Please Pronounce It

I like what I've heard from KJ-52. This is a 2003 release.

01. KJ-52 - Welcome to Five Two's (1:48)

02. KJ-52 - KJ Five Two (4:02)

03. KJ-52 - Whoop Whoop (2:53)

04. KJ-52 - Dear Slim, Part 2 (4:36)

05. KJ-52 - So in Love with You (3:14)

06. KJ-52 - Cartoon Network (3:57)

07. KJ-52 feat. Rob Beckley - Rock On (2:57)

08. KJ-52 - Back in the Day (3:47)

09. KJ-52 - Can I Speak With a Manager? (interlude) / Ya Bref Stank (4:05)

10. KJ-52 - 47 Pop Stars (3:27)

11. KJ-52 feat. Donnie - Pick Yourself Up (3:30)

12. KJ-52 - Don't Go (4:42)

13. KJ-52 - Check Yourself (3:20)

14. KJ-52 - Infomercial (interlude) (0:48)

15. KJ-52 feat. Jubilee - #1 Fan (5:31)

16. KJ-52 - I Feel So Good (3:43)

17. KJ-52 - I'm Guilty (3:52)

18. KJ-52 - Outro / Gimme Dat (3:12)

However, I found I could enjoy this better in smaller doses than all at once.  It’s fun, and it’s great that KJ has both a sense of humor and a dedication to the Lord.

THIS LINK GOOD FOR SEVEN DAYS.

PERMANENT LINK.

See you Monday!

  

Dreamin' on Clouds

This is dreamy stuff, I say.

01. Missa “Et ecce terrae motus” a 12 voci: Kyrie: Kyrie eleison (1:38)

02. Missa “Et ecce terrae motus” a 12 voci: Kyrie: Christe eleison (2:45)

03. Missa “Et ecce terrae motus” a 12 voci: Kyrie: Kyrie eleison (1:43)

04. Missa “Et ecce terrae motus” a 12 voci: Gloria (10:30)

05. Missa “Et ecce terrae motus” a 12 voci: Credo (10:53)

06. Missa “Et ecce terrae motus” a 12 voci: Sanctus: Sanctus (3:13)

07. Missa “Et ecce terrae motus” a 12 voci: Sanctus: Pleni sunt caeli (1:47)

08. Missa “Et ecce terrae motus” a 12 voci: Sanctus: Hosanna (2:23)

09. Missa “Et ecce terrae motus” a 12 voci: Sanctus: Benedictus (3:09)

10. Missa “Et ecce terrae motus” a 12 voci: Sanctus: Hosanna (2:31)

11. Missa “Et ecce terrae motus” a 12 voci: Agnus Dei: I (1:47)

12. Missa “Et ecce terrae motus” a 12 voci: Agnus Dei: II (3:09)

13. Missa “Et ecce terrae motus” a 12 voci: Agnus Dei: III (1:52)

14. Sequentia “Dies irae Dies illa” (19:04)

If you’re like me, you might be enchanted by this stuff without knowing what the heck is going on.  Still, I scanned the English-language parts of the booklet.

About two minutes into the final track, you finally get a taste of *something* known, with the “Dies Irae” melody, which then floats in and out.  A sombre ending for a fascinating recording.

Note the original purchaser’s note about where bought and the price.

THIS LINK GOOD FOR SEVEN DAYS.

PERMANENT LINK.

Come back from your cloud on Thursday for the commencement of this year's mucho supremo SPOOKY SPOCK-TOBER!

  

Welcome to April Fun, 2025!

Here's a fun album of Christian music from rapper Emcee One (stylized emcee one).

01. We Missed It (1:35)

02. Introducing (0:46)

03. No Tolerance (Live) (4:00)

04. Fresh (3:27)

05. 3:23 A.M. (1:38)

06. Lukewarm II Hot (3:56)

07. Clouds Away (3:51)

08. Wake Up (Featuring Happy) (5:16)

09. Hip-Hop (Beatbox Mix) (3:12)

10. Satalight Picture (2:09)

11. Keep on Rhymin' (3:49)

12. Holla-Loo-Yah (2:58)

THIS LINK GOOD FOR SEVEN DAYS.

PERMANENT LINK.

This guy was a lot of fun to see in concert around 2005.

This is a 2004 release, bought from him at his table after the show.  See you on Monday!

  

Happy Spiritual St Pat's Day!

