Articles and thoughts by Steve Green.
Great Music
June 18th, 2010
For some people music is just background filler. They never really listen. There is music that is created for that purpose. It’s called elevator music, and it tends to be sappy, mindless and bland.
Maybe it’s because I’m part melancholy, part creative artist, and passionate about life, that when I listen to music I really listen, taking in every nuance. There is great music to fit every ear and preference, every situation in life. Music is a companion in sorrow, an expression of joy, an articulation of the heart when words fail, a soothing balm to the aching heart and soaring strains that feed our longing for a beauty that will only be realized in the new heaven and new earth.
Here are few favorites:
The Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir – “More Than Enough” from ‘God Is Working’ CD (I remember hearing this for the first time while visiting Brooklyn Tab and being deeply moved by the all sufficiency of our God.)
Joshua Bell – “The Swan” – from ‘Romance of the Violin’ CD (A piece for cello, but great on the violin.)
Yo-Yo Ma – “Main Theme From Casualties of War” – from Yo-Yo Ma Plays Ennio Morricone CD (The whole CD is great.)
Rob Mathes – “This Winter” – from ‘Orchestral Songs’ CD (Rob has orchestrated several things for me over the years. He is brilliant. This song speaks of the staying power of love through thick and thin.)
Philippe Rombi – “Théme de l’absence” – from ‘Merry Christmas (Joyeux Noël) Soundtrack’ CD (A 7 minute piece that is worth the price of the whole CD.)
U.S. Military Academy Glee Club – “Mansions of the Lord” – from ‘We Were Soldiers” Soundtrack.
I also listen to happy, up music! Really!
22 Comments »
I agree with you Steve. Music touches me in so many ways and is a constant companion to me, especially your music. You have a beautiful voice and I am always inspired when I listen to you.
Comment by Marilyn Weaver — June 18, 2010 @ 6:24 pm
Thanks for sharing, Steve.
Because I am melancholy and sanguine…I am very contemplative…perhaps,too much.
Anyway,as a counselor by profession…I know that music is theraputic and healing to the soul…because God has used it and will continue to use music to minister to me in good times and bad.
Thanks for the recommendations on this Father’s Day Weekend. I have been missing my Dad. May you have a special weekend.
Comment by Natalie Kleefisch — June 18, 2010 @ 6:25 pm
Terrific stuff, Steve. I know exactly what you mean. I collect and critique all kinds of music as a hobby. It’s what I love to do in my spare time. Elevator music doesn’t cut it for me either. Like you, I always try to pay attention to each detail of what I’m listening to. If it’s good music, the rewards are great.
I get that feeling whenever I’m listening to something by the acapella group Glad. Their renditions of “Christ the Lord is Risen Today” and “Just As I Am” are absolutely definitive. There’s just a very high standard of artistry there.
While we’re on hymns, hearing you and Wes nail “It is Well With My Soul” puts chills up my spine. That’s a glimpse of eternity right there. It’s also quality singing and just plain good music.
In the classical realm, almost anything by Tchaikovsky can give me that feeling as well. Truly the master of melody. Soul-stirring stuff.
Of course there are some beautiful non-hymn songs that can stir a lot of emotions inside of me when I give them my full attention. I think my top five would have to be “I Will Be Here” (Steven Curtis), “Give Me Jesus” (Fernando), “How Beautiful” (Twila), “Go Rest High on That Mountain” (Vince Gill), and “Lead the Way” (Ken Medema).
Oh yeah, and there’s also this guy named Steve Green…he has some pretty good stuff too.
Comment by Bethel — June 19, 2010 @ 7:02 am
Jeff, that’s a tough one. One of my favorites is “Romanza”.
Comment by steve — June 19, 2010 @ 8:08 am
Interesting list. Do you have a favorite Andre Bocelli song?
Comment by Jeff Hooper — June 19, 2010 @ 1:30 pm
Hi Steve, I have a deep, very deep passion for music and I too, listen to every detail of the music. I studied piano for most of my years growing up and I really appreciate the details. That’s why I love your/God’s music. The orchestrations are interesting and there are always things I don’t expect and am intrigued and that’s just the music side. There isn’t enough room to talk about the spiritual side! May I suggest Mendelssohn’s “Song Without Words” …Piano solo. So beautiful.
Blessings
Comment by Sarah Coblens — June 20, 2010 @ 11:15 am
Thanks, Sarah. I do have that song performed by Yo-Yo Ma. It’s beautiful.
Comment by steve — June 20, 2010 @ 10:09 pm
Love the musical suggestions! “Mansions of the Lord” is one of my favorites and “We Were Soldiers” is one of my favorite movies. Tony and I loved the song so much when we saw the movie, that we went right over to Wal Mart and bought the sound track! However, my most favorite song is the one the Lord sings over me “The Lord your God is with you, He is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing.” It is amazing to me that the One who created music delights in me, loves me and sings over me!
Another suggestion is Alberto and Kimberly Rivera. Their music is very unique, very beautiful - website is rainingpresence.com. Be prepared to be ushered into the presence of the Lord.
Bless you!
