”Architect of Beauty”

I have a little more space here to thank those who made this project become a reality… Brian Ricke really spear-headed this whole thing, I thank him for his persistence, friendship and encouragement, he really is a producer of music in the truest sense of the word. He makes music happen, through his ears, heart, vision, and time as well as his equipment! Thanks and may God bless you, your work, and your family. Rich Leone (and his family) at Fuzzy Slippers Studio displayed a huge amount of love and generosity when we moved the sessions out there. A fantastic musician, Lover of God… thanks Rich! Brent Stromgren displayed superhuman amounts of patience whilst tracking and mixing, has great ears (he’ll find that gnarly frequency!) and as long as I’ve known him, been quite a model for servanthood… something we could all learn a bit more about. Joe Hackett also worked hard and long engineering, did a great job… he also displayed huge amounts of patience while I did guitar solos “just one more time!” Connie Ricke came in and shared her expertise in the vocal department, coaching me in enunciation, phrasing, pitch, etc. I have not had the blessing of someone behind the control board helping me to sing to the best of my potential for almost 20 years, thanks Connie! She has a CD nearly mixed (by Brian of coarse!) that is really going to be great, from what I have heard thus far…

As for the band, Chris Dewan is such a great drummer, calm loving guy, brilliant graphic designer and friend, it was hard to see him and his wife Lane move to Portland late last year, but we all know God has big plans for them both. Mark L. Johnson’s bass antics and kind heart have been a blessing… I hope our friendship will continue… Dave Moulton has turned into a trusted friend and musical companion, truly a gifted keyboardist … I hope we can continue to work on musical projects for years to come…

Last but not least it sure was fun having Connie, Norm Blagman and Ruth Richmond sing on a couple of tunes, the latter 2 being my co-workers at Woodland Hills church. They are both (as well as Connie) very gifted musicans and singers and people I love very much.

*******

The Comfort of Christ, the idea for the song came from my co-worker Annie Purdue Olson telling of a vision she experienced while her late husband Kevin was so very ill… she got a picture of Jesus holding her up when she no longer had strength left. When she told the staff at WHC about this, I got such a visual… the song came very quickly after that. Ever seen that painting with a guy in a purple t-shirt and jeans looking all passed out and out of it being held by Jesus? We’re all that guy… I’m thankful that our Lord can and will do that for us. When I played the bass part on the demo I played a part that I thought Mark L. Johnson would play, he was playing with us at Woodland a fair amount then. It was cool when, 18 months later, we were tracking the song and he was the bass player. It gave me joy to have Norman Blagman, Connie Ricke and Ruth Richmond sing along. The song seemed the obvious choice for the opening cut as well as the refrain at end.

Understood Completely: It seems like people in general (myself in particular) have a need for connection and understanding, to be known in a certain way. I’m not sure anyone is ever understood, loved and known the way we wish to be; methinks God alone can supply this need, and yet we look for it from people. Just an acknowledgement of the folly in this. The band did a great job, and I love the lush keyboard stuff in the bridge. The bridge contains the lyric “Architect of Beauty” which became the album’s (ahem, make that the CD’s) title.

No Small Act of Kindness: Just like “Instrument of Love” from the “Glorybound” CD, this is an old song written in perhaps 1994 or so, and the 3rd time it’s been recorded. Naturally I like to think this is the definitive version! Dave Mouton’s electric piano stuff is really great. The song pretty must speaks for itself… I certainly have been on the “receiving end, of someone’s charity” many, many times. I hope to find more ways to be on the other end of that equation…The Lord is really in the small things, the small interactions displaying love, encouragement, and hope. There used to be a harmony guitar solo in the middle, I played an organ solo instead.

That Which I do: The idea for this song came from my own personal experience of the truth expressed by Paul in Romans 7: 21-25. In my innermost being I long to do good, to carry out God’s will. But in my flesh, I fall and fail. This can cause angst, but like the Word says ”thanks be to God, He’s provided a way.” That way is Jesus. From a musical standpoint, Mark L. on bass and Chris Dewan on drums, really rock out! The energy at the end is really kickin’. There’s a really great bass lick on this end section, listen for it! Also a return of the wollanettes (Ruth and Connie, just kidding ladies!)

“Deep Dark River,” co-written with Keyboardist Dave Moulton. I had the primary guitar theme section and the lyric, but not much else. We worked out the rest of it together. I love the middle section, just after the guitar solo, where it’s just piano and voice. It took us a long time to get that section, from a chordal standpoint, as well as figuring out how it would work rhythmically with the vocal. I’m pleased with the end result! The song is sort of a “thumbing my nose” at death; “O death, where is thy sting?” When we have Christ, we don’t have to fear death. One night I had a dream about crossing this river; upon awaking grabbed my notebook and started writing.

