'Dig Love' Review

On "Dig Love", Eddy Mann expands his folk roots to include elements of blues, jazz, and pop. The results are outstanding. "Dig Love" plays like an Elmore Leonard novel: surprisingly, impossibly cool. Eddy Mann exudes a subdued East Coast swagger that resonates in his voice and excellent guitar work. From track to track, Eddy's diverse sounds echo the greats: "Rise Up" recalls Mark Knopfler's early Dire Straits; "What I Do" echoes Buffett's island funk; and my favorite track, "I Am, I Was And I Will Be Yours" has a rhythm section worthy of modern Springsteen. 

Eddy Mann has an uncanny ability to blend styles and tempos into a sound unique to himself. Whether funky blues like "You, You Make Me Feel" and "I'm Setting My Mind On You" or reflectively quiet on "Seize The Moment" and the striking "Another Trip Around The Sun", "Dig Love" plays like a carefully constructed and cohesive album, its sum equally great as its parts.

Lyrically, "Dig Love" balances simple reflection ("Seize the moment/Embrace the hour/Faithfully weather the gale") with quirky, almost amusing bluesy quips (telling God he's "dialed in right smack on You"). It makes the album fun. There is no way anyone can listen to this album and not be in a better mood as a result. 

As you can infer, "Dig Love" is about, well, love. Love in all forms. Love of God. Love of others. Love of life. It offers hope in abundance. Unabashed hope in a time filled with despair. There is a track called "Love Is Splendiferous". It doesn't get much more direct than that.

With "Dig Love", Eddy Mann has written an album that has appeal across generations -- a sound at once classic and contemporary. Give it a spin. You'll be surprised when you find yourself humming it's hooks and melodies long after you listen. Need proof? See "Home Again".  Christian folk blues with swag. How cool is that?

Review by Jason Ramsey 

Beautiful Day

...from the Who We Are CD

The project opens up with Beautiful Day – a simple acoustic guitar driven song of praise with lyrics declaring: “O Lord, it’s a beautiful day/All of creation is singing Your praise/The heavens are swaying in a joyful way/O Lord, it’s a beautiful day.” I love that this is a stripped down version of this song, because at it’s most basic essence, the song works. Add to it any arrangement you like and this song will work in just about any environment of worship you can think of... Russ Hutto (TheWorshipCommunity.com)

Available on itunes.com
www.eddymann.com

My Grateful Heart - Live

Drawing some very nice accents from Bob Solarz’s mandolin plucking and Kelly Graber’s perfectly fitting guest vocal, this track stands on its own. The arrangement recalls something from the canon of modern day hymn-writers Keith and Kristyn Getty and that’s high praise indeed... Andrew Geenhalgh (Relevant Magazine, Stereo Subversion, CCM, and Soul-Audio.com)

“My Grateful Heart” has a folk-y, nearly Renaissance Fair feel to it... Dan MacIntosh (CCM, Christian Retailing, Indie-Music, Soul–Audio, and Spin.com)

Listening to Mann’s voice evokes a sense of profound peace and wonder to the listener.  He reassures us with his enthralling voice with such lines as the ones in the track “My Grateful Heart”:  ‘Draped in Your Love, in Your peaceful arms/ Lord know my grateful heart/Shadowed in calm, by Your watchful eye/Lord know my grateful heart’... My Nuygen (Performer Magazine, MVRemix)
 

Another favorite is My Grateful Heart. I’m a sucker for anything in 3 or 6 so this one draws me in from the get-go! ...Russ Hutto (TheWorship Community.com)

Recorded October 20, 2012 at Gloria Dei Church, Huntingdon Valley, PA 19006
Available on itunes
www.eddymann.com
 

God My Rock: Guitarist Scotty Murray

I just finished listening to Brenton Brown's new CD God My Rock and was driven to sit and share my thoughts.

Not on the album per say, but the guitar work. Specifically Scotty Murray.

I preach constantly about not playing notes that don't glorify God. Why play a note that doesn't enhance the song, lift up the lyrics, or support the melody?

Too often a musician's temptation to play for them self drags him/her away from the worship experience. I've pleaded my case before about Need vs. Greed.

I've been blessed to have had the occasion to sit, play and talk guitar with Scotty. That time together only strengthened my love and appreciation for his heart as a worshipping musician.

He's developed a sound and spiritual approach to arranging. One that changes if the components of the band change. If there's no keyboards [like in Brenton's current line-up] that opens his crayon box to all kinds of layering's and textures. It's about coloring space, not necessarily filling it.

If you're guitarist in any kind of band, do yourself, your singer, the composer everyone you play with a favor and check this album out.

Play on, and Pray on,
Eddy

Review: Gary Durbin - Jesus EP

It's never too late to be turned on to something good. I've had Gary Durbin's latest Cd, Jesus EP, for quite a few months but haven't had the time to sit, listen, and digest it without any distractions, that is until today.

