blowing thing is Christ lives in the believer that we should not hold onto our skills, abilities or doubts, fear and lack of abilities - it is all about Jesus - therefore we need to learn what it is to die. We have to embrace the new life, the new creation and there are collision points here, the old self/the new self. We have to learn to serve and live as Christ lives in his power. This is so counter-cultural we hear it is all about me - right to self-determination, self esteem, self help - the truth is if we want to live we need to die and allow Christ to rise. When we worship or lead worship in song, when we serve behind the scenes or up front it is all about Jesus.
It's a good opportunity to die.
It maybe we don't know Christ? It could all seem so strange to live a life that is empowered by the holy spirit.
so much of our struggle to understand the importance of Jesus is because we may not truly investigate if he is true. It maybe when investigating we don't ever dare to pray God if you are real show yourself to me help me understand. I did this over 20 years ago - not believing but praying for months God if you are real show me. My prayer was answered after reading the bible hearing many talks and realizing it is not about me it is about God. He took the steps to send his son to die on a cross. It is his plan to allow his son to pay the price for our sin, it is his plan to raise Christ from the grave, it his plan to return and make all things new and even more real than things are now. - It involves bowing the knee, admitting we are wrong, dying in order to live.
It maybe that we seek life where it cannot be found, elsewhere in scripture in Philippians 1:21 it says For to me, to live is Christ to die is gain. This is not simply saying this life is rubbish get it over and done with the emphasis is on dying to self and that life is all about Christ. It is not Jesus + is is Jesus.
It is a painful thing to realise but a freeing thing, how we might grasp the true nature of this and live it out.

I don't think I can catch Michael Jackson on the sales front

2009-07-26T12:51:00.000-07:00

I don't think I can catch Michael Jackson on the sales front - the death of artists often open the doors for huge sales.

I have now finished the CD "you are with me" - it has taken a while to get the mix and master finished and I am still finishing the Art work details.
I have given a few people a listen to the whole CD and it has been encouraging that many people have been encouraged and blessed by it.
I have been listening to Matt Redman's CD "we shall not be shaken" which is out in September (i got a preview copy). I was struck by the songs talking about God's faithfulness and certainty in an age of uncertainty. The amazing thing is many of the songs I have written are the same - You are with me - based on Psalm 23 - Salvation based on Psalm 62 and I look at the cross - focusing our attention on where our true hope lies.
It is good to hear that there is a link up between writers of worship songs - I am a rookie with nowhere near as much as experience as Matt Redman yet it seems God speaks to his people about similar themes of faithfulness and salvation.
I guess it is what I need to hear as I think about the future and the age we live in. Economic downturn, swine flu, lack of cash, lack of job security, wars and more wars. - In an "on demand" generation where we pause and rewind and fast forward when we want, where we require instant access, fast replies where is the patience? Where is the longing for a hope that lasts?
Our age needs to hear of a God who is faithful, who is with us, who has a plan, and where there is a hope for now and for evermore.

The CD all being well will be out in September - Check out the songs at www.myspace.com/cliveparnellmusic

Jesus name above all names

2009-06-29T06:46:00.000-07:00

Hi just to let you know there are three songs up at www.myspace.com/cliveparnellmusic

Jesus name above all names seems to be going down the best and there has been some good feed back.
The master is coming back to me from the studio then we need to finish off the artwork and get the CD off to the CD plant.
Check out the songs and please use them in your churches thanks
Clive

I look at the cross mixed and finished

2009-06-24T11:49:00.001-07:00

Hi

Sorry for the delay in blogging.
I have been making a new CD and it has been the most involved process. The new CD "you are with me" is a Cd that I hope CUs and churches will be able to use as people gather to worship and praise God.
It has been a long journey getting here resisting writing worship songs for a while, getting ill, being on my knees more, praying more and I believe God birthng songs in me that have been used to transform me and others for his glory.

