Alleluia He Has Loved Us - Tom McConnell

IMMEASURABLY MORE-THE REND COLLECTIVE

SONG BY ROBIN MARK

BE UNTO YOUR NAME

by Robin Mark

GOODBYE TO SORROW

This is Joe Kelly Phelps

 singing 'Goodbye to Sorrow'

TO OBEY IS BETTER

KEITH GREEN

The prophetic songs of Keith Green still resonate today. He died a young man in an air crash but left behind a body of work that still speaks to the church  and sets the standard for all who want to follow Jesus.
(for best view click on You Tube below)

O COME, O COME EMMANUEL...

..

SARA GROVES

MAYBE THERE'S

 A GOD OF LOVE

I only came across Sara Groves very recently, lovely voice and a great songwriter. I've already shared this one on my Facebook page but thought it was too good not to pass on to fellow Hermonites...enjoy !

THE TRAVELLER

GO TELL IT ON THE MOUNTAIN

DANIEL MARTIN MOORE

UP ABOVE MY HEAD

I first heard Daniel Martin Moore singing on a TV arts programme presented by John Kelly, a man who knows his music. Moore sings old Gospel songs as well as his own compositions in a laid back gentle style that allows these old ‘spirituals’ to eat right into your soul. When I got to meet him prior to a performance here in Limerick I asked the Kentuckian if the songs meant much to him. He considered for a while and replied, “Sure they do, I love the words”. I pressed a bit harder and asked him if he was a man of faith ? Again he paused before he answered, “I’m not religious…I left that behind me years ago” He declined my outstretched hand as he had picked up a head cold during his visit but he was warm and friendly if a little distant. He went on to play a dazzling set to an appreciative group of half a dozen people, such are the joys of any live music gig that is a little different here on Shannonside ! As I left he came after me and said “Thanks for coming”, and as he shook my hand, “Don’t forget to wash your hand ! “ I didn’t .

Gerard O'Shea

BOBFEST 2010

DYLAN AT DOONASS

Here is the video evidence that a Bobfest did indeed take place on the eve of the songsters appearance in Thomond Park, at the Anglers Rest in Doonass. Featued above are two local musicians, Siobhain O Brien and Eamon Hehir waxing lyrically one of Bob's country flavoured numbers. So there, doubters everywhere take note and air out that old sleeping bag for the Bobfest 2011

JOHN LENNON - "GIMME SOME TRUTH" HD

I WANT SOME

I remember bringing home John Lennon's album 'Imagine' from Savins music shop in town, then playing it on the old Hi Fidelity record player and being blown away by each and every track. This one in particular, 'Gimme Some Truth' struck a chord with my rebel heart which at that time was crying out for some real answers. While Lennon articulated well the heart cry for truth, the life-changing answer for me was to come from another source and words spoken over two thousand years ago. I still love this song and relate to the energy and anger at everything smooth and phoney that seeks to sap the spirit out of us in these trying times.

GOSh.

REDEMPTION SONG

Jesus Blood Never Failed Me Yet

The song in the previous blog has an interesting history and here its musical arranger Gavin Bryars, gives his account of the circumstances under ehich he discovered it.

In 1971, when I lived in London, I was working with a friend, Alan Power, on a film about people living rough in the area around Elephant and Castle and Waterloo Station. In the course of being filmed, some people broke into drunken song - sometimes bits of opera, sometimes sentimental ballads - and one, who in fact did not drink, sang a religious song "Jesus' Blood Never Failed Me Yet". This was not ultimately used in the film and I was given all the unused sections of tape, including this one.
When I played it at home, I found that his singing was in tune with my piano, and I improvised a simple accompaniment. I noticed, too, that the first section of the song - 13 bars in length - formed an effective loop which repeated in a slightly unpredictable way. I took the tape loop to Leicester, where I was working in the Fine Art Department, and copied the loop onto a continuous reel of tape, thinking about perhaps adding an orchestrated accompaniment to this. The door of the recording room opened on to one of the large painting studios and I left the tape copying, with the door open, while I went to have a cup of coffee. When I came back I found the normally lively room unnaturally subdued. People were moving about much more slowly than usual and a few were sitting alone, quietly weeping.
I was puzzled until I realised that the tape was still playing and that they had been overcome by the old man's singing. This convinced me of the emotional power of the music and of the possibilities offered by adding a simple, though gradually evolving, orchestral accompaniment that respected the tramp's nobility and simple faith. Although he died before he could hear what I had done with his singing, the piece remains as an eloquent, but understated testimony to his spirit and optimism.
The piece was originally recorded on Brian Eno's Obscure label in 1975 and a substantially revised and extended version for Point Records in 1993. The version which is played by my ensemble was specially created in 1993 to coincided with this last recording.

