You might have been wondering where have you gone? Well, I am currently working on a live EP, recorded at my album launch last November and – hopefully – a brand new looking website. More details to follow.
I am very much alive.
Check out this interview I recently did for Christian music blog Louder Than The Music, in which I talk about the process behind song writing and my album, Christus Victor.
For two weeks only, you can download Christus Victor for a mere £2.50. That is cheaper than a Starbucks Grande White Cafe Mocha (with cream) – what a bargain! Also, if you download the album, you will be notified when my live EP is released in the Spring of this year.
Jusr click on the frappuccino or the link to take you to Bandcamp to bag your copy today. If you are old-school and want a hard copy on CD, you can still purchase copies for £10 from Nick’s website.
I’ve decided to start posting my sets when I’ve led worship and some thoughts on the songs I’ve chosen and why.
O Come O Come Emanuel
I love this hymn and the description of a lonely broken Israel, which can sometimes reflect our lives. Yet, we are to rejoice because God is with us and shall come to us in our troubles.
As it was baptisms tonight, we had loads of guests, so I thought it would be good to revamp this familiar hymn with a reggae beat. My good friend Phil Ug did an amazing job on the drums!
Come Thou Long Expected Jesus
Again, following on from the above theme, we celebrated Jesus birth with a rewrite of this magnificent hymn, rewritten by Gareth Robinson.
We were going to slip in the ‘whao!’ bit from Coldplay’s Viva La Vida as a celebration of Jesus having victory in setting the captives free, but – due to time restraints – had to abandon it. Shame!
God With Us
A fantastic song written by my good friend Pete James is a simple but beautiful response and a call for our hearts to be awakened to the fact that God was with us as a human in Jesus.
I love the refrain, Glory to God in the highest, which gives the church opportunity to engage with God by giving Him glory by their own song, or thanksgiving, or just encountering God.
Jesus, Holy and Anointed One
How can we respond to this revelation that God rescues us and is with us but than to sing a simple refrain, ‘Jesus I love You, I love You’. Sometimes, it’s good to sing lyrically rich songs that engage the mind, but sometimes we just need to respond in simplicity and let our spirits sing.
Stronger
I hadn’t planned to do this song, but our rector requested that we respond to his sermon – a God Saved Life with this fantastic Hillsong. I love the truth in the chorus:
You are stronger, You are stronger
Sin is broken, You have saved me
It is written, Christ is risen
Jesus, You are Lord of all
It simply says it all. God is with us, rescues us from our sin, saves us in our troubles and raises us into everlasting life.
All the posters are printed, funky videos made (courtesy of the ledgend that is Rick Moore), guitars re-stringed and CDs boxed and ready to go. Yes, An Evening of Worship (featuring songs from Christus Victor) is ready to rock. In preparation, I thought I would dig out some old live recordings from St Thomas Crookes from when I have led worship.
Therefore, for a limited time only, I have made this EP available to download with no strings attached. No signing up to mailing lists, no purchases necessary, simply click here to download.
Don’t forget, the album launch takes place tomorrow – Friday 19th November – at St Thomas Crookes. Doors open 7.15pm; the event begins at 7.45pm. See the below post for more details.