Lost Messengers: The Outtakes
August Burns Red
Solid State Records
Metal/Hardcore
Official
Daniel Weatherspoon
Spoonfed Productions
Gospel
Small Sacrifice
Twila Paris
KOCH Records
Contemporary Christian
Voices Of The Winds
Usynlig Tumult
Bombworks Records
Metal
Music From The 3D Concert Experience
Jonas Brothers
Hollywood Records
Pop
Who Speaks For Planet Earth?
And Then There Were None
Tooth & Nail
Rock
God’s Country
Anthony Burger
EMI
Instrumental
Kirk Franklin
Genre: Gospel
Sub-genres: Urban, Choral, Hip/Hop
Location: Dallas, Texas
Label: Fo Yo Soul/Gospo Centric/Zomba
My Space Page: http://www.kirkfranklin.com/
Christian label: yes
Category: The Spiritual whats this?
For anyone who follows Gospel or Hip/Hop, this article may seem ridiculous. Introducing you to Kirk Franklin is like introducing you to Barrack Obama. This article is not for you. This article is for all of you indie hipsters, rockers and two-steppers who think Gospel is music for your grandmother. As Kirk proclaimed in the opening of his breakthrough cross over song “Stomp”:
For all of you who think Gospel music has gone too far;
You think we’ve gotten too radical with our message;
Well, I have news for you;
You ain’t heard nothing yet. And
If you don’t know, now you know,
Glory, Glory!
With “Stomp”, Kirk Franklin and God’s Property burst through to the mainstream charts. The song, featuring Cheryl “Salt” James (of Salt-N-Pepa), went heavy rotation on MTV, charted at number 1 on the R&B Singles Airplay chart for two weeks, and even made it into the Billboard’s Top 40. God’s Property from Kirk Franklin’s Nu Nation was number 1 on the R&B Albums chart for 5 weeks, number 3 on the Pop charts, and would go on to be certified triple platinum. With 2Pac, Toni Braxton and Dru Hill topping the charts that year it is amazing that this song achieved such mainstream success.
Combing heavy backbeats with the generous use of samples and prominent choral arrangements, Kirk Franklin brought Gospel back to the streets. Before his arrival in 1993, contemporary gospel music leaned toward ‘positive’ messages alluding to Jesus and a righteous walk of faith set to lightly groovin’ tracks. Franklin brought choirs to the hip/hop sound, sampled familiar musical themes from all genre’s and placed Godly messages in the same heavy rotation as other urban pop music.
But “Stomp” was not a starting point for Kirk Franklin; it was just a step in one of the most successful careers we have seen in Gospel music. This musical prodigy, who started playing piano at the age of four and was leading the Mt. Rose Baptist Church adult choir at the age of eleven, released the biggest selling debut Gospel cd of all time, Kirk Franklin & The Family, in 1993. He has released ten other cd’s over the years and has recorded with Mary J. Blige, Bono, Crystal Lewis, Boys II Men, TobyMac, Mary Mary and many, many others. Franklin even hosts his own Gospel, “American Idol-like” talent show, “Sunday’s Best” on BET.
As Kirk Franklin has matured in his life and his marriage, he has began exploring deeper and deeper subject matter, including his own failings. Here in a performance of “Let It Go” he expresses the struggles men, from all walks of life, face trying to be a real man of God while holding onto hurt and pride:
Kirk Franklin is the biggest selling gospel artist in Soundscan history with over 12 million albums sold and over 20 #1 singles on Gospel radio. He is also a highly respected music artist with five Grammy Awards, an American Music Award, 34 Stellar Awards (gospel), 12 Dove Awards, 4 NAACP Awards, two BET Music Awards, and a Soul Train Award to his credit. Reading about Kirk Franklin’s humility and love for God, he would take no credit and give all the awards to God; and meant it.
Kirk Franklin brought God to the mainstream music charts in a very direct and open way. He led a revolution in Gospel music. If you consider yourself well versed in Christian music, you must know Kirk Franklin.
