I actually started this little ditty before the holidays. Then, a virus got me. But, today my head cleared a bit and I could hear (thank God). So, I finished what I started. This is a “sketch,” or musical profile that looks to capture the joy and trepidation of Christmas Eve. It’s called “Visions of Sugarplums.”
It was probably the late 70’s when Ron Spann penned this song. Ron and I met in Los Angeles around 1984 and played music together for a while. We are friends to this day and have recorded each other’s songs, together and separately. I’ve always enjoyed his tune “You Gotta’ Have Faith.” His original arrangement was a 12/8 shuffle, light and bouncy. I decided to make it a bit more “groove oriented” but keep the 80’s feel. So here, for your dining and dancing pleasure, is my version of my friend’s song.
I have always liked this song, especially the lyrics. It was written by Robert Lowry and first published in 1876. The original music is very upbeat, singable, and written in a major key. So, I decided to take it in a different direction. The verse lyrics are very poignant, so I decided they needed to be in a minor key, switching to major for the choruses. I recently obtained (for free, no less!) a really nice sample of a mountain dulcimer. That seemed like the perfect place to begin. And things grew from there.
Once again, this song was recorded using Studio One 5, of which I never tire. Enjoy this new approach to an old song.
I am trying to make the most of these shutdown days. One of my favorite hobbies is making music (which I suppose I’ve done all my life). Lately, I’ve finished two songs. The first is just me, playing with my samples, and trying to create an “organic” sound (despite the digital trickery). I chose one of my favorite songs, “This Is My Father’s World.”
Back in September of 2008, I received the following mp3. I listened to it. I liked it. But, it felt a bit self-serving to share it. The audio is from the second time I had preached at the Sovereign Grace Bible Conference at Main Street Baptist Church in Lexington, KY., back in 2006.
The author of the sound file (not me) did a bit of editing and sound FX to my voice, added some music, and this is the end result.
But, the message is true. The gospel of grace is proclaimed. And, I figured it was time to share it.
Want to hear a song? Sure you do. I don’t get to do much music, these days. But, I have been working on a remake of the classic hymn for a couple of months. Tonight, with the holidays and all, I have been able to finish the mix and I thought I’d share it with you. I sang it and played all the instruments, with the exception of the guitar solo, which my friend and neighbor, Nathan, played.
In Numbers 6 we find one of the most lovely instructions in all of the Old Testament. God gives words to Moses to bless the children of Israel. The passage reads:
And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, “Speak unto Aaron and unto his sons, saying, ‘On this wise ye shall bless the children of Israel, saying unto them, The Lord bless thee, and keep thee: The Lord make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee: The Lord lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace.'” (Numbers 6:22-26)
Those words have a permanent place in my memory. As a young Lutheran boy, every service closed with those words as a benediction.
They’ve also been set to music and the “Great Hymns of the Faith” hymnal we use at GCA contains the classic choral arrangement by Peter C. Lutkin (1858-1931). It’s a short, beautiful bit of music. So, I decided many months ago to record it.
My original plan was to create “The GCA Digital Choir” — gathering various singers from the congregation, recording them separately and individually, doubling voices, and building the tracks until I had formed a virtual choir. But, the project grew rather unwieldy. So tonight, after sitting on the project for months, I sat down and took the four essential voices — Charlie singing soprano, Carol as alto, Jamey as tenor and Daniel holding down the bottom notes — and began mixing. The end result was quite pleasant.
Just click below. Hope you enjoy it. And thanks to the folk who were kind enough (and patient enough!) to sing along.