This is the third installment of a series of posts looking at Spirituality and the Arts. Quick links to check out beauty and spirituality part one and two.

Some cliches just capture the truth. One such cliche that fits the bill, “Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.” Cliche - yes. True - undeniably. Or in the case of where I am heading in this post, “Beauty is in the ear of the beholder.” Music has held a profound place in my spiritual development. Some of my first memories surrounding coming to faith and developing new spiritual insights are connected to music. I came to faith while listening to Jesse Dixon loudly singing, “you must be born again, you must be washed in the blood of Jesus.” I was taught spiritual truth early in my Christian experience laying on my bed listening repeatedly to albums by Resurrection Band, Keith Green, Petra, Jerusalem, Steve Taylor, Phil Keaggy, 2nd Chapter of Acts and many others.

Music connects with most people on many levels (thus it’s universal power and appeal). It is able to engage us at the level of the mind, emotionally touch our hearts and I think at an even deeper level - it connects with us spiritually (think 1 Samuel 16:23 or tribal rituals). Music is powerful. Through melody, harmony, rhythm, time changes (meter), instrumentation and lyric - it is a medium which provides a palette that can transform a mood, unify a nation, set a church “on fire” or move the world (e.g. the Olympic Theme). Music is also a medium that because of it’s great potential for creativity; also brings great debate (over it’s appropriateness, it’s value or it’s beauty).

——— be warned a little bit of a rant (Danger, danger Will Robinson)———-
Music in popular culture has become a disposable commodity. A goods and service that acts as a “jingle for the moment” - seemingly with no concern towards lasting value - making the “artist” nothing more than a “part-time” salesperson or momentary icon of TODAY’S fashion. Unfortunately this “top 40″ mentality has become a part of too many “contemporary churches” and I think it has had a detrimental effect on what is offered and pawned off as “music” on our church platforms and considered “special music.” (refer back to the cliche which begins this post - but my ear does not find beauty in most top 40 offerings or what is commonly referred to in Christian circles as “ccm”).

Good music, to my ear is exemplified by:

thoughtful, memorable and often intricate melodies

The main themes don’t sound familiar from the first hearing - there is a uniqueness and over repeated listens the musical ideas are still filled with surprises, beauty, and emotion that transports the listener.

harmonies

Counter or complimentary musical ideas that enhance or even takes over the melody. There is a variety and musical intricacy that challenges, soothes or creates a tension in the selection. I think this component is what helps a song or musical piece have sustainability - and is most absent from popular Top 40 tunes.

meter

The issue of time. How fast? How slow? Variations. To my ear… variety is nice - it applies to time (speeding up and slowing down) and to dynamics (which has nothing to do with meter - but I thought I’d throw that in) - I enjoy the change in volume and intensity.

rhythm

Rhythm has to do with how you subdivide the music. The beat. The pulse. The drive (remember the discussions of rock music and the power of the beat?). To my ear… it is all about the rhythm - whether it is classical music, jazz, progressive, fusion, rock or gospel - I tend to gravitate toward music with a strong impulsion.

employing clever or thoughtful poetry

If a song has lyrics - they better be thoughtful. It is very rare that I enjoy a song where the lyric is:
predictable, (if you know the next word before it is sung on the first hearing it’s just not going to hold my interest or “speak to me”)
trite (if you can say it in a hallmark card - then you don’t need to write a song about it!!),
sentimental-istic (sentimental is fine if it connects - sentimental-istic is when they cross the line to manipulation; manufactured sentimentalism),
cheap (once in a while this can work [I think it has to do with another subjective measure - authenticity] but for the most part great music to my ear doesn’t spring from the cheap shot or lowest common denominator),
cliche,
poor theology/worldview (I guess this could also be a subjective measure, eh?)
hurried,
blatant (leaving nothing to the listener… overly explained - art should allow room for the response of the observer)
I could go on… but I will refrain.

So I end this with some recommendations from my musical library. Some music that my ears love to behold. Music that moves me. Music that inspires. Lyrics that challenge. Music I find to be enriching each time I listen. I share this as a view into my world - and also to encourage you to share the beauty your ears behold.

