Huldra Forsvant (Theodor Kittelsen)

Huldra Forsvant (Theodor Kittelsen)
Huldra Forsvant (Theodor Kittelsen)

Friday, May 6, 2011

It's Like The Power Of The Wind

I know it's horses for courses and all that, but I don't get Christians who don't like Keith Green. It's like Italians not liking spaghetti. Staple. I love these lyrics I was listening to this morning--

'All my life I've been searching for that crazy missing part
And with one touch, You just rolled away the stone that held my heart
And now I see that the answer was as easy, as just asking You in
And I am so sure I could never doubt Your gentle touch again
It's like the power of the wind.'

12 comments:

Laetitia :-) said...

Actually, Italian cuisine is very regional and flat/extruded pastas like spaghetti are a southern thing whereas northern Italians apparently like to stuff their pasta. :-)

Ben McLaughlin said...

What I meant to say was, 'Christians not liking Keith Green is like Southern provincial Italians not liking flat and/or extruded pastas.'

Laetitia :-) said...

:-)

Jessica said...

I don't listen to him. My interest is limited to that one song, 'There is a Redeemer', and I've never been keen enough to listen to anything more. But now I'll try and taste and see.

Ben McLaughlin said...

For me he's pretty much the only Christian singer I really like. It always feel real and personal.

Here's a good one to try-

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h89-3_kIRDA&feature=related

Ben McLaughlin said...

oh, and this one

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sk7w4y_9B2k&feature=related

Laetitia :-) said...

Ben - you need to get out more :-) - next year, bring the family to Toowoomba for Easterfest (http://www.easterfest.com/) - massive festival of all genres of music by Christian artists including lots of people who'd fit in the same genre as Green and are very real and personal.

Ben McLaughlin said...

I have heard a fair bit of Christian music. I just very rarely find any that appeals to me, or that I connect with. Not for a lack of trying.

Laetitia :-) said...

I'm sure you do. But seriously, Green is all you've found you like? Nothing against Green but there are many others doing stuff like he did.

Have a listen to this:
http://www.myspace.com/belmorrison#!/belmorrison/music/songs/you-are-my-destination-62579483

and tell me what you think. That way I'll have a better idea as to your taste.

Ben McLaughlin said...

Thanks for the link. I liked it enough, in that it was pleasant and innoffensive. But not really up my ally.

Actually I don't reckon there are many if ANY who have come close. I think a lot of what's out there is well, just, pleasant. Like a Christian version of the love songs that get played on mainstream radio.

With Keith Green there was so much range, and the listener was really challenged. Some songs had joke lyrics, some he was on the verge of crying when he sung them. Some songs were from the pov of him the sinner. some were from thepov of God. some even from the pov of the devil. So much range, and a song for every mood you're feeling in your walk with God.

I remember vividly when I heard The Sheep and the Goats at about age 11. that blew me away, I'd never heard anything as passionate as that Chritian or otherwise, and that was like one of the first occasions where I really felt God's presence.

I don't want pleasant, easy listening, I want to be blown away and disturbed out my apathy.

The only other times I've gotten this with Christian music is with some extreme metal, or with something choral like Allegri's Miserere.

Laetitia :-) said...

Thanks for those details, it helps to know what is grabbing you more in terms of content or style - I'll think about the artists I know who might fit that bill.

Bel's a friend, she wrote a song for a mutual friend when he was in hospital losing a leg and was touch and go. When she sang it at his wedding half the congregation was in tears. Unfortunately she doesn't have it on her myspace page so I can't link to it.

Jessica said...

Thanks for the links Ben. He is stunningly honest, it comes through in the words and the way he sings and even his eye-contact. And he seems unconcerned with his own talent or image. Didn't have a deep effect on me, but I think it's a matter of soaking it in and matching it with personal experience.

I like pleasant music too. Brooke Fraser is top of my list. Something of the honesty, delicate mellow voice, but she isn't at all as raw as Keith Green.