01. Leaning on the Everlasting Arms (3:00)

02. Morning Has Broken (2:19)

03. Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing (3:26)

04. St. Patrick's Breastplate (2:46)

05. 'Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus / Redeemed (4:00)

06. Whiter Than Snow / Come All Ye Christians, Be Committed (3:21)

07. Irish Hymn Medley: St. Columbia, Daniel, Clonmel, St. Sechnall (3:18)

08. What Wondrous Love Is This / Come Ye Sinners, Poor and Needy (3:00)

09. Jesus Loves Even Me (2:30)

10. Be Thou My Vision (3:55)

11. Jesus Shall Reign / How Firm a Foundation (3:24)

12. Londonderry Aire (4:23)

THIS LINK GOOD FOR SEVEN DAYS.

PERMANENT LINK.

I was ready to look down on this as a sentimental, hypocritical milking of the Christian market. Instead I heard a sometimes romping, sometimes meditative conglomeration of tunes, some of which are only debatably Irish. Some are done in a looping fashion, which makes them more interesting than the packaging might suggest.

  

See you on Thursday, friends!

  

Cold Highlights

This 1995 release contains Lowry\s own transcriptions.

01. Overture (3:51)

02. Comfort Ye My People (3:11)

03. Every Valley Shall be Exalted (4:09)

04. And the Glory of the Lord (3:12)

05. O Thou that Tellest Good Tidings to Zion (4:37)

06. For Unto Us a Child Is Born (4:25)

07. Pastoral Symphony (3:08)

08. Glory to God (2:06)

09. He Shall Feed His Flock (5:26)

10. Hallelujah (4:12)

THIS LINK GOOD FOR THREE DAYS.

PERMANENT LINK.

See what you think.  The performance is super-competent, but it seems somehow bloodless to me.  How might you provide emotion through guitar strings?

  

See you Monday.

  

Why Isn't That Piano Sinking?

I mean, a grand piano sitting out on an Irish countryside, why aren't there any tracks from dragging the thing? Could this thing be staged? Perish the thought!

01. Danny Boy (3:58)

02. Spancil Hill (4:40)

03. The Bride's Return (4:38)

04. O'Neill's March (2:34)

05. Galway Bay (5:15)

06. From Clare to Here (4:34)

07. Only Our Rivers Run Free (5:46)

08. Tóg go bog é (Take It Easy) (3:35)

09. Dublin in the Rare 'Oul Times/ Molly Malone (4:26)

10. Star of the County Down (5:50)

11. Scenes of Antrim (4:16)

12. The Reel of Timothy O'Neill (2:24)

13. Carrickfergus (4:25)

14. The Town I Loved So Well (3:11)

15. The Meeting of the Waters (3:27)

A 1996 release that’s by turns beguiling and ponderous.  Mr O’Neill should not be singing (the overlong Track 7).  

The Meeting of the Waters

See you Monday!

  

Swing It!

This is a fine 1991 compilation from a foundational Gospel group.

01. Swing Down, Chariot (3:30)

02. The Sun Didn't Shine (2:09)

03. Hush (3:12)

04. Jezebel (2:48)

05. Moses Smote the Water (2:32)

06. Shadrack (2:36)

07. Atom and Evil (3:19)

08. High, Low and Wide (2:36)

09. Daniel Saw the Stone (2:43)

10. Hold the Wind (2:44)

11. Pray for the Lights to Go Out (3:01)

12. God Told Nicodemus (2:33)

13. No Restricted Signs (Up in Heaven) (2:59)

14. Anyhow (2:39)

15. Didn't It Rain (2:25)

16. God's Gonna Cut 'Em Down (2:33)

17. My Time Done Come (2:43)

18. Listen to the Lambs (2:54)

19. Wade in the Water (2:45)

20. Joshua Fit the Battle of Jericho (2:39)

My first acquaintance with the Golden Gate Quartet was "Atom and Evil," the opening track of the soundtrack album of The Atomic Cafe. The version on this collection is a different recording.

Another fine song is Track 13.  I'm not the only one who liked it.  SF author Philip José Farmer references "No Restricted Signs" in River of Eternity, the novel which was the first version of his Riverworld concept. Info about THAT confluence here, on the Super Blog.

Swing Down, Chariot!

See you on Monday for a month of music tied to St Patrick's Day!

  

An Inspiration Better Than Some

This 1996 release, unlike many I've encountered of the category "Christian" music, isn't soporific.

