5 - Sew Many Tastes
The idea for this album was derived by me (Kirk) in 2015. After recording the bulk our Christmas album, I started looking ahead to the future. We spent most of 2015 learning a ton of new Christian cover songs. 3 songs were selected by each person in the group. We discussed the criteria that I use to determine if we would use each of the songs in our worship service or not. The criteria was:
- Do I like the song?
- Does it draw people closer to God?
- Can we do the song (may not be identical to the original)?
- Is it age appropriate?
- Does it fit on one page?
We analyzed each song and found that some songs may be great, but are not appropriate for our worship setting. We also found that some songs may be appropriate according to the setting; for example, a more difficult "performance" style song may work if we're the only ones singing it.
We also discussed some basic music theory and song forms (use of bridges, verses, chorus', and repetition) and what makes a song "good". Then we took a look at some songs with regard to music style, instrumentation, key & chord structure, vocals style/range/melodies/harmonies, and anything else that stood out in order to build upon those foundations for our next album.
This album is titled "Sew Many Tastes" because we dove into many different flavors (styles) of music. Yes, it's a pun, it could've been "So Many Tastes"; since we're weaving many different styles into one album, it's like we're sewing.
There is no correct style of music. It's important to experience many different styles. The album is meant to meet all of the criteria mentioned earlier and include many different styles (except country, you've got to draw the line somewhere).
As with all of the songs on all of our albums, these songs were used in worship services at Legacy Christian Church. To God be the Glory.
My challenge was for each member of the group to write at least one song for the album (and that we would use in worship) that was 100 words or less, in one of the following styles:
Style - influence
Blues - Buddy Guy
Jazz
Rock
Heavy Rock - Skillet
Heavy Metal
Indie? - The Gray Havens
African - a hymn
Indie? - 100 Portraits
Pop - To Know Your Name (Live) by Hillsong Live
Pop - VERIDIA
Spiritual - Holy Spirit by Francesca Battistelli
Ideas for song content:
Personal experience
Scripture - a story
Scripture - a verse or verses
Poem
Songs planned to be on this album - we're going to keep this page updated to reflect the recording status for the songs.
Josh left the group while we were working on this album so the Indie slant may be missed on the final album.
Bob Conly plays with us every week but doesn't enjoy recording very much so for this album we plan to have a number of different bass players. Bass players that we may include:
Brad Sulfridge
x Brian Hoffman
Eric Welsh
x Gary Campbell
x Greg Mathena
Jackie Estes
Jacob Freese
x Jerry Caudill
Josh Mains
Kyle Quinlivan
Sam Freese
x Tim Cornelius
?? Do Not Fear
Composer: Natalie Hopkins
Style: American Indian (that's Kirk's guess anyway, and no, I'm not trying to offend anyone)
Vocals, Lead - Natalie Hopkins
Vocals - Carley Wesseler & Pam Hopkins (not recorded)
Acoustic Guitar - Kirk Hopkins
Bass - ???Tim Cornelius (not recorded) (upright bass with bow?)
Drums - Kirk Hopkins
Song notes: Natalie likes to listen to secular music as well as sacred music. She likes Twenty One Pilots as well as other groups. She was inspired to write this song after listening to the group "Bastille". Ironically, this song sounds nothing like them. That's how music creation goes sometimes.
?? God is Unchanging
Composer: Kirk Hopkins
Style: Rock
Vocals, Lead - Natalie Hopkins
Vocals - Pam Hopkins (not recorded)
Cigar Box Guitar - Kirk Hopkins
Bass - ???Greg Mathena (not recorded)
Drums - Kirk Hopkins
Song notes: This "ZZ top(ish)" song was previously written to another tune that I didn't like. I was inspired by a training video from Nickel Cigar Box Guitars and decided the ZZ top sound was exactly what this song needed. It has more than 100 words though so don't tell the rest of the band.
?? I Will Sing to the Lord
Composer: Kirk Hopkins
Style: Heavy Metal
Vocals, Lead - Natalie Hopkins
Vocals - Carley Wesseler
Cigar Box Guitar - Kirk Hopkins
Bass - ???Gary Campbell (not recorded)
Drums - Kirk Hopkins
Song notes: I got a new cigar box guitar from Nickel Cigar Box Guitars and it inspired me to write this heavy metal song. I don't listen to heavy metal so I'm not exactly sure why I like to write heavy metal tunes. The lyrics are based on Exodus 15 verses 1 & 2.
?? I Will Sing Your Praise
Composer: Carley Wesseler & Kirk Hopkins
Style: Blues
Vocals, Lead - Carley Wesseler
Electric lead - Troy Berry
Bass - ???Jerry Caudill (not recorded)
Drums - Kirk Hopkins
Song notes: Inspired by Buddy Guy's song "Born to Play Guitar", I stole the lyrics from King David (Psalms 146). I left the melody line up to the vocalists. It's a slow blues groove.
?? No Idea
Composer: Carley Wesseler & Kirk Hopkins
Style: 2010's Pop Rock
Vocals, Lead - Carley Wesseler
Electric Guitar - Kirk Hopkins
Acoustic Guitar - Kirk Hopkins
Bass - ???Gary Campbell (not recorded)
Drums - Kirk Hopkins
Song notes: (Written by Kirk) Carley was challenged to write a song, as was everyone in the group. When we met to work through the song I asked her what it was called; "no idea" was her answer. I don't think that was what she meant, but that's what I wrote down. I've written songs starting with a melody, starting with a rhythm, starting with a poem, starting with a musical style. Carley wasn't sure about this song; she said maybe Skillett or the Beatles. Yeah, those are not similar at all. After a little prodding, she gave me a concept which quickly became the lyrics for the song. Then she played "Rescue Me" by Kerri Roberts. I was inspired by the process and the direction that Carley was taking the song (although I don't think she knew it). I helped with the lyrics and developed the chord progression and part of the melody line. After that, Carley and I tweaked the lyrics and she took the song as her own as I played the acoustic guitar. 20 minutes later we recorded the song on my iPhone. It will be interesting to hear how it compares with the final recording.