Gary and I go back a bit and have been blessed to worship together on a few occasions. That friendship hopefully allows me to be honest in my review of his newest project.

Three of the songs were really special for me. Cling To the Cross has a wonderful anthem like quality while carrying us along with just piano and acoustic guitar. Gary sings 'Show me who You are, and I will see what I was meant to be.'

For the Glory of the Father is about as good as it gets with a great chorus line 'Sacrificed, crucified, raised for us, this is Jesus.' I just wanted to go out on my front lawn and sing this out loud.

The closing song, Jesus Christ, delivered it's story with a fresh sounding chord progression. The bare piano with light strings are the perfect vehicle and the key change gives it a nice lift. On a personal note, there's a simple suspended IV chord that creates the fresh setting for me. Nicely done bro.

All three of these songs could and probably will be used in my times of worship. All are simple in form and should be easy to personalize.

I've enjoyed listening and watching Gary mature as a man of faith and songwriter for the church. It's never too late to be turned on to something good.

Pray on,

Eddy

New Review: Something Beautiful & New... on sale now at CD Baby!

Eddy Mann shows himself eminently able to combine a distinctive pop sensibility with the courage of his convictions on Something Beautiful And New. From a musical perspective, Mann could write hits for pop radio without any difficulty, but he chooses to offer his talents instead to God than to the commercial marketplace. Something Beautiful And New combines both callings quite successfully.

"Something Beautiful And New" is a gorgeous love ballad written to God; an entreaty and prayer for forgiveness and renewal. Musically and spiritually, this is a "Wow" moment.

"Goodness Prevails" is a blend of gentle pop and blues with a chorus you won't be able to get out of your head. Mann's sound here is gentle, but hardly passive, and the guitar work has a subtlety and completeness that's reminiscent of some of Eric Clapton's quieter moments. Read more...


Buy the album right now for $5.99 at CD Baby!

Review: Something Beautiful & New

Eddy Mann’s Something Beautiful & New is a worship album with a purpose. Yes, Mann spends much time praising and worshiping his God. He also knows, though, that if The Almighty is to work effectively through His people, the chosen ones need to get along together.


The second song on this breezy pop album is "All Are Welcome." This song is almost like the opening announcements at a church service, where the speaker welcomes one and all to worship.


Read more...

Review: John Mark McMillian - Economy

On Economy, John Mark McMillan continues to create vivid lyrical imagery and supports it with moving melodic and rhythmic arrangements. The writing here is once again beautiful and at times even disconcerting. John definitely has a knack for descriptive lyrics and spirit filled melodies.

His vocals can be delicate and light as in the song Chemicals where he softly sings …Well, everybody’s drilling for a fountain of youth, but sometimes in these fountains they drown, and at other moments he can deliver a strong and rough performance as in the chunky chorded Daylight with the chorus …We live on the edge of darkness.

Read more...

Recap: Night of Worship 10.15.11

This past Saturday night we held a night of worship that was at once both beautiful aesthetically and musically. There were many contributors that led to the evenings pleasant conclusion. Having many thoughts and helping hands made the preparation and worship especially enjoyable.

The first half of the evening was presented in an acoustic environment. During that section the focus was on creation and our musical past. To facilitate our crossover to a more progressive and electric setting for the second half we incorporated a spoken word video that was spun from Psalm 23. The second half focused on God's gracious and glorious love for his creation.

Stretching our worship palette is always on my mind so I was really excited about bringing in a very worshipful interpretive dancer. She brought an element that was certainly not common place in our worship experience, but was overwhelmingly appreciated not to mention inspiring.

It was a wonderful, spiritual, engaging night of worship that was followed by some home cooked sweets and fellowship. I've said this before, but it bears repeating, I'm surrounded by so much talent and love... I'm a blessed man!

Moving forward I'm intrigued as to how I can better live the worshipful life, breathe worshipful breath, speak with a worshipful tongue and serve with a worshipful body and mind (Romans 12:1-2). I pray that God strengthens us all as we pursue the disciple's life.

Pray on,
Eddy

The Forge Conference

A WORSHIP CONFERENCE DESIGNED TO: FACILITATE DISCUSSION; FOSTER CREATIVITY; FORGE RELATIONSHIPS; FULLY EQUIP SMALL CHURCH 09.29.11 - 10.01.11 OCEAN GROVE NJ

Preface
Pre-Conference Meet & Greet Highlights (Wednesday, September 28, 2011)
It's the unique brotherhood and sisterhood that permeates this conference that makes it special. On Wednesday night the meet and greet splintered and evolved into a night of sharing on the beach for myself, Rich and Emily Kirkpatrick, Shannon Lewis, Joe Day and John Volez. Pipe smoking and conversation at it's best... not to mention the shoeless wanderer Matt Boswell who happened along.