01. On Eagle's Wings / Wind Beneath My Wings (5:08)

02. Morning Has Broken (2:42)

03. Simple Gifts (4:19)

04. I Believe (2:58)

05. It Is Well With My Soul (3:12)

06. Shall We Gather at the River / Deep River (4:03)

07. All Things Bright and Beautiful / For the Beauty of the Earth (3:09)

08. Holy, Holy, Holy / Fairest Lord Jesus / What a Friend We Have in Jesus (4:46)

09. Be Thou My Vision / Brother James Aire (2:09)

10. Savior, Like a Shepherd Lead Us (3:33)

11. Climb Every Mountain (2:48)

12. Pie Jesu (3:18)

13. O God, Our Help in Ages Past / A Mighty Fortress Is Our God (2:55)

14. We Are One in the Spirit / El Shaddai (3:45)

15. You'll Never Walk Alone (3:39)

16. Bless Be the Tie That Binds / Pass It On (2:14)

17. Let There Be Peace on Earth (2:13)

18. Amazing Grace (3:18)

Soaring Inspirational Music

Overall, it’s a fine representation of the instrumental-worship music genre. For me, the best thing is, it’s NOT TOO DRAGGY!

Drag yourselves back over on Thursday, fellow skylarkers!

  

Maybe You're in the Tribe?

I found this 2000 release at my local thrift store.

01. All Creatures of Our God and King (1:32)
02. Come Now - Now Is the Time to Worship (4:13)
03. Freedom (6:24)
04. Dua (0:56)
05. Only You (4:54)
06. Salvation (4:35)
07. Salvation Belongs to Our God (4:14)
08. Intercession Introduction (5:01)
09. Intercession (1:04)
10. One Day (7:15)
11. One Thing (6:50)
12. Slave (4:39)
13. Song of the Worker (1:36)
14. Draw Me Nearer (2:12)
15. Exhortation (2:08)
16. Fuel (3:58)
17. O Worship the King (1:15)
18. Fuel - Reprise (2:28)

It’s a Live Worship Experience (my description), from "Face to Face Worship Resources."  IMO thirty seconds of this goes a long way. As with many “live” recordings, it was more meaningful to those attending, than it can possibly be to us, after the fact.

Every Tribe

See if you're moved.  See ya Thursdasy!

  

Hide Your Face, Open Your Ears

It's an interesting 2001 release.

01. Purcell: Music for a While (3:22)

02. Purcell: I Attempt from Love's Sickness to Fly (1:46)

03. Purcell: Ah! How Sweet It Is to Love (2:52)

04. Purcell: Lord, What Is Man (5:37)

05. Purcell: Hark! How All Things (1:56)

06. Bach: Cantata, BWV 199, "Mein Herze schwimmt im Blut" - Recitativo (2:06)

07. Bach: Cantata, BWV 199, "Mein Herze schwimmt im Blut" - Aria (8:20)

08. Bach: Cantata, BWV 199, "Mein Herze schwimmt im Blut" - Recitativo (1:00)

09. Bach: Cantata, BWV 199, "Mein Herze schwimmt im Blut" - Aria (7:28)

10. Bach: Cantata, BWV 199, "Mein Herze schwimmt im Blut" - Recitativo (0:15)

11. Bach: Cantata, BWV 199, "Mein Herze schwimmt im Blut" - Corale (1:42)

12. Bach: Cantata, BWV 199, "Mein Herze schwimmt im Blut" - Recitativo (0:47)

13. Bach: Cantata, BWV 199, "Mein Herze schwimmt im Blut" - Aria (2:22)

14. Purcell: If Music Be the Food of Love (3:48)

15. Purcell: The Blessed Virgin's Expostulation (7:38)

16. Purcell: An Evening Hymn On A Ground (4:06)

I appreciated the musical craftsmanship, but wasn't stirred as I might have wished.  It’s sad that such lovely music and fine performances are somehow not affective at all.  This doesn’t move me emotionally.  Dang it, it should!

Angels Hide TheirFaces

Let me know if you're happier than I am.  See you Monday!

  

Is the Water Holy?

This is at least OK.  It's a 1992 cassette.

01. Old Time Religion (2:30)

02. How Great Thou Art (2:51)

03. The Uncloudy Day (2:44)

04. Precious Memories (2:57)

05. Amazing Grace (3:17)

06. Swing Low Sweet Chariot (2:35)

07. I'll Fly Away (2:08)

08. The Old Country Church (2:48)

09. What a Friend We Have in Jesus (3:09)

10. Jesus Loves Me (2:53)

11. Sweet Hour of Prayer (2:56)

12. In the Sweet Bye and Bye (2:12)

It's from the ole reliable Intersound label.

Hymns from the Bayou

See you Monday!

  

Classic Songs, Ho-Hum Arrangements

This is a 2009 two-disc set from some outfit called Discovery House.

