This is going to be a very self-indulgent post, but I get to do that because it's my blog (*evil grin*).
To be clear, I'm not saying Caedmon's Call has gone anywhere when I say I "remember" them, but I wanted to take time to think about how foundational and encouraging their music has been in my life. A couple of their songs came up in random shuffle the other day, and I just started listening to all of their albums again. What a fantastic Christian band they are!
I have so many memories tied to these guys (and gal)- it was always neat watching their fan base grow and having a sense that they were "our band" because they used to lead worship at the Bible study we went to. And in time I even got to meet a few of the guys and talk music with them (and get a few to play on the first Steady On CD).
But my respect for CC started before I ever had any of those experiences. Back when my roommate showed me "My Calm/ Your Storm" I was hooked. Yes, they were really talented and had a great sound- acoustic guitars, fantastic rhythm section, and gorgeous three part harmony. By the lyrics- oh man, they were just so honest and thought provoking. How many Christian CDs start off with a call for God to move them out of their comfortable faith and then follow it up with a bunch of songs that are just that? And lyrics like "What error could you invent with more power than the cross?" Boy, that one will always stick with me.
And of course, you had Derek Web writing all those edgy songs. I remember when he introduced "Thankful" at a Sunday even worship service (and this was before anyone thought it was cool to be a Calvinist) and I thought - "Yikes- great song, but it'll never be on the radio!" Oh how wrong I was. Derek has never been afraid to ask questions and make us think, sometimes with a bit of attitude. And when he went Reformed, he did it in a big way! He may not always be right, but he's honest. In fact, the whole band has a refreshing air of honesty.
I listened to three of their CDs on the way to and from work today (I'll be SO glad when that drive is over!) and I just left so encouraged. Whether it was the original era or the days with Andrew Osenga, they've always had a way of putting together music that shows real struggles by real Christians. I heard these lines from Andrew this morning and they hit me fresh
You know, I know there are Christians who can identify with those moments of struggle, but it takes REAL guts to sing about it. But I'm glad they did because it is so healing to hear when you've been through it and it's a testimony to all the faithful friends who've seen us through the times of emptiness.
A few years ago I remember watching a video about a guy who made his living playing poker and the pretty brutal accompanying lifestyle, and his live-in girlfriend was playing a CC song on the piano. I was impressed that their music had reached way beyond the typical audience of CCM music, and that she was singing these amazing lyrics:
Right there is some great Reformed theology being proclaimed in a movie watched by a bunch of people with very little interest or understanding of Christianity. Such is the power of great music to pierce through and move the unmovable.
If you've never looked at this band or listened to their music, do yourself a real favor and pick up their early albums (and later ones too, if you like what you hear) and just be encouraged. I think/hope that their transparency and intelligent way of talking about faith has influenced the way I write music. I doubt I will ever have the directness of Derek or the intellectual musings of Aaron (who wrote a lot of their early material), but at the least I can bring ME to the table, and I'm glad their music is there to encourage me to do that.
To be clear, I'm not saying Caedmon's Call has gone anywhere when I say I "remember" them, but I wanted to take time to think about how foundational and encouraging their music has been in my life. A couple of their songs came up in random shuffle the other day, and I just started listening to all of their albums again. What a fantastic Christian band they are!
I have so many memories tied to these guys (and gal)- it was always neat watching their fan base grow and having a sense that they were "our band" because they used to lead worship at the Bible study we went to. And in time I even got to meet a few of the guys and talk music with them (and get a few to play on the first Steady On CD).
But my respect for CC started before I ever had any of those experiences. Back when my roommate showed me "My Calm/ Your Storm" I was hooked. Yes, they were really talented and had a great sound- acoustic guitars, fantastic rhythm section, and gorgeous three part harmony. By the lyrics- oh man, they were just so honest and thought provoking. How many Christian CDs start off with a call for God to move them out of their comfortable faith and then follow it up with a bunch of songs that are just that? And lyrics like "What error could you invent with more power than the cross?" Boy, that one will always stick with me.
And of course, you had Derek Web writing all those edgy songs. I remember when he introduced "Thankful" at a Sunday even worship service (and this was before anyone thought it was cool to be a Calvinist) and I thought - "Yikes- great song, but it'll never be on the radio!" Oh how wrong I was. Derek has never been afraid to ask questions and make us think, sometimes with a bit of attitude. And when he went Reformed, he did it in a big way! He may not always be right, but he's honest. In fact, the whole band has a refreshing air of honesty.
I listened to three of their CDs on the way to and from work today (I'll be SO glad when that drive is over!) and I just left so encouraged. Whether it was the original era or the days with Andrew Osenga, they've always had a way of putting together music that shows real struggles by real Christians. I heard these lines from Andrew this morning and they hit me fresh
And I stay up late, cause I cannot sleep
I don’t wanna face the quiet, it’s just God and me
Cause I’m waiting for the gavel handing me the sentence down
Cause I don’t believe forgiveness or even repentance now
There was no judgment in your eyes
Just the silent peace of God that felt so real in you
You know, I know there are Christians who can identify with those moments of struggle, but it takes REAL guts to sing about it. But I'm glad they did because it is so healing to hear when you've been through it and it's a testimony to all the faithful friends who've seen us through the times of emptiness.
A few years ago I remember watching a video about a guy who made his living playing poker and the pretty brutal accompanying lifestyle, and his live-in girlfriend was playing a CC song on the piano. I was impressed that their music had reached way beyond the typical audience of CCM music, and that she was singing these amazing lyrics:
My faith is like shifting sand
Changed by every wave
My faith is like shifting sand
So I stand on grace
Right there is some great Reformed theology being proclaimed in a movie watched by a bunch of people with very little interest or understanding of Christianity. Such is the power of great music to pierce through and move the unmovable.
If you've never looked at this band or listened to their music, do yourself a real favor and pick up their early albums (and later ones too, if you like what you hear) and just be encouraged. I think/hope that their transparency and intelligent way of talking about faith has influenced the way I write music. I doubt I will ever have the directness of Derek or the intellectual musings of Aaron (who wrote a lot of their early material), but at the least I can bring ME to the table, and I'm glad their music is there to encourage me to do that.