Bob Dylan: Little Drummer Boy

I have been listening to my copy of Bob Dylan's "Christmas from the Heart." Bob Dylan's voice sounds weary and hopeful like a favorite and worn out pair of boots. The lyrics to the songs are easy to hear as he sings to the Andy William's style arrangements. The critics don't get it, but I love the album. Here is his video for "The Little Drummer Boy." The images bring back joyful memories of Christmas time filled with family and friends as well the mystery of a new born baby.

New Emmanuel Jal single: We Fall

Emmanuel Jal is allowing people to download his new single "We Fall" for free at EmmanuelJal.com. It is a catchy and heartfelt song like other songs by Emmanual Jal. It is a thank-you for the people who donate to Gua Africa. Emmanuel Jal's projects are aimed a arming children in Africa with an education. From someone who was armed with an AK47 when he was a child, he knows the importance of education.

Education is the only way for my country. When you don't educate the people, you're crippling them. You are, you're not giving them ways to survive. --Emmanuel Jal

You can learn more an donate here.

Here is a recent Washington Times article.

Here are previous posts I made on Emmanuel Jal.


Here is a recent and excellent CNN video from last month that talks about Jal's life, book, music, and movie. It also talks about work toward building a school for children in Sudan. The article is here.


The good news is that he has a new album coming out in 2010.

I don't think that Bob Dylan is Talking about Santa Claus

Bill Flanagan has a wonderful interview with Bob Dylan over at Street News Service. He talks with Dylan about his new Christmas album Christmas in the Heart. Dylan can be elusive to figure out at times, but on one question he is quite clear:

Flanagan: You really give a heroic performance of O’ LITTLE TOWN OF BETHLEHEM The way you do it reminds me a little of an Irish rebel song. There’s something almost defiant in the way you sing, “The hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight.” I don’t want to put you on the spot, but you sure deliver that song like a true believer.

Dylan: Well, I am a true believer.

Bob Dylan: Christmas in the Heart

This is just fantastic, a Bob Dylan Christmas album. You know you have to get a copy. It is called Christmas In the Heart. The prodeeds go to Feeding America.



Songs include:

1. Here Comes Santa Claus 

2. Do You Hear What I Hear?

3. Winter Wonderland

4. Hark The Herald Angels Sing

5. I'll Be Home For Christmas

6. Little Drummer Boy

7. The Christmas Blues

8. O' Come All Ye Faithful (Adeste Fideles) 

9. Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas 

10. Must Be Santa

11. Silver Bells

12. The First Noel

13. Christmas Island

14. The Christmas Song 

15. O' Little Town Of Bethlehem

Bruce Cockburn: The Rose Above the Sky

Andy Whitman has a thoughtful post on the loss of things on the Image blog. He talks about the loss of jobs, marriages, life, and relates it to the music of Bruce Cockburn, in particular the song, "The Rose Above the Sky" form the Humans album. He states of a friend who lost a business this uear:

It’s a bittersweet little melodrama I’ve seen re-enacted again and again in the past year; the end of longstanding good. And it doesn’t stop with employment woes. 2009 will mercifully end in a couple months. Auld lang syne, and good riddance.

He says of Cockburn's music:

In times like these—in most times, in fact—I listen to Bruce Cockburn and pray. I pray because I don’t know how else to process life, and because I figure that God would prefer that I moan and complain to Him rather than ignore Him and try to tough it out on my own.

And I listen to Bruce Cockburn because, more than any other songwriter I know, he seems to grasp the connection between the invisible hand of love and the all too visible scars of a messy life. Cockburn is a mystic with dirt under his finger nails, and I’ve listened to his beautifully poetic songs for 35 years now. And if he holds out for meaning, for answers, for beauty in the end—and he does—he is equally insistent that the sorrow and pain are real, and cannot be glibly explained away. These are redemption songs that ache.

I think I bought my first Bruce Cockburn album in 1982, so I have enjoyed his music and take on life for many years. You can listen to "Rose Above the Sky" here.


Lyrics:

Something jewelled slips away


Round the next bend with a splash

Laughing at the hands I hold out

Only air within their grasp

All you can do is praise the razor

For the fineness of the slash


'Til the Rose above the sky

Opens

And the light behind the sun

Takes all


Gutless arrogance and rage

Burn apart the best of tries

You carry the weight of inherited sorrow

From your first day till you die

Toward that hilltop where the road

Forever becomes one with the sky


'Til the Rose above the sky

Opens

And the light behind the sun

Takes all


Ozone on the midnight wind

Got me thinking of the sea

And the mercies of the currents that brought

Me to you and you to me

And in the silence at the heart of things

Where all true meetings come to be


'Til the Rose above the sky

Opens

And the light behind the sun

Takes all

Here is a video of Bruce Cockburn's "Lovers in a Dangerous Time" with the great line "Got to kick at the darkness till it bleeds daylight" which U2 echoed in "God part 2" with "Heard a singer on the radio late last night. He says he's gonna kick the darkness.Till it bleeds daylight."