Disc 1

01.  Join All the Glorious Names (3:42)

02.  To God Be the Glory (3:35)

03.  All the Way My Savior Leads Me (3:59)

04.  Give to Our God Immortal Praise (3:48)

05.  Draw Me Nearer (3:29)

06.  He Hideth My Soul (4:58)

07.  Jesus, Thy Blood and Righteousness (3:09)

08.  Like a River Glorious (4:22)

09.  Lo! He Comes with Clouds Descending (3:59)

10.  Jesus Shall Reign (4:10)

11.  Near the Cross (3:31)

12.  O for a Thousand Tongues (3:30)

13.  O Savior, Precious Savior (4:40)

14.  Take My Life and Let It Be (4:09)

15.  Rejoice, the Lord Is King! (3:24)

16.  Tell Me the Story of Jesus (3:40)

17. When I Survey the Wondrous Cross (5:06)

18.  And Can It Be? (5:21)

Disc 2

01.  We're Marching to Zion (3:59)

02.  Lord, Speak to Me (3:23)

03.  Alas! and Did My Savior Bleed_ (3:38)

04.  Jesus, Lover of My Soul (4:15)

05.  My Savior First of All (4:46)

06. The  Lord Jehovah Reigns (3:59)

07. Give Me Jesus (3:24)

08.  Love Divine (3:56)

09. I Sing the Mighty Power of God (2:39)

10.  Arise, My Soul, Arise (3:40)

11.  Come, Holy Spirit, Heavenly Dove (4:22)

12.  Golden Harps Are Sounding (4:03)

13.  Redeemed (3:40)

14.  I Want a Principle Within (3:40)

15.  O God, Our Help in Ages Past (3:31)

16.  Soldiers of Christ, Arise (3:52)

17.  Thy Life Was Given For Me (4:00)

18.  Who Is on the Lord's Side? (3:40)

19. Praise Him! Praise Him! (2:50)

Classic Songs

It's all in one big file.  See if you agree with me that it's kinda dreary -- does somebody really like this ultra-processed stuff?

See you on Thursday.

 

Hymning and Hawing

It’s a 1993 release. The selections are really competent, but too distilled, too clean and precise, the bluegrass version of easy-listening muzak.

01. Swing Low, Sweet Chariot (2:04)

02. I Saw the Light (1:46)

03. Turn Your Radio On (2:28)

04. Bringing in the Sheaves (2:13)

05. Standing on the Promises (1:48)

06. Shelter in the Time of Storm (1:55)

07. Trust and Obey (2:03)

08. I Love to Tell the Story (2:16)

09. When I Survey the Wonderous Cross (2:32)

10. Onward Christian Soldiers (2:16)

11. Send the Light (2:10)

12. I've Anchored in Jesus (2:17)

13. Rescue the Perishing (2:10)

14. Are You Washed in the Blood? (2:27)

15. Let the Lower Lights Be Burning (2:27)

16. Near to the Heart of God (1:53)

17. I'll Go Where You Want Me to Go (3:04)

18. Wonderful Grace of Jesus (2:47)

19. Take The Name (2:09)

20. Living on the Hallelujah Side (2:35)

20 Appalachian Hymns V3

Tell me if you become more or less spiritual after this album!  See you Thursday!

  

Try Not to Be Offended

That is, other than the insane idea that God decided to come down to this nasty world, so as to raise us to his world.

But also, being that this was a Hallmark release, the arrangements are likely to be on the tranquil side.

01. Amazing Grace (2:40)

02. Holy, Holy, Holy (2:36)

03. Ode to Joy (2:12)

04. Abide in Me (2:27)

05. Faith of Our Fathers (3:10)

06. What a Friend We Have in Jesus (2:27)

07. Just a Closer Walk With Thee (3:29)

08. Peace in the Valley (2:38)

09. Will the Circle Be Unbroken (3:07)

10. Nearer My God to Thee (2:38)

11. How Great Thou Art (2:48)

12. Morning Has Broken (2:17)

13. Swing Low, Sweet Chariot (1:45)

14. Rock of Ages (3:26)

15. In the Sweet By-And-By (3:09)

But being instrumentals, there ain't no twangy vocals.

How Can It Be?

See you on Monday!

  

I Wish I Knew What Them Thar Boys Wuz Singin'!

Because you cain't a-tell!

