10 Worship songs you won't hear on KLOV or Air 1

So a friend of mine compiled a list of his favorite worship tunes recently. It's a fine (if not comprehensive) list, but I noticed something. Most of the songs were were written after the late 90's, and I'm pretty sure ALL of them had gotten airtime on the local "positive and encouraging" radio stations. Not that there's anything wrong with that. 

Anyhoo... I was inspired to put together a list of my own favorite worship tunes that (to my knowledge) have never gotten significant radio play. I should note that I compiled this list while I should have been packing for my vacation last week, so it is by no means comprehensive. Already I've noticed omissions of some great hymns (specifically from Mars Hill's "Rain City Hymnal" but there are others). 

Ok, enough blah, blah, blah. Here's the list. What are some of your own favorites?

1. Pray Where You Are- The Lost Dogs
http://www.thelostdogs.com/lyrics/littleredridinghood/praywhereyouare.html

2. Cast Your Cares (Psalm 55:22)- Seeds Family Worship
This has been a favorite here at Casa Garcia recently. I defy you to get this song out of your head.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vc9pEb-Ej7U&feature=channel_page

3. Reveal Yourself- Glenn Kaiser
Little known tune from the lead singer of the Resurrection Band. From "All My Days" a worship disc focusing on small group worship.

4. In Your Eyes- Jeffery Gaines
I couldn't find the original disc from Peter Gabriel. Long been a favorite of mine. Favorite line: "In Your eyes...the resolution of all my fruitless searches".

5. Praise the Lord All Nations- Ron Kenoly
You know when Solomon completed the temple and they all started singing? I imagine it sounded a lot like this.

6. Break Our Hearts- Kevin Prosch
Taken from Joel 2, the opening line "Teach us O Lord what it really means/ to rend our hearts instead of outer things..." and continuing with the chorus "...that we might weep as Jesus wept/a fountain of tears for the wounded and lost/ whoever heard of an army O God/that conquered the earth with weeping and mourning and brokeness?" It's a great call for the church to pray for the lost instead of coming up with shiny new programs for them.

7. Oh Lord, You're Beautiful- Keith Green
Just a great song.

8. Somebody to Love- Resurrection Band
I'm not sure why this is here. I like it though. It's a really good cover.

9. For Crying Out Loud- The 77s
Again, I'm not really sure why this is here. Good song though.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tou-jb8aWXk

10. Breathe Deep- The Lost Dogs
Video is a little cheesy (not endorsed by the band) but the song cuts to the heart of what worship really is, IMO.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bnaZlwme8Sw&feature=related

Plus 5 other Jesus-centric songs (also not heard on afore-mentioned stations)

1. Good Boy- Children of the Consuming Fire
No way anybody's heard this song in the last decade. trying to find a link.

2. The Outlaw- Larry Norman
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tuGcLDv5nvM
Music from the Jesus People times! Like today, there's a lot of thoughts about who Jesus was. Thankfully, Jesus Himself had some things to say about who He is. 

3. Nothing is Beyond You- Rich Mullins
I like this song so much, it doesn't bug me that Amy Grant sings it (Mullins had died before recording it). "Nothing is beyond You, You stand beyond the reach/of our vain imaginations, our misguided pieties..." and then the song procedes to expand on the awsomeness and intimacy of Jesus. Very Psalm-y. I love it!

4. Why Don't You Look into Jesus- Larry Norman
At least 25 years ahead of his time, Larry Norman asks a pretty straight forward question.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TliWDSLrYb8

5. Strength- The Alarm
Hmmm... i'm sure there's a good reason this song is here, but for the life of me I can't figure out what it is. It's got a good beat and you can dance to it. So i think i will! Mullets Rock!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WSN4W45rYvo

Movie Review- "Fallen Angel: The Outlaw Larry Norman"

I first heard of Larry Norman when I was 7.  Some well meaning producers used his song "(You've Been) Left Behind" for the Apocalypse movie "Thief in the Night".  The whole experience almost literally scared the hell out of me.  

When I rediscovered his music in the early '90s, I set aside old grudges and was willing to forgive him.  At the time, I found his music fairly refreshing.  It was gritty and honest, and most of the time he spoke of hope.  His songs, which were almost 20 years old at the time still rang true to the lives of those following Jesus in a fallen, broken world.  And they were theologically sound (mostly, except for the whole rapture thing).  It was a contrast to most Christian music of that time which was just starting to expand from a musical niche to a full blown industry.  His music occasionally wandered into musical propaganda, but at his creative peaks he surpassed the "Christian singer" label and was recognized as a brilliant songwriter and true artist.  At least, in my humble opinion. 

More than two decades earlier Larry Norman was a true pioneer of Christian music.  His songs reached a generation of new Christians who at the time had very few options in terms of music that spoke to them.  He died in February of 2008 heart failure.

"Fallen Angel: TOLN" is a movie that examines the life of Larry Norman beyond his music and takes a closer look at his life.  My experience of "FA: TOLN" includes a brief  Q and A with the filmmaker and also Larry's son.  

To the fans of Larry Norman's music this film is probably going to be disappointing, if not down right heartbreaking.  In short, it seems Norman had some problems walking the walk and talking the talk.  Interviews by friends and fellow musicians (some of which are my all time favorites) give evidence to the fact that Norman could be self centered, manipulative, egotistical, and full of pride.  In other words, he was an artist.  None of this should come as a shock to anybody who has known anyone that has "artistic leanings".  The film also exposes some of the greater sins of a man who professed to be a follower of Jesus and his teachings.  These include, but are not limited to: adultery, lying, and stealing.  The heartbreaking aspect of "FA: TOLN" indicates that Norman never owned up to any of these, and in fact kept practicing them well into his later years.