LOVERS IN A DANGEROUS TIME



Don't the hours grow shorter as the days go by

You never get to stop and open your eyes

One day you're waiting for the sky to fall

And next you're dazzled by the beauty of it all

When you're lovers in a dangerous time

Lovers in a dangerous time



These fragile bodies of touch and taste

This vibrant skin this hair like lace

Spirits open to the thrust of grace

Never a breath you can afford to waste



When you're lovers in a dangerous time

Lovers in a dangerous time

When you're lovers in a dangerous time

Lovers in a dangerous time



When you're lovers in a dangerous time

Sometimes you're made to feel as if your love's a crime

Nothing worth having comes without some kind of fight

Got to kick at the darkness till it bleeds daylight



When you're lovers in a dangerous time

When you're lovers in a dangerous time

When you're lovers in a dangerous time

Lovers in a dangerous time

Band of Skulls and Prefab Sprout: Breaking Up Songs

When I first listened to Band of Skulls, I was immediatly reminded of an English group I hadn't listened to in years called "Prefab Sprout". Both groups have a male and female singer, sometimes breathy singing, and a similar "feel" (jangly guitars) to their songs. I may be the only one to make this connection, but for some reason it is something I notice even though I can't put an exact finger on why they sound similar. Maybe it is because they both have interesting sounding "breakup songs": see the two videos below for the Band of Skulls song, "Cold Fame", and Prefab Sprouts 1980's song, "When Love Breaks Down". After writing my first post on Band of Skulls, I noticed that the Steve Stockman, author of the book, Walk On: The Spiritual Journey Of U2 had a post on his blog Soul Surmise on a new Prefab Sprout release called "Let’s Change the World With Music". Actually it was a 1992 recording that has just been released. Steve writes"

That McAloon (of Prefab Sprout) believes that music has power is not a surprise. Where I sat up and really started to listen was when I realised that he adds another vital contribution to the mix; God. For McAloon, music is a gift of God for the transformation of individuals and society.

God is everywhere on Lets Change The World With Music. For McAloon the voice of God in our fallen world comes through music. His take on Genesis and the genesis of this album finds God speaking:

“Let there be music,

music will be...

and you shall hear my story,

you will glimpse my glory

and find a refuge

from the trouble that you see.”


Throughout the piece you’ll hear angels sing and sweet Gospel music will carry the heavy hearts, ignite the romance of love and the fire the acts of constructive change. On Ride people “walking in the footsteps of the Lord” know Jesus by their side. On Earth: The Story So Far the birth of Jesus comes with a message of salvation and love. God Watch Over You even suggests incredulously that McAloon is not a believer but is wearing out his knees praying for his children.

Band of Skulls "Cold Fame" from "Baby Darling Doll Face Honey



What's the point of pain if it's been abused?
What's a kid like me even got to lose?
Here I am on your bed again-- its too big for the room it's in.
Wash your face and mouth just a little bit,
everybody knows that you're good at it.
Nothing hurts like an answer phone, drinking some, waking up alone.
Maybe if I try just a little more, I can take myself from this dirty floor.
Walk through buildings of elegance, just like you are intelligent.
But still I fall from grace with this microphone,
how'd you find yourself if you never roam?
Certainly I'm indebted baby, certainly, certainly...

I know my place, but it don't know me.
I know my place, but it don't know me.

No one wants to hear that you're breaking up,
it wasn't long ago we said start me up.
Now all your dreamin' will have to wait, what you deserve you'll anticipate.
Play your 45 with this late at night, open all the windows, turn out the light.
Mysterious creatures will fill the room, a midnight show just put on for you.
But still I fall from grace with this microphone,
how'd you find yourself if you never roam?
Certainly I'm indebted baby, certainly, certainly...

I know my place, but it don't know me.
I know my place, but it don't know me.

Cold fame in my brain, but it's okay cause I know it's the best for me...

Prefab Sprout "When Love Breaks Down" as performed in 1985 from the album "Steve McQueen". In America, it was renamed Two Wheels Good for legal reasons.



When Love Breaks Down

My love and I, we work well together
But often we're apart
Absence makes the heart lose weight, yeah,
Till love breaks down, love breaks down

Oh my, oh my, have you seen the weather
The sweet September rain
Rain on me like no other
Until I drown, until I drown

When love breaks down
The things you do
To stop the truth from hurting you

When love breaks down
The lies we tell,
They only serve to fool ourselves,
When love breaks down
The things you do
To stop the truth from hurting you

