Behold The Lamb of God

So it's kind of late but i felt like posting a note before heading to bed. We just got home from the Behold The Lamb of God concert at our church. It's the Andrew Peterson and 'friends' tour. They're all singer-songwriters from Nashville who are either solo artists or members of bands like Sixpence and Caedman's Call and 2008 Dove Award winner Brandon Heath. Anyway, i really didn't know what to expect other than i assumed a night of Christmas songs. Boy, was i pleasantly wrong!

The first half was each member taking turns singing their own songs and getting to know their story. the second half was the actual Behold the Lamb of God album tour. and man was it fantastic. all but one or two songs were Andrew Peterson originals. you wouldn't immediately think - 'hey, this is a Christmas song.' Truthfully you could listen to this year around. what i found so profound about the songs were that they presented the Gospel; the story of Jesus' birth in a fresh way. you weren't distracted by singing the same ol' Jingle Bells, or even Oh, Holy Night where by now you don't even think about the words. These were in-your-face, this is the real deal kind of songs.
Both Tracy and i were moved by Jill Phillips singing Labor of Love. man, was THAT a powerful song about the night our Savior was born.

and where did these guys get all those istruments? some i've vaguely heard of, some i've never heard of or seen! Mandolins, lap steels, dobro, accordian, banjo, hammered dulcimer, B3... and others. there were at least 10 different guitars up there. I'm not sure what else to say. i was pleasantly surprised. the music was powerful, different, and gave me a refreshing picture of 'the reason for the season'. in fact, even saying that catch phrase does the music a disservice. before tonight i had only heard of one guy (Heath) - who's songs are currenlty being played on the Air-1 Christian station. But i walked out of there with 3 other CDs - wishing i could have bought everyone's music. i have become a new fan of Andrew Peterson, Jill Phillips, hubby Andy Gullahorn,Ben Shive, Brandon Heath, and Andrew Osenga. These are FANTASTIC songwriters and singers.

Seeing them up there brought back up some old feelings - dreams i had of one day being on the stage as a Christian artist. a dream i had long since put to bed out of fear (of failure). i'm not quitting my day job tomorrow - but it was nice to 'remember' that i did once have dreams and need to keep dreaming. life has a way of sucking dreams, aspirations, and visions out of you. it's a sad tragedy.

So, i am HIGHLY, HIGHLY, HIGHLY recommending "Behold The Lamd of God" - but get the 10th anniversay 2-CD set. yes the songs are great on their own merit, but disc two is a live version that takes it to the next level. if funny actually, all my life i've avoided 'live' albums cause i hated the clapping and cheering. but i can't recall the last concert i've been to when i've thought the studio-recorded CD was better than what i witnessed live. Check out Behold the Lamb... you won't be dissappointed!