Every
time that I feel like I'm falling out, you're always there for
me."
- Sentforth, from "Jehovah-Jireh"
Unabashedly Christian, a group of Tabor-Loris Community musicians
embrace rock music and modern technology in a heartfelt work they
say is about ministry, not money.
They've
proven that with their debut compact disc recording, available
online through MP3.com. More on that later.
"We're
not out to make money, just to spread the word of Jesus
Christ," says band member Buddy Clontz, who dropped a
copy of the CD by recently. Anyone with Internet access can get this
music for free.
I was
grabbed by the opening piano on the first song, the above-mentioned Jehovah-Jireh.
Band leader Kenny Carter of Loris wrote this powerful song,
and many of the others. Patrice Rhodes also shares
songwriting credits on this effort.
Carter's
CD credits include keyboards, vocals and horns. Clontz handles lead
and backing guitar parts, as well as drums. Rhodes' contribution
includes vocal harmonies. Erik Carter adds rhythm and
acoustic guitar talents to the songs, and served as digital
recording engineer.
Kenny
Carter's keyboard work pulled me in on the opening song. Clontz'
lead guitar playing held me as Carter's soaring voice brought the
music and the message together in a way reminiscent of some of the
old Maranatha vinyl recordings from the mid to late 1970s.
It
Makes No Difference again highlights Clontz' lead guitar
expertise with Kenny Carter's vocals blending with this smooth sound
and evangelical message written by both Kenny Carter and Patrice
Rhodes. Lyrics like "It makes no difference how great your sin,
He'll forgive you just trust Him" define the theme and message
of this musical effort.
For
God So Loved the World sets Christianity's defining Biblical
passage to an easy listening melody with a wonderful flute solo that
takes me back to my teens and a Christian rock group I was
associated with in Raeford (N.C.).
Steve
Poole led the band, Civilization, and there was some
wonderful musicianship from Lester Southern, Ken McDonald,
Tim Strickland, and some others during the course of several
years. Steve even gave me a trumpet solo on one song. My
contribution generally involved setting up and running light and
sound systems for the band.
I
guess you would have called me a guest musician, but my favorite
temporary contributor was Dawn Upchurch, who had a wonderful flute
solo to a song Lester wrote. Ken, who is now general manager for The
News Journal in Raeford, recently dug up an old Civilization
recording and burned a CD for me. It's pretty poor quality, but a
great blast from the past enjoyed best, and perhaps only, by those
of us who were there then.
Quality
is certainly not a problem for Sentforth. Their recording technology
is first rate, and there's something on this CD, or online, for most
musical tastes. I'll admit not every song is my musical cup of tea.
but there's plenty of musical and spiritual nourishment here for
just about everyone.
Sentforth's
CD is on sale for just $10.98, and the songs can be downloaded for
free at www.sentforth.net
.
Reviews from GarageBand.com for the song Jehovah-Jireh...
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A
nice christian rock anthem
wow
big rock vibe, the guitar has more body than a viking longship...the
vox are very mid 80's stylized stuff...sounds really
good...this is sort of like toto with phillip bailey doing the
vocals....but really cliches aside it is a nice combination of
elements and a clear sign you guys know what you are doing....
Extra Credit:
Production
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Geo5
San Francisco, California
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Yahweh
Yareh - Now He Rocks!
Don't
hear enough keyboards just being keyboards in this genre
anymore. It's a nice way to start. Guitar sound is great. Man
there is some good production here. Very good sounds.
Arrangement is excellent too. Praise God - some in your face -
open worship. What a brave move on this medium. Seriously. I
think it's great. The lyrics really worked for me. Loved them.
Strong song, strong message, strong performance. Good work.
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