Some folks asked me what I was listening to lately. I thought I would write a list of my current top 10 favorite Christian cd’s, and ask you all about your favorites. The definition “Christian CD” doesn’t mean praise and worship necessarily, it doesn’t mean that EVERY song has to mention Jesus or God.
So, here is my list of cd’s, with all my bias, and selfishness. I have met 7 of these artists and some of them I would call friends or good friends. I have included a sentence or two as to why I like their music. Let me know what you think and who you’re listening to these days! I’m sure these will change at some point, but these are my picks today!
Here I Am – Travis Meadows
This was one of a handful of praise cd’s that spoke deep into my soul. This cd was cut in 2000, and I’ve played it at least that many times since I got my hands on it in 2003. I have met and spent quite a bit of time with Travis, and he is one of the best songwriters in Nashville in my opinion, and when a praise cd includes harmonica solos I’m in!
Love Will Rise – Mitch McVicker
I was able to meet Mitch this spring, and I love his heart. He has intimate lyrics with some unique themes “There’s a Party Going On” and “Walking on Air” are a couple of my favorites on this CD.
In The Real World – Brad Reynolds
This is one of my top 10 CD’s-of any genre-of all time. There is not a throw away song on here, and Brad’s blend of Americana, Folk, Rock, and Praise collide nicely with his excellent songwriting.
Universal United House of Prayer – Buddy Miller
If you don’t own this cd, go out and buy it. Buddy and wife Julie Miller are amazing artists, songwriters and singers. Buddy is the lead guitar player for Emmylou Harris when she tours. His guitar tone is second to none, and I love his brand of gospel/blues folk rock.
Knapsackheroes EP- Knapsackheroes
This is a very eclectic band. They sound like 3rd Bass meets U2 in 1987. Keys, synth, drums, bass, rock guitar, rapper… They have great themes in their songs “M-I-S-F-I-T-M-E Only God Knows What I Got In Me.” They covered “Move to the Moon” a Wes King song for his tribute album a few years ago. The write infectious originals and their live shows are quite a SIGHT. I took my 8 year old son to a show last week and it blew his mind. There’s a story about that show coming soon.
Will the Circle Be Unbroken III – Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, and Friends
I’m showing my roots again with this cd. When I was a child I went to bluegrass and folk festivals and was forced against my will to listen to bluegrass music. In my early 20’s I re-connected with those roots and to this day, I love bluegrass gospel music. This cd has a bit of that, along with a good amount of roots, Americana and folk songs by the likes of Emmylou Harris, Johnny Cash, Dwight Yoakum, Willie Nelson, Tom Petty, Vince Gill… And of course, the folks from The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band. This cd hits me deep as well, and I love to listen to it around holidays for some reason.
Worth Fighting For – Warren Barfield
From the very first song on this cd, the bar on Christian music was set. Warren seems to attack a song. I don’t know how else to describe the energy that he puts into every song. “Say it With Your Life” is my current favorite, and it challenges us to not talk about our faith but live it out.
Afterglow – Mile7
When I reviewed this cd, I just left it in my car cd player for months. It is a rocking, and well produced effort from Mile7 and there’s something for every emotion. If I’m going on a long drive, this is the cd that I start out with!
Raise a Song – Colporteur
The band at Mars Hill Bible Church kept me coming to church for about 6 months before I ‘came to Christ’ in 2000. They were a large group with awesome singing and talented musicians. Some of them put a cd together of many of the songs we sang at church, and that cd became a soundtrack for me at that time.
Amy Courts – These Cold and Rusted Lungs
I’ve been following Amy’s music career since 2004 and watched her grow as an artist. She played at a church I was going to a few years ago, and I was hooked. Her new album is HAUNTING and she is getting lots of great press right now. Go to her MySpace page and check this cd out. I just got it a week ago, but can’t stop playing it.
So, there you have it. Let me know your thoughts, and your faves!
Jason
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September 3rd, 2008 at 10:51 am
Bro, I don’t know how you left these out…
Stryper – Soldiers Under Command
Audio Adrenaline – Don’t Censor Me
Ray Boltz – Thank You
2nd Chapter of Acts – Singer Sower
Sandi Patty – Find It On the Wings
Petra – Never Say Die (I have this one on vinyl)
Carmen – The Standard
Michael W. Smith – Go West Young Man
September 3rd, 2008 at 10:52 am
Honestly, I think if I TRIED to organize a list that says “These are my Top Ten Favorites” My head would explode. Im just not wired that way, because I love so many songs, and they cross such a wide spectrum. There are bands from almost every ERA I love, much moreso every GENRE. Some of my favorite albums and artists don’t exist anymore. Still others were never mass-produced, so they never got digitally re-mastered.
