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For Today...
'Benediction'
Extended beyond the actual blessing, giving it an 'end of service' context.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=K6cf0V62PSU - Aaronic Blessing from Matt Redman. (This is the recording I learnt it from.)(27/01/2022)
Recent links
'Meekness and majesty'
Powerful and thoughtful song from Mr Kendrick. Useful for communion and in Lent / Holy Week.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gtt52JEW_Zo - Graham Kendrick recording.(26/01/2022)
'Praise Him on the trumpet'
A good noisy all-age song. It's been around a long time but it bears repeating. Fun to play and sing.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=d8yxHMmA65g - rocks along, incl R&R piano - let your hair down.(25/01/2022)
'Nothing can trouble (Nada te terbe)'
A Taizé chant based on words of St Teresa of Avila. Both of the linked recordings are guitar-accompanied, but it works very well on the organ.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=aaqeUO6Rw-I - a short version, in English, with the words on-screen.www.youtube.com/watch?v=go1-BoDD7CI - A longer version, in Spanish, from Taizé.
(24/01/2022)
'Let us build a house where love can dwell'
Brilliant, moving, anthemic masterpiece by Marty Haughen.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=nbyZQnPw-wk - with all the verses, including the 'communion' one.(23/01/2022)
'You have called us by our name'
A deservedly popular Bernadette Farrell 'all-age' song of church, belonging, and the Christian journey.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=CTWDmv0kb5g - piano and guitars plus vocal/instrumental descants - children's choir.(22/01/2022)
'An army of ordinary people'
A golden oldie with a tune that is near-perfect for adding uplifting instrumental lines.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=57vZbh_zChc - one man, multitracking, very effectively.(21/01/2022)
'Our God is greater'
A song the band can get really their teeth into... especially the electric guitarist. Needs a bit of rethinking for smaller congregations though.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=NJpt1hSYf2o - Chris Tomlin a live performance.(20/01/2022)
'Jesus is King'
A fine 20th Century hymn with a nicely syncopated rhythm. It's syncopated enough to defeat some congregational singers, alas, but they can hardly be blamed:- I've heard too many church musicians play it like a 19th century congregation would want to sing it, which is a sad thing, as it's great fun when done properly.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=km-zgzp-7wk(19/01/2022)
'You are beautiful beyond description'
A worship song by Mark Altrogge. Lends itself to guitar in A, a gently driving rhythm with a persistent open A in the bass at the start.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=BkKHhNIySd0 - a different approach, finger-picked (in G) on a classical guitar. Nicely done.(18/01/2022)
'Father, never was love so near (Thanks be to God)'
Another song from Graham Kendrick's 'The Gift'...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=s2kMH7NuIOE - Graham Kendrick album recording.(17/01/2022)
'O what a mystery I see'
From Graham Kendrick's Make Way for Christmas. It stands well on its own, and in that context is arguably one of the most useful songs in the collection. My singing direction for this is, profound but earthy.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=k07jlDtHOnY - album recording, Graham Kendrick (Make Way for Christmas - extracted)(16/01/2022)
'Immanuel, Immanuel'
Another from Graham Kendrick's 'Make Way for Christmas' that stands well on its own.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=QON384KtMrA - as featured on Graham Kendrick's website.(15/01/2022)
'Love came down at Christmas'
Another contribution to Christmas repertoire from Ms Rossetti.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=pwmf1lcfQnI - sung to Garton, the customary tune.(14/01/2022)
'In the bleak mid-winter'
Christina Georgina Rossetti's much-loved poem, set to music...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=pTzqMi2AQF8 - a setting of the Holst tune, from King's College Cambridge (King's Singers, plus choir).www.youtube.com/watch?v=6qmtO6cebcU - James Taylor's interprets the Holst tune, and also takes a few liberties with Rossetti's words...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=yb9tHjuy9Hw - the Darke tune, which has its own virtues, and which some prefer. (From Trinity College, Cambridge - beautifully done.)
(13/01/2022)
'Like a candle flame'
Another song from Graham Kendrick's 'The Gift'. Ideally, with a massive crescendo in the final verse on 'from our lives, Spirit blazing'.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=cZGVQKjn_V8 - a version uploaded by Matt Beckingham - a touch different, and nicely done.(12/01/2022)
'What Child is this?'
Victorian hymn, set to Greensleeves, thus sounding much older and more carol-like.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=IGqf5ha_GEA - Peter Hollens doing his multitracking thing, and doing it very well.(11/01/2022)
'The first nowell'
Old English carol which covers full narrative through to Epiphany.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=QbbagyVukSE - the choir of Kings College Cambridge, with the Willcocks arrangement.(10/01/2022)
'Infant Holy, infant lowly'
A Polish traditional carol with a lovely tune, of which there are a number of very good arrangements. I know the Willcocks one best.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=i6dcIRAr-gE - The Merbecke Choir singing the Willcocks arrangement.(09/01/2022)
'See amid the winter's snow'
Another of those Christmas hymns that is 'core repertoire' but can still be difficult to find room for.
www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p08mn3s7 - a BBC Songs of Praise recording, shortened as usual.(08/01/2022)
'As with gladness, men of old'
An Epiphany standard.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=sp52sx2_GYs - a Songs of Praise recording.(07/01/2022)
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