it’s free music time of year.

mr. munoz & i have 3 songs for you to toss into your christmas playlist.

i hope you enjoy them.

Download Christmas (2011)

so, my church had a night of worship back in november. we recorded it and now the original & public domain songs are available free online for you to enjoy. the whole night from start to finish (featuring 6 more songs) is available on CD in our chapel store on sundays for you locals.

go grab it. we don’t ask for your email or anything.

YES, I WILL CLICK HERE AND GET A FREE WORSHIP ALBUM.

 

some of you may not know this, but when you own your own domain and have a blog on it, you will be contacted frequently by PR firms who are looking for stories, discussions or reviews for their clients. not a bad way to get the word out.

long time e-quaintences may remember that a few years ago i took one of these companies up on their offer to read and review an excellent book.

last week, The Media Collective contacted me, seeing if i would be interested in hearing Matt Redman’s new album 10,000 Reasons and reviewing it here.

of course i was.

because, if you’re like me, you’ve been wondering where matt redman has been for like…5 years.

once such a prominent and dominant figure in the worship music industry, i can remember a time when a sunday morning worship set could not be completed without at least one redman chorus. but then, almost without warning, matt redman’s presence seemed to dissipate.

but, as of tomorrow, mr. redman is back on the scene with a new live album.

and, having listened through it a couple of times, i can say that i’m glad to hear him again.

10,000 Reasons opens up with a couple of those great, big, british anthems that we love from worship leaders across the pond.

but, beyond the typical (though excellent) excitement and energy of the opening tracks, we get song after song that remind us of what a blessing redman’s ministry has been to the Church at large for many years.

the album is wonderfully focused and worshipful. unique lyrics paired with equally unique melodies make you want to sing along at the top of your lungs (seriously, try to listen to the tag on Here For You and not sing along!).

10,000 Reasons reminds me of how i felt when i heard Facedown years ago. it’s anointed. it does what it’s meant to do. it puts my thoughts on Jesus and stirs me to worship Him with a new song in my heart.

in the end, something tells me our churches will be singing a lot more redman after tomorrow.

but you’ll only be able to sing along if you go get the album.

so, tomorrow, get on your computer, buy a copy from your favorite store and join in the song.

this review was solicited from the media collective
a free, streaming version of the album was provided for critique

 

 

so much sound.

thanks to mr. harper for sharing.

ht//mr.belmont

do you know about positive post tuesday?

there’s few things more positifying than receiving a free gift. this has been a topic of other PPT posts, as the several of you reading this RSS already know.

well, yesterday, twitter came bearing gifts.

a pastor that i follow (thanks holland) sent out a link to a free worship ep from a guy named brett younker.

don’t know who that is?

i didn’t either.

here’s a picture so you can get acquainted:

so, brett has graciously made a 4 song ep available for anyone who would like some new music.

since yesterday i’ve listened to it a bunch of times (it’s an ep afterall) and i’ve thoroughly enjoyed it. it’s worshipful, well made, well written, well executed. plus it has a great rendition of Nothing But The Blood. who could resist?

in fact, i’m listening to it again right now.

you know what this means: it’s time to get your mice and trackpads moving over to mr. younker’s site so that you, too, can download The New Acoustic EP.

all it takes is a little facebook or twitter love because, after all, if musicians have taught us anything, it’s that they can get by with a little help from their friends.

seriously though, it’s a very cool gift.

go get it.

it’s tuesday. be positive.

ht:mr.davis

christmastime is over and the holiday decor has been shelved (theoretically).

the question is, what is the first album you reach for after the christmas carol playlist is ceremoniously deleted from your iTunes?

(and, yes, i know some of you are still listening to christmas music. that doesn’t count)

so, let’s hear it. what’s your first post-christmas music?

thanksgiving is gone.

which means that we who have been listening to Christmas music since october can come out of hiding and play our favorite carols as loud as we want.

it also means that it’s time for my favorite Christmas tradition.

enjoy.

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

(as always, you’re more than welcome)

see?

awesome.

remember positive post tuesday?

do you know about positive post tuesday?

(google readerers, come on over for a proper view)

i’ve been noticing something occurring more often on twitter:

There was a problem connecting to Twitter.

more and more i’m seeing the distribution of free christian music online.

this is something that makes my heart happy. and, while there isn’t a huge number of outlets or artists that are giving away free stuff, the number is growing.

it seems as though the artist-to-consumer culture is changing bit by bit to be less WE MAKE, YOU BUY and more relational between musicians and their fans.

yes, they still make and we still buy, which is necessary if we want our favorite musicians to keep writing songs and playing shows, but there’s also a growing element of sharing between the two parties.

these days, i’ll often see an artist is sharing something with his or her fans and then the fans reciprocate by sharing some free advertising and promotion for them in return.

within the Christian community, i think this is one of the healthiest things bands can do.

it’s no secret that it’s very difficult to maintain a living as a performer, especially in the Christian music industry. i understand and agree that a Christian artist should be compensated for their craft and their service to we who desire music. it’s wrong when the Christian community tries to gouge musicians.

but alongside that, i’m reminded of this:

matthew 10.8b – …freely you have received, freely give.

anytime i see someone on twitter promoting an artist for their generous gift of free music, i’m blessed and reminded of the words of Jesus and it excites me that Christian artists are living this out. because it’s hard for a career musician to give things away, whether it’s a free ep, a full album, a live stream of their concert or anything else. it’s a sacrifice. it’s easier to charge.

i guess all of this is summed up by this point: it’s very gracious when they give because they don’t have to.

so, to any band or artist out there that’s ever made the choice to give something away for free, thank you. it’s a very cool thing you did.

blessings.

it’s tuesday. be positive.