When love breaks down, when love breaks down

My love and I, we are boxing clever
She'll never crowd me out
Fall be free as old confetti
And paint the town, paint the town
When love breaks down
The things you do
To stop the truth from hurtin' you
When love breaks down
The lies we tell,
They only serve to fool ourselves,
When love breaks down
The things you do
To stop the truth from hurtin' you
When love breaks down
The lies we tell,
They only serve to fool ourselves,
When love breaks down
The things you do
To stop the truth from hurting you
When love breaks down
You join the wrecks
Who leave their hearts for easy sex
When love breaks down
When love breaks down

Vertigo at Foxboro: U2 Concert September 20, 2009

Last night I went down to Foxboro for the U2 concert at Gillete Stadium. If you missed the show, here is how you can recreate my experience. Go to your driveway and sit in a car for over 3 hours. Climb a ladder and get up on the top of your roof. Have someone place 4 action figures on the ground below you. Put a stool on top of them. On the stool place an old 19 inch TV (extra points if you put it on a rotating turntable). Lift up the antenna. Put a rubber chicken on top of it (it is easier to find than a rubber octupus). Light the whole thing up with Christmas lights. Next tell your neighbors with the large stereo system to turn it on in their basement, crank a U2 cd up all the way, and open their windows.  At some point have a flashlight shine skyward from the top of the TV. Look down and enjoy the show.

Well sitting up in the nosebleed seats of Gillette Stadium was an experience! Looking down at the band they looked like people on the ground do as an airplane settles in to a landing at the airport. If the little man held a guitar, I figured out it wasn't Bono down on the stage. The gigantic video screen as part of the set at least let me know what was going on so far below. The sound was muddled up so high, but the familiar pulsating beats of the songs from the U2 catalog were still fun to listen to. Besides the 3 hours of traffic getting into the stadium, the concert was a fun experience that I got to share with my son, Andrew.  The comments in the Boston.com article here, tell you about people's positive and negative experiences.

Here is the set list:

1. Breathe

2. No Line On The Horizon

3. Get On Your Boots

4. Magnificent

5. Mysterious Ways

6. Beautiful Day / Blackbird (snippet)

7. Elevation

8. I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For / Stand By Me (snippet)

9. Unknown Caller

10. New Years Day

11. Stuck In A Moment

12. The Unforgettable Fire

13. City of Blinding Lights

14. Vertigo / She Loves You (snippet)

15. I'll Go Crazy If I Don't Go Crazy Tonight (Remix)

16. Sunday Bloody Sunday / Rock The Casbah (snippet)

17. MLK

18. Walk On

19. One / Amazing Grace (snippet)

20. Where The Streets Have No Name

21. UltraViolet (Light My Way)

22. With Or Without You

23. Moment Of Surrender

We missed the first two songs and left before the final song, sprinting to our car and beating traffic. After dropping off Andy at Gordon College, I didn't get home until 1:45 am. Highlights were Amazing Grace transitioning to "Where the Streets Have No Name" (although the singing was muddy) and "Stuck in a Moment" as it reminded me of times back when it first came out.

Video of Amazing Grace/Streets and Stuck in a Moment from the concert here:




It was my second U2 concert, I saw them on the Pop tour in Foxboro also. I don't know if I would want to go through the parking and driving hassle again and I certainly would like better seats! But it was a memorable time spent with Andy.

Here are some videos I found of the U2 concerts at Foxborough.

Band of Skulls: "Baby Darling Doll Face Honey"

I heard some drumming and guitar strokes and liked the song. I checked out the song and found it was by a band called "Band of Skulls" I decided to try out some more of their music (even though they had a funky band name) and liked what I heard enough to give them a shot. I found out that they are an English band of three members: Matthew Hayward, who plays the drums, Russell Marsden, who plays guitar, and shares vocals with Emma Richardson, who also is the bass player. The sound is sharp and bouncy at times and I like the spaces that are left between notes and beats. Their cd is called Baby Darling Doll Face Honey
If you like good fun music then this band might be for you! I am still listening through the album and find it to be a nice diversion to what I have been listening to lately. Here are some standout tracks.

Here is a video of "I Know What I Am".

Band of Skulls - I Know What I Am


High ho,
Triple sow cow,
I got a feeling like I'm tired of the flow
But I know what I am,
They know what they are
So let me be

Gasoline
Suck her in,
I got no reason for the state I'm in,
But I know what I am,
They know what they are
So let me be

Hotel,
Taco Bell,
I got the hit that you know damn well,
But I know what I am,
They know what they are
So let me be

Cut, tease,
Better believe,
I got the feeling that I'm underneath,
But I know what I am,
They know what they are
So let me be

But it's alright,
It's okay,
I got the time,
But the time don't pay
It's alright,
It's okay,
I got the time,
But the time don't pay
It's alright,
It's okay,
I got the time,
But the time don't pay
It's alright,
It's okay.