Kirk Franklin’s music can be found digitally on 
You can also buy his CDs on Amazon: Kirk Franklin and the Family
Cool Hand Luke
Genre: Rock
Sub-genres: Progressive, Atmospheric Rock, Experimental
Location: Nashville, TN
Label: Lujo Records
Website: www.coolhandlukeonline.com/
Christian label: no
Category: The Spiritual whats this?
Hush, little boy, don’t say a word
Don’t you know Daddy’s got this one?
Hey, little boy, bury your sword
Jesus already won this war
The chorus of the opening song, “Heroes Will Be Heroes”, off of Cool Hand Luke‘s 2003 CD Wake Up O Sleeper immediately sets up listeners for the band’s message. Surrender. With deeply introspective lyrics, soaring atmospheric guitars, and the broken whisper of frontman, Mark Nickes, Cool Hand Luke has evolved from their early screamo days to become a unique and progressive voice in Christian art rock. Since the release of Wake Up O Sleeper, the band has focused their sound, and crafted an identity that is theirs only. On the surface, Cool Hand Luke is a mellow indie rock band. However, to listen deeper not only reveals strong rock elements, along with heavy percussion and experimentation, but also very intense and personal lyrics crafted by Nickes. Comparisons to Radiohead prior to the Kid A electronic phase are valid. Like Radiohead, Cool Hand Luke is able to make what would seem boring at most times interesting and doesn’t allow the listener to turn away.
The follow up to O Sleeper was the band’s most experimental stage of their career with The Fires Of Life. Bigger song progressions, more instruments, and hints of electronic back beats made songs like “Cinematic”, and “I’m Not Running” instant classics. The band toured relentlessly for almost two years on the album, gaining new fans and critic appreciation across the US.
Then it all stopped. By 2004, Cool Hand Luke had completely dropped off the face of the planet. Most of the members were working on other projects, including Nickes drumming for art-chaos band The Chariot. For fans, this unannounced hiatus was long and saddening. In 2006, the band returned with an altered line-up, a “best of” CD (mainly to fulfill their contractual obligations to Floodgate Records), and new direction. In 2008, the now three-piece band released The Sleeping House through Lujo Records. The CD saw Cool Hand Luke enter yet a new area by exploring a more progressive and straight rock sound, once again displaying the band’s commitment to true artistic expansion.
The core of Cool Hand Luke though, is the intimate and personal lyrics that exist in all of the band’s songs. Songs of brokenness, prayer, redemption, joy, and as stated before, surrender make up Cool Hand Luke‘s vast song library. One of these songs is “One Time” from Wake Up O Sleeper, preformed here by Mark and friend Aaron Roche.
Let me tell you what he did for me,
with the weight of my worries tearing my sleeve.
I cried to my father the other night, the end of all hope.
“Show me the rope, which way to go”
As I fell asleep, he took away my worries.
He picked me up put me on his shoulders.
I could see for miles.
He showed me that the mountain I’m climbing,
is not a mountain at all,
but a gentle slope leading home.
There are mountains
towering ahead.
He says to me “These are mine.
Hold my hand, you’ll be fine”
I could see for miles.
He showed me that the mountain I’m climbing,
is not a mountain at all,
but a gentle slope leading home.
“The mountains are mine”
We also have to post this incredible video for the band’s song “Wonder Tour” from The Sleeping House. I’m going to let you experience the lyrics for yourself this time.
In 2003, I was tired. I had been at Cornerstone Festival all week, and it was a hot year. I had been going through a lot in my life at the time, a relationship that I had been very happy in had ended the night before I traveled to the festival. I was starting a new school in a few months, and I was struggling with where my life was at the time. I had three more bands on my list to see, but in the heat of the afternoon on my last day there, all I wanted to do was rest. I wondered into a tent close to my camp site, and just sat down. The band playing was just walking up onto the stage and getting settled. The background music faded, and a voice came over the mic and said:
“We are Cool Hand Luke, thank you for worshiping with us”
I stayed in that tent for an hour and didn’t move, speak, or even stand up. I let the music surround me and just let myself relax. When I stood up, I felt rejuvenated, happy, and lighter. I have always remembered what Cool Hand Luke‘s music did to me that day, and for what God did in my heart during their short set. They continue to surprise me and inspire my faith. The new era of the band gives me hope that we will not have to suffer through another dry period, and that we will continue to see how the band will evolve and surprise for years to come.
