And I’ve been collaborating with Linescratchers artists to make a Best of 2009 Compilation for LDS artists who don’t write “LDS music.”

PS, the website is actually at http://www.linescratchers.com/ now. Thanks!

I was highly intrigued by the description of the Cornerstone festival found in Rapture Ready. It’d be cool if the LDS market could reach a point where we could support something similar.

By the way, a good source for up-and-coming LDS musicians of all stripes is the blog Linescratchers.

The CCM music world is remarkably diverse. While much is formulaic, there is some genuine talent and inspired songwriting. The “queen” of CCM music is Amy Grant, who is a surprisingly gifted songwriter; possesses a recognizable and very communicative voice; and provides some of the most enlightened and intelligent interviews that I have ever read. Her music — which varies between the folk rock of “Behind the Eyes” to the synth-pop of “Heart in Motion to the outstanding Apalachia-esque hymn projects “Legacy” and “Rock of Ages” is worth checking out.

Although Grant is at the top of the mountain when it comes to popular Christian music, those next in line (Stephen Curtis Chapman and Michael W. Smith) have also enjoyed substantial success. Their pop music has some fine moments, but too often seems derivative of the current musical fads.

There are a host of other “pop” CCM acts that occasionally produce some nice music, but more often than not seem to come from production mills (both lyrically and musically).

On the more erudite level, but still in the fringes of the CCM camp), there is Michael Card (whose early music was impressive in its soaring melodies and sound scriptural accounts); Don Francisco (who has written some great biblical narrative folk songs); Bob Bennett (exceptional singer songwriter); Sara Groves (artistic heir to Amy Grant, whose CD’s Conversations and All Right Here contain themes that would blend beautifully with any LDS Family Home Evening); Phil Keaggy (Paul McCartney-esque vocals and guitar skills that rank him among the greatest of all guitarists); Randy Stonehill (pioneer of the Jesus Rock movement, with some great songs); the late Rich Mullins (extraodinary songwriter — one of his songs actually made it to an EFY CD); Andrew Peterson (whose song “Silence of God” is as beautiful and profound a modern song as has ever been written); and John Michael Talbot, a Catholic monk who has written some of the most serenely gorgeous songs that I have ever heard. (His 2 CD’s with his brother Terry are outstanding, as well). There are other CCM artists worth checking out, but these are the ones that jumped out at me. The best of any of these artists all fall within the category of brilliant and inspiring music.

In spite of my endorsements of the above-mentioned CCM singers/songwriters, the real gems of CCM music lie just out the fringe, and can usually be found playing at Cornerstone Festival (or at your local concert venue). Bruce Cockburn is one of the finest singer-songwriters in the world, and his Christian-mystical era releases (Joy Will Find a Way; Salt Sun and Time; In the Falling Dark) constitute the best of modern Christ-related music. Genuis producer T-Bone Burnett has written some fantastic music (although he may be too edgy for many LDS ears). T-Bone’s former wife Sam Phillips has written some great music. Buddy and Julie Miller are the reigning king and queen of the alt-country scene, and Julie, in particular, has written songs of such beauty and spiritual longing that they sit perfectly next to the Psalms. Bill Mallonee of Vigilantes of Love superb songwriting includes faith-themed music that rivals Dylan himself. Over the Rhine has some exquisite releases, as do the Innocence Mission out of Lancaster, PA. Derek Webb (formerly of Caedmon’s Call) has written some fine music that challenges the complacency of the average believer. Pierce Pettis is as intelligent and gifted a songwriter as one will find anywhere. David Wilcox’s songwriting is often fantastic, and his performances — great guitarist, exceptionally warm vocals — are worth seeking out. The late Mark Heard’s music — in particular his final three releases on Fingerprint — are brilliant.

In short, the well of faith-related/Christian-related music runs very, very deep, and there is a wealth of opportunity for those with the time to seek out great CCM-related music that also inspires.

On the LDS front . . .

We have a long, long ways to go, which is both unfortunate and somewhat surprising, given that the great Marvin Payne started us off with some fantastic, non-derivative albums in the 70’s and early 80’s. (Marvin still performs, and his music is highly recommended.) After Marvin . . . not too much, I’m afraid.

Exceptions: Peter Breinholt is a fabulous songwriter, and his albums represent the very best of what Latter-Day Saint artists should be producing. His songwriting is void of cliches and of the highest quality, and his capacity to express in a universal way moments that otherwise might seem uniquely LDS makes him a special artist, indeed. (Check out his song “A Call I Hear”, which may be the best LDS popular song ever written.)

Marvin Payne’s son Sam shows some real promise, and his best is quite good. Ryan Shupe is a world class musician, and his band puts on a great show. Nancy Hanson has written some great songs, and could be a fine addition to the LDS world of popular music. No other names jump out at me, which may be an indicator of my failure to keep up with LDS music, or, on the other hand, could be an indicator that we are lagging behind when it comes to producing top-notch, authentic music.

(Latter-Day Saints are brilliant when it comes to classical music. The fact that can call Mack Wilberg our own is reason by itself not to despair. Still, I would love to someday hear an LDS equivalent of a Bruce Cockburn or Rich Mullins.)

(I have not proof-read or edited this post. Apologies for any typos or other errors.)

Guitars as Scepters of Satan

Gaylen Rust, owner of the sponsoring company yourLDSneighborhood.com, said, “it turned out great-we wanted this show to be different and fun. We wanted LDS musicians doing music they do, and not just LDS music. We like to call this new direction Positive Music. It’s music that’s well done and entertaining, and in many genres- but it’s music that makes a difference.”

This new direction is a welcome, fresh change for the LDS music industry. If this show heralds the beginning of a new era of wholesome, independent LDS musicians doing great stuff, then there is much to look forward to. It looks like the long standing names in the industry are bringing their own talented kids to head up the new generation of what is musically to come. What can emerge from that should be well worth listening for in the future.

Excellent post. That circle analogy reminds me a lot of Benson Parkinson’s essay on the Missionary School (writing to the outer circle) and Deseret School (writing to the inner circle) of LDS literature. Sadly, I can’t find it online anymore.