It might sound strange that I was not up for making a CD but this is different - what do you write that is true? How can you write a song that everybody can sing? In the light of over 10 years of performing singer/songwriter songs this is a change in direction.
There are changes that take place in all of us and I almost did a jonah on this CD not really wanting the responsibility.
A couple of days before going into the studio I thought do i want to do this? What if it is rubbish? What if it goes well? Do I want the tag worship leader? I did make it to the studio and God has been giving me wisdom in how to adapt songs and develop them with the help of the producers and the band.
I want to be good at what I do for God's glory, I don't want to be a rockstar, I don't want to seek approval from others for my identity that is shallow and will never satisfy. I don't want to gather followers of clive but pray this music may gather people to follow Jesus - for that reason although in many ways I am weak I must be obedient and pursue what God is calling me to do - there is a signpost that says "worship" and I don't know where it is leading but the first big step is to make this CD to turn playing songs in my bedroom into songs that may bless people - I also sense this is not just for the Church but as people hear the truth of god in these songs, scripture - he has the power to use them and transform those outside the church and he already has been doing this.

Pray for me on this journey as it feels like a new path and I am trying to navigate my way ahead step by step not running.

Hope you find the songs a blessing.
thanks
Clive
check out one of the new songs here Myspace

Getting close to the Studio

2009-05-26T08:48:00.000-07:00

Hi

On June 1st I am recording the new worship Cd "You are with me".
It has been in process for over a year and the songs have been worked honed and need honed again.

We are going to Motherwell foundry lab studios and Graeme Duffin(wet wet wet) and Sandy Jones are producing the CD.
It is an exciting time a time in which although in some ways familiar is also very different.
For me one of the key differences with this Cd is that it is a resource to the Church at large and To Christian Unions in the UK.
In one sense Ok it is just a CD, have a dinner party put it on in the background, get in the car and chill out to it - but it is more than that it is reflecting the truth of who God is and my hope is this will evoke worship of the living God.
My prayer is that the songs will go beyond me and the band and that people begin to play them in their Churches and Uni's and begin to lead in a way that fits. That we will see Uni's in Bristol and Aberdeen singing the truth that God is with us as in (psalm 23) and that our view of God is enlarged and our hearts and minds are changed as we worship together and remind ourselves of the truth of scripture.
This is not a take it or leave situation for me - it is not about being a singer/songwriter in the corner to who you may like one song and talk all over the rest. This is about the responsibility of writing good songs that others can sing and engage in. There is a new responsibility hear but and I need to step up to it.
Please if you pray to the living God father, Son and Spirit pray for us Gary, Andy, Thomas and myself as we look to serve others through this music.

Thanks
Clive

Tim hughes podcast - worship/evangelism

2009-04-29T06:36:00.000-07:00

Hi

I interviewed Tim hughes for the UCCF Evangelism Podcast and it has all been made and is out there for your interest.
Go to www.uccf.org.uk or go to ITUNES and type in UCCF evangelism.

I think there is some really interesting chat on there and Tim says some really great things about worship.

thanks
Clive

NEW MYSTERY TENT SONG ON MYSPACE

2009-04-22T09:17:00.000-07:00

Hi

Yes I know it is mad but there is a new Mystery tent song at www.myspace.com/themysterytent
It is a song called all things new - inspired by thinking about new creation and how things will be restored in the glorious future.
So check it out - tell your mates too.
I worked on the song with my brother aka tronik youth in the highlands of scotland over a couple of days.

enjoy
Clive

Here I am to worship?

2009-04-20T11:42:00.000-07:00

Hi

I have been travelling quite a bit and using facebook as micro blog with photos check me on facebook for more details.

It is nice to the sun on our faces in Scotland for those of you in places like OZ and OC it is a treat for us.
Just thought I would update you on a couple of things.
I am going to be going into the studio Foundry Music Lab in Mother well to record the new CD.
The aim is to record about 7/8 songs and bring out the CD in September.
This is a very different project for me as this will be a worship CD. The prime aim is to resource the church with new songs. This means writing songs that are singable and that have good words that speak truth.
I have never made a CD like this before but it makes sense given I am leading people in churches, events and CU meetings.
I can tell you some of the songs for now and will try and update this as I go into the studio.
I am a bit afraid but also excited and feel like a rookie again.
Keep in touch thanks Clive

Songs so far
Salvation
You are with me
Name above all names
No condemnation
Hear my cry

What is the recession for?