Day 1 Highlights
(Thursday, September 29, 2011)
Matt Boswell ...hymn laden opening worship time. I was moved by his passion and from our conversation the night before to pursue a new church plant in a very depressed area of New Jersey. Dan Wilt ..."the awesome fader"
John Voelz ...who are we? Instead of who are we trying to reach?
Jonathan Lee ...singing changes the atmosphere of the room
Matt Boswell ...."The Little Church"
Joe Day and  John Voelz ...creating a perfect environment for communion
Dunn and Wilt (Cycle of Light) ... Prayer of the Holy Spirit by Bishop Kallistor Ware

Day 2 Highlights
(Friday, September 30, 2011)
Mike Kim ...passionate morning worship
Darrell A. Harris ...God initiates creations responds
Steve Tice ... when do you experience Christ's presence during the service?
Mike Kim ... we need to be hosts
Rich Kirkpatrick ...worship mythbusters (and oh yeah, the 'stache)
Jonathan Lee ... "Pouring It Out For You" a song that's been engaging my church since last years conference.

Day 3 Highlights
(Saturday, October 1, 2011)
Jonathan Lee ...acoustic worship
David Harwood ...communion form a different perspective
Shannon Lewis ..."Your Mighty Hand"
Joel Klampert ...the heart of a lion, and the spirit of a dove

The conference successfully achieved all I had hoped for and more. Friendships were started, re-affirmed and deepened. More importantly I came away refreshed and inspired!

Make your plans now and watch for next years early registration The Forge Conference

Mannerisms from the Forge Conference

Jibe
I traveled to the Forge Conference with a heavy heart. There was apart of me that didn't want to make the trip, but I won the free registration and felt that maybe God knew that I was gonna need to find strength and comfort at this time. I've led worship at my church for twelve years, and last Wednesday was my low point. Any number of things combined had led me to that place, you know how that works. So I traveled in a state of discord... confused, tired and disappointed. Where was the harmony that I loved?

Vibe
We met in Ocean Grove, NJ which made for a warm retreat like setting. Right from the start my spirits were lifted by the community I found myself surrounded by. There's something in me that always draws me to water, so being two blocks form the ocean was awesome. It really brought the beauty of God's creation right to my doorstep. Every breath reminded me of God's undeniable love for me.

Tribe
The brothers and sisters at the conference were such a blessing. Thank you... Jack Osteen, for reminding me to be unshakable, and to march forward... Grant Norsworthy "Fair Dinkum"... Dan Wilt, "sometimes we have to lose our sight to see a vison"... Joel Auge "authenticity"... Debby Berry [the ice cream lady], "be inedible"... Mike Kim, "honor your gift"...  Paul Baloche, "the big living room"... Fred, Shannon, McKendree, Brenton, Scotty "Bigsby", Jonathan, Rob, Susan, Josh, Chris, Joe, Dan, Joel and everyone else  I've forgotten. Your fellowship and spiritual friendship was and is priceless.

I left for home refreshed, refocused and with a renewed spirit!
See you next year.

Pray on,
Eddy

Review: Love God, Love People

The Christian R & B scene remains in good hands with Israel Houghton's new release "Love God, Love People". Once again we're blessed with a collection of songs that will move you, challenge you and refresh you. Read more...

Gungor: "Beautiful Things Event" Review

Each of us over the course of our lives have some defining moments. Last night in Chambersburg, PA I  experienced one those moments. Defining in the sense of God and our gift of creativity. This event was as close to perfection that any human could hope for. Simply put... art designed to glorify God.

My guess is that there were around 500 or so in attendance which filled the house. This event really needs to be held in the right venue. One that is able to accommodate all the visual as well as aural creativity. King Street Church was able to provided an accommodating and comfortable setting.

The pre-event music was perfect, creating a great mood leading up to the band's opening song "Dry Bones" which was performed entirely in the shadows behind a veiled curtain. All three movements [Dust, Breath and Beauty] were seamless flowing from song to song and closing with "Beautiful Things."

The string ensemble lent an interesting body to the music. I'm not sure who arranged the parts, but they were written with a blessed hand. The additional banjo, bells, and the like all added to the distinct personality of the songs.

What wasn't lost here was the way that God was praised and glorified. The lyrics both sung and visually displayed were clear and graciously delivered. This is a good time to recognize the sound tech/team for their wonderful work in allowing the energy and subtly of the music to move the audience. I never thought it was too loud or too soft. There were continual dynamic moments in every movement.

Was it perfect? No, there were a few glitches here and there but none that altered or distracted my attention. This was a beautiful event that praised God, glorified God, and honored God through the artistic gifts given to His children... and offered back to Him.