Review: Jonathan Rundman, self-titled album

I've been listening to Jonathan Rundman's 2011 self-titled release with a goofy grin on my face.  The music is very upbeat and you're going along just fine until you realize he's singing about a handbell ringer, or Ash Wednesday or a committee meeting.  Thus the grin.  Several of the songs on this album are from earlier releases, but there's plenty of new material.    I found myself comparing Rundman to NC balladeer Mike Cross, only with rock instead of bluegrass or folk as his musical style.  Like Mike Cross, Rundman casts a poet's eye on the mundane and earnestly reflects on the basics of life.  And more specifically in the case of several songs here, the life of church-y folks.  Other surprises include the homage to librarians and Rundman's request for a "bright funeral."  This is a great album to keep in the car.  The music is fun and the messages contain a delightful mix of silly and sublime with a subtle zing here and there. + + + +

Music for 061712

FirstLight
Gathering Song(s)
How great is our God

Opening Song
Holy is the Lord

Prayer of Confession Response
We sing of your glory (STF 2011, in D)

Communion
Distribution: God has chosen me

Closing Song
Your grace is enough 
            
11AM
Hymns
205, All hail to God’s anointed (ELLACOMBE)
Hymn of promise (PROMISE)

Prayer of Confession Response
Patterson, Alleluia, in Jesus Christ we are forgiven

Doxology
592, Praise God, from whom all blessings flow (OLD HUNDREDTH)

Music during Communion
Responses: Hal Hopson
Distribution: God has chosen me

Instrumental/Organ Music
Prelude:  Carol Staszewski, Voluntary on Ellacombe
Offertory:   George Thalben-Ball, Solemn Melody
Postlude:  Joseph Jongen, Choral

Music for 061012

FirstLight
Gathering Song(s)
Jubilate, everybody

Opening Song
We fall down (in D)
Holy, holy, holy (NICEA)

Prayer of Confession Response
Surely it is God who saves me (STF 2030, in C)

Offertory
Marvelous light (in A)

Doxology
Give thanks (refrain, STF 2036)

Closing Song
Refiner’s fire (Purify my heart), (in E)
            
11AM
Hymns
139, Come, thou almighty King (ITALIAN HYMN)
2225, Who is my mother, who is my brother (KINDRED)
276, Great is thy faithfulness (FAITHFULNESS)

Prayer of Praise Response
2030, Surely it is God who saves me (FIRST SONG)

Doxology
592, Praise God, from whom all blessings flow (OLD HUNDREDTH)

Instrumental/Organ Music
Prelude:  Pachelbel, All glory be to God on high
Offertory:   Titelouze, Come, Holy Spirit
Postlude:  JS Bach, Lamb of God most holy

Review: Richard Colligan, Shout for joy

Richard Bruxvoort Colligan’s second project for Augsburg-Fortress Press, Shout for Joy, is a second collection of original settings of the Psalms.  The titles of the tracks do not identify the specific psalm texts; I have the album via the Amazon.com Cloud player, so I am lacking liner notes, which may give some helpful details in that regard.  Given the parameters of the project, a psalm collection, this may not be the best album to judge an artist’s talents with original material.  I found the musical style a little too poppy for repeated listening.  That being said, young children will likely truly enjoy this music.  Indeed, children's voices are incorporated in several of the songs.  Colligan’s lyrics are quite clear, and will allow listeners to readily hear the Psalm texts.  Colligan’s voice, however, doesn’t seem to have the heft to pull off meatier music.  I found the upbeat nature of “Return and Restore us” slightly incongruous in relation to the text of the song.  A couple of songs could find their way into corporate as congregational songs or responses.  I hope lead sheets will be available for a couple of these.  + + +

Review: Ruthie Foster, Let it burn

I am listening to this entire album once again this morning, and finding that I am nowhere near tired of listening to Ruthie Foster! Born in Texas and infused with a rich palette of musical influences, Foster's sultry, soulful, sensuous singing is a delight even on repeated listening.  This album was recorded in NOLA and includes some heavy-hitting back-ups on a couple of the tracks: George Porter, Jr., the Blind Boys of Alabama and William Bell.  This album features more covers and fewer original songs than her other releases, but all that has done is whet my appetite.  (My kids enjoy hearing Adele sing "Set Fire to the Rain" on pop radio, but Foster's take is incredible.)  The orchestrations could easily have overtaken the voice, so kudos to the producers who let the voice predominate.  + + + +

Pentecost 2012

We re-installed our cut-paper dove, but added with 

it with two red cut-paper flames.  The install went fine and the final effect was good.  I'd like to do more of the flames for next year, maybe from each light fixture and vary the heights.

Music for 052712 Pentecost

FirstLight
Gathering Song(s)
Wa, wa, wa emimimo

Opening Song
Spirit, Spirit of gentleness (PH 319)

Prayer of Praise Response
Spirit of the living God

Offertory
As the wind song

Communion
Responses by Leon Roberts
Distribution: Our God is here

Closing Song
Jesus Messiah
            
11AM
Hymns
129, Come, O Spirit, dwell among us (EBENEZER)
131, Wind who makes all winds that blow (ABERYSTWYTH)

Prayer of Praise Response
322, Spirit of the living God (LIVING GOD)

Doxology
Praise God from whom all blessings flow (with Alleluias)
LASST UNS ERFREUEN

Music during Communion
Responses by Leon Roberts
Distribution:
314, Like the murmur of the dove’s song
316, Breathe on me, breath of God

Instrumental/Organ Music
Prelude:  Titelouze, Trio on Veni Creator Spiritus
Offertory:   David Ashley White, Come down, O love divine
Chancel Choir
Postlude:  Titelouze, Fugue on Veni Creator Spiritus