Songs of Solomon: First "Single"

Church,

Several years ago the men of the church began meeting at something wittily referred to as "Fight Club".  This was essentially a mens Bible study and one of the books we discussed was the Song of Solomon.  It might seem odd that a group of men would gather together in order to become "Godly manly men" and end up studying biblical poetry.  But the study was hard hitting...very manly I assure you...even though we were'nt pummeling each other like Brad Pitt and Edward Norton, we were putting ourselves through the ringer biblically.  Much of the focus surrounding this study centered on being strong biblical husbands, learning how the Bible teaches us to touch the minds of our wives and be more faithful to them in every area of our lives.  There was also modest discussion about the topic of intimacy.  I promise you it wasn't anything lude.  But one of the messages that Solomon's song had for us husbands was this:  If you don't how to touch your wife's mind then you have no business touching her body.  All these topics swirled together in my head and challenged me greatly.  It made me think about everything I was to my wife.  I found myself asking questions like, "Have I remembered to honor my wife today?"  If I ever had to ask it usually meant I hadn't.  That study helped me better understand how to make much of my wife, love her, and serve her all to the end of glorifying God.  

As a musician, this sparked my creativity in a big way.  As I read and re-read the Song of Solomon I finally said to myself, "I need to do an album of love songs for Christian husbands and wives."  The source material was staring me right in the face.  I couldn't say it any better than Solomon already had so I decided to use his words and set them to music.  The result was 5 songs.  Originally I thought there would be six but only five came.  The album would be very simple...very "stripped".  It would center mostly around acoustic guitar, light drums (if any), very understated electric guitar parts, bass, and orchestral instruments used very sparsely.  I wanted to capture the sound Tracy Chapman got on her "Let it Rain" album.  Very earthy.  Very rootsy.  The kind of music you might hear if some friends gathered for a quiet jam session in your living room.  But also, the kind of music that husbands and wives could imagine themselves wrapped up in.  Music that would make the perfect the perfect mate for a well stoked fire and low lights.  

Well...I demoed up some scratch versions of four songs a few years ago.  If you dig I think you might be able to find them here on the site but I can't gurantee that.  This week I statred recording a track from the forthcoming album.  The name of the song is "Resting Shadows".  Click the link below to download and listen to the finished version.  Feel free to download and share with friends.  Remember...the words you hear come from the Bible.  You will hear no "original" lyrics here.  I drew from "The Message", "ESV", and "NIV" translations of the Bible.  That's why the album is called "Songs of Solomon".  I hope you dig it. 

Resting Shadows 

P.S.  If you have Windows Media Player make sure the "WOW Effects" are turned off.  If not the acoustic guitar...well really the entire mix...will sound strange.  

Enjoy. 

    

Comments

[Chris]

Not only is the quality of this recording amazing. When it was over I wanted to go kiss my wife.

[Jared]

As always, good stuff Chad!

[Cstewart1993]

I can't get over how "clean" the vocals and guitar sound. I know that once you have had more time to mess around with your new Pro-Tools rig our fellowship recordings are going to have an even more incredible quality to them.

[Sharon]

Beautiful Chad.....

[Steven R. Martin]

Chris,

I just wanted to tell you that I have been listening to your messages on Facebook and I really enjoy them. I can remember you first sermon at Middleport Church of Christ. I am so glad that you post these. I work in the evenings and I listen to them when I am working. I cannot tell you how much I enjoy listening to your messages.

Thank you,

Steven R. Martin