An Early Christmas Present For Me

As of yesterday my struggle with Wordpress  has come to an end. Don't get me wrong, WP is a powerful tool and I only had the WP account because of the rrs feed for my podcast so people could subscribe via iTunes from there but after something went horribly wrong where the tool to post new shows and show has disappeared...I mean LITERALLY disappeared I have had enough. I could reinstall the WP software on my server but this was a blessing in disguise.

I was about to move the site over to Movable Type until something told me to just go to the help page of Blogger (which is something I have to admit I should have done all along) and I found out I can host my podcast from there and also I can set up iTunes over there as well. Then the Christmas bonus was that the application Apture has a cool little audio player where when you hover the mouse over the tiny speaker that's left of the text.

So now it's truly complete for me...I can do everything from Blogger. Christmas came early for this geek.

For the next couple of weeks I will begin the process of changing the rss feed on my blog so be patient with me but in the end it's the best thing to do.

Wordpress no hard feelings, I guess it wasn't meant to be.

Have a Merry Christmas everyone.

~DarrenKeith

26 December 09 MyLoveForMusic: The Beginning Vol. 2

Sorry about the lateness of posting Volume 2 of MLFM: The Beginning but as the ol' heads used to say, "I'm late but I'm straight!" The other night I sat and watched "Windham Hill Concert" and it took me back to when I went to record shop hunting for music, having it special ordered, getting to know the people who worked at the record stores. It made me realized what my mission is in regards to music and as of today I put my mission statement on my site and in 2010 I will get back to my roots and begin showcasing music that will have the majority of compositions instrumental because I truly feel, especially today musicians have really fallen to the wayside and in my opinion they are the heart and soul of music.

For me I'm not impressed with many vocalists today. The vocalists that are gifted fall to the wayside because labels today do not allow them to grow in their craft because if their LP doesn't turn a profit right away they are kicked to the curb and that is a shame and so called producers get more credit than the songwriters and musicians so it is up to me to bring you a small piece of what music is supposed to be and the men and women who play the instruments I will try and bring you each podcast whether from past recordings or new releases that is my mission from now until I call it quits in regards to music podcasts.

This podcast is showcasing 7 albums, (Special EFX "Slice of Life":::Acoustic Alchemy "Blue Chip":::Windham Hill Samplers "86" and "88":::Michael Franks "Passionfruit":::The Narada Collection, Vol. 2":::Stanley Jordan "Flying Home") that shaped my love for instrumental, for becoming a seeker of great, relaxing music.

Am I saying that I will NEVER showcase a vocalist? No I am not because in this line up the one and only Michael Franks is featured in this mixture of tunes; Passionfruit is and always will be one of my favorite albums. I love the lyrics, I love the vocal arrangements (lead and background), how the harmonies were put together and yes, the gifted musicians who played on this album.

As always, Kick back, Relax, and enjoy.

~DarrenKeith

{to listen: click here | to download: right click}
[to subscribe: copy and paste this rss feed[http://myloveformusic.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default?alt=rss] into iTunes]



{Track Title/Artist or Group/Album Title}
o1. Aquabogue - Special EFX{from the "Slice of Life"LP}
o2. The Blue Chip Bop - Acoustic Alchemy{from the "Blue Chip"LP}
o3. Engravings - Ira Stein/Russel Walder{from the "Windham Hill Sampler '86"LP}
o4. Now That Your Joystick's Broke - Michael Franks{from the "Passionfruit"LP}
o5. Angel Steps - Scott Cossu{from the "Windham Hill Sampler '88"LP}
o6. Can't Sit Down - Stanley Jordan{from the "Flying Home"LP}
o7. Dolphins - Darol Anger/Mike Marshall{from the "Windham Hill Sampler '86"LP}
o8. Trail of Tears - Peter Buffett{from the "The Narada Collection, Vol. 2"LP}
o9. Amazon - Michael Franks{from the "Passionfruit"LP}
1o. Making Waves - Acoustic Alchemy{from the "Blue Chip"LP}
11. When Julia Smiles - Stanley Jordan{from the "Flying Home"LP}
12. Yesterday's Memories - Special EFX{from the "Slice of Life"LP}
13. Shenandoah -Eric Tingstad/Nancy Rumble{from the "The Narada Collection, Vol. 2"LP}
14. Road To Hanna - Shadowfax{from the "Windham Hill Sampler '88"LP}

