In the words of producer Neil Robins, we’re “rounding third” on the first of two worship projects from Sojourn Music this year. As most of you know, both will be based on the hymns of Isaac Watts, the Father of English Hymnody. While we playfully identify the second by the project code name “Low Watts,” meaning that it will have an earthy, acoustic vibe, this first record is an aggressive indie pop album dubbed “High Watts” (these are not final album names).
The above video is just a few minutes long but full of information on this first new worship CD. Watch it here or through YouTube. You can also download it from our free podcast, Sojournmusic.com Radio, available at iTunes and other podcast directories.
After this interview, Neil and I listened to everything recorded so far. As a songwriter, I’m pumped up about what they’ve done to my songs. They’ve recorded songs I wrote with Dave Moisan, Dave and Neil, Jeremy Quillo and Brooks Ritter (with whom I wrote “Lead Us Back” for Before The Throne). Of course, all the songs were based on Watts’ hymns.
I approached those texts in the same way that Bob Dylan has always approached anonymous English ballads and the works of earlier American folk singers and blues travelers. They aren’t meant to replace Watts’ hymns any more so than Watts meant to replace King David’s inspired work with his metrical psalms. But I do think, thanks largely to Neil and the great musicians involved, that they’re compelling new songs for our time and place, and they also honor our musical heritage.
I’d say the same for the other songs, written by some of the folks I worked with as well as Jay Eubanks, Joel Gerdis and other Sojourn writers. Each track brought many cool surprises in lyrics and music. The way the music comes together — how each instrument adds a layer to the others in synergistic fashion — left me saying, “Oh wow” time and again.
I can’t wait for you all to hear this CD. I know it’s a cliche to claim that a record is so unique that it can’t really be compared to anything else, but soon you won’t have to take my word for it.
This project sounds exciting, but it will be nothing without this Watts classic:
Blest is the man whose bowels move,
And melt with pity to the poor;
Whose soul, by sympathizing love,
Feels what his fellow saints endure.
His heart contrives for their relief
More good than his own hands can do;
He, in the time of gen’ral grief,
Shall find the Lord has bowels too.
No, seriously, I’m excited to hear how this turns out. Do you know about the Hymnary? It’s a good resource for researching hymns. You’ll find Watts here: http://www.hymnary.org/person/Watts_I.
Here are a few hymns by Isaac Watts that are a regular part of my repertoire:
Alas! And Did My Savior Bleed (to the tune MARTYRDOM)
I/We Sing the Mighty Power of God (to the tune KINGSFOLD http://gregscheer.com/praise/o_sing_a_song_of_bethlehem.pdf)
When I Survey (to the tune WALY WALY, usually sung with the text “The Water Is Wide”)
My Shepherd Will Supply My Need
Yeah, Watts was crazy about writing of the bowels, wasn’t he? We did some editing on stuff like that.
Thanks for the resource. We do some of the ones you mentioned, too. “Alas! And Did My Savior Bleed” will be on this upcoming project, with an original melody.
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