Spiritual iPod:
Todd Snider – Somebody's coming. Incredible lyrics; Advent has never been described better.
Paul Simon – A Church is Burning. Simon, before Garfunkle. Actually, they were a folk duo but Simon went to England to record this album. He then came back and did most of the same songs with Garfunkle, and the rest is history. Still, this is the version without Garfunkle … but I digress. It's the story of the white supremacist burnings of Black churches during the 1960s phase of the Civil Rights movement in the Southern U.S. I include it because of its deeply religious nature from a writer like Simon, not seen generally as a Christian artist. The line used to be more blurred. In the liner notes to the album, Simon also talks about the fire as also referring to the Holy Spirit.
Emerson Lake and Palmer – The Only Way. The first atheist rock song which I'm aware of. There might have been others. And certainly most rock music was about sex, and having a good time, and generally things which churchy people didn't approve of. But, this is a song which argues God isn't real. I find it interesting because it came out around1970 (the Tarkus album). And Christians had been complaining for over 14 years about the godlessness of rock and roll, before it actually was.
Jethro Tull – Wind Up (Aqualung). On the surface, one could read this as a song opposed to religion/Christianity. Instead, I think this is a deeply religious song, focusing instead on the abuse of the ideals that the organization (in this case, the Church of England) has been guilty of. But in the end, “He's not the kind you have to wind up on Sundays…”
Bruce Springsteen – Thunder Road. A song about hope and redemption, with at least one great Biblical reference.
Todd Snider – Once he finds us. Pretty good for someone who wouldn't be (at all) considered a Christian artist.
Peter Gabriel – Here comes the flood. The apocalypse.
Pink Floyd – On the turning away. Great lyrics – from Momentary Lapse of Reason.
Todd Snider – Conservative, Christian. Okay, I like Todd Snider – a lot. A great song about stereotypes – some of which (sadly) are true.
Steve Earle – Nothing but a child. A great Christmas song. From his early days – Copperhead Road.
Vigilantes of Love – When you're blinded by the light. Another artist (Bill Malonee is the voice and songwriter) who those interested in “Christian” music wouldn't listen to or take seriously. Their loss. What a great song.
Jesus Christ Superstar – Could we start again please. Not in the original – but a great addition to the play.
Van Morrison – In the Garden. There's a Victorian hymn of the same name. This takes the idea to an entirely new dimension.
Lyle Lovett – Church.
Regina Spector – Samson. Old story, new twist.
Rachel Yamagata – Jesus was a crossmaker. The old Holllies' song – redone brilliantly.
Keb Mo – City Boy. Keb Mo normally does more blues oriented songs. This song from his first album I find particularly evocative. As someone who works in the city, but chooses to live in the country, it's the way I feel.
Henegar-Union Street Sacred Harp Convetion – Antioch. Traditional a-cappella sacred singing.
Van Morrison – Let the Slave (incorporating The Price of Experience). The text is by William Blake. Some unbelievable lines in this and a sympathetic setting of the text.
Violent Femmes – Faith.
Steve Earle – Jerusalem.
Deacon Blue – Dignity. A great Scottish band – not too well known on this side of the Atlantic. One of their most famous songs.
Bill Mallonee and the Vigilantes of Love – On to Bethlehem. Mallonee was one of my favourite song-writers – and then I heard this song, which puts him even higher on my list.
Johnny Cash and Joe Strummer – Redemption Song. Yes, Marley's version is better: still, I like this one a lot.