Flip flop,
No stop,
I got the wit that my enemies lack,
But I know what I am,
They know what they are
So let me be

Trick some,
Just begun,
Giving you more when you only want one,
Cause I know what I am,
They know what they are
So let me be

Hot, sweat,
Got debt,
Keep looking in the locker cause you don't know yet,
But I know what I am,
They know what they are
So let me be

Ship shape,
Ticker tape,
Looks to me like a narrow escape,
But I know what I am,
They know what they are
So let me be

But it's alright,
It's okay,
I got the time,
But the time don't pay
It's alright,
It's okay,
I got the time,
But the time don't pay
It's alright,
It's okay,
I got the time,
But the time don't pay
It's alright,
It's okay.

I know what I am,
They know what they are
So let me be
I know what I am.
I know what I am,
They know what they are
So let me be
I know what I am.
I know what I am,
They know what they are
So let me be
I know what I am.
I know what I am,
They know what they are
So let me be
I know what I am,
They know what they are
So let me be
I know what I am,
They know what they are
So let me be
I know what I am,
They know what they are
So let me be

Here is a video of an acoustic version of "Fires".


Baby, Darling, Doll Face, Honey
Now I don't mean to cause you worry
It's only hands in my pocket
And the Queen on my money

Did you know I've been wanting you?
so leave your locks on the latches
If you bring the water, I'll bring the matches

'cause we are fires in the night
We are fires in the night
Let us bathe you in our heart
'cause we are fires in the night

Come on get up Romeo
Don't you know what the time is?
It's the fall of rock 'n roll,
That's what the news said

Did you know I've been wanting you?
so leave your locks on the latches
If you bring the water, I'll bring the matches

'cause we are fires in the night
We are fires in the night
Let us bathe you in our heart
'cause we are fires in the night

we are fires in the night
we are fires in the night
let us bathe you in our life
we are fires in the night

Moment of Surrender

I have had my tickets for a couple of months now for a U2 concert at the end of September and I can't wait for the show. Here is a video of U2 performing "Moment of Surrender" in Amsterdam on July 20th.



You can see Bono on his knees reciting Bible verses, including Isaiah 40 and singing the refrain from "40" at the end: "How Long?" Many people read various meanings into the lyrics. Some funny, "This song is clearly about winning a bronze medal in the shotput in the 1984 Summer Olympics," and some spot on. This song definitely is paired with "Unknown Caller", my favoite song on the "No Line on the Horizon."

"Moment of Surrender"

I tied myself with wire
To let the horses run free
Playing with the fire until the fire played with me
The stone was semi-precious
We were barely conscious
Two souls too smart to be in the realm of certainty
Even on our wedding day

We set ourselves on fire
Oh God, do not deny her
It's not if I believe in love
But if love believes in me
Oh, believe in me

At the moment of surrender
I folded to my knees
I did not notice the passers-by
And they did not notice me

I've been in every black hole
At the altar of the dark star
My body's now a begging bowl
That's begging to get back, begging to get back
To my heart
To the rhythm of my soul
To the rhythm of my unconsciousness
To the rhythm that yearns
To be released form control

I was punching in the numbers at the ATM machine
I could see in the reflection
A face staring back at me
At the moment of surrender
Of vision over visibility
I did not notice the passers-by
And they did not notice me

I was speeding on the subway
Through the stations of the cross
Every eye looking every other way
Counting down 'til the pain would stop

At the moment of surrender
Of vision over visibility
I did not notice the passers-by
And they did not notice me

Broken Things by Julie Miller

I first heard this Julie Miller song a few years ago based on someone's recommendation. It is on the 1999 Broken Things cd. It needs no commentary as it is a wonderful song. I was thrilled when a lady sang it at our church last year, as it is a great place to sing it!



Broken Things

You can have my heart, though it isn't new,
It's been used and broken, and only comes in blue,
It's been down a long road, and it got dirty along the way,
If I give it to you, will you make it clean and wash the shame away?

You can have my heart, if you don't mind broken things,
You can have my life; you don't mind these tears,
Well, I heard that you make old things new, so I give these pieces all to you,
If you want it, you can have my heart.

So beyond repair, nothing I could do,
I tried to fix it myself, but it was only worse when I got through,
Then you walk right into my darkness and you speak words so sweet,
And you hold me like a child, 'til my frozen tears fall at your feet.

You can have my heart, if you don't mind broken things,
You can have my life if you don't mind these tears,
Well, I heard that you make old things new, so I give these pieces up to you,
If you want it, you can have my heart.

Here is Buddy Miller singing "Hole in My Head". Buddy and Julie Miller have a new album out called "Written in Chalk".

"It is a Song for Sesame Street, I Hope!"

Danielson recently released a 2 cd retrospective of its first ten years (1994-2004). It is called "Trying Hartz" (a review here). If you like your music quirky and creative and you can get away from listening to mainstream sounds, then Danielson may be a group that you will enjoy. Or maybe not! I like the sound. My family thinks I am nuts! I also like the lyrics that can tend to be weird as well as honest and direct; if you can figure out what direction they are coming from!