“No Bounds” is also a co-write, with old friend/band mate Rich Pearson, who played bass and electric guitar as well as singing… a gifted guy to be sure! Rich’s bass parts are always so appropriate! Also Chris’s “minimal cymbals” drum part is really cool. Stylistically it comes from a shared love with Rich of that “Beatlesque” vibe… there is SO much of that out there, I hope we avoided all those cliches. The verse lyrics reflect on the fact that if we knew the answer to every question we had about the universe, we would still come to the question of “who?” Why then not ask this question now? The chorus then ponders the great realization that, yes, this God who created the stars, sun and earth would indeed care for us as individuals…”with a love that knows No Bounds!” Lyrics Inspired by my inquisitive friend Steve Wacha… (see article from the Rag about him, ”My Pal Steve.”)

The song “Faithful Companion” is just an affirmation that we are never alone, that the Lord never abandons us… had a lot of fun with the Clapton/Knofler lead guitar stylings…

The musical vibe of “The Peace of God” came from a place of looking for that peace in the wrong places…””who seeks a jewel in a place of refuse?” So it has a vibe one would not normally associate with the word “Peace,” especially on the verse. But it lightens up on the chorus as we acknowledge what Jesus says about giving us His peace. Not the peace of earthly security, financial stability, high acclaim… these things can (and will eventually) vanish in a heartbeat. But not so for The Peace of God, which is not subject to the world’s cruel ways. Pretty rockin’ tune.

“One Alone” is another older song expressing my desire to share my life with another person. I was standing on the Biblical statement in Genesis that says “it is not good for man to be alone.” It was written during my time in Nashville, where it appeared that I would indeed spend my life alone. But God had other plans! He gave me a precious gift in my wife Kim, who has blessed and encouraged me for 5 years now… Thank You Lord! From a musical standpoint, the band did great; Dave played the tasty organ licks, Chris and Mark rocked out, I played piano and got to have some more fun with blues-based guitar stylings. I was really into blues from about age 13 to 16, and occasionally it really surfaces…

A reprise of “The Comfort of Christ” closes out this album; it seemed a good idea to “bookend” the CD with this song. I’ve never done a reprise like this before. We made it just acoustic guitar and vocals to provide a bit of a departure from the tune as it starts the CD out.

All in all, a really fun experience with Chris, Dave, Mark L., Brian, Rich Leone, Rich Pearson, Brent, Joe, Ruth, Norm and Connie.”Architect of Beauty”

I have a little more space here to thank those who made this project become a reality… Brian Ricke really spear-headed this whole thing, I thank him for his persistence, friendship and encouragement, he really is a producer of music in the truest sense of the word. He makes music happen, through his ears, heart, vision, and time as well as his equipment! Thanks and may God bless you, your work, and your family. Rich Leone (and his family) at Fuzzy Slippers Studio displayed a huge amount of love and generosity when we moved the sessions out there. A fantastic musician, Lover of God… thanks Rich! Brent Stromgren displayed superhuman amounts of patience whilst tracking and mixing, has great ears (he’ll find that gnarly frequency!) and as long as I’ve known him, been quite a model for servanthood… something we could all learn a bit more about. Joe Hackett also worked hard and long engineering, did a great job… he also displayed huge amounts of patience while I did guitar solos “just one more time!” Connie Ricke came in and shared her expertise in the vocal department, coaching me in enunciation, phrasing, pitch, etc. I have not had the blessing of someone behind the control board helping me to sing to the best of my potential for almost 20 years, thanks Connie! She has a CD nearly mixed (by Brian of coarse!) that is really going to be great, from what I have heard thus far…

As for the band, Chris Dewan is such a great drummer, calm loving guy, brilliant graphic designer and friend, it was hard to see him and his wife Lane move to Portland late last year, but we all know God has big plans for them both. Mark L. Johnson’s bass antics and kind heart have been a blessing… I hope our friendship will continue… Dave Moulton has turned into a trusted friend and musical companion, truly a gifted keyboardist … I hope we can continue to work on musical projects for years to come…

Last but not least it sure was fun having Connie, Norm Blagman and Ruth Richmond sing on a couple of tunes, the latter 2 being my co-workers at Woodland Hills church. They are both (as well as Connie) very gifted musicans and singers and people I love very much.

*******

The Comfort of Christ, the idea for the song came from my co-worker Annie Purdue Olson telling of a vision she experienced while her late husband Kevin was so very ill… she got a picture of Jesus holding her up when she no longer had strength left. When she told the staff at WHC about this, I got such a visual… the song came very quickly after that. Ever seen that painting with a guy in a purple t-shirt and jeans looking all passed out and out of it being held by Jesus? We’re all that guy… I’m thankful that our Lord can and will do that for us. When I played the bass part on the demo I played a part that I thought Mark L. Johnson would play, he was playing with us at Woodland a fair amount then. It was cool when, 18 months later, we were tracking the song and he was the bass player. It gave me joy to have Norman Blagman, Connie Ricke and Ruth Richmond sing along. The song seemed the obvious choice for the opening cut as well as the refrain at end.