intro underscore music: Todd Kelley
outro underscore music: Nicolay

photo: Deep Silence By emats/inferfaceLIFT.com

My Thoughts on Jonny Lang w/Fisk Jubilee Singers

When hearing "I Believe" from the "Oh Happy Day" album my mind takes me back to one of my favorite movies, "O'Brother Where Art Thou?" It takes me back to 3 hour church services, alter calls, baptisms, dinners in the basement of the church. At the time as a child I didn't like those service but that's the awesome thing about God...it may not make sense to you at the time but when you get older and in time of inspiration, those ol' saints come to mind and it reminds you without Him NOTHING is possible. That is what Jonny Lang song makes feel...hope, reassurance, relief.

God my let you go through the storm, you may not like it, you may cry out to God to stop the pain but once you come out on the other end you realize you are a stronger, wiser person and you have a testimony for another person when it comes times to share your story when seeing someone else in pain and going through something similar to what you've been through.

Although a blues man, Jonny's cover of "I Believe" takes you to a time when the only instruments the choir had were their voices, their hands and their feet to stomp in unison and what a beautiful sound it was. Teaming up with the Fisk Jubliee Singers it makes you close your eyes and sway back and forth (even if you don't want to) because when hearing the lyrics you have no choice but to sit back and count the blessings you have received; some small, some "gi-normous" that make you realize it was nobody, and I mean NOBODY but God Almighty that brought you through.

When hearing the guitar licks of Mr. Lang combined with wonderful voices of the Jubilee Singers it truly brings tears of joy to my eyes because not that I'm older I can really look back and reflect where I come from and how far I've been brought on this train called "Life" and I can truly say, "without you God I am nothing".

I love the new sound of Gospel with artists like, Kirk Franklin, Mary Mary, dc Talk, it's cool to hear that down-home Gospel that makes say, "Thank you for your mercy and grace". In this day time with the world the way it is, it's good to know these type of old hymns are still standing the test of time.

My Thoughts on GRAMMY Nominee Heather Headley

In an earlier post in regards to GRAMMY nominees I mentioned that if you were to ask many R&B artists when did they first begin singing they would tell you in their church and Heather Headley proves me right. This beautiful, talented singer, actress, and broadway Tony winner latest LP, "Audience of One" speaks of her upbringing in her father's one room church. It's amazing when brought up to be a follower of Christ he may take us down different paths to bring glory to him. Even though she has recorded three albums, performed on Broadway and in 2007 gave an unforgettable performance on the television "Christmas in Washington" singing, "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas" with President Bush in the audience.

She's come full circle now with this Gospel LP and is now a GRAMMY nominee. As Heather mentioned on her web bio,

"My dad was a preacher, and my mother once told me that I should do a gospel album," Heather recalls. "I told her it would be amazing to do it one day."

The main thing I receive from this album by Heather is that no matter how successful she has and will gain throughout her career she knows where her talent comes from and is very grateful for her gift. I get a deep meaning of the album's name, "Audience of One" because when you are in the presence of God you do not care what other people may think of you and when you are doing something for the most high the opinion that matters to you is pleasing your Heavenly Father and every track comes through loud and clear with every verse she delivers. She is up for two GRAMMYs for Best Gospel Performance and Best Contemporary R&B Gospel Album.

What Heather shows is that you can live your dream and serve Jesus without compromise.

2009MLFM Spotlight; Steely Dan/Donald Fagen[part III + Bonus]

Funny, when checking out the genre category for Steely Dan they are placed in the "Rock" category and to me they should be placed in the Jazz category. Donald Fagen and Walter Becker are true music geeks and are not ashamed it at all. They are not getting Botox treatments or getting face lifts. They focus on what they know best, bringing quality music, intelligent lyrics to the masses. You have heard me say this time and time again in regards to how Steely Dan and solo projects from Donald Fagen lifts my spirits whenever I'm feeling down and it kinda weird considering that some of their work is about depressing matters, go figure.

