Music

In a project called CompassionArt, several of the world's best worship leaders and song writers collaborated on 15 songs and all of the proceeds from record sales, royalties and even church performances will go to charities. Coming from a variety of styles and backgrounds, the writers met up in Scotland in 2008 for one week to hammer out the songs. The group was Paul Baloche, Steven Curtis Chapman, Stu G, Israel Houghton, Tim Hughes, Graham Kendrick, Andy Park, Matt Redman, Martin and Anna Smith, Michael W. Smith, Chris Tomlin and Darlene Zschech.

Check out this CNN piece where they interviewed Houghton about his experience:

CompassionArt is truly a unique album in that it mixes worship and social injustice. It's a perfect blend, as they make the case that since there is no poverty in Heaven, there shouldn't be any here. Not all of the tunes talk about poverty or social issues but even when you are singing along with a straight up worship song off this album, you can't help but think about it.

Another unique thing is the DVD that accompanies the album. It features a documentary on the process of writing the songs, and seeing all these people working together is quite amazing. Also, chord sheets and lyric sheets are included so you can perform the songs in your church. Remember, all proceeds from that also go to the selected charities so you can't go wrong there.

Additional artists came in for the recordings including Kirk Franklin, TobyMac, Cece Winans and Amy Grant.

All the songs are great but my personal faves are the first 4 tracks, "Come to the Water", "Shout Praise", "King of Wonders" and "Lead Me to the Rock".

This is one where you need to get the physical album to get the full deal! And give one to your worship pastor!

As part of her class, this young woman recited (is that the right term?) "Go Hard" by Lecrae in American Sign Language. This seriously impressed me because the verses are certainly not simple and she even seems to get her groove on a little bit. That's the way to do a class project! Great song and great job!

Another one buy a different woman for Canton Jones' "Holy Ghost Girl" can be found here: YouTube - Holy Ghost Girl in Sign

Thanks to DJ Wade-O of the Wade-O Radio Show for pointing out these vids!

A couple weeks ago, NewReleaseTuesday.com released an iPhone app full of information on Christian music artists. The App Podcast reviewed it and talked about the many features. I've downloaded it too and the sheer volume of data available is impressive.

You can easily check out upcoming album releases and a ton of info on various artists, albums and songs. You can also find lyrics to your favorite song. Researching an artist or finding that album you just can't remember is made super easy.

For the coming week, you can listen to Don Moen's new album for free at NewReleaseTuesday.com. It is titled "I Believe There Is More".

Moen has written several worship songs you've likely heard and sang in your church such as "God Will Make a Way", "Give Thanks" and "Shout to The Lord". Unfortunately, you have to listen to the whole album as one long stream but everything I've heard so far is great.

Accoring to CMSpin.com, Rebecca St. James is busier than ever. In their post,
"Rebecca St. James' Career Balancing Act" they discuss her acting career, books she is writing and music she is working on. St. James is currently acting in "Sarah's Choice".

She portrays a single, successful young career woman faced with the unexpected news that she is pregnant—and the dramatic, life altering decision of what follows.

Rebecca St. James's book Pure also broke into the Top 10 in the "Young Adult" sales chart. Music is also on the horizon, with concert dates upcoming and songs for movie soundtracks in the works. Read the full post for more info on what she's up to.

Third Day has a preview of their live DVD and CD set up on their website. It looks beautifully produced!

LIVE Revelations includes:

LIVE CD
1. Run to You (Atlanta, GA)
2. This is Who I Am (Raleigh, NC)
3. Slow Down (Nashville, TN)
4. I Will Always Be True (Atlanta, GA)
5. Cry Out to Jesus (Houston, TX)

6. Call My Name (Nashville, TN)
7. Otherside (featuring Robert Randolph, Atlanta, GA)
8. When Love Comes to Town (with Robert Randolph, Jars of Clay, and Switchfoot, Atlanta, GA)
9. Revelation (Atlanta, GA)

LIVE DVD
The 75 minute + documentary gives an insightful look into the lives of Third Day on and off the stage. It also includes performances of the following songs:
I GOT A FEELING
THIS IS WHO I AM
RUN TO YOU
THIEF
ROCKSTAR
CALL MY NAME
OTHERSIDE
CRY OUT TO JESUS
and REVELATION

plus out-takes and much more.

Over at MatthewWest.com you can make your New Years resolution known considering the theme of his song "The Motions". Are you willing to say "No more going through the Motions!"? If you are visit The Motions mini-site and let your voice be heard. West says

I know what a "Christian" should say. I know how to act. I know how to put up a spiritual front, even if I'm not passionately seeking God. That was the inspiration behind my song, "The Motions". I was tired of settling for a stale faith. God is a God of PASSION. His true plan for our lives is anything but boring. Every day, The God of adventure beckons his sons and daughters to quit going through the motions, and walk into a life filled with passion and wonder.

Vote in CCM's 2009 Readers' Choice Awards! CCM Magazine will be announcing the reader's choices in May and the voting ends March 31! There's a wide range of categories and you are bound to find a bunch of artists you love.

Hip-Hop: "Joyful Noise" by FLAME ft. Lecrae & John Reilly

Rock: "Death of Me" by RED

Contemporary: "Beautiful Bird" by Cindy Morgan

Retro: "Jesus is for Losers" by Steve Taylor

Jodie Walton posted a blog over at Illspot.net, a Christian hip-hop community site, asking if the secular hip-hop industry is really as good as people claim and if it really is better than the Christian one.

Walton makes several points. First, there are many rappers who replace their lack of talent with the typical subject matter of drugs, guns and sex. Plenty of the skilled rappers choose these topics too but many more simply don't have the rhyming skills or beat-making ability. There are "less talented" rappers in the Christian scene too but they seem to be steadily getting better.

Second, unless these secular artists are one of the big stars, they are spending someone else's money (from a record label or big star) to get their records made. For Christians who are trying to get started in the rap game, it's not that way. They are often spending their own money to rent studio time, get their discs burned, and get their music distributed. That while working a full time job and often ministering at their church.

Walton also mentions that the secular rap industry is resorting to single record contracts. This is a setup for a bunch of "one hit wonders". You hear a great song on the radio from a guy and the next month, he's gone. This happens all the time. For Christian rappers, they keep on going for years and years even without backing that might buy them an add in the very back of a magazine. Why? Jesus is the ultimate backing. He takes care of our every need (note: not our every desire). If He wants any of us to keep doing the ministry we're doing, He will make it happen, one way or another.

“Let's stop having hoop dreams and wanting to have our names in lights, cause that's gonna cost a couple grand, lol. And let's just get back to the great commission (Matt 28:19), and do our ministry in excellence. If you get big, it happens, but until then, spend your money wisely and let's go fishing!”

Check out the full blog post over at Illspot! When you do, be sure to get some of their free downloads of some great tracks from artists you should know about!