Finally I share this to help all of us consider:

1. What draws my ears to some artists? What does that say about me?
2. What place does music have in my spiritual development?
3. What should guide my choices in the use of music with teens in the church? (do I just throw up what came in the latest YLO Subscription - or is there more to consider?)
4. What place does youth ministry/youth workers have in guiding and helping to shape the future musical artists? What will be of primary concern as the church models and/or becomes a patron of the arts?

On with what my ears love to behold…

Music that nurtures my soul
Kemper Crabb - The Vigil
Steve Hindalong - City on a Hill, Sing Alleluia, The Gathering
Iona - The Book of Kells and The Circling Hour
Jeff Johnson - Benediction and Prayers of St. Brendan
Mike Roe - Say Your Prayers
John Michael Talbot Be Exalted, The Lord’s Supper and Troubadour of the Great King

Rock Music that is Meaningful
77s - honest, gripping, diverse - one of my faves.
Adam Again find dig or perfecta - great antidote when you got the blues…
Aunt Bettys - sometimes - this is the only thing that fits the bill - raw, hard, infectious, crass, irreverant.
Boston - if you have to ask - I don’t understand.
Chagall Guevara I just dig it…
Daniel Amos I love it all - but you must hear their release, Motorcycle.
Eric Johnson the ultimate guitarist - check out Ah Via Musicom or Tones
LSU the rockin’ persona of Michael Knott… not for the faint at heart - it probably breaks every rule that I made above about “good music” - suggestions - Fluid, Grape Prophet, or This is the Healing
Charlie Peacock a great artist… I really dig West Coast Diaries I, Everything That’s On My Mind and Kingdom Come
Michael Roe Mike will take you on a auditory tour of the history of rock n roll… check out Safe As Milk or Fun with Sound, it won’t disappoint.
Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers he definitely is the basis of THE RULES above - simple stuff - arranged amazingly, great lyrics, king of melody and harmonies… check out Wildflowers, Damn the Torpedoes, or Greatest Hits.
Vigilantes of Love this is heart in your hand - honest - wonderful music, period.

Acoustic/Country/Folk/Alterna Folk I enjoy
Johnny Cash - REAL. Check out The American Recordings; Unchained; Solitary Man; The Man Come’s Around; 100 Highways; and Unearthed
Patty Griffin - beautiful (I only know her live recording - what a band!)
The Lost Dogs a “super group” of unknowns - they deliver great music - if you can find it don’t hesitate to grab Scenic Routes and Little Red Riding Hood - you will thank me. Also noteworthy - Real Men Cry and their latest is pretty good - The Lost Cabin and the Mystery Trees (Lost Cabin is shorter - and a definite indie release - but if it is all you can find - it is a fine find).
Bill Malonee - mellower stuff from the VOL frontman… not to be missed - Friendly Fire and Fetal Position

Progressive Rock (check out Bob Robinson for definitions and timelines - we could do a long car trip no problem!)
The Flower Kings recommended Stardust We Are, Unfold the Future and Paradox Hotel
Genesis I love everything from ‘70 - ‘84.
Transatlantic Brilliant.
Rush Played early and often. Especially love the recordings between Fly by Night and Signals… but it is all enjoyable.
King Crimson Stretches you in many ways. Worthy of a listen.
Kansas words that come to mind: beautiful, lush, grand.
Peter Gabriel one word - ARTIST. This guy’s discography is BRILLIANT - pick anything up and savor.
801 this Roxy Music offshoot is heavily in rotation right now.

Jazz I GROOVE on

Miles Davis
John Coltrane
Al Di Meola
Bela Fleck and the Flectones
Wynton Marsallis
Charles Mingus
Charlie Parker
Weather Report

Classical that Inspires (no surprises - in almost every case I am most drawn to the following composers orchestral/symphonic works)
Ludwig Van Beethoven
Anton Bruckner
Aaron Copeland
Gustav Holst
Gustav Mahler
Modest Mussorgsky
Pyotr Ilich Tchaikcovsky

Share some of your raves about some of your favorite aural art!