2009 December InspirationSounds:GRAMMY Nominee Edition

This is special on two counts: one since I didn't bring you a InspirationSounds podcast last month and second I have been blessed to be the GRAMMY community blogger for the 52nd GRAMMY Awards for the Gospel genre so what else to do but to bring you GRAMMY edition podcast. You know how I love blending Gospel/Christian with some of the best instrumental tunes but this one has a little twist: each of the Gospel songs are up for a nomination for a GRAMMY.

It's pretty cool the power of instrumental music and when it's blended with men and women of God that loves the Lord it's a win-win situation. When you really think about it how many times have you been in service praising and worshiping the Lord and when the choir has stopped singing and the musicians are playing you still are caught up in the spirit, they two go hand in hand.

The tracks featured in this podcast is from their past work to let you that success did not come to these Gospel Nominees over night...it took years for these artists to achieve what they have today and I also feel in order appreciate a person in the present you have to sometime check out what they have done in the past. The artists that are nominated are:

Vicki Winans
Jars of Clay
Smokie Norful
Third Day
J. Moss
Donnie McClurkin
Mary Mary
Kierra "KiKi" Sheard
Sheri Jones-Moffett
Donald Lawrence
Karen Clark Sheard
Israel Houghton

This is only a handful of the talented men and women who have done remarkable work in composing, song writing, arranging some of the best Worship and Praise songs that are nominated this year and if I'm granted the opportunity to participate I will have more tunes in the podcasts.

Big, BIG thanks to the Academy of Music for allowing me to express my feeling in regards to the wonderful talent of the incredible men and women who love the Lord of lords and the King of kings.

Be Blessed, Be Safe,
& Have a Wonderful Day. :-)

Sounds Unlimited: GRAMMY Edition LP1

{to listen: click here | to download: right click}
to download from iTunes - copy this rss feed into iTunes
[Track Title - Artist or Group]
o1. Long As I Got King Jesus - Vicki Winans{Nominated for Best Traditional Gospel Album}
o2. WindSurfer - Steve Kindler and Teja Bell
o3. Nobody Loves Me Like You - Jars of Clay{Nominated for Best Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album}
o4. Till We Meet Again - Special EFX
o5. Celebrate - Smokie Norful{Nominated for Best Contemporary R&B Gospel Album}
o6. With You In Mind - Acoustic Alchemy
o7. I've Always Loved You - Third Day{Nominated for Best Gospel Song}
o8. Chinnok Winds - Chet Atkins
o9. Livin' 4[Remix] - J. Moss{Nominated for Best Contemporary R&B Gospel Album}
10. Thy Kingdom Come - Special EFX
11. Speak to My Heart - Donnie McClurkin{Nominated for Best Gospel Performance}

Bonus Podcast
Sounds Unlimited: GRAMMY Edition LP2

{to listen: click here | to download: right click}
to download from iTunes - copy this rss feed into iTunes

[Track Title - Artist or Group]
o1. Incredible - Mary Mary{Nominated for Best Gospel Song}
o2. All Laid Back and Stuff - Andy McKee
o3. You Don't Know - Kierra "KiKi" Sheard{Nominated for Best Gospel Song}
o4. Cruise - Eddie Daniels
o5. God Will Take Care - Ted & Sheri{Nominated for Best Contemporary R&B Gospel Album}
o6. Dance With Me - Govi
o7. Healed - Donald Lawrence{Nominated for Best Traditional Gospel Album}
o8. Your Love Has Lifted Me - Special EFX
o9. You Showed Me - Karen Clark Sheard{Nominated for Best Gospel Performance}
1o. Those Eyes - Michael Deep
11. Again I Say Rejoice - Israel & New Breed{Nominated for Best Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album}

Intro Underscore music: Todd Kelley "The BigLa"
Outro Underscore music: Nicolay

photo: Snow Blind
By Mathias NEVIERE
InterfaceLIFT.com

My Thoughts of Francesca Battistelli

I love Worship and Praise music. I love the mixture of God's word mixed with the music of electric and acoustic guitars, the thrashing drums in the background. I love this kind of Praise and Worship because it lets the secular music world know that we as Followers of Christ kind rock with the best of them and that is what Francesca Battistelli brings to the Gospel world with her "My Paper Heart" CD. Listening to her music it takes me back when our Praise and Worship choir is singing to our congregation.