Cool Hand Luke’s music can be found digitally on
You can also get their CDs on Amazon: Wake Up, O Sleeper
So, things are going well around here. It has been a bit of a slower week for us, and we have been trying to take care of some stuff behind the scenes. We hope you enjoy the pace we are going; we like it as well. We also hope that you are following American Idol with us. Chuck is working really hard to make sure he is giving you up to the minute and accurate information. In the next few weeks, we will start talking about the Austin music conference that is known as SXSW. We will be covering the event, and trying to get interviews and report on all of the Christ-centered music that will be happening.
Here are all of the week’s news items from the Christian music scene, let us know if we missed anything.
Rookie Of The Year posted the video for their track “What Is Love”. Watch Rookie Of The Year’s video for What Is Love.
Rock band The Wrecking have posted a whole bunch of updates including videos, future shows, and air play. Read The Wrecking updates.
The Great Commission posted an update from the road including a video of vocalist Justin talking about the Christian hardcore scene. Read The Great Commission updates.
Vicky Beeching posted a video of her preforming live on JC-TV. Watch Vicky Beeching on JC-TV.
Hip-Hop artist Braille gave an account of his recent performance at a correctional facility. Read Braille’s The Vision: Act 1.
Several artists have free MP3s downloads this week. Click on the links below to find out how to get these MP3s.
Download Laura Story’s song “Bless The Lord” on greatworshipsongs.com
Download Vota’s “Hard To Believe” on Itunes
Download Manafest’s instrumental track “4-3-2-1″
Download And Then There Was None’s cover of “Hide And Seek”
Download the brand new song from Paul Wright called “Sweet Sweet Love”
Abandon Kansas is holding a video contest, in which you can win tickets, dinner with the band, and some free merch. Read about the Abandon Kansas video contest.
Soul/R&B singer Raishein was featured in Love pearls magazine this week. Read about Raishen at Love Pearls
A live video of gospel singer Heather Headley was posted on BET this week. Watch Heather Headley on BET’s Celebration Of Gospel.
Metal/hardcore new comers Corpus Christi‘s new CD was reviewed at The Interlude this week. Read Corpus Christi review.
Our Hearts Hero‘s video for the song “Break You” debuted this week. Watch “Break You” by Our Hearts Hero.
Austin locals Hundred Year Storm announced that a new album was on its way. Read Hundred Year Storm announcement.
Seventh Day Slumber‘s upcoming album, Take Everything, was reviewed by jesusfreakhideout.com this week. Read Seventh Day Slumber review.
August Burns Red have a live feed going while they are recording their new album. Watch live feed of August Burns Red.
Solo artist Josh Wilson updated fans concerning writing of new material, his spot on the charts, and his engagement. Read Josh Wilson updates.
An interview with soul singer Melinda Doolittle was featured on Alloy.com this week. Read Melinda Doolittle interview.
Underoath is holding a music video contest. Read about Underoath music video contest.
The Devil Wears Prada posted a video update concerning the recording of the new album. Watch The Devil Wears Prada video update.
Showbread has had to cancel their upcoming “March N2 Maddness Tour”. Read Showbread annnouncement.
Hip-Hop artist Ahmad signed with Syntax Records this week. Read about Ahmad signing to Syntax.
Red‘s latest album, Innocence & Instinct, debuted at #15 on the Billboard Top 100. Good job kids.
Take It Back! (all recovered from injuries) is heading out on the road again. View Take It Back! tour dates.
Emcee Absent Minded recently lost his sister to a horrible crime. Read news story about Absent Minded’s sister.
Bodies Of Water
Genre: Rock
Sub-genres: Indie, Gospel, Folk, Choir
Location: Highland Park, CA
Label: Secretly Canadian
Website: www.bodiesofwater.net/
Myspace: www.myspace.com/bodiesofwater
Christian label: No
Category: The Light whats this?