01. Psalm of Solstice (3:46)

02. The Dark Around Us (1:50)

03. Over the River (1:55)

04. Throw the Window Open (3:25)

05. Thrush Song (5:09)

06. Window Tree (3:08)

07. Great Trees (2:59)

08. Walking by Night (4:08)

09. Come Life Shaker Life (3:19)

10. Hunger and Thirst (1:50)

11. Shake These Bones (3:22)

12. St. Basil's Hymn (2:10)

13. How Long Watchman (3:41)

14. Lay Me Low (2:59)

15. Paradise (3:46)

16. Hymnody of the Earth (1:00)

17. Finches (1:05)

18. For the Future (2:25)

19. To the Holy Spirit (1:03)

It’s beautiful, but I can’t tell a thing these people are singing!  You could appreciate this immeasurably more if some ding-dang lyrics had been enclosed! 

*sigh* Anyway, here 'tis:

Hymnody of the Earth

See you Thursday for more what-have-you.  And thanks for being one of the kajillion folks who've stopped by!

  

Welcome to the Smoky Section

Or, as some of us have learned, you must take the dreary with the sweet.  For some reason, these performances don't give inspiration to me.

01. I'll Fly Away (3:00)

02. Send the Light (2:15)

03. Old Time Religion (2:17)

04. I Have Decided (2:04)

05. Church in the Wildwood (2:53)

06. Amazing Grace (2:44)

07. What a Friend (2:40)

08. Power in the Blood (2:10)

09. Lily of the Valley (2:42)

10. Mansion over the Hilltop (3:08)

11. The Old Rugged Cross (3:03)

12. Jesus Loves Me (2:24)

13. Unclouded Day (3:22)

14. I Saw the Light (2:29)

Don't blame the message!

Bee Line Records - 14 Instrumental Hymns of the Smoky Mountains

See you on Monday.

Get Out Your Instruments

It's a 1999 release.

1. Majesty

2. All Hail the Power of Jesus' Name

3. Be Thou My Vision

4. My Tribute

5. Be Exalted

6. Blessed Be the Lord God Almighty

7. Great and Mighty

8. How Great Thou Art

9. Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee

10. When I Survey the Wondrous Cross

11. Lamb of God

Majesty: Instrumental Praise

See you on Thursday.
  

Hell Is Other People with Penny Whistles

It's a 2001 cassette.

01. What a Friend We Have in Jesus (3:51)

02. Blessed Assurance (2:28)

03. Amazing Grace (3:50)

04. O Come and Sing Unto the Lord (3:26)

05. I Heard the Voice of Jesus Say (2:44)

06. O God, Thou Art the Father (5:04)

07. Morning Has Broken (3:03)

08. Be Thou My Vision (3:35)

09. Let All Things Now Living (2:47)

10. Take Me as I Am (3:04)

11. Come Thou Fount (4:09)

12. Let Us Break Bread Together (3:10)

13. Sweet Hour of Prayer (2:43)

What you think are record skips are actually knee-slapping or some such percussive technique.  Very competent but the penny whistle makes anything annoying!  Especially when it slurs or slides from note to note.

Of course these aren’t necessarily “Irish” Hymns, just done in an “Irish” style.

Irish Hymns

Go on, try to be Irish, I dare ya!  Until the shams rock and the lepers con, check back on Monday.

   

Olde-Fashioned Hymnody

It tries to be old-fashioned. It's up to you to decide.

01. Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee (3:32)

02. Simple Gifts (3:51)

03. Be Thou My Vision / The King of Love My Shepherd Is (2:57)

04. Rejoice, the Lord Is King (2:31)

05. Sweet Hour of Prayer (2:31)

06. Come, Christians, Join to Sing (2:47)

07. This Is My Father's World (3:15)

08. All Things Bright and Beautiful / Glorious Things of Thee Are Spoken (2:37)

09. Morning Has Broken (1:58)

10. O Lord of Life, to Thee We Lift (3:08)

11. Amazing Grace (3:15)

12. For the Beauty of the Earth / Jesus, Lover of My Soul (3:35)

Brentwood Music - Colonial Hymns

See you Monday, fellow listeners.
  

Harp Praise - Great or Grate?

It's a 1985 cassette.  It's really well played, but ... sad to say, the cheesy, easy-listening arrangements forestalled any feeling of worship for me.  So you may find this GREAT ... or cheesy and "grating."

01. His Name Is Wonderful (3:11)

02. Chariots of Fire (4:39)

03. Amazing Grace (4:46)

04. Morning Has Broken (3:28)

05. Amen (2:54)

06. Something About That Name (4:21)

07. Easter Song (3:16)

08. Blessed Assurance (3:49)

09. Put Your Hand in the Hand (4:08)

10. El Shaddai (4:05)

Greg Buchanan - Harp Praise

See you Thursday.