Comments on: Sojourn Music - Over the Grave Review, part 4

By: Travis

Travis — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 20:22:08 +0000

Correct, where it comes across as more of a concert that you are going to as well as adding interpretive dance to the stage.

Eric, if you bust out in interpretive dance on Sunday I am storming the stage!!

By: Eric Priest

Eric Priest — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 19:17:30 +0000

Travis,

What do you mean “outside the Regulative Principle of Worship”? Are you referring to how the musicians draw attention to themselves?

By: Travis

Travis — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 17:29:42 +0000

Thanks for the great review Eric. While some of it was over my head (“an octave and a sixth”) it still managed to sum up some of the words I have for the album. In the past, some indigenous worship CD’s have come across with a spirit outside of what I would consider to be the RPW, however OTG manages to harness a biblicially sound approach to worship while being free within their own musicial influences. I really dig this CD.

By: Eric Priest

Eric Priest — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 21:27:35 +0000

Lachlan,

Thanks for the comment. I don’t think “Over Death” is necessarily too difficult for a congregation to sing. (If you sing the bridge, it makes the song’s range an octave and a fifth – B to F# on the record – which is a little big. Even up to G# if you sing the lead vocal’s part on the final chorus.) I probably wouldn’t use it simply because I don’t care for the melody as much as most of the rest of the album. Of course, others might love the it.

By: Lachlan

Lachlan — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 17:18:56 +0000

I have really enjoyed this review. Your last post here is really intriguing and something that I have thought about. One of the things that I am seeing this very album do is challenge congregations in their song selections. It seems that many churches wouldn’t sing these songs simply because they don’t fit into the standard church repertoire, but they are so good. I agree that not every song on this album is going to fit into every congregation. Do you think Over Death is easily congregational?

By: Tim Sharpe

Tim Sharpe — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 17:33:54 +0000

I too was surprised by the less-congregational aspect of this album, particularly as so much of Before the Throne (the previous Sojourn album) was very congregational. “Come and Sing”, “There is A Peace”, “We Are Listening”, “Lead Us Back”, “The Shadow of the Glorious Cross” – all great, and surprisingly simple, songs. Yet the musicianship and creativity on Over the Grave is VERY compelling, and in that way very helpful to encourage church musicians to pursue musical excellence and creativity – then apply that with care to their particular congregation setting.