From the beginning of just about any of Bodies Of Water‘s many songs, you know you are in for something different. Maybe it is the Arcade Fire like guitar progression. Maybe it’s the fact that you never know what new instrument will pop up at any time. Or maybe it is the sound of a large group of distinct voices singing on top of each other in some type of off beat harmony for the majority of the songs. Whatever strikes you, there is no denying that Bodies Of Water doesn’t fit into many molds that people put around music. Pulling influences from folk, choir music, indie rock, and adding their own sense of progression to the mix, Bodies Of Water have been making a serious name for themselves ever since the release of their first album, Ears Will Pop & Eyes Will Blink, in 2007. Since that time, they have already released another well received CD, toured, and were even featured on a SXSW Music Conference showcase in 2008. Their strength is in their ability to combine older sounding styles of chamber choir music with more modern elements of progressive rock. The end result allows the band to explore new sounds and avenues of experimental music without becoming too heavy handed. Although only a four piece at its core, the band is known to play shows with as many as five other people on stage, giving their live shows and music an experimental communal quality.
The band formed in 2004 under the name Death Of A Unicorn, but after keyboardist Meredith Metcalf was struck with the symbolism of “any heat is bearable next to a body of water”, she , her husband David, and friends Jessie Conklin and Kyle Gladden decided to change the name of their newly formed group to Bodies Of Water. The name seemed to just work better with their joyous and soulful approach to the indie rock platform. Although they have been compared many times to folk choir The Polyphonic Spree, Bodies Of Water‘s everybody-sing-at-once approach is more steeped in gospel than hippie sing-along music. Leader David has said that he loved quartet gospel groups like Swan Silvertones because of the way that music was able to work seamlessly with the group’s faith. Taking that idea and incorporating some more modern elements have given Bodies Of Water a sound that is unlike any of their peers.
Lyrically, the band tries to deal with matters of faith by talking metaphorically about the body, most often in reference to the body of Christ and the intimacy between God and His children. Hands, eyes,and feet are all images that get visited over and over again in their songs. Other songs deal with the nurturing and sustenance of that body, many times referring to water and food to invoke images of rest and restoration. All in all, Bodies Of Water makes you dig for meaning. Their lyrics are not obvious, in fact they’re a little strange. Bodies Of Water is just not one of those bands who will give what is on the surface, but instead will give you something you won’t forget.
Here is the band preforming the song “If I Were A Bell” in 2008.
I also just had to post their video for the song “Under The Pines”. It is a great little video, a fairytale type story, but be warned that there are some strange images in the video, including a little blood. We are all grown-ups here though, right?
I (Ian) discovered this band almost by accident last year on Emusic. I was impressed immediately by their very unique sound. I had heard bands like them before, but I was really drawn to how happy and creative the music was. A few days later I discovered that they were a band of believers, and I have recommended them ever since. We are always going to present bands to you that we think are doing something different than the rest. Bodies Of Water openly talk about their faith in interviews but somehow have never been defined or shunned by that fact. The indie music scene just loves them to much. I have to agree though, you just cant help but love this band.
You can find Bodies Of Water’s music digitally on
You can also buy their CDs on Amazon: Ears Will Pop & Eyes Will Blink
American Idol Season 8 gives us more choice in 2009. We have 36, not 24, but 36 contestants to vote for. We have more weeks to vote. We have more performance videos to download from iTunes. Thank you, American Idol.
One21music is covering Christian music artists competing in Season 8 of American Idol. Last night we live blogged the performances. Tonight we watch and report. For me, there is not enough substance in the results show on which to comment. We take little pleasure in making snide comments about the group performances and sharing in people’s dreams being crushed. So we will wait and comment.
But wait, the group performance was happening as I typed the last paragraph and it was pretty good.
Tuesday night’s performance show was mostly a train wreck. Anoop and Jackie disappointed; Tatiana was discomforting; Stephen, Casey and Stevie were train wrecks. Alexis and Ann Marie stretched out of their zone going for Aretha standards and, unless you are a country fan, you couldn’t figure out if Brent Keith did well or not.
Two of the three Christian music artists performing last night, Michael Sarver and Ricky Braddy (beliefnet.com identified his gospel background with gospel group Step of Faith) did very well and Danny Gokey stole the night.