2009-03-24T09:46:00.000-07:00

I just listened to John Piper giving this talk What is the recession for?

This talk just blow me away - this is a reality check for where we are and helps us get a God shaped perspective.

I like the way he says that prosperity has blinded us and that this recession will help us see whether the church is a club or a real church.
That this will help us see the need to care for one another.

I am aware that at times I don't care enough for the poor - I am aware that we can be too self-focused and need to see and feel what God does in the world. We need to communicate the gospel but live it out and part of that is hearing the cries of the majority of the world who suffer and doing something about it.

If you want to hold onto your life and not be challenged to care for others then you might find this talk offensive.
If you want to be challenged from what the bible says about how he wants us to live then you will be excited.
This talk is really inspired - check it out
Video here or check on ITUNES

I Look at the cross - song

2009-03-23T11:49:00.000-07:00

Hi

I have been working on some new worship songs one of which is called "I look at the cross".
I recorded a rough demo on my mac and it is now at www.myspace.com/cliveparnellmusic

I am on course to record the CD in June the aim is then get into the hands of student leaders as a resource and maybe it will also serve the wider church.
Lyrics below

I look at the cross

And thank you Lord

You took my sin

Upon yourself

You suffered in pain

Nailed to a cross

Paying the price

For what I deserve

There is no

Condemnation

For those in Christ
You’ve paid the

Great cost lord

For all our sin

I look at the cross

And thank you Lord

Your blood has washed

Me whiter than snow

Our substitute

Our sacrifice

Our Great high priest

We worship you Lord

There is no

Condemnation

For those in Christ
You’ve paid the

Great cost lord

For all our sin

Clive Parnell 2009

U2 - No line on the Horizon - ????

2009-03-12T08:53:00.000-07:00

I am not altogether convinced that this is a classic album as some are claiming.
Musically it just seems a little too obvious at times - and alongside this there are too many obvious influences from "Fez" - if the band went to Jamaica would we get a reggae album?
If they decided to camp out in the highlands of Scotland would we get bagpipes?
It is just frustratingly obvious -
I love to listen to a CD for the first time and be surprised and drawn in - I don't believe that every CD needs to be instantaneous and anthemic. There are great bands who require at least 8 plays before you get the picture.
A good example of the frustration I have with this CD is a track called - magnificent - the track starts with 80's synths and it has Brian eno production all over it, but then we get the chugy chugy guitars coming in - and I just wanted to shout no stop the guitars, this is a CD you can make a studio CD.
I guess the tension for u2 is they know that they will be playing in stadiums where people gather to sing Sunday bloody Sunday and pride in the name of love and they want another anthem to sing. For them to play a song that had lots of loops and sounds would put off the faithful crowd - but why do they always need to write songs for stadiums- how about a studio album where you play in smaller venues??
I guess the beast that is U2 has grown big and they would struggle to do anything too different

"get on your boots" is the perfect example of where the band are struggling to create something fresh - even bono has been rumored to be in and out of love with the tune!!
When the band were interviewed on the Culture show they seemed to be desperate to please and show how relevant they might be - the presenter Lauren was not too impressed. Why are their answers full of cliches and why do they try to sound so earnest?
A band in their position could make a chilled CD or a different CD and just talk in a relaxed way rather than trying to retain the number 1 band title - surely being number 1 is no reflection on total talent - even bob the builder can get to number 1.
In contrast the culture show on BBC interviewed the "Fleet foxes" and the contrast was stark - OK they were a quieter band, but the group of guys seemed more into music than trying to conquer the word.
I think there are lessons to be learned here - don't be afraid of doing something different, let the music do the talking, and work as hard as you can on making great songs.
This is all very real for me as i have spent more time writing songs over the past year than ever. It is easy to stick to the usual diet and chords but it is another thing to try to work on melody and sound and not be dominated by the past - stuck in a rut.
I am not attempting to be the best in the world but I want to be true to where things are at.
Some might say that U2 will not be going away too soon- I hope in many ways that is the case, I just hope they can write some better tunes for the next CD.

