Sojourn

Sojourn is a group that describes itself as writers of "New songs for modern missional worship, rich in Christian teaching and contextualized in modern culture. Contemporary hymns, psalms, songs of lament and praise written by members of the Louisville, KY-based Sojourn Community."  They have seven albums that they have available on bandcamp's website and each is excellent in craftsmanship and messages (If you click on the image below you will go to their website).

Micah

I have been reading the Bible for a while now, and yet there are still several sections that are akin to reading the phone book.  Leviticus, and the Major and Minor Prophets tend to have a soporific effect on me.  Lately, however, I have been reading the minor prophets through a new lens. 

Context can make such a difference in anything.  A statement about a murder in the news we find sad and disturbing, but in a mystery movie we find it intriguing.  Often what was written in the Minor Prophets is devoid of context; simply personal messages stripped of a background story.  So, where do you find the background on the one of the Minor Prophets like Micah?  Well, the book of 1 and 2 Kings (which inconveniently isn't even near the prophets) tells the history of what was going on in Israel at the time they wrote.  Essentially Kings provides the overview to the primary sources of the prophets.  Many of the names and stories that are briefly referred to in the prophets are described in depth in the book of Kings.  It provides a framework to which one can place the messages of the prophets such as Hosea, Joel, or Jonah. 

As a result of this I have found the prophets to be much less of a sleep inducer than I once did.  Instead they add a great amount of depth to an already rich story of the nation of Israel from which our Savior came.

Next Guitar Build?

It is amazing what a little success can do for one's courage.  I have never owned a bass, but have always wanted one.  My all time favorite is of course a Fender.  The Jazz bass is their best looking model in my opinion and the most affordable version is the Squire.  Still, it is $300.

Another great looking bass by Fender is the Jaguar.  It came out recently and is vying for my aesthetic admiration.  Again this is still $300.

Really, $300 isn't bad, but after building a guitar for around $50 (that doesn't include the price of the neck) I have trouble thinking in terms of that much money.

So...I have two thoughts.
1).  guitarfetish.com sells kits for the Jazz bass for a measly $104.
2).  rondomusic.com sells an already finished Jazz bass copy for $119.

Of course, this is only the beginning.  The idea is to take the neck, electronics, and pickguard and transplant them into a body that I would build to match the telecaster thinline I just finished.  I'll have to think it through a bit more, but it might just work!

Pokey LaFarge

NPR has a great music page.  One section, called "Tiny Desk Concerts" has about 2 videos per week of unplugged musicians playing in NPR's All Songs Considered office.  Some of them are familiar, but most are refreshingly unfamiliar.  Pokey LaFarge is one such artist.  He plays songs both from and inspired by 1920's and 30's America.  He and his band even dress the part.  Enjoy!

Overflow Draft 2

So, today I had a thought about recording vocals.  The goal is to have a dead sound (not referring to the singer but the room).  I took some bi-fold doors left over from building our house and formed a circle with them and draped blankets inside of it.  Although not a perfect "dead" space, it did improve the sound of the vocals.  Because of the size requirements for these videos the audio quality isn't very good.  That will make what you hear be of poorer quality.  Even on my computer the song does still sound like someone recorded it in his office, basement or bedroom, but it is getting better!

Discovered Stats

Today I discovered that blogger lets you keep track of statistics about your page.  Amazing!  I had no idea how many of you out there are looking at this site.  Either there are a few of you or my mother keeps looking at it over and over again from different addresses (I'm wondering how she posts from Malaysia, Denmark and France, though).  Anyway, I greatly appreciate all 20 of you that watched the "Finished!" video today.  Post a comment if you can.  I'd love to know what you think.

Overflow Draft 1

Well, I have spent the day working on recording.  There are still a few things that I need to do but it is pretty close.  Vocal quality is still not the way I want it.  I need to record in a room with fewer hard surfaces.  Julie also said that the verses should be more staccato.  I think she is right.  The tele sounds great!  I am very pleased with that.  I also recorded myself on the piano and ukulele for the first on this song.  Fun.