To recap my predictions from the recap post:
Top guy: Danny Gokey
Top girl: Alexis Grace
Next highest: Michael Sarver
So, now we wait and see, because as Ryan says, the votes are in.
So there was one twist in protocol that I really like. The winner sings their song. Here are the results
Top guy: Danny Gokey closed the show with an encore of “Hero” and it sounded like he was drained from the emotions but it was good. They did not really say he was the highest vote getter but dialidol.com estimated that he received five times the next highest vote getter. Fantastic job, Danny!
Top girl: Alexis Grace performed “Never Loved a Man” again and this time, for me, she tore it up. Finally I heard that song without hearing Aretha Franklin in my head. Great job Alexis!
Next highest: Michael Sarver and he was flabbergasted as he dropped to his knees. He sang “I Don’t Wanna Be” again and he certaintly enjoyed himself. I hope we see more of his dirty soul side in March. Congratulations, Michael!
So two of our nine Chrisitan music artists are on to the finals.
The judges did not reveal who they picked from this group for the “Wild Card” show to get a second chance at one the final three spots in the finals. So I guess we wait until March 4th to find who is in that final chance group.
Christian music artists performing next week’s American Idol
The remainder of the Final 36 on American Idol’s Season 8:
This is a tough group so it should be an exciting show. Join us when we live blog next Wednesday.
Now, I know we have been doing a great job (if I do say so myself) of making sure that you guys get these free full album downloads. I know that you are coming to expect it. Well, don’t. I can’t keep up with the pressure! I really can’t! I’m getting lucky, really…
This week we have rapper Believin’ Stephen‘s The Perseverance Mixtape. Well, I say it’s a “mixtape”, but it really isn’t. Most mixtapes are a string of loosely connected songs that run into one another and mainly consist of last minute freestyles over the beats. This is not so much. This is more like a really good, well thought out hip-hop album that is free. I think that is the only reason why it’s a “mixtape”, because it’s free. Hey, all the better for you, right? This a great little disc that Believin’ Stephen has put a lot of heart into. Oh yea, and there are 19 tracks! I hope it makes you happy and blesses your day. Click on the link below, save the .ZIP file to your computer, EXTRACT ALL FILES to listen to this awesome little gem.
Download Believin Stephen- The Perseverance Mixtape
American Idol’s first show of Season 8 is in and only one front runner delivered.
One21music is covering the Christian music artists on Season 8 of American Idol. Last night we live blogged the show and this morning I will share some of my thoughts. Two of the eight Christian music artists performed last night. Both Danny Gokey and Michael Sarver showed themselves to be contenders.
Michael Sarver sang “I Dont Wanna Be” by Gavin DeGraw. This One Tree Hill theme song is a mid tempo pop song. My live reaction was luke warm at best. I thought Michael had really hurt himself. Michael had made his way though the auditions and Hollywood Week with soul ballads and I was not used to him singing this type of song. The judges agreed and gave him a luck warm response, except for a little surprise from Simon who talked about what a nice person he was and that he hoped America would give Michael another chance.
I went back and watched all of the performances again and in retrospect I think he made a very savvy choice. First, his performance was techncally very good. He has a strong smooth voice and he, unlike many others on the night made the song his own. Secondly, the song enabled him to show a more contemporary style. Finally, this guy has television presence. I mentioned that in my live blog last night but when I re-watched the performance, he really jumped off the screen. He is a nice looking guy who connects with the camera. Evene if he does not win Season 8, I can see Michael with a career as a televsion actor. Good job, Michael!
Just about everyone on the show last night ruined their debuts with bad song choices. When Danny Gokey said he would sing Mariah Carey’s “Hero”, my heart sank. I thought the song was too big for him and he would join the pack of mediocore performances. Instead, If you read the live blog you know that my fears were assuaged as I turned into a 12 year old girl delivering what amounted to a squealing, tear-stained fan letter to Danny Gokey.
The judges agreed as they were standing, applauding, slamming the table and shouting approval. All of the judges except Simon, of course. He wasn’t buying the hype. Kara was, as she labeled Danny “the redeemer”.