Understood Completely: It seems like people in general (myself in particular) have a need for connection and understanding, to be known in a certain way. I’m not sure anyone is ever understood, loved and known the way we wish to be; methinks God alone can supply this need, and yet we look for it from people. Just an acknowledgement of the folly in this. The band did a great job, and I love the lush keyboard stuff in the bridge. The bridge contains the lyric “Architect of Beauty” which became the album’s (ahem, make that the CD’s) title.

No Small Act of Kindness: Just like “Instrument of Love” from the “Glorybound” CD, this is an old song written in perhaps 1994 or so, and the 3rd time it’s been recorded. Naturally I like to think this is the definitive version! Dave Mouton’s electric piano stuff is really great. The song pretty must speaks for itself… I certainly have been on the “receiving end, of someone’s charity” many, many times. I hope to find more ways to be on the other end of that equation…The Lord is really in the small things, the small interactions displaying love, encouragement, and hope. There used to be a harmony guitar solo in the middle, I played an organ solo instead.

That Which I do: The idea for this song came from my own personal experience of the truth expressed by Paul in Romans 7: 21-25. In my innermost being I long to do good, to carry out God’s will. But in my flesh, I fall and fail. This can cause angst, but like the Word says ”thanks be to God, He’s provided a way.” That way is Jesus. From a musical standpoint, Mark L. on bass and Chris Dewan on drums, really rock out! The energy at the end is really kickin’. There’s a really great bass lick on this end section, listen for it! Also a return of the wollanettes (Ruth and Connie, just kidding ladies!)

“Deep Dark River,” co-written with Keyboardist Dave Moulton. I had the primary guitar theme section and the lyric, but not much else. We worked out the rest of it together. I love the middle section, just after the guitar solo, where it’s just piano and voice. It took us a long time to get that section, from a chordal standpoint, as well as figuring out how it would work rhythmically with the vocal. I’m pleased with the end result! The song is sort of a “thumbing my nose” at death; “O death, where is thy sting?” When we have Christ, we don’t have to fear death. One night I had a dream about crossing this river; upon awaking grabbed my notebook and started writing.

“No Bounds” is also a co-write, with old friend/band mate Rich Pearson, who played bass and electric guitar as well as singing… a gifted guy to be sure! Rich’s bass parts are always so appropriate! Also Chris’s “minimal cymbals” drum part is really cool. Stylistically it comes from a shared love with Rich of that “Beatlesque” vibe… there is SO much of that out there, I hope we avoided all those cliches. The verse lyrics reflect on the fact that if we knew the answer to every question we had about the universe, we would still come to the question of “who?” Why then not ask this question now? The chorus then ponders the great realization that, yes, this God who created the stars, sun and earth would indeed care for us as individuals…”with a love that knows No Bounds!” Lyrics Inspired by my inquisitive friend Steve Wacha… (see article from the Rag about him, ”My Pal Steve.”)

The song “Faithful Companion” is just an affirmation that we are never alone, that the Lord never abandons us… had a lot of fun with the Clapton/Knofler lead guitar stylings…

The musical vibe of “The Peace of God” came from a place of looking for that peace in the wrong places…””who seeks a jewel in a place of refuse?” So it has a vibe one would not normally associate with the word “Peace,” especially on the verse. But it lightens up on the chorus as we acknowledge what Jesus says about giving us His peace. Not the peace of earthly security, financial stability, high acclaim… these things can (and will eventually) vanish in a heartbeat. But not so for The Peace of God, which is not subject to the world’s cruel ways. Pretty rockin’ tune.

“One Alone” is another older song expressing my desire to share my life with another person. I was standing on the Biblical statement in Genesis that says “it is not good for man to be alone.” It was written during my time in Nashville, where it appeared that I would indeed spend my life alone. But God had other plans! He gave me a precious gift in my wife Kim, who has blessed and encouraged me for 5 years now… Thank You Lord! From a musical standpoint, the band did great; Dave played the tasty organ licks, Chris and Mark rocked out, I played piano and got to have some more fun with blues-based guitar stylings. I was really into blues from about age 13 to 16, and occasionally it really surfaces…

A reprise of “The Comfort of Christ” closes out this album; it seemed a good idea to “bookend” the CD with this song. I’ve never done a reprise like this before. We made it just acoustic guitar and vocals to provide a bit of a departure from the tune as it starts the CD out.

All in all, a really fun experience with Chris, Dave, Mark L., Brian, Rich Leone, Rich Pearson, Brent, Joe, Ruth, Norm and Connie.