One thing I'm digging about Fracesca is the fact she's not afraid to let the world know who is the head of her life and she has a voice is subtle when it needs to be and strong when it needs to in her composition. From the first track, "It's Your Life" she let's the world know God is not her "co-pilot" he's the one in charge and is the head pilot and that's the way it should be in your life. What I dig about the track, "My Paper Heart" is a song that tells a story of a person who had a tough time letting go and trusting but when she finally "let go" she is discovering life in a whole new light and will never go back as that sheltered person again.

The 11 tracks on this LP is a wonderful gift for the new believer as well for the seasoned Christian. I see why Ms. Battistell is a GRAMMY nominee...it's well deserved.



1. Free To Be Me
2. I'm Letting Go
3. Unpredictable
4. My Paper Heart
5. Beautiful, Beautiful
6. Blue Sky
7. Forever Love
8. Someday Soon
9. Behind The Scenes
10. It's Your Life
11. Time In Between

Gospel Music: The Heart and Soul of Music

Although this category may not receive the limelight at the GRAMMYs but when you speak with the majority of singers and musicians and the first they will say most began singing or playing in their church choir. Something about praise and worship that gives us the freedom to express ourselves. From Bobby Womack, to Luther Vandross many began singing in the church. But for other gifted artists that went on to pursue Gospel and Christian it was a calling in their soul that knew that they wanted to give honor and praise to God who allows them to share their gift, their voice, their story with the world and by doing this some are recognized by the Academy of Music.

This year has been a time up great triumph and great hurt so to be able to touch the world with song and music to give people hope, to give people the strength to just push on "one more day" through it all is one thing but then to be able to be recognized by their peers for their music is a wonderful thing. What is so wonderful about this genre is that it has evolved into other categories that not only touch the traditionalist but now the young as well...to let them know that you can not only have a wonderful beat but also you can praise the Lord in the form of Rap, Rock, and with a R&B flavor because for me whenever I hear Gospel or Christian music I zone in on the musicians and I hear an array of music that ranges from Jazz, R&B, Bluegrass, Rock...music that I grew up listening to as a youth and now to be able to use this to Christ is a thrill. To use your voice, your instrument for God's glory is an awesome thing and I'm glad the GRAMMYs recognizes these wonderful individuals and ensembles.

And the nominees for the 2010 52nd GRAMMY Awards are...

Best Gospel Performance

• Free To Be Me - Francesca Battistelli
• Jesus Is Love - Heather Headley feat. Smokie Norful {from the "Audience of One"}
• I Believe - Jonny Lang w/Fisk Jubilee Singers {from the "Oh Happy Day" LP}
• Wait On The Lord - Donnie McClurkin feat/Karen Clark Sheard{from the "We All Are One[Live in Detroit]"}
• Born Again - Third Day{from the "Revelation" LP}

Best Gospel Song

• Born Again - Third Day
• City On Our Knees - TobyMac
• Every Prayer - Israel Houghton & Mary Mary
• God In Me - Mary Mary feat. Kierra "KiKi" Sheard
• The Motions - Matthew West

Best Rock or Rap Gospel Album

• The Big Picture - Da' T.R.U.T.H.
• Crash - Decyfer Down
• Innocence & Instinct - Red
• Live Revelation - Third Day
• The Dash - John Wells-The Tonic

Best Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album

• Speaking Louder Than Before - Jeremy Camp
• The Power Of One - Israel Houghton
• The Long Fall Back To Earth - Jars of Clay
• Love Is On The Move - Leeland
• Freedom - Mandisa