Danny was the last to perform and he took control of the song, the stage and the show like the headliner closing for 11 opening acts. Every note was perfect, the emotional tone was dead-on and his performance was commanding. I do like that Danny is beginning to identify himself as a “Church music leader”. Great job, Danny!
The only other performance that stood out was Ricky Braddy’s cover of “A Song for You” by Leon Russel. It was souful and heartfelt. When he revealed that it was one of his all time favorite songs, i was not surprised.
Two women, Alexis Grace and Ann Marie Boskovich covered Aretha Franklin songs. In the live blog I thought Ann Marie did a good job and Alexis not so much. I was wrong on Ann Marie. I actually think Alexis did the better job but those songs ate both of them up.
Now to predictions.
I think Danny Gokey secured himself a place in the Final 12. I think Alexis Grace will move on because none of the other women did very well at all. I think Michael Sarver has a great opportunity to move on. I think he out performed favorite, Anoop Desai and I think he has more stage presence than Ricky Braddy. Brent Keith’s country vibe could concentrate the country vote and enable him to jump into the mix.
This year the judges will select a number of contestants who are not voted into the Final 12 for a “Wild Card” show. Three of those contestants will be voted into the Final 12 on March 5th. I don’t know if the judges will pick four from each show or their 12 favorites but, assuming Alexis Grace, Danny Gokey and Michael Sarver move on tonight, I think the judges will pick Anoop Desai, Jackie Tohn, Tatiana Del Toro and Casey Carlson from this show.
Dialidol predicts winners based on monitoring of telephone lines. They have Danny Gokey as the clear winner for the guys. The have Alexis Grace as the highest vote getter among the women but it is too close to call among all of them. Michael Sarver ( he actually has the second most votes according to dialidol) has a big lead over Anoop Desai, Ricky Braddy and Brent Keith for the third slot, but it is too close to call.
Final thoughts
We will not live blog the resuts show during the early stages of the season. There simply is not enough happening. I will recap the results late tonight.
What did you think of the performances last night? Who was your favorite?
One21music will be live blogging American Idol Season 8, covering this season’s Christian performers.
All right so hear we go. The show kicks off in a couple of minutes. Tonight, we will cover all the performances and all the judges comments. However, we will focus on two performers tonight who openly profess their faith: Danny Gokey and Michael Sarver.
It will be interesting to see how the new judge set-up will work. So far, I haven’t noticed much difference.
Remember, the top male and top female vote getters will move on, along with the next top vote getter.
And so here we go, This Is American Idol!
And here are the judges, all looking resplendent. Simon in a t-shirt as always. Randy says, you gotta blow us away vocally. Kara’s nervous.
Paula, “huh?”
Simon is right, no second chances. I am not sure I like the new format. Too many performers will be eliminated tonight.
The theme tonight “Hits from The Billboard Hot 100″.
Jackie Tohn up first! She is very confident. She is singing Elvis’s “A Little Less Conversation”. She looks like she is straight from the Grease movie. I don’t know, I don’t really like her voice.
The judges say: Randy likes her energy but not the vocals. Kara likes the way she works the stage. Paula slamming Randy! and Jackie jumps in. Paula’s backhanded comment “you are a good performer”. Simon, thinks it was clownish.
Ryan asks her parents if they are proud? Jackie has no regrets.
And now Ryan, talks to Ricky Braddy about his career in the chicken business. Ricky is going to sing Leon Russell’s ”A Song for You”. This is one of my favorite songs of all time. He gives a bit of a R&B feel. This is pretty good, with good falsetto.
Randy thinks it was unbelievable, in a good way. Kara thinks he killed it. Paula is proud. And Simon, thinks it is good but not great, Simon does not think he has star quality.
I disagree with Simon. I think he is a darkhorse. Mom and dad are part of the “Braddy Bunch”.
All of the performances are on Itunes
Alexis Grace is singing Aretha Franklin?, I Never Loved A Man. This is an interesting interpretation but the song is too big for her. She’s a favorite but I don’t know.
Randy’s laughing, he loves of it. Kara thinks she has come out of her shell and she loves it. Paula thinks she presented a lot of soul, she thinks Alexis is fantastic. Simon thinks she is the best so far, by a mile. He thinks she has soul. Simon compared her to Kelly Clarkson.
