I love it when artists can challenge us. Hopefully you have heard about The Civil Wars by now. The duo of Joy Williams and John Paul White have made a big splash in the last few weeks with their debut album, Barton Hollow, releasing on Feb. 1. I’d say appearing on The Tonight Show and having their album be #1 on iTunes for its first week as a pretty good start.
Their music is haunting and beautiful, stripped down to the basics: White’s guitar, some occasional piano by Williams, the scattered accordian or percussion, and the intertwining harmonies of the two singers. In this day of auto-tuned, electronic noise being blared on iThingies and the random Super Bowl halftime show (brought to you by Lite-Brites), the organic, simple nature of these songs works into your soul. As opposed to bashing us over the head.
Their style would be best described as folk or Americana, although it resists easy labeling. They hail from Nashville and are getting airplay on CMT, but I wouldn’t call them country (especially to those who know me – I’m not a country music fan). The point is that they make lovely music together. A majority of the songs are slow paced with a melancholy feel, longing for love. The title track is a foot-stomper with soaring vocal gymnastics, while “Poison and Wine,” featured on an episode of Grey’s Anatomy speaks in a raw, honest way about the dichotomies of love.
The two singers are refreshingly real in a day of pre-packaged artists fed to top 40 radio. I was intrigued when I found they were produced by Charlie Peacock, one of my favorite artists himself. They aren’t the typical music I would listen to, but I’m all for quality, and their musicianship and chemistry makes Barton Hollowmy first album purchase of 2011, and one of my favorites in a long time.
In my next point, I want to discuss how they are not only easy on the ears, but challenging to some of my convictions as well. Keep your eyes peeled for that, if you will. —
For those of us in geekdom that need a better way to appreciate the local weather beyond the tired “sunny” or “rainy”, Spoiled for the Ordinary is pleased to point you to a new paradigm:
Is it sunny where you are? It may be like Tatooine. Winter here in Idaho is best idenified by Hoth. The brainchild of Tom Scott, this new weather site is unlike any other in the galaxy. Be sure to read the screen carefully for tidbits only Star Wars fans will love.
For those of us in geekdom that need a better way to appreciate the local weather beyond the tired “sunny” or “rainy”, Spoiled for the Ordinary is pleased to point you to a new paradigm:
Is it sunny where you are? It may be like Tatooine. Winter here in Idaho is best idenified by Hoth. The brainchild of Tom Scott, this new weather site is unlike any other in the galaxy. Be sure to read the screen carefully for tidbits only Star Wars fans will love.
Donita Paul is highly regarded in the Christian fantasy realm. My problem is that I have yet to read one of her books. I think I know the problem. It seems she is so prolific she is always doing series – and I find out about her latest book in the middle of the series!
This doesn’t make for a good jumping on point.
So I need a little help from my tourmates, and hopefully it can benefit readers of this blog: what Donita K. Paul book would you recommend first?
And for those who want some useful information, you can go to Donita’s author site, her blog, or the more knowledgeable blokes down below!
And in conjuction with this CSFF Tour, I did NOT get a review copy of this book because I am sometimes brain-dead.
Donita Paul is highly regarded in the Christian fantasy realm. My problem is that I have yet to read one of her books. I think I know the problem. It seems she is so prolific she is always doing series – and I find out about her latest book in the middle of the series!
This doesn’t make for a good jumping on point.
So I need a little help from my tourmates, and hopefully it can benefit readers of this blog: what Donita K. Paul book would you recommend first?
And for those who want some useful information, you can go to Donita’s author site, her blog, or the more knowledgeable blokes down below!
And in conjuction with this CSFF Tour, I did NOT get a review copy of this book because I am sometimes brain-dead.