Idiot Boxsen is a song about the evils of television. Here is a creative video melting the mindset of Sponge Bob, the Veggie Tales and who knows what else done in a Danielson Familie type sing-a-long. The song first appeared on "Tri-Danielson- Omega".



Here they are live doing the same song in 1999 at the Cornerstone Festival and having a bunch of fun!


Another song on the retrospective is "Good News for the Pus Pickers" and what a wild title for a song! It is a strangely energetic song.



Lyrics to Good News For The Pus Pickers:
Seven flowers on the hour cry
"We are groaning for the sons,
Of the One who makes us sing,
To reveal themselves this spring"

We just got outta jail today
And we all are here to say,
All us speaking for the band,
Airplane faith is in your hand

Through the fire and the river
But never ever all alone,
When He set the broken bone,
Hell the grave fell overthrown

On heals Kingdom Come
Comfort creme pours out
On the limb there is the children
Opposite of doormat
So tip your hat and wait on that
And that is that

The last kick
In the teeth
Is the first
Of the blocks
Set to song,
Hum along
And poisons peeved
Double minded me off
Of myself
Dust the eyes
Of my heart
That's on the shelf

We have all picked our noses tall,
Pitfalls and black holes have robbed,
But thanksgiving was our sail,
In three shakes of the lamb's tail

Seven flowers on the hour cry
"Balance seems to be the key,
Join into the famile,
Singing let us a.b.c."

They call me chief, they call me hoss
"You call me son, so I am son"
We live in two worlds, unseen and seen
"Kingdom squeaky clean, resting squeaky clean"
Join into the ships, when your mind is wild
"You call me child, so I am child"

Then there is "Rubbernecker" another song on the compilation.



The critics talk about a Bruce Springsteen song and Danielson's "Rubbernecker" in this video clip. "It is a Song for Sesame Street, I Hope!"



If you have hung in this far then you can download some of thier songs at the Secretly Canadian website.

Three Views on "War Child" Emmanuel Jal

I have enjoyed learning about the life of lost boy, child soldier, hip-hop singer, author, activist, and documentary subject Emmanual Jal over the past few months. I started with learning about his music.

His music on "War Child" has been a steady companion while I am driving my car or out on a run in my iPod. I just haven't gotten tired of many of the songs.

In January I ordered the "War Child" DVD. I believe it is a must-see DVD if you want to understand the man and mission of Emmanuel Jal. It certainly makes Emmanuel Jal's life story accessable and helped me understand much about the situation in Sudan and Africa.

Last week I finally got Emmananuel Jal's biography "War Child" from Amazon. After it arrived I started reading but was disappointed when I reached page 56 and found that there was a misprinting and the book was missing over 30 pages. Amazon refunded my money and I noticed it was also taken off the site. There must have been a whole bunch of misprints. I had to run out to Borders and pick up a copy to continue reading. This book was much more eye-opening than the DVD or music. Emmanuel Jal and the people of Sudan lived through some horrifying circumstances and this book isn't for the faint of heart. Reading about Emmanuel Jal's childhood was indeed sobering. It makes the triumph of his life and music all the more sweet. I noticed that Amazon has the book back on the site, so the misprints have been dealt with.

Emmanuel Jal talks about writing his memoir "War Child" here:

Emmanuel Jal raps out "Forced to Sin" and tells his story at a Barnes and Noble in New York City.

Whether you listen to the music, watch the DVD, or read the book, "War Child" you will be mesmerized with the life story and message of Emmanuel Jal.

And here he perform "Emma".

I also started using Amazon.com to download my mp3's rather that Itunes. The first selection I made was "Gua" Emmanuel Jal's first cd. It is not as well produced as "War Child", I think Roachie (War Child's producer) adds so much to that album. but it is an album of worship music, sometimes sounding like a cross between early CCM music and hip hop music. Some of the songs are very infectious and catchy.

"Gua" was Emmanuel Jal's first cd and it is mainly about finding peace with God in his life, "Ceasefire" is a cd that he made with Abdel Gadir Salim, a muslim from Northern Sudan. They are from opposite sides of the politcal and religious worlds. In fact they were enemies on the battlefield. Of course "Ceasefire" is music of peace. I have yet to buy and download the music, but I will someday soon.

Emmanual Jal talks about his experiences as documented in his "War Child" memoir in a radio interview.

You can read some of my previous posts on Emmanuel Jal here.

Danielson and Sufjan Stevens

I received the March/April edition of Relevant magazine today and was happy to see an article on Danielson. I discovered Danielson' music a couple of years ago and found myself strangely enjoying the quirky singing and style that make Danielson a group that most people just don't get. I was looking into Sufjan Stevens at the same time. I had heard wonderful things about his music, but I didn't add his cds to my favorites list.