Alexis’s dad is sportin some awesome locks.
Okay a little production glitch throws Brent Keith’s introduction into chaos. He struggles to make ends meet working in a home repair center. He is singing “Hick Town” by Jason Aldean, a country rocker. I don’t know much about modern country and I do not know this song. He sings it well, but the song is not my taste.
Randy likes his “new edge to country with an old country swagger”. Kara thinks he played it safe and he has more in him. She wants him to take more risks. Paula agrees. They all see him as a country star. Does Simon need to slam Bucky Covington? Simon thinks he blew a massive opportunity by being forgettable.
Ryan asks, wife Nicole, if there is a point that they will give up the dream and she says they are in it for the long haul. Brent disagrees with Simon because he is trying to show who he is as a recording artist.
And we are back, with Stevie Wright, the 17 year old from Cali. Simon does not like her. She is singing “You Belong With Me” by Taylor Swift. Rough start and she seems off key. I like her, but not the performance. I think she will going to her prom this year.
Randy “wow, wow, wow, you are a better singer than that”. Kara thinks she has an identity crisis and Paula sounds sad to give her the bad news. When Paula says I am sorry you are in trouble. Simon says she has zero chance of making it through.
It is now time for Anoopdog! He is a favorite. Anoop Desai is singing “Angel of Mine” by Monica. A slow ballad. His performance is smooth and strong but it is not as powerful as his Hollywood performances.
And the judges say…
Randy did not like the song choice and doesn’t think he found his place in the song and Kara agrees. Paula thinks America has connected with Anoop. Simon wants to know why he chose that song. Simon thinks it was too serious for him and now Anoop argues with him. All the judges like him, even if he does not get through tonight he will have a good chance in the “wild card” round.
Wow, the production is horrible tonight.
Time for Casey Carlson to sing “Every Little Thing She Does is Magic” by the Police. She is singing it as a country ballad? and she has lost the pitch. Her little shoulder shake and grin is not helping her. She lost herself early and never recovered.
So Randy says “wow, yo, ooh, that was not good”. The dog was lost. Kara thinks everything about it was wrong. Paula is talking about her beauty but that she never connected with the song. Close your eyes, here comes Simon. He thinks it was just atrocious. He thinks she should not have been allowed to sing that song. Simon thinks she blew it.
Up next is one of our featured music American Idol contestant, worship leader Michael Sarver. He is a 27 year old roughneck from Jasper, Texas.
Michael is singing “I Don’t Wanna” Be by Gavin DeGraw. This is a bit of a rocker and I am not sure it works for Michael. I see him as more of a soul singer. He has good television presence but I am not sure it was as great as I had hoped for.
Randy thinks it was okay, but he thought the song was not well performed. He sees Michael as more of a soul singer. Kara does not think it was his best performance. Paula thinks he showed a different side. Simon thinks he has progressed because he is a good guy, but the performance was not great. Simon hopes America gives him another shot.
Ann Marie Boskovich is holding her ears so she does not hear the judges critique of Michael. She is singing “Natural Woman” by Aretha Franklin and she is putting her own twist on it. She is not Aretha but she is throwing it down. A little pitchy but a strong performance. It was a little above her but I liked it.
We know Randy does not like it without saying it. He does not think she made the right choice. Kara thinks the song was too big and old fashioned. Paula thinks she improved from Hollywood. Simon is being honest when he tells her it is like a hotel singer and that the song slayed her.
Stephen Fowler is next, he is the guy who forgot his words and walked off stage in Hollywood. I cannot believe he made it to this point. He is singing “Rock With You” by Michael Jackson. A slow start and his vocals are a little off throughout. I don’t think that was very good. I expected more from him.
Once again the judges hate the song choice. Randy hated the performance. Kara does not feel he connected with the song. He admitted he is not comfortable singing without the piano. Paula slams him. She is disappointed. Simon wishes he had forgotten the lyrics. He thinks it was corny.