So after that ramble let me give a quick review on each track

No Line on the Horizon - one of the better tracks - reminds me more of the Actung baby CD and i don't mind the guitars here
What is interesting is the ah ah ah a oh' - many bands are doing this now but you have to credit U2 as one of the main inventors of the crowd chant - this song has much more natural flow to it

Magnificent
it has the U2 80's hallmarks with the raw drums and 80's guitars but please ease back on the guitars for once and let us hear more of the eno synths

Moment of surrender
A good start with a throw back to some 80's style from bono - Well done for holding off on the guitars and not over doing it.
One of the better songs that demonstrates what i said above it is possible to have a U2 song with out chuggy chuggy guitars
At 7mins 24secs I suspect this maybe one the stadium goers may skip on their mp3 player

Unknown caller
Recorded where? Oh yes Fez you can tell - classic edge guitar - you can see him walking onto the stage with this one.
The multiple backing vocals work well on this and again a reminded that U2 are the Kings of the chant - it is what people do in a stadium after all. This said this is probably the most singable tune on the Cd and will be one that does not get out of your head.

I'll go crazy if I don't go crazy
Yes it has the classic U2 bass lines - this is a grower than does grow on you - and is a little different but at the same times has those lingering chords - "is it true that perfect love drives out all fear?" says bono and i believe it is.
Although I can't believe the baby baby baby's appear again - in danger of sounding like a U2 tribute band when they are the real band

Get on your boots
Would have sat better on the last CD - it is another vertigo - great for Match of the day as they play the goals of the day i am sure - next

Stand up comedy
I like the different groove - and it works -bono packing the words into this tune and it is fast passed - probably the best line on the Cd for me - "stop helping God across the road like a little old lady" - as if we are bigger than the almighty!

Fez - this has a bit of a reprise to get on your boots in it - let me in the sound - thundering bass and I love the original sounding keyboard, you need a good tune to drive too and this is your one -

White as snow - it appears bono has tried to change his lyrical style and he is writing in the third person - I like this tune it reminds a bit of Johnny cash - and of course that is what we sometimes get from bono. - I think this brings out his best vocal range too. Great middle 8 with a bond style brass section

Breathe
Likely to be another single - it works as a pop/rock song and it is more radio friendly

Cedars of Lebanon
One of the more interesting tracks musically and they create more of the space i was longing for in other parts.
I guess because tracks like this and Fez are different some might hail this CD as more experimental but I am not so sure.

Overall the CD seems to lack a cohesive sound - contrast unknown caller and get on your boots.
Some might argue that to have a range of songs is good and ok - i am just concerned that U2 began to run out of ideas as they scraped their first attempt and have struggled to make a more cohesive CD. They claim to have wanted to make a CD that they are happy with themselves.
U2 are more of a live band and I am sure they will interpret and develop the songs as they go.
Bono has said some great things and has done some great work but I think it is time to stop looking for a girl to dance with in the crowd and time to focus on the singing. - I have been a U2 fan most my life and I cringed when Bono went into the studio audience on Jonathan Ross and lied down on the laps of three unsuspecting middle aged women - the look on their faces said it all.

So it is now time for the band to work out how to change and adapt to where they are at and where the culture is at, maybe in many ways it is chilling out a bit.

Podcast interview on something beautiful

2009-03-06T01:23:00.000-08:00

I was interviewed by Stewart Cutler from Something beautiful a network of Emerging podcasts.
There are some interesting things on the website check out the link for the podcast.
Something beautiful podcast interview

You've gotta pray just to make it today

2009-02-23T03:47:00.000-08:00

I have put up a new podcast/talk on ITUNES - (Bono loves grace what's grace all about).
You can find it on ITUNES by just typing in Clive Parnell.
Or follow the link to its source here PODCAST

Good news

2009-02-15T05:01:00.000-08:00

Good News

This is another way of talking about the Gospel.
I have had a week where I have been in 3 different places - Queen Margaret Uni, Jordanhill in Glasgow and Napier in Edinburgh,

I was standing in the bar in Queen Margaret playing music and pointing people to Jesus talking about the good news.
I was aware of how counter-cultural this is but the more I think about this is Good news - why hide it?