If you read a bit into their history. Sufjan became a sometime member and contributer to Daniel Smith's many projects: Danielson, Danielson Famile, Brother Danielson, and Tri Danielson. Smith even produced Sufjan's "Seven Swans" album. If you ever watch Danielson: A Family Movie you will see the role Sufjan played and then the poignant moments at the end where Daniel Smith keeps working himself in a state of creative frenzy as Sufjan begins receiving wide acclaim by using many of the Danielson elements in his own music and shows. That would include a family atmosphere, interesting uniforms, an artistic vision and definitely original music.
Here is a preview for the movie:

Some great quotes from the article include:

At first we thought it (Daniel Smith's demo tape) was bad, then we realized it was a joke, but the more we listened to it we realized it was brilliant. It was some of the most unique music I have ever heard. His lyrics were mind blowing, his vocals like noohting I have ever heard, and the overall orignality in his art was very powerful and intentional. It is clear that his work was not the chaotic result of a mind in mayhem, but of a carefully crafted and methodically approached creative process." Branden Ebel (president of Tooth and Nail Records)

"It is something to occupy your eyes while listening to the music to put all the parts together." Daniel Smith on his use of costumes in concert. The members of the band could all be in nurses uniforms or Smith can perform dressed up as a giant tree (fruit of the spirits).

"I always liked big concepts, and I find his comprehension of the "big picture" pretty fascinating. He works it out with songs, and drawings, and costumes. It's a beautiful and odd world that he creates, and its constantly expanding... The faith of his music is unflinching love, about presuming the best. He's a man of deep convictions. The rest of the world is caught up in petty, whimsical fashions, but Daniel's got a vision of his own and he's sticking with it because its a vision of the heart of God." Sufjan Stevens on Daniel Smith

On Saturday I was driving to a snowshoe race that I was going to compete in. I grabbed the "wrong" cd to listen to on the ride and ended up with Sufjan Steven's "Illinoise" cd. I ended up listening to it, but it seemed a bit too mellow when I wanted to get pumped up for a race.

As it turned out a lot of fast racers didn't show up and I won the race. Later that day on a running message board I saw a thread on Sufjan's "Illinoise" cd. It turns out the Sufjan has a brother named Marzuki. Marzuki finished fifth among Americans at the 2004 Chicago Marathon, 20th overall at the 2006 Boston Marathon, and qualified for the 2008 USA Olympic Marathon Trials.




Maybe I will check out Sufan's music a second time. A brother who is a vey good runner. A brother who creates music. Two things I wish I could be better at.

25 Years after Declaration: The Alarm are still Marching On

Was it really 25 years ago that The Alarm punched out the Declaration album. It is still one of my favorite albums and The Alarm in the newer form still are my favorite band. Twenty-five years! That is half of my life. I remember buying this at a record shop in Brockton, Massachusetts the first day it was released. I could find a lot of their EPs and other singles at that store. I am not sure I was in sync with the band's hairdos but the music was thrilling and to this day I can say that these are some great songs that have held up real well over the years. Songs like Sixty Eight Guns, Marching On, Where Were You Hiding When the Storm Broke, We Are the Light, Shout to the Devil, Howling Wind, and Blaze of Glory are all classic Alarm songs. Take a look at the songs on the album.

Declaration
Marching On
Where Were You Hiding When the Storm Broke?
Third Light
Sixty Eight Guns
We Are the Light
Shout to the Devil
Blaze of Glory
Tell Me
The Deceiver
The Stand (Prophecy)
Howling Wind

Here is a great and energetic video of Declaration and Marching On performed live by The Alarm.



Declaration

...We're the young who stand up
We must never be silenced
We've gotta speak up now
For all our sakes
And lift our voices higher
`Let's sing our song
Keep on marching marching
And never forget
About the power on the right side
Fights the power on the left
We have got to stand together
Forget the east and west
'Cause there's another voice crying in the ghetto
Another mouth to feed
Another heart beating in the ghetto
Another soul to set free

(And we'll go)
MARCHING ON
Hear our sound hear our voice
We're growing stronger
(And we'll go)
MARCHING ON
We're not alone and we're keeping on, we're going
MARCHING ON '''


Here is the classic video of Sixty Eight Guns.



Every alarm concert should end with Blaze of Glory



Even Bono sings along (wasn't this song written about U2?)



Blaze of Glory

It's funny how they shoot you down
When your hands are held up high
And you open up your heart and soul
But that's not enough for most.

I remember this much
There is nothing
You shouldn't speak of
If you got something to say
And there is no one
To be scared of
Just get them out of the way

GOING OUT IN A BLAZE OF GLORY
My heart is open wide
You can take anything that you want from me
there is nothing left to hide

GOING OUT IN A BLAZE OF GLORY
my hands are held up high
I'm learning how to hit back
I'm learning how to fight

The law of the jungle says
You look after yourself
But I remember this much
I love as I've been loved myself.

