What Christian Music CD has influenced you the most?

Post by **_TK** » Thu Dec 07, 2006 10:07 am

This may have been discussed before, if so, sorry about that.

I am looking for your input as to what Christian music CD has influenced you the most, in whatever way.

I know the temptation will be to run off a list of 10 or 20, but please try to keep it to 3 max. I am looking for the MOST influential, and why.

thx! TK

Post by **_mattrose** » Thu Dec 07, 2006 4:12 pm

Good question.

Without thinking a ton into the past, I'll mention 1 CD that is really influencing me right now. It is a free CD (available for download online) by Derek Webb. It's a call to radical Christianity.

You can download it here for free
http://www.freederekwebb.com/pages/index.aspx

And you can read the lyrics at the link below
http://www.lyricsdir.com/derek-webb-moc ... album.html

I especially think people on this forum will enjoy #'s 2, 3, 5, 6, 8 & 10

Post by **_Seth** » Thu Dec 07, 2006 6:44 pm

Hmmm...Top 3.

1. Keith Green - Specifically the "Ministry Years" CDs (favorite song: "Make My Life a Prayer to You")
2. Newsboys - "Devotion" (fantastic music and great lyrics. Favorite song: "I Love Your Ways")
3. 4Him - "Face the Nation" (helped keep my mind on Christ during High School/College. Favorite Song: "Why?").

Ask me again, you'll get a different three...

Post by **_Derek** » Thu Dec 07, 2006 11:46 pm

mattrose wrote:Good question.

Without thinking a ton into the past, I'll mention 1 CD that is really influencing me right now. It is a free CD (available for download online) by Derek Webb. It's a call to radical Christianity.

You can download it here for free
http://www.freederekwebb.com/pages/index.aspx

And you can read the lyrics at the link below
http://www.lyricsdir.com/derek-webb-moc ... album.html

I especially think people on this forum will enjoy #'s 2, 3, 5, 6, 8 & 10

Wow!! I downloaded this and listened to 3 or 4 songs on the way to church and back. I listened to #2 about 3 times. Really awesome. Thanks Matt!

Post by **_Mort_Coyle** » Fri Dec 08, 2006 1:04 am

U2 - The Unforgettable Fire: Touched me very deeply when I was a young Christian, especially "Bad" and "A Sort of Homecoming".

Keith Green - The Ministry Years: During my Leonard Ravenhill/Holiness phase. Keith's live recording of "Rushing Wind" still brings tears to my eyes.

The Violet Burning - Chosen: Loud, raw & passionate. Made me realize that worship music doesn't have to be "safe".

Post by **_Rick_C** » Fri Dec 08, 2006 2:48 pm

I still listen to this one (from 1980)!

Kerry Livgren's

"Seeds of Change"
http://www.amazon.com/Seeds-Change-Kerr ... B000005NN0

If you like ProgRock this one's a classic!

Btw, I met Kerry after a Kansas concert in '80 (Kansas was still together then and Kerry and bassist Dave Hope hadn't been saved all that long). Kerry was working on his rented car...it didn't run...and wasn't real talkative. So I just said,"I enjoyed the concert and hope you fix the car."

Later, in '94, I saw this guy at a Jethro Tull concert in Atlanta at the T-shirt stand. I walked up and said, "Excuse me, but are you Kerry Livgren?" "Yes," he replied. I was backslidden at the time, drunk, and had a beer in my hand. I quickly mentioned I saw him in 1980 (was embarrassed). I wish I had said how much I really liked "Seeds of Change!" Anyway, he shook my hand and gave me a look like "This guy's lost"...and I was at the time...but got faith back in '99, Praise God!

Rick

Post by **_Mort_Coyle** » Fri Dec 08, 2006 7:19 pm

Ah! I probably would have listed "Seeds of Change" were I allowed more than 3 CDs. Great album. Something very ironic about hearing Ronnie James Dio sing "Mask of the Great Deceiver". Have you read Livgren's biography, also entitled "Seeds of Change"? It's quite good. Hal Lindsay's "Late, Great Planet Earth" had a big impact on Livgren and he still, as far as I know, is very Dispensationalist.

I also love Livgren's work in Kansas. His writing on Leftoverture, for example reveals his pre-Christian searching and disillusionment with the answers he had found up to that point (particularly on "The Wall"). His lyrics on the album Monolith were written shortly before becoming a Christian and you can see him groping towards God, especially in "A Glimpse of Home" and "Reason to Be". Audio-Visions, the first Kansas album after Livgren (and bassist Dave Hope) became a Christian has probably my favorite Livgren songs though. In "Relentless", he seems to express astonishment at how God pursued him. "Hold On" is sung to his (at that time) unbelieving wife and "Curtain of Iron" is a prayer for the Eastern Europeans who were then under Communist rule.

Thanks for the reminder!

Post by **_anothersteve** » Fri Dec 08, 2006 8:01 pm

Michael Card – “The Ancient Faith” – Thought provoking, meditative, worshipful

http://www.christianbook.com/Christian/ ... em_code=WW

Jerry Williams & Harvest – “Mighty River” – Very encouraging to someone, like me, who struggles with their faith sometimes. Unfortunately, if you want it you’ll have to go to Ebay since it’s out of production. He also has a web site where he offers some of his older songs….some of the songs from this CD can be found on “The Classics Vol 5”. Here’s his web site:

http://www.epicministries.org/browse_product.php

Annie Herring – “There’s a Stirring” – Yes, I’m a guy recommending a female CD. Very uncool. It’s Christ exalting and encouraging to my faith.

http://www.christianbook.com/Christian/ ... de=WW#curr

Post by **_Rick_C** » Fri Dec 08, 2006 8:24 pm

Mort,

Yes, Kerry Livgren has done some great stuff!
I can't say I'm an avid follower of his.
I'm generally not into music like I used to be.
It was something of a "god" or religion for me.
Since coming back to faith in '99....
I just can't seem to get back into music to the same extent.
I spend so much time studying theology and the Bible now!

I just sampled some tunes from Kerry's most recent band: Proto-Kaw
Kerry Livgren's Homepage
Sounds Jethro Tullish & regular ol' Livgren-Prog!
Btw, Ian Anderson from Tull and Kerry have been friends for a long time.

No, I haven't read Kerry's biography but have read his testimony online.
______

anothersteve,

Annie Herring!
Yes, and the old Jesus Freak Days band:
The 2nd Chapter of Acts! Good stuff.
"How the West Was One" with Phil Keaggy = excellent!
______

If I had an individual artist to name it would have to be Phil Keaggy!
I have stacks of his CD's and have seen him four times (1979-2005).
Phil Keaggy's site
Rick

Post by **_Mort_Coyle** » Sat Dec 09, 2006 1:17 pm

I'm generally not into music like I used to be.
It was something of a "god" or religion for me.

Ditto. You've read my testimony, so you know. A well-known worship leader that I used to play bass for liked to joke that when you become a Christian you get rid of all your albums, then spend the next twenty years gradually buying them all back! In my case it's been much more selective, but Kansas/Livgren have been among the "buy-backs".

If I had an individual artist to name it would have to be Phil Keaggy!

Although Keaggy's albums have never really grabbed me, the best concert I've ever been to, by far, was Phil Keaggy solo. Absolutely amazing and joyous.