And, back from the commercial, we have the most dramatic contestant I have ever seen, Tatiana Del Toro. The lady with the laugh is singing “Saving All My Loving” by Whitney Houston. You have to hand it to her she has a powerful voice. A few little pitch problems but pretty darn good.
Randy says “you had some moments’. He doesn’t think she pulled it all together. Kara doesn’t know who she is. Tatiana looks like she is about to break down. Paula agrees with the other judges. Simon calls her a drama queen. Simon thinks it was better than he expected.
This was a very different, demure Tatiana. Ryan wants to know who is the real Tatiana. She says it is all her.
So the show will close with one of our featured Christian music artists, Danny Gokey. Don’t you think he looks like Robert Downey Jr? Danny is a worship leader from Wisconsin. He has gotten a lot of air time through the auditions and Hollywood. He is one of the early favorites. Let’s see if he does better than Anoopdog.
Danny is singing “Hero” by Mariah Carey, uh oh. Oh yes, he has it going. Chills just went up my back and tears are in my eyes. Danny, Danny, Danny great job. For me, easily the best of the night.
The judges are howling, standing. Randy,”The redeemer of the night, that was blazing hot”. Kara, “that was incredible you give us hope”. “That was incredible”. Paula, “that was stellar” and “sold-out arenas”. Simon, “back to the real world, that was okay but I am not buying into all the hype, yet.”
So that is it for tonight. By the time you get to work in the morning I will have a wrap-up with some predictions.
Vote for Danny and Michael.
Anathallo
Genre: Rock
Sub-genres: Indie Rock, Progressive
Location: Chicago, IL
Label: Anticon
Website: http://www.anathallo.com/
Christian label: no
Category: The Light whats this?
A sprawling indie pop music collective, Anathallo combines a swirling blend of soaring chamber pop, frantic choral chants and beautiful quiet instrumental and lyrical interludes. Anathallo (Greek to mean to “renew, refresh, or bloom again”) interweaves standard rock band instrumentation with pianos, trombones, autoharps, flugelhorns, trumpets, harps and clarinets. And these guys will bang on anything. See what I mean as they perform “Hanasakajijii Four A Great Wind, More Ash”:
I first saw these guys in 2003 when they won Best New Artist at the Cornerstone Music Festival. It was our last day, it was blazing hot and I was meeting my son for dinner at the New Music tent. Suddenly, this red headed teenager stepped up to the microphone and this mesmerizing mix of instruments I described above came flowing from the sound system. For 20 minutes Anathallo captivated 200 people with their own version of marching band rock. When I said above that they bang on anything, the light truss became a vital percussion instrument that day. Here is the video of Anathallo playing their signature song “Holiday At The Sea” from that show:
We were rushed, so I picked up their EP Holiday by The Sea and stuck it into my backpack. Imagine my surprise when I opened the package to discover a bag of sand and a sea shell (and the CD, of course). These guys are creative in all they do.
Lyrically their songs work through the challenges of being a believer in this world. Song after song deals with the never ending process of self examination and salvation. Here is an example from Holiday By The Sea’s “Declared, Bannered”:
I could not look Him in the face, so I stood revarnishing the floor with my eyes. He stared into them with this love so offended and profound. He tore the center of my shirt and red ws bleeding through from underneath the white clothes that I wore. The fire of devotion was only an ember. Alarmed at this sign of decay, my legs gave out because there was no self left to stand on. Thus, my heart was grieved, vexed in my mind, still Your banner over me was love.
Matt Joynt is the central figure of this group that has swelled to as many as nine. They emerged from Mt. Pleasant, Michigan in 2000 and have been working their magic since. They tour constantly with more than 20 national tours, five CD’s, two EP’s and numerous 7″ under their belt.
Anathallo is starting to gain the critical acclaim they deserve. Their latest CD, Canopy Glow, made it to several “Best of 2008″ lists. These guys are a serious contender in the indie rock scene, challenging Animal Collective, Sufjan Stevens and Danielson. Like Stevens and Danielson, Anathallo’s enthralling music is a vehicle for spiritual, thought provoking lyrics.
You can get Anathallo’s music digitally on
You can also find their CDs on Amazon: Anathallo -- S Parrows
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