Gavin Bryars

Tramp & Tom Waits / Jesus' Blood Never Failed Me Yet

U2 and The Soweto Gospel Choir - Magnificent - World Cup 2010

BUSHPLANT

Amongst the pantheon of Irish bands that rock my world there is one Ennis based outfit who uniquely play there very own take on Irish music fused with influences from Dylan to Neil Young with a generous dollop of Native American chant thrown in for good measure...BUSHPLANT ! Fronted by Gerry Molloy the band have been playing for several years on the local Irish scene with occasional forays to overseas festivals and the release four cd's. Their music transcends category and their lyrics are often issue-driven on the subjects of ecology or the pointlessness of war, but the thing for me that raises the BUSH head and shoulders above the rest ,is the raw energy and spirit of their offerings. At their finest a live BUSHPLANT gig takes you to another place inside your head or deep deep down within your heart, that you return from all the better for having been there !The brief sample captured above features the virtuoso fiddling of Mary Custy and may give you a mere hint of the finesse and power of the BUSHPLANT experience... ~GOSh.~

IDOLBONES

Heralds of summer at the Hilton !

.

...AND THE LIVIN'S EASY...

.

Into the dismal dusk of an Irish summer day wafts the latin sounds of IdolBones playing in the bar of our local Hilton hotel. This jazz trio using their impeccable vocal harmonies unleashed into the sultry atmosphere of this particular July evening such luminous ditties as ‘That's Amore’ and ‘Volari’. Their percussive rhythms endued the air with the light and warmth of Italy , at least for this over-worked imagination ! Two guitarists and a drummer on congas, bongos and the occasional rattle of the cabasas fuse to produce a seamless swing-salsa mix of popular rock and Mediterranean songs charging the ether with a much need injection of summer cheer. Music from ‘Zorba the Greek’ and ‘Tequila’ stirred me almost to the point of dancing…almost, while they continued to work their musical magic on classics like ‘I'm A Believer’ and the irresistible ‘The Girl From Ipanema’. These are accomplished musicians who have performed at the Cork and Doonbeg Jazz festivals as well as at the Listowel Writers Week and are also available for weddings ! Now there’s a thought…leave it with me!

Gerard O'Shea

In Christ Alone Worship Video with Lyrics

This stirring hymn from the pens of Keith Getty and Stuart Townend lifts the heart and refreshes the spirit. Sit back and enjoy !

REBEL OF CHRISTMAS

The death of the Rebel Jesus

This is an unlikely Christmas song written from the perspective of a non-believer,and for all that is a very powerful corrective to the 'mild and holy' brigade who would still consign Jesus to His infant status , as a cooing baby in a cosy crib. At this time of year it is easy to forget that Jesus was a thorn in the side of the religious cant and hypocrisy of His day, and for His pains He ended up on a cross. They don't crucify well-meaning do- gooders as a rule ,usually that fate is reserved for the perceived Rebel and Revolutionary..." But if any one of us should interfere / In the business of why there are poor / They get the same as the rebel Jesus. " The song was written by Jackson Browne and first appeared on The Chieftains album The Bells of Dublin in 1991. The Rebel Jesus is a welcome change from the usual musical slush that prevails at this time of year, and confronts us with some awkward questions as to the implications of Jesus' life and mission for us today.You are unlikely to hear this one booming out as you trek the shopping malls this year, so if you want to rectify that, learn the song and sing it at full throttle as you go ! -GOSh.

THE REBEL JESUS

All the streets are filled with laughter and light

And the music of the season

And the merchants' windows are all bright

With the faces of the children

And the families hurrying to their homes

While the sky darkens and freezes

Will be gathering around the hearths and tables

Giving thanks for God's graces

And the birth of the rebel Jesus

Well they call him by 'the Prince of Peace'

And they call him by 'the Savior'

And they pray to him upon the seas

And in every bold endeavor

And they fill his churches with their pride and gold

As their faith in him increases

But they've turned the nature that I worship in

From a temple to a robber's den

In the words of the rebel Jesus

Well we guard our world with locks and guns

And we guard our fine possessions

And once a year when Christmas comes

We give to our relations

And perhaps we give a little to the poor

If the generosity should seize us

But if any one of us should interfere

In the business of why there are poor

They get the same as the rebel Jesus

Now pardon me if I have seemed

To take the tone of judgement

For I've no wish to come between

This day and your enjoyment

In a life of hardship and of earthly toil

There's a need for anything that frees us

So I bid you pleasure

And I bid you cheer

From a heathen and a pagan

On the side of the rebel Jesus

Jackson Browne