Comment by Lynn Wilkerson — June 22, 2010 @ 8:02 pm
Hola Steve, nunca doy un elogio si no lo siento de corazon. Tu último CD me resulta un “concierto” de buena música, especialmente Zion y My Redeemer.
Saludos a todo el grupo desde Argentina.
Comment by sebastian boleas — June 24, 2010 @ 10:02 am
Steve - some of my favorite songs:
1. The Word is Alive by One
2. The River by Steve Green
3. There is No Other by Larnelle
4. Todopoderoso by Danilo Montero
5. For the Sake of the Call by Steven Curtis Chapman.
The songs that truly show me Jesus and challenge me to be holy as He is holy are the songs that make it in my top song choices. Thanks Steve. God has used you!
Comment by Aaron — June 25, 2010 @ 9:51 pm
Your songs are very inspiring. God Bless you!
Comment by Micha Milambiling — June 25, 2010 @ 11:37 pm
Steve, Romanza is one of my favorites - besides Andrea’s amazing vocals I love the strings, however his version of Nessun Dorma is still my fav of his.
Comment by Jeff Hooper — June 26, 2010 @ 2:34 am
Thanks for the list of music to check out. Earlier, I wrote about Mendlessohn’s “Song Without Words” piano solo and you led me to Yo Yo Ma’s recording. Loved it. He’s so artistic. I found out that there are several Mendlessohn pieces entitled “Song Without Words” ??? Anyway, the one I love is No. 4, Opus #19, composed in 1829.
Just bought your new CD. Awesome and touching. Thank you so much for your uplifting and meaningful music.
Blessings
PS Ever thought about recording a CD of lullabyies?
Comment by Sarah Coblens — June 29, 2010 @ 10:25 am
Steve, I appreciate good music as well. Your music is always a blessing to me. And I think your latest CD is my absolute favorite. “Jesus, I am resting, resting” makes me so happy, especially when I wake up with it in my head, and I cry almost every time I hear “Your grace still amazes me”. (I’m glad you did a duet with Michael English.)
May God continue to bless you and use you to minister to people like me.
Thank you
Comment by Nancy MacGregor — July 4, 2010 @ 10:26 pm
si la musica muchas veces la utilizan como relleno en algunos lugares y mucha de esa musica es triste y no llega a ningun lugar. solocuando se alba a Dios. esta musica trasiente mas alla de un simple sentimiento
Dios continue bendiciendo tu ministerio.
Comment by DANIEL RODRIGUEZ — July 8, 2010 @ 6:43 pm
Dear Steve I’m writing you from peru this year I’ve found that your music is special and new but I wonder if you will visit peru to listen your songs that stay every day from where mercy begins to woven in time we’ll be glad with your visit
Comment by salomon torres — July 9, 2010 @ 6:50 pm
Hi Salomon. No plans at the moment to visit Peru again. Thanks for your support and encouragement.
Steve
Comment by steve — July 10, 2010 @ 8:22 am
Dear Steve all my family and friends were astonished when I told them that YOU had written me, because I spend all the day listening to your songs and trying to sing them and to learn the lyrics. I don`t know too much about christian music, I just know that your music is special and excellent. In spanish there are good singers such as Juan Carlos Alvarado. I think you know Marcos Vidal because you have a sing with him. My favourite songs ;
We trust in the name of the Lord our God
Sacrifice of praise
glory to you/gloria a ti
In the morning
Great is the Lord God
I will call on you
Unto me
The plan
Jesus is born
Comment by salomon torres — July 14, 2010 @ 6:32 pm
Totalmente de auerdo con tu articulo Seve. Mucha gente no entiende que la musica fue creada para alabar a Dios y sólo a Dios. Hay que saber apreciar a los cantantes, como steve green, que no han vendido sus voces a mundo por un poco de fama y que se mantienen firmes en lo que creen y creemos: Alabe a Jehova toda la tierra. Gracias
Comment by salomon torres — July 21, 2010 @ 12:47 pm
hello steve,
i saw you in concert a few years back
at calvary temple in allentown ,pa,
i was was overwhelmed with the awesome
evening performance.. wow what a great selection of music you sang , the next day i bought 3 of your cds. i have loved them all..looking foreward to another special evening on august 22 in
ocean city , new jersey… bringing my daughter
and good friend.. may god continue to bless you.. we are all blessed to hear
you sing
thank you lorie
Comment by lorie edwards — July 23, 2010 @ 4:52 pm
Hi Steve,
I love music to I listen to almost everything. But when it come to worshipping Our Lord thru music most time I really listen to see who songwriter or singer is really praising. I have been listening to you since I was 12 years old. I am 34 now and your music along with Steve Curtis Chapman help me get thru a dark Childhood after lossing my mother at 11 years old. You both are my favorite singers.
My favorite top 5 songs are
1. We Believe
2. Emmaus Road
3. Embrace the Cross
4. People need the Lord
5. Indescrible
keep up the good work I will keep praying for you and your ministry
Comment by Chuck Bonetti — July 25, 2010 @ 6:39 am
Just wondering … does your “happy up music” include songs by the David Crowder Band? Most of Crowder’s lyrics (like what I enjoy from your “The Mission” song) are spot on! Blessings to you, Steve
Comment by Steve — April 5, 2011 @ 2:34 am