Listen to the iPhone recording
?? Pachelbel's Canon in D
Composer: Johann Pachelbel
Arrangers: Kirk Hopkins, Sam Freese, and Tim Cornelius
Style: Classical to Metal
Recording status: Started 11-03-2016
Electric Guitar - Sam Freese (not recorded yet)
Acoustic Guitar - Kirk Hopkins
Keyboard - Kirk Hopkins
Bass - Tim Cornelius (not recorded yet)
Drums - Kirk Hopkins
Song notes: While this song is not necessarily a sacred song, since there are no lyrics, you could argue one way or the other. Can I worship God instrumentally? I think so. I decided to include this song because I wrote an arrangement of it for my wedding to my beautiful bride. It was played by 2 very close friends (Bill Pendleton and Angie Schaefer Pendleton) on the marimba. Years ago I heard a version on YouTube by "funtwo" that blew me away. I decided it was time to revisit the song for recording purposes with Sam Freese (a phenomenal guitarist) and Tim Cornelius (an amazing bass player).
?? Psalm 47
Composer: Pam Hopkins
Style: Fun (that's Kirk's guess anyway)
Vocals, Lead - Pam Hopkins
Vocals - Carley Wesseler
Shouting - Carley Wesseler, Natalie Hopkins, & Kirk Hopkins
Acoustic Guitar - Kirk Hopkins
Bass - ???Jerry Caudill (not recorded)
Drums - Kirk Hopkins
Song notes: ???
?? So Worthy
Composer: Kirk & Pam Hopkins
Style: Contemporary
Vocals, Lead - Kirk Hopkins(?), Natalie Hopkins, & Pam Hopkins ???
Electric Guitar - Kirk Hopkins
Acoustic Guitar - Kirk Hopkins
Bass - ???Greg Mathena (not recorded)
Drums - Kirk Hopkins
Song notes: This is a "Revelation Song" type piece, with 4 chords repeating throughout the song. The lyrics are simple but speak to who God is.
?? The Way You Do
Composer: Bob Conly
Style: Blues/Rockabilly
Vocals, Lead - Bob Conly
Vocals - Natalie Hopkins (not recorded), & Pam Hopkins (not recorded)
Electric Guitar - Bob Conly
Bass - Bob Conly
Drums - Kirk Hopkins
Song notes: This song is a life statement. Bob loves the blues and wanted to write a Christian blues song. The words came first. How can God love us with the way that we are? We're all fools, aren't we? Bob says that as a teenager and a young adult he was living contrary to what God teaches, what God is all about. He became "born again" (began living for Christ). The disbelief of how Christ would die for us by choice is amazing. By His death on the cross, we became winners. "At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook, the rocks split" Matthew 27:51. At that moment we instantly gained access to God. Bob wanted to use some modern colloquialisms like the gambler is 'all in'. The song flips from asking 'why do You love me' to knowing that He loves me and really cares. "That's why I love Him, love the way I do".
?? To God be the Glory
Recorded
Composer: Fanny Crosby (1875)
Arranger: Kirk Hopkins
Style: African
Vocals, Lead - Pam Hopkins
Percussion - Kirk Hopkins
Song notes: I wanted to do another hymn and while writing the background for this album, I wrote "To God be the Glory". It was a hymn that I sang many times growing up. Yesterday and today I talked to two different friends that I knew from that time in my life. One of them (Jimmy Eckel) talked about the importance of hymns and the other one (Mark Rosen) just reminded me of my past. With all of those things coming together, this song seemed to be an obvious choice. Plus, who doesn't want to lead worship with a song written by someone named "Fanny", right? Well, actually, it wasn't well received by the band. We lead this song in worship but it was only recorded by me (Kirk) and my beautiful wife. This song is done with vocals and african percussion; a unique flavor to a familiar hymn.
?? Trouble
Composer: Kirk Hopkins
Style: Hard Rock
Vocals, Lead - Kirk Hopkins
Electric Guitar - Kirk Hopkins
Bass - ???Brian Hoffman
Drums - Kirk Hopkins
Song notes: Another heavy metalish/heavy rock/fun type tune. The song doesn't actually refer directly to God, but like the book of Ruth, you can see our need for God.
?? You Are My Vision
Composer: Dallan Forgaill, Ireland (6th Century)
Arranger: Kirk Hopkins
Style: Indie?
Vocals, Lead - Carley Wesseler, Natalie Hopkins, Pam Hopkins, and Kirk Hopkins
Acoustic Guitar - Kirk Hopkins
Bass - ???Brian Hoffman
Drums - Kirk Hopkins
Song notes: "Be Thou My Vision" was requested by someone attending the "Walk to Emmaus" where I was on the music team. The request sparked my interest so I decided to include a variation of the song as a second hymn for the album. I really like the version done by Rend Collective but wanted to make this my own. So this rendition has obvious 'Kirk' influence (listen to the drums). After listening to a recording of our group singing "Good, Good Father" at a benefit, I knew that we needed to do another song with strong harmonies and, of course, a great message.