Best Southern, Country, or Bluegrass Gospel Album

• Jason Crabb - Jason Crabb
• Dream On - Ernie Haase & Signature Sound
• The Rock - Tracy Lawrence
• In God's Time - Barry Scott & Second Wind
• Everyday -Triumphant Quartet

Best Traditional Gospel Album

• God Don't Never Change - Ashley Cleveland
• The Law of Confession, Part I - Donald Lawrence & Co.
• Oh Happy Day - Various Artists
• The Journey Continues - The Williams Brothers
• How I Got Over - Vickie Winans

Best Contemporary R&B Gospel Album

• Audience of One - Heather Headley
• Renewed - Sheri Jones-Moffett
• Just James - J. Moss
• Somkie Norful: Live -Smokie Norful
• Bold Right Life -Kierra Sheard

Gospel Music: What It Tells and What It Does

The beautiful thing about Gospel music is that it tells two important messages: what you have been delivered from and who paid the price for your sins. It tells a story of a journey where sometimes we may have tried ever other avenue: sometimes it has brought a person happiest for a short time and many times it has cost us so much. To hear of a person who loves us in spite of our choices, our mistakes, our short-comings that wants us in his family "just because he loves us." When we get the victory in trying times we can do nothing but worship, give him praise and sing of his goodness. This is what Gospel music does for many people and these nominees share this through song.

Many of these artists could have chosen another avenue of Rock, R&B, Pop music but in their spirit it led them to this inspiration music and they want to spread the Good News with the world. What makes this category so beautiful is that some have come from troubling times in their lives (Donnie McClurkin...one of the nominees come to mind).

For a person (McClurkin)who suffered major tragedies in his life he turned his trials into triumph. He could have went another way but chose another man of God to help him grow and to become the man he is today and by him doing this he has touched so many people lives and also have helped so many other Gospel artists get their foot in the door as well.One thing about Donnie McClurkin is that not only is this man of God grounded but is a great session and live performer and makes you so glad to know his music and to worship the person who gave his life for you and I.

This is a category that may not grab the headlines in the music world but is the foundation and cornerstone for so many other genres and has allow Gospel to grow not only from the traditional realm but to Rock, Rap, R&B and is letting the world know you can get your praise on in different forms of music and still love Christ Jesus at that same time. 

Donnie McClurkin Nominated for Best Gospel Performance - {"We All Are One {Live in Detroit}

The Opportunity That Was Almost Missed

Funny how I get down right nervous when I’m about to begin a huge project…I remember feeling this way when I began blogging, when I began podcasting and now being tapped to participate to be a guest blogger for the GRAMMYs. I’m full of anxiety and hope I don’t make a fool of myself and then I stepped, take a deep, DEEP breath, turn on some music and begin the process and then I’m okay.

To be asked to the community blogger for the 2010 GRAMMYs for the Gospel category is a blessing and privilege to say the least. Just when I was asking myself, “what next?” this comes along and it couldn’t have come at a better time. I say this because I have wanted to begin writing more on my blog but just didn’t have the time or made excuses and say to myself, “maybe tomorrow”. Now with this handed to me I have no choice but to do it and I can’t be more happier.

In the next couple of months I will begin the process on reading, researching, and posting on the Gospel nominees and in the process it will also make me a better person, more appreciative in regards to these gifted artists and share with the masses why I love music is truly for the “Heart, Mind, Soul”.

The GRAMMY theme this year is “We’re All Fans” and tomorrow the nomination concert will kick things into gear. This is the GRAMMYs blogger community Twitter link where you can not only follow my thoughts on the nominees but other bloggers that were chosen to bring their thoughts on the process, on the artists they are covering all the way up to the award show itself January 31, 2010 (Sunday night).

To watch the GRAMMYs is one thing but to be chosen to be a part of 52 years of music history is something totally different and to be part of a community of people that truly love music from so many genres is really a dream come true for me. All I can say is, Thank you Jesus and “Wow.”