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For Today...
'We will walk with God, my brothers'
A great song for sending out. (We've only ever tried in in English.)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=YKybxg99fUc - a bilingual album recording from 'Sing with the World'.(29/07/2021)
Recent links
'I will Offer up my Life'
I prefer this one done gently and quietly... an electric piano sound suits it well, played gently for a soft tone.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=RWXWHdgapjI - a Matt Redman album recording.(28/07/2021)
'Your love, shining like the sun'
A good slower worship song.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=QNkI-QbAue0 - from the Stuart Townend album 'Outrageous Grace'.(27/07/2021)
'Living under the shadow of His wing'
A great song. You can't beat the Geoff Baker arrangement of this, but unfortunately, I can't find a recording on the Web.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=VB17ibKf3XU - nicely sung.(26/07/2021)
'And can it be?'
A good, solid old Wesley hymn, and a great tune. My take on this (on organ) is to follow the words carefully and explore the full dynamic range over five verses, building to roof-raising at the end.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=sQeIGbKqiw8 - from Songs of Praise, nicely paced, but as ever, a verse short.(25/07/2021)
'Be still, for the presence of the Lord'
A very popular, top-drawer 'modern' hymn. Like all the best ones, the opportunities for improvising harmonies and riffs are endless.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZugvUQ4m90U - with a piano-led band.www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y5S_-zhHfDA - an organ-led rendering - (not always a good idea with modern songs, but this one works) - from Songs of Praise. The verse intro/links have a hint of Geoffrey Beaumont in their inspiration?
(24/07/2021)
'For the Joys and for the Sorrows'
Useful and well written song - the sure touch of Graham Kendrick.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=mYxSXHgMFmg - Mr Kendrick himself - a 2011 recording of this 1990s song.(23/07/2021)
'Beauty for brokenness'
A very direct, wide-ranging, challenging and powerful song.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=08utbDFP9AE - the 'official' Graham Kendrick rendering, modulation and all, as featured on his website.(22/07/2021)
'Bread of the world, in mercy broken'
Bishop Heber's words make a beautiful communion hymn when paired with Lancelot Hankey's lyrical tune.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=rMiuUOjuNhQ - the only recording of it on Youtube, as far as I know.(21/07/2021)
'Here, O my Lord I see you face to face'
Versatile communion hymn: although it can be sung (often with verses omitted) as a piece, I prefer to use all six verses, with half pre-communion, and half(starting with "Too soon we rise...") post-communion. At its best when set to the lyrical David Heneker tune.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=n0_OYCze14g - a 4 verse version.(20/07/2021)
'On the Cross'
Standard communion repertoire - one of Geoff Baker's more well-known songs. It's very hard to find recordings of Geoff Baker songs on Youtube, or I'd feature more.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=QdHGc4ncZAg - we have several songs from this album in repertoire.(19/07/2021)
'Here is Love, vast as the Ocean'
A very popular Welsh hymn (and rightly so). It works well in a modern style... but it's also great to sing more traditionally (with an organ and - ideally - part singers).
www.youtube.com/watch?v=v8YOPj5TnUM - a Robin Mark version.(18/07/2021)
'All my Days'
Makes a great opener, and the chorus lends itself to improvisation.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=mEiZ2RlPQeo - a live recording from Stoneleigh.(17/07/2021)
'Soon and very soon'
This song needs singing in the style Andre Crouch wrote it.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=VxarZBxK0iQ - gospel rendering, with a few additions that don't appear in the average hymnbook.(16/07/2021)
'Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise'
A golden oldie, less used now, but used to be core repertoire.
ttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O8NzE5wNqus&start=41 - an arrangement which builds nicely before modulating. (Includes an extended lead-in, and stops slightly abruptly as the next link begins.)(15/07/2021)
'Christ's is the World'
A song of challenge and hope.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=QTIwZ3XNyEY - a Songs of Praise recording, shortened. (With the choir of Liverpool Met., rather than congregation.)(14/07/2021)
'As we are gathered'
A golden oldie, but still useful - either near the top of a service, or leading into communion.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=SCdD5Ouq-2Q - an interesting arrangement.(13/07/2021)
'O Lord Hear my prayer'
A Taize chant, good for responses in any prayers of intercession/petition.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=LKyU5BIlxc0 - used here in a way that's true to its original purpose, as an extended meditation.(12/07/2021)
'Say the word '
Song of encounter and healing from Stuart Townend. In terms of accompaniment, less is more.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=JUZ2ccaRCkQ - studio recording.(11/07/2021)
'I heard the voice of Jesus say'
www.youtube.com/watch?v=6rr_4M5LQLo - sung by the choir of Manchester Cathedral, with a flourish.(10/07/2021)
'Hide me now (under Your wings)'
Another Reuben Morgan song that has added to the richness of expression in worship. And great to play keyboard in.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sv3eJgqq2aw - solo voice and guitar (mainly), nicely done.www.youtube.com/watch?v=3FrEmqyM4-k - Hillsongs live recording (loud and extended).
(09/07/2021)
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