The film itself seems to have a definitive agenda.  One can get a feel for said agenda in the opening 2 minutes of the film.  The problem I have with "FA:TOLN" is that as documentary a film should be objective.   Given the nature of the subject, I can understand how difficult that might be.  Apparently, Norman's family objected to the making of the film and did not participate.  Again,  I can understand how difficult that would be to make a film like this completely balanced.  But the language of the film's narrative seems to present the film's agenda.  

Was Larry Norman a man called by God who lost his way?  Was he a crazy man with a gift? Or was he a master manipulator that saw a void that could be filled and used it solely for his own personal gain?  Despite the filmmaker's intention to present all three arguments, the film seems to lean heavily to the third.  Asked about the use of animation during what could have been some fairly poignant exposition about Randy Stonehill's conversion, the director claimed it was used to "break up" the monotony of talking heads and overused photographs.  What gets communicated seemed to be a wink and a nudge to the audience indicating "Can you believe these guys?"  The movie also seems to run out of images in the last few minutes,  displaying photos that seem to have little to do with the audio that is playing.

In the later moments of "FA: TOLN", there are some heartfelt moments given to Randy Stonehill, Terry Taylor, Mike Roe, and a host of others who give credit to Norman for his accomplishments as an artist and songwriter.  It is quite moving to see Stonehill, who was severely wronged by Norman repeatedly, affirm how it was possible for God to use Larry Norman and his songs to communicate the truths of Christ's redeeming work to mankind in spite of Norman's  continued deliberate deceptions. 

If there were any redeeming qualities of Norman's character, "FA:TOLN" does not introduce us to them.  It is a compelling film, one that makes you hope things work out for those involved. The movie also has a killer soundtrack filled with music that holds up decades later.  In addition to Norman's music, Randy Stonehill's music is featured prominently.  I saw this movie with a friend who had no idea who Larry Norman was, or that there was even a "Jesus People movement".  He was inspired to learn more about both.  He also made me feel really, really old.  For me, the movie is worth seeing.  The more people exposed to Norman's music the better.   

I give "Fallen Angel: The Outlaw Larry Norman" 2 and 1/2 out of 5 ponchos.

We're flocked.

One of our neighbors flocked us and asked us to write about our experience.  The following is kinda true.  Except the fake parts.

Dear Troop #1348,

Today is February 23, 2009.  We were flocked!!!  It started with a light rustling.  Then we were surrounded by the sound of flapping wings.  One by one they appeared, each with a knowing look in their eyes.  “Hello,” we said.

They did not reply. Rather, they each started bobbing their heads up and down.  From out of nowhere we heard the familiar guitar riff of Ritchie Valens’ “La Bamba”.    Overcome by the music, we could not help but dance along with our new pink feathered friends.  For the next 3 hours we danced, jigged and moon-walked with abandon as the greatest hits of Grand Funk Railroad played on a continuous loop.  The booty-shaking was truly a sight to behold.   

Then as suddenly as it had started, the music stopped.  Without a word, they each looked to the sky, staring into the starry night.   We knew their time with us was drawing to a close.

“Must you leave?” we asked.  “Surely you can stay a while longer?”

Again, they never spoke.  But the flamingo with the hula skirt looked at us as if to say, ”Dear friends.  Thank you for your kind offer.  We must continue our mission to spread joy to those in need.  Perhaps we will meet again.  Until then, remember us when you shake it, shake it, shake it like a Polaroid picture.  Hey ya!”  And with that they were off, flying into the night sky.

“We will never forget,” we whispered, watching their silhouettes as they soared before the full moon.  “We will never forget.”

Sincerely,

The Garcias 

My Favorite Quote of the Week

Cindy:  "Lucas!  Stop hitting me with your sword!!"

Lucas (4 years old) pointing:  "This is not a sword Mama.  It's a wight saber."

Aaahhh...well that was refreshing!

Well hello!

Pardon me whilst I stretch out a bit.  Whoa, that kind of burns.  Aaahhh...that's better. 

Whoo, I tell you there's nothing like a 16 month break to get the old blogging muscles back in fighting form. Like so many things, I meant to get to this sooner than later.  Oh well.  I'm here now, and I got the eye of the tiger!  So look out blogosphere, here comes Joe!!!

Some upcoming topics:

- Wow, I've been married for 10 years!  In your face world!!!

- I think I accidently crushed a little bit of my son's childhood innocence.

- I think I accidently crushed a little bit of my son's childhood innocence Pt II.

- "Peter", our neighbor kid who won't leave us alone.

- You know, I don't really like Steely Dan.

That's all I can think of right now.  Wow, I'm already kind of lightheaded.  No matter, I have the will. I have the technology. I have the passion!  I. Am. Back!!!  And I will not-- oops gotta go, Scrubs is on!

 

Testing 1,2,3...

Just seeing if this thing still works.

More Cool Things in 2006

Another cool thing we did in '06 is visit my brothers. My brother Jeff (the tall guy on the left w/Mrs G, Amy) made it a point to have family over to his house as much as possible. And we were happy to oblige! As you can tell from these pictures, both Jeff and Josh love to hang with their nephews. There's been talk of a mass Garcia family vacation. Maybe we'll go camping, maybe get a cabin up in the snow. Heck, I'd be happy just to crash at Jeff''s and throw up a tent in the back yard. I hope it happens. And God bless the poor souls that are caught up in the wake of the Garcias passing through!

The pictures on the right were taken at my niece's 1st birthday party last summer. Ethan didn't want to get out of the pool, but we had to make him take a break whenever his lips were noticeably blue. Below, Lucas chills with his prima Ally. Aint she a doll? (I think she was getting remnants of her BDay cake washed off)