On Songs & Albums

A collection of 280 posts

On Songs & Albums

ABC News Feature on Sam Phillips

I'm hesitant to link to a title as badly titled as this one. But, despite having the worst title I've seen on a Sam Phillips article in a while, and a photograph that somehow doesn't look much like her, this is one of the

On Songs & Albums

Josh Jackson Interviews Sam Phillips

Josh Jackson interviewed Sam Phillips recently, right at the beginning of her tour of Borders bookstores. I'll be talking with her again soon for a special assignment I've been given. Can't wait. Here's Josh's conversation, at Paste of course.

On Songs & Albums

My Favorite Music Reviewer Speaks

Andy Whitman, my favorite writer at Paste Magazine, delivered a lecture at the Trinity Arts Conference last week. I missed it. My work schedule prevented me from attending, and it hurt to miss out. Nobody writes about music with more passion than Andy. And few can draw from such a

On Songs & Albums

Wednesday Night's Trip to Borders was Pretty Cool

I've waited 22 years for this fanboy photo. Thanks to my friend Don for snapping this.

On Songs & Albums

U2's New Album Arrives Early

I'm listening to U2's new album right now! It's called Viva La Vida. You can stream it for free right here. U2's collaborations with Brian Eno have always been fruitful, and I'll be enjoying this for the rest of the

On Songs & Albums

Tonight: Join me at Sam Phillips' free show!

7 p.m. Borders Bookstore Redmond Town Center 16549 NE 74th St Redmond, WA 98052 Phone: 425.869.1907 I'll be there.

On Songs & Albums

The Innocence Mission... in space!

This is too cool. "Good morning Discovery and a special good morning to you today Karen," NASA astronaut Shannon Lucid radioed up to the shuttle. "Good morning Shannon and everybody in Houston," replied Nyberg, who is the 50 th woman ever to fly in space and

On Songs & Albums

Paste reviews Don't Do Anything

Will I see you at the Borders bookstore in Redmond, Washington next Wednesday? Sam Phillips will be there, playing songs from her new album Don't Do Anything. And if you need any more persuading to pick up a copy, here's a review in Paste: The difference

On Songs & Albums

Today: The Biggest Album Release Day on My 2008 Calendar

Sam Phillips's "Don't Do Anything" is here. Order it from the Nonesuch website, and you'll receive the CD in the mail, and a downloadable mp3 version as well (not to mention three bonus tracks that you won't get if you

On Songs & Albums

Fleet Foxes are Ablaze

Somehow, I haven't heard this band from my own town until just now. I'm listening to Fleet Foxes and I have that electrifying feeling of a Big Discovery, thanks to the simultaneous eruption of enthusiasm from several friends this week (Josh Hurst, Opus, and others at

On Songs & Albums

David Kennedy on Sam Phillips's New Album

David Kennedy is rambling — no, raving! — about the new Sam Phillips album, Don't Do Anything. ... ... [T]o those for whom music - especially Phillips's music - is a treasure held near and dear, Don't Do Anything is yet another delicate miracle from an artist

On Songs & Albums

A Report from Over the Rhine's "Ohio" Concert

The Enquirer sums up Over the Rhine's 21-song set, the first live performance of their double album Ohio in its entirety. In spite of the sound board problems, I sure wish I could have been there to hear it.

On Songs & Albums

Tom Waits interviews himself.

Brilliant.

On Songs & Albums

An Honor for Over the Rhine

Over the Rhine gets to be the first act at Cincinnati's new 4,100-seat National City Pavilion at Riverbend Music Center on Saturday. And what will they do? Play all of the songs from their sensational double album Ohio!

On Songs & Albums

Keith Green, Age 11

My friend Mark Moring just sent this in: I've Got a Secret [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=foHRDsFL260&eurl]

On Songs & Albums

The U2 Elevation Prayer

David Wainscott has just posted some interesting audio: An audio file of the prayer and blessing for U2's 2001 Elevation tour. And when you think about how that tour blessed so many, and about the ministry that the band had for those in New York after the attacks

On Songs & Albums

NY Times: Ten Great Christian Rock Songs

It's not hard to demonstrate that Christian rock is often... even usually... cheesy, derivative, and shallow. Much of it sounds like commercials for Jesus rather than artistic endeavor. But there are exceptions, although I'd prefer to take the modifier "Christian" off of those songs

On Songs & Albums

The Kindlings Muse on "U23D" and Many More...

At The Kindlings Muse, you can now download the latest podcast conversation about movies between Dick Staub, Greg Wright, Jennie Spohr and me. On that fine afternoon a couple of weeks ago, we discussed... * U2 3D * 4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days * The Other Boelyn Girl * 3:10 to

On Songs & Albums

Sixpence None the Richer, Together Again, Live

Stephen Lamb reports on this year's most exciting band reunion, live in concert.

On Songs & Albums

The Pulitzer Prize-Winnin' Bob Dylan!

Yes. Ring them bells. Post your favorite Bob Dylan lyric here.

On Songs & Albums

Don't Do Anything Does Not Disappoint

I'll be reviewing Sam Phillips's Don't Do Anything for Christianity Today, and I'm thrilled. Feels like a landmark moment for me, since Sam's journey has blazed the trail for me in my understanding of, and appreciation for, the wide world

On Songs & Albums

Buzz About This Album Began in 1994. On May 6, It's Here.

Music reviewer extraordinaire Andy Whitman has already heard it, and he's posted some comments at ArtsandFaith.com.

On Songs & Albums

"The Bonofication of Christianity"

Don't miss this podcast of Dr. Jeff Keuss and Nigel Goodwin as they discuss Bono and his influence on Christian culture. Dr. Jeff Keuss is Associate Professor of Christian Ministry at Seattle Pacific University, where among other things he teaches courses in Theology and Popular Culture. He received

On Songs & Albums

Sam Phillips... at SoulFest??

Sam Phillips is scheduled to take the same stage as Third Day and Rebecca St. James at the Christian music brouhaha Soulfest 2008. And in other news, hell just froze over. I don't know what could make the release of her first self-produced album, Don't Do

On Books & Writing

Highlights from Image: Amazing Grace; Bono and Christian music

This new Image blog? I'm loving it. Brave, thought-provoking, substantial new material every week. Check out A.G. Harmon's skepticism regarding the celebrated movie Amazing Grace. And Lukas Kwong's excellent consideration of church music and the Christian musician. Should Christian musicians be following Bono&