On Wednesday I was in another bar in Jordanhill this time there was a Pub Quiz and I was asked to speak on Mark 10 - the rich young ruler - What is true wealth? - During the talk I said that this message is counter-cultural maybe even hard to hear.
What are we treasuring? What is the most important thing? Money? Relationships? what oh what are we treasuring? When we treasure Jesus then we know and have good news and eternal hope that begins now.
After getting home at 1115 and finishing an 8 hour round trip the next stop was starbucks Edinburgh.

Thomas dean and myself played in Starbucks in Morningside edinburgh.
Singing songs about who we trust? Knowing the still small voice, not worrying about tomorrow, and knowing the love of God.
In the midst of the starbucks, with coffee machines out of time we were looking for people to know the glory of God.

It has been great to serve in this way - next stop St andrews.

Missions, disco and parables

2009-02-09T09:14:00.000-08:00

Missions, disco and parables

Yes there are all on the new podcast now on Itunes and at the website.

Go check it out - no dancing around your hand bag!

Podcast

Trial and Jesus

2009-01-29T06:16:00.000-08:00

I watched this the other night and it is great to be reminded of getting a perspective that is shaped by the gospel.
If you have got an hour watch this it will be good for your soul.

Good service?

2009-01-25T13:33:00.000-08:00

I was out with the family for a meal yesterday - at Pizza Express and I was struck by the service.
The encounter with a grumpy waitress made me think about what we say and how we communicate.

Before I turn to application as it were let me fill you in on the scene.
In the UK in comparison to the USA customer service is not as slick - it is interesting to see how culture and local culture affects what people do and say.
We were greeted in the stockbridge branch of Pizza Express by a grumpy and slightly stern looking waitress.
She asked what we wanted to drink and when I asked what the difference was between the 2 Italian mineral waters she said "one is still and one is sparkling" not obvious from the text that went on the Menu.
After one of my kids spilt his apple juice she decided to ignore it and let us mop up the mess with lots of napkins.
Then while the kids were getting a bit restless waiting for the Pizzas I thought it would be nice if along with the other children they got some crayons and puzzles etc.
I had a sinking feeling that when I ventured across the room to ask, " if it would be possible for the children to please have some crayons and books/puzzles ", that I might get a moody look - I did not expect to get my head bitten off.
She replied "JUST GIVE ME 2 MINUTES CAN'T YOU SEE I HAVE GOT LOADS TO DO HERE ALRIGHT!!!" - UM - I replied sorry I was only asking a question - what i wanted to do at that point was speak to the manager and get her a crash course in customer service, but I thought Grace - Grace must exercise Grace.

This encounter reminded about how we speak and communicate - we can be harsh with words, forceful and quick to knock people down.
when it comes to speaking the Gospel people can be harsh in tone, aggressive and lacking love. We need to communicate truth with compassion and love, and not be so harsh.
We also need to be aware that our culture can swamp us and the christian is at times called to live in a counter-cultural way. Some might say I am reserved and I can't do this or say that, others may say they are lively because of their personality.
We can't let our culture dominate us - in the case of the waitress she may have had a tough day but she gave in to what she wanted to say and do -
The christian has this tension we are to not gratify our own longings and cravings but to live instead by the spirit - this means even though we might want to shout and get angry we are to be people who are kind and loving as God transforms us and renews us.

I wonder how many people find Christians in churches rude? How many people have gone to a church and been ignored as the christians sit in a huddle?
How many times have we not spoken to people in love?
We need a work of the Holy Spirit to transform us and to make us more like Christ.

So next time you go for a pizza be careful to exercise grace!

Get on your boots - New U2 single Review

2009-01-19T22:00:00.000-08:00

Get On Your Boots, the first single from U2's new album No Line On The Horizon, will be released as a digital download on February 15th with a physical format to follow on February 16 through Mercury/Universal (UK).