Don't forget what I told you now
When the question keeps on coming
And it's "How much more can you take"
When they've ripped your clothes to pieces
"Shouldn't you be gone by now"

But you keep on
GOING OUT IN A BLAZE OF GLORY
Setting your sights for the sky.
They can offer you anything at all
But your dreams must not be sold.
GOING OUT IN A BLAZE OF GLORY
No price is high enough
I'm fighting back with feeling
I'm fighting back with love

When the nails are biting into your hands
And the cross is heavy on your heart
Now is the time to really make a stand
MY HANDS ARE HELD UP HIGH.

(Going out)
IN A BLZE OF GLORY
(Going out)
IN A BLAZE OF GLORY
(Going out)
IN A BLAZE OF GLORY

GOING OUT IN A BLAZE OF GLORY
My heart is open wide
You can take anything that you want from me
But you cannot take my soul

GOING OUT IN A BLAZE OF GLORY
My hands are held up high
I'm learning how to hit back
Yes I'm learning how to fight

GOING OUT IN A BLAZE OF GLORY
Going out with my heart wide open
Going out with my hands held high

GOING OUT IN A BLAZE OF GLORY
(repeat)

Fighting back with love
Fighting back with LOVE!
No price is high enough
To take my soul, to take my soul
To take my soul

It's funny how they shoot you down
when your hands are held up high

(Keep on going with my hands held high)


Here is a 1986 video of Howling Wind:



Howling Wind

Love on this wasteland holds no dominion
I refuse to lay me down
On the grapevine comes the saying
"Son, you'll reap whatever you sow"
I sow the seeds of my love
Deep undying true love I sow

There is beauty out there somewhere
I will leave no stone unturned
There's a guitar and a bugle
I hear the sound of distant drums
Fire and water rage through my mind
(Love on)
Love on this wasteland
I cannot find

And there is a HOWL HOWL HOWLING WIND
A ringing around my ears
And a wild wild wind is a blowing
Tearing down my tears

There is virtue truth abounding
Peace will come to everyman
And there's a landmark on the skyline
There is a sign standing in the road
Sail on my brother
Sail on through the night
(Love on)
Love on this wasteland is waiting on down the line

And there is a HOWL HOWL HOWLING WIND
A ringing around my ears
And a wild wild wind is a blowing
Tearing down my tears

Forty days in the desert sand
Forty nights on my hands and knees
Forty days in the howling wind
In the howling wind

Love on this wasteland holds no dominion
I refuse to lay me down
On the grapevine comes the saying
"Son, you'll reap whatever you sow"
I sow the seeds of my love, my love
Deep undying true love's what I sow

There's a HOWL HOWL HOWLING WIND
A ringing around my ears
And a wild wild wind is a blowing
Tearing down my tears

And there's a HOWL HOWL HOWLING WIND
A ringing around my ears
And there's a wild wild wind is a blowing
Tearing down my tears


Great stiff indeed even after one-fourth of a century!

Emmanuel Jal: War Child- Songs of Triumph

Emmanuel Jal's "War Child" album is a wonderful and challenging group of songs that need and deserve to be heard. Emmanuel became a child soldier in Sudan at the age of eight. He spent his formative years being indoctinated to kill and to hate. Three years later he escaped with 400 other child warriors. After a 3 month journey less than twenty boys had survived. He sings about his experiences in order to deal with his inner demons as well as to compel the world to take care of its children. He is no only concerned with African children. He enters into the culture wars of today and is a voice of experience that should be listened to. He sings about the "one thing that gives him nightmares" and that one thing on the song "50 Cent" is the violent video games in which children are entertained by killing other "people". This is important coming from a person who knows the difference between real killing and video game violence. To Emmanuel Jal, human life is not expendible and should be valued and what we teach our children about life is so very important because Emmanuel knows extremely well "what this life is worth". Jal notes:

“People sing a lot before they go to war. We need to be especially careful when we’re asked to
sing any tune that’s not God’s."

I have written a few posts on Emmanuel Jal and this album. You can find them here:

War Child Movie - Emmanuel Jal

Emmanuel Jal: War Child- Three Songs to Expand Your World

Emmanuel Jal: War Child- Soul and Culture Wars

I am no expert on Emmanuel Jal and his music. I have only been listening to his music for about a week. But I did want to learn more of his backstory and I find him fascinating. I look forward to viewing his movie, and to listening to his earlier music. The stories about them seem just as interesting.

The last two songs on Emmanuel Jal's "War Child" album are both songs of victory and triumph.



On "Stronger" Emmanuel sings, "What didn't kill me/ Can only make me/ Stronger/ Stronger." He tells of his love for his home village in Sudan, where the people's smiles can be "seen from a mile". He pledges to do everything he can to help his people and he can do it because he is stronger, "This force that is in me is stronger that any force that is against me/ Watch me as I fly..." and "Irrespective of all the bad/ I found some good/ Irrespective of all the bad/ I made it through/ That's' why/ I still smile".



