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.

Emmanuel Jal: War Child, 3 Songs to Expand Your World

Earlier I wrote about wanting to see the movie on Emmanuel Jal called War Child. I did not know much about this singer but I was intrigued with his story. I have yet to see the movie, although I will buy it soon, but I did go to iTunes and buy the War Child album. I wasn't sure what to expect but I had read enough that I knew I should give it a shot (even though I have never owned a hip hop or rap album in my life!-Mike Peters singing "The Message" does not count!). I can't really judge the music, but I like the songs and hear a lot of different elements and styles in the music.



At first listen, I had my ears and heart open to whatever I heard. In particular I listened to the lyrics. I was blown away! These are songs that need to be heard. They are fresh, touching, horrific, humorous, and spot on. As I delved into the music with repeated listens I had a fear that possibly I might find the music tiring even though at first it was exhilerating. Fortunately I seem to like the music more as I go along. It has even stood my running test: I did a couple of hour runs with it in my iPod and it was good running music. Emmanuel Jal is a person worth listening to. War Child gives his view of the world. He has a lot of wisdom and insight and he deserves to be heard. Here is my take on the first three songs on "War Child".



The first song "War Child" lets you know exacly who the artist is. Emmanuel Jal is a child of Sudan who became a child soldier at the age of 8. "I’m a war child / I believe I’ve survived for a reason / To tell my story, to touch lives.” If that doesn't get your attention, I am not sure what could. A survivor like Emmanuel Jal must have a lot of things to say to this world and he does.

"EMMANUEL JAL admits that he had to tone down the lyrics on his autobiographical album Warchild. "If I told everything I've seen and done, the level of destruction would be too much, so I minimised the detail," says the former child soldier turned rapper. "I still get nightmares when I think about what happened to me. But I feel I have a duty to speak out. I want the world to hear my stories because it's reality."

The next song, a haunting tune called "Forced to Sin" tells of Emmanuel's survival "I lived with an AK-47/By my side/Slept with one eye open wide/Run/Duck/Play dead.” In order to survive he had to steal chickens and other animals for food from villages. He sings, "I knew it was rude, but we needed food." He watched his friends die. He was so hungry at one point he was tempted to try cannibalism. "But Jesus heard my cry as I was temped to eat the rotten flesh of my comrade He gave me comfort."

In relative terms, Jal was fortunate compared with most child soldiers. After fighting in two big battles in three years - armed with an AK-47 taller than himself - Jal and 400 other child soldiers deserted their posts in Ethiopia in an attempt to hike to freedom. They travelled for more than three months in the most trying conditions. Hundreds of the boys, including Jal’s best friend, starved to death. Others were ambushed by enemy forces, drowned or eaten by crocodiles. Many, remembers Jal, had to resort to cannibalism. By the time they made it to Watt in southern Sudan, there were only 16 of the original group left.“It is not something you forget,” Jal murmurs, pausing for a time. “There was a point where I almost ate my best friend because there was nothing at all for me to eat. It’s a hard feeling to describe.”

The third song is the simply beautiful reworking of Jimmy Cliff's "Many River to Cross". Gospel tinged and remembering the horrors of his past and the crossing of dangerous rivers. "They made me cross that river where the hippos and crocodiles lie in wait. They made me cross that river, Father give me strength, give me faith."

We know Emmanuel Jal has faced incredible hardships, but he looks away from a story of the Lost Boys of Sudan to the stories of children around the world." So many rivers to cross/So many standing on the right path that end up lost/ Like a boat sailing in the storm maybe its because from a young age/ Kids weren't shown right from wrong/ Blame it on society/ Blame it on the source/ of parents who marry but end up divorced/ Look, look at the life you're living kids/ Make sure you stay in school/ Get your grade with no time for giving in."

Emmanuel know troubles but he also knows the rewards of perservence in the face of difficulties. Then the song leads to a prayer. "Hush/ The Lord is my shepherd/ I shall not want/ He maketh me lie down in green pastures/ And He leadeth me besides still waters/ I pray to God to take my stress and turn my lessons into blessings/ and pray for guidance and direction/ When I'm lost I need correction/ Then I can't breathe because the fear inside of me is insecurity and negativity/ I deal with positive/ because I'm made in His image/ And I've got lots to give/ I know I'll make it through the storm/ and into victory/ Even though there's many rivers/ "

The prayer continues with a hope that Emmanuel continues to be blessed and is a blessing to others. "Bless the work of my hands/ Expand my territories/ That I might become a blessing to many/ Lord make me cross the rivers/ Like you did when you opened the Red Sea/ Lord make me cross the rivers/ Like when you turned molecules into food to eat/ The Lord is my shepherd/ I don't want to be selfish/ Just give me enough/ Enough that I shall not want/ And I'll give to others Amen/ Amen"

From a man who faced starvation, wanderings, andsith death all around him we can understand how Emmanuel would latch onto a God that could lead His people through rivers safely and feed thousands with the small basket of fish and bread. A God who is a Shepherd must be a powerful God to him.

That is only the first three songs on the album. I am still working through the lyrics as I cannot find them online so there may be some mistakes and immisions. But you get the point! There is much more to listen to and savor.

The Violet Burning: Divine -Free Christmas Album Download

If you go to The Violet Burning website you can download their Christmas album "Divine" for free. I have listened to it and I really enjoy their renditions of these 10 Christmas tunes: the little drummer boy, last christmas, star of wonder, blue christmas-sandy claws is back in town (featuring mike roe of the 77s/lost dogs),silent night, o come let us adore Him, christmas baby please come home, o holy night. I was unfamiliar with the band, although I have heard of them, but I enjoyed the download so much I think I will try out more of their music

Christmastime by Larry Norman

Here is an rather old, but favorite, Christmas song by Larry Norman. I have the original and rare "So Long Ago the Garden" lp. This is another version of the song but it still has the great intro and "the scream". Someone put pictures to the song to make this Youtube video.




Here is the Randy Stonehill version of the song (no video). Larry Norman and Randy Stonehill were two of my favorite artists from the 70's and on.



Larry Norman can be biting and insiteful in his music and this is a great and fun example. Whenever I think about Christmas music the first thing I think about is, "Santa Claus is coming and the kids are getting greedy..."

Christmastime

Santa Claus is coming and the kids are gettin' greedy
It's Christmas time
They know what's in the store 'cause they seen it on the TV
It's Christmas time, it's Christmas time
It used to be the birthday of the Man who saved our necks
It's Christmas time
Now it stands for Santa Claus they spell it with an X
It's Christmas time, it's Christmas time
Woah it's Christmas time
Oh woah oh baby
Oh woah oh woah it's Christmas time
Oh yeah baby
I said Yeah
Yeah
Yeah... You go into the forest and you cut down all the trees
It's Christmas time
I know you got a power saw but who plants the seeds?
It's Christmas time, it's Christmas time
I gotta buy a present can't remember who it's for
It's Christmas time
I 'll see you in a hour when I get back from the store
It's Christmas time, it's Christmas time