Many of my favorites also never sold their music, but gave and give it away. One of the most heartbreaking realities, in my opinion, is the formation and existence
of CCLI, or Christian Copyright Licensing, Incorporated. In my opinion this organization shouldn’t even have to exist, and is a direct violation of scripture, but I digress.
Sorry, Jason, I didn’t mean to turn your wonderful article into my platform of thought, and allow me to close by saying, When my favorite song plays, the whole world is going to hear it and KNOW it!
Love ya bro
Tom
September 3rd, 2008 at 1:38 pm
Jason, these definitely ARE great albums, great artists! And, maybe I’m biased too, because many of these are ALSO my good friends (now)! HOWEVER, I loved their MUSIC even before I met them! (Most of us are on Indie Heaven.) Brad, Sean, Dave, Amy, Mile 7… all awesome!
Cian, I understand your feeling! I have mile-long list of favorites, but my CD player only holds four at a time! I love Keith Green, Russ Taff, Nicole Nordeman, Carman, Natalie Grant, Point of Grace, Petra & John Schlitt, Avalon, Todd Agnew, Steven Curtis Chapman, Sandy Patti (hey- I’ve even got a song on a comp disc with Steven, Todd and Sandy– though we’ve never met!!), Jaci Velasquez, Twila Paris, Jennifer Knapp, many others… But Jason’s difficult job was featuring just SEVEN for this post– no easy endeavor.
Tom, I unjderstand your point about CCLI, but I also understand (since I’m a writer and publisher) that everyone has to pay their mortgages. Pastors spend all their working hours doing the work of the ministry, and have to get paid. Christian (or other) songwriters spend WAY more time and money than they can afford, producing this WONDERFUL music that we’ve all been talking about, and have mortgages, kids, and the need to eat, too. All in perspective…
Thanks, Jason, and each of you, for sharing!! Becky Wright
Hear the brand new “Call Me Loved” on the Fan Faves (Adult Contemporary) Chart at http://www.IndieHeaven.com (from upcoming “Heart of Adoption” CD, to be released Oct. 28th, Lord willing!)
September 3rd, 2008 at 5:49 pm
Cian and Tom,
I was expecting the “hey, you missed so and so” and the “I couldn’t possibly chose” comments. I have left those same comments on other blogs. This was really fun though, because my tastes have changed, and change SO often, it is like a snapshot of my musical interests today. The reason Stryper and Sandi Patty and Carmen didn’t make MY list is I haven’t been listening to Christian music for too long (as a non-Christ follower most of my life, I didn’t really get it). Most of the stuff I love, has been pretty recently released.
Becky– You are SO right. There are so many cd’s that I love and as I mentioned they change…
Thanks to all y’all for commenting!
Jason
September 4th, 2008 at 5:45 am
Jason,
You know me. I was kidding.
September 4th, 2008 at 2:48 pm
No worries Cian I know. It’s all good. As I said, this was challenging and fun all at the same time.
Love ya,
J
September 4th, 2008 at 6:44 pm
Hey Jason, great picks. My new one releases this month, I’ll get a copy or two over to you when they arrive, hopefully next week!
September 5th, 2008 at 12:52 pm
Looking forward to it Mike, I like your music. Address is on the Contact page.
October 3rd, 2008 at 8:11 pm
WOW! Good stuff! Since stumblign upon this website a whole world of Indieheaven music has been revelaed to me that I was oblivious to. I have alot to check out…
My fave right now is
Luke Wood – The Law and the Prophets…
..music birthed out of prayer and fasting… and so intimate you will never wanna leave your ’secret palce’ with God… I pretty much keep this artist to my ehart because I don’t want him getting too played out by others.. lol… selfish I know..
Brooke Fraser – Albertine
also growing on me.. at first i hated loving her because my church was starting to jump on her like white on rice.. but now that they’ve died down, I bought her CD and am enthralled. The Lyrics of her “C.S. Lewis song” will get your mind wrapped up in heaven.
Misty Edwards – Relentless
Another fave… especially the track that the CD is titled for. One of the many powerful lines, addressing God: “You won’t relent unti you, have it all… my heart is yours.’ .. and then flows into lyrics STRAIGHT OUT OF the BIBLE… alot of her tracks are like that.. btu you wouldn’t even know unitl you did your research.
Anyway.. I’m chatting too much. Glad I discovered your site! Thanks!
April 13th, 2011 at 9:20 pm
Tthank you for the benefit of sharing this acquaintanceship! Download: Stone Cold – Watch Stone Cold movie Online