The last song "Emma" is a beautiful and uplifting song that pays homage to Emma McCune, the lady who rescued Emmanual Jal. He sings this song with such sincere emotion and feeling. Here is a video of Emmanual singing Emma at Nelson Mandela's 90th birthday party. He is introduced by Peter Gabriel.



Here Emmanuel raps out his song "Emma"



In the song Emmanuel asks, "What would a be if Emma hadn't rescued me?" He offers many answers: "another starving refuge", someone who "might have died from starvation or some other wretched disease" or who "might have grown up with no education", and sadly and finaly he may have just been "another corpse on the African Plain". But in the end he sings, "I stand here because someone cared/ I stand here because someone dared/ I know there is a lot of other Emmas out there who are willing and trying to save the life of a child."

He was resuced by his "angel" Emma and sings "Praise God/ Praise the Almighty/ for sending an angel to rescue me/ I've got a reason for being on this earth/ cause I know more than many what this life is worth" and when he sings that he is going to "Run over mountains/ leaps and bounds" and "no one can stop me now" you just want to cheer him on! This is such an upliftinig song that when I hear it on my iPod while running I repeat it again and again.

Emma McCune the British aid worker who rescued Emmanuel when he was an 11 years old ex child soldier. She adopted him and smuggled him to Kenya. He went to school in Nairobi there. Tragically Emma died in a car accident a few months later but friends helped pay for his school education. Emma McCune is also a somewhat controversial figure herself. She ended up marrying Riek Machar, who was one of two leading southern guerrilla commanders. Her story ended up being told in a book called "Emma's War". It seems like a movie based on the book is just as controversial.


In this video Emmanuel Jal answers the question, "Who is your Hero?" He explains how Emma McCune rescued him and became his hero.



Emmanuel Jal's goal is to build a school for children Leer, Sudan, Emmanuel Jal's hometown in Emma mcCune's name as a way to say thanks to her. Here he talks about his mission.



You can find out more on the Emma Academy project at the website http://emmaacademyproject.com/

Emmanuel Jal: War Child- Soul and Culture Wars

The middle part of Emmanuel Jal's cd "War Child" deal with other battles that Emmanuel feels a part of. He is in a battle for his soul and the personal demons that haunt him (from a brutal early life as a child soldier in Sudan and a Lost Boy refuge. He also senses the cultural wars in his songs about how the world treats others based on color, social status, greed, and the images put forth in today's media and music.

"Baakiwara (I'm in another war/ This time it is my soul/ I am fighting for) is the fourth song on Emmanuel Jal's "War Child" album. This is not a song about being a child soldier as much as it is a song about the battle with the flesh and the struggle to overcome temptation (The things I want to do/ I don't do/ And the things I don't want to do/ I do/ My flesh and my spirit always fight).



"Shadow of Death" (As I walk through the valley of the shadow of death/ I fear no evil) is a song about the demons that haunt the singer and his faith that keeps him strong(As I pray to the Lord my soul to keep/ I don't have to worry about where to sleep/ The Lord is my shepherd/ and I'm his sheep).



The next song "Vagina" (To Mr. Oil, Diamond, and Gold miner, stop treating Mama Africa like a vagina. She's not your whore, not anymore. You take the riches and you leave the people poor.”] is about the rape of Africa. Emmanuel used to think the wars on his continent were for religious or ethnic reasons, but now believes it is about resources and unequal development. In an interview Emmanuel said:

“Vagina” was inspired by Blood Diamond. And also the issues in Africa, what is killing us. Gold. Diamonds. Oil. Those are the things. It's a message for both the companies and the leaders of Africa, the presidents. Because a lot of people don't know what is really going on in Africa. They don't know what is crippling Africa. So because I'm from there, I know what's going on. And this is a song that tells you the real truth. And people have to judge for themselves.

"Hai" is a song that tells about the profiling that black men face around the world.



In "No Bling" Emmanuel says he doesn't need the trappings normarly associated with rap stars to make it big. (No hos, no bitches, no bling, I don’t need none of those things / It’s only the love that I bring / representing the King of Kings / No hos, no bitches, no bling, I don’t need none of those things / I don’t need none of those things, to sell a lot of records like Sting.) It is his answer to the producers who wanted to give him an "image" so he could sell some records.



"50 Cent" is another song about western values. He sings this song to rapper 50 Cent telling him to use his fame for good and not for marketing violent video games to children (You have done enough damage selling crack cocaine/now you gotta kill a black man video game).

"Skirt Too Short" is about women dressing more modestly and it evolved from an encounter with a girl from MySpace. (You're skirts too short/ I can almost see your drawers). It is humorous and very direct.

"9th Ward" is a song dedicated to the people who perished in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina. He had a hard time reconciling the fact that American was spending billions of dollars to fight a war in Iraq and yet had a hard time caring for the people in their own country.

Emmanuel Jal may have grown up as a child soldier but he continues to fight for the things he believes in and he sees lots of troubling things in the world around him.