Here are the lyrics

Future needs a big kiss
Winds blow with a twist
Never seen a move like this
Can you see it too
Night is falling everywhere
Rockets hit the funfair
Satan loves a bomb scare
But it won’t scare you

Sexy boots
Get on your boots
Yeah

Free me from the dark dream
Candy floss, ice cream
All the kids are screaming but the ghosts aren’t real
Here’s what you gotta be
Love & community
Laughter is eternity if the joy is real

You don’t know how beautiful
You don’t know how beautiful
You are
You don’t know
You get it do you
You don’t know
How beautiful you are

If someone’s into blowing up
We’re into growing up
Women are the future
All the big revelations
I’ve gotta submarine
You’ve got gasoline
I don’t wanna talk about wars between nations
Not right now

Sexy boots
Get on your boots
Yeah
Foxy boots

You don’t know how beautiful
You don’t know how beautiful
You are

Sexy boots
I don’t wanna talk about wars

Let me in the sound
Let me in the sound
Let me in the sound
My God I’m going down
I don’t wanna drown now
Let me in the sound

Let me in the sound
Let me in the sound
Let me in the sound

Get on your boots
Get on your boots
Yeah

Listen to the track here Get on your boots

The track reflects the raw sound promised with drums sounding stripped back - drum fills more akin to an earlier 70's sound.
The vocals follow similar U2 patterns but along with the music are not as anthemnic.
This will not be a track sung from the football terraces as u2 play a stadium gig but it will sit along side songs such as discotech - it has more guitar than the previous dance incarnation but it is more alternative. My guess is the choice for first single from the album is to make a statement of intent - " we are doing something different here" - in a strange way it does sound typically U2.
If you combine the days of Achtung Baby with All that you can't leave behind you have a flavour of the new material. Look forward to hearing the whole CD.

Trial and Sin

2009-01-19T07:54:00.000-08:00

What we often want in life is quick fix answers rather than working from a God perspective.
When we look into the bible there are so many riches to delve into, countless things that need to be chewed over slowly rather than a junk food fix.
Our culture loves to encourage us to dip in and out of narratives - on demand, you choose how much you want to watch - you don't have to watch the whole program. Fast forward the boring bits - rewind the good bits.
In the light of this I was encouraged to hear Mark Driscoll taking 7 months to work through 1 and 2 peter - what! I hear you say. Can't he just take 7 things to learn about life from peter and be done with it - How Peter can improve your DIY, love life and make you happy - ummmm
I am pleased that a pastor wants to work through the whole 2 books and apply them believing in the transforming work of God's word and his grace.
How we need more of this in the uk - a hunger for teaching his word in depth with creativity to go with it.

In his first talk I was reminded of how thankful we should be that God loved us before we came into being - He is the one with the plan to fufil his purposes and he choose us to be part of that - amazing.
It is so great to be reminded that is all about Jesus and his work rather than us trying to muster up better morality and effort to gain approval. When we know Jesus as Lord there will be an overflow into the whole of our lives and this will affect our character and what we do- His grace is enough!

Check out the first talk enjoy -

New Line on the Horizon - U2

2009-01-14T03:45:00.000-08:00

U2 Have a new Cd coming out on March 9 2009, and it will appear in 5 different formats.

As well as a standard CD and vinyl issue, 'No Line On The Horizon' will be released in three limited editions, reports Billboard.

The digi-pack version offers the full album along with a 36-page booklet, a fold-out poster and a downloadable film by Corbijn, featuring the music of U2.

A magazine version of the album comes with a 60-page soft cover magazine-style book, along with the Corbijn film as a download.

The most excessive of the five releases is the box set, which features a 60-page hardback book, a second poster and a DVD version of Corbijn's film.

To give you an idea of the costs check Amazon

The tracks on the CD are
Stand Up
Magnificent
Get on your boots
Moment of surrender
Unknown Caller
No Line on the Horizon
Crazy Tonight
Every Breaking Wave
Breathe
Winter
Cedars of Lebanon

The band say it is a rawer album - moment of surrender is tipped to be the U2 classic from the album.
I will do a full review when I get a copy