Introducing...Joy Whitlock!
For the past several months I have been blogging my experience with CCM and, in the process, introducing those who read to the pioneers of what has become the genre known as Contemporary Christian Music. I have been working my way through the early years of CCM while also working my way through my personal music collection. But tonight, as promised, I add another twist to this blog.
Back in May of this year, I received an email from an employee of Ardent Records asking if I’d be interested in reviewing some of their new up and coming artists – no strings attached. By no strings, I mean no contract to speak the company line and no deadlines. Just an opportunity to get an advance copy of the CD and then write a blog of what I think about the music. SWEET deal! So tonight, I fast-forward from 1984 and arrive on September 16th, 2008 – when Ardent Records will release God and a Girl, the first full-length CD from artist Joy Whitlock.
First, let me say that to fully appreciate the music, one must first understand the artist. Born two years after I graduated from High School, Joy grew up a PK in Mississippi and later moved to Memphis, TN. One might assume that growing up as the daughter of a Christian minister, Joy enjoyed a life of following the straight and narrow and a deep, spiritual relationship with her God. One might assume wrongly. The truth, as Joy tells it in her MySpace bio (http://www.myspace.com/joywhitlock), is that she led a life of sin and rebellion. She was a self-described “Black Sheep” and relished the role. But at age 21, she found herself in a Memphis movie theater viewing The Passion of the Christ and a story of redemption was written, a relationship with her Savior born.
I have to confess, up until I received the press kit from Ardent, I had not heard any Joy Whitlock music. But one click of the Google search engine returned 290,000 hits – where have I been? Leading up to God and a Girl, Joy has released two EP projects. The Fake EP released in 2005 followed by the Christmas Hope Tour with NewSong and Todd Agnew in 2006 and a slot on Todd Agnew’s Better Questions tour in 2007. The God and a Girl EP recently released in June of this year.
God and a Girl has been in my CD player all week and I’m loving it. I’ve seen Joy compared to other artists such as Jennifer Knapp and Sarah McLachlan in various Internet posts, and those are both in the ballpark. But I would describe her somewhat of a female version of Derek Webb.
Her years growing up in Mississippi and Memphis paved the way for her bluesy-folk rock sound. Musically, you won’t hear anything on this album that you’ve never heard before. Where this album really captures the listener is in the lyrics. Joy’s songwriting is brutally honest, real and transparent. Nearly every song is an open door to her life. The major theme that permeates this project is one of redemption, a prodigal come home, to be sure. But the sub-themes of transformation and sanctification are inter-woven throughout. For example, the very first song (Cost of Being Free) begins:
Hello friends
Whatcha think of me now
I've done up and changed
Done a complete turn around
I sold my wheels
For a set of wings
But that's alright
'Cause I'm through collecting things
From first listen to the final track, there is little doubt that these songs tell of a radical change in Joy’s life. However, her honesty won’t allow her to leave the listener believing she’s got it all figured out. My personal favorite song on this project, Holding On To Me, admits that she still experiences pain and struggle. But it’s through that pain and struggle that her relationship with Christ is strengthened and her faith is reinforced:
Life pushes out
It pulls me in
The ride is wilder than the wind
Why would I worry when
You’re holding on to me
Other standout efforts on this disc include Cost of Being Free, Don’t Look Down, Fake, and Testify.
In today’s market of 10 song CDs, God and a Girl is a refreshing standout offering 14 tracks, including four from the Fake EP.
While I’ll be the first to admit I enjoy receiving free music, I’ll also be the first to tell you that if I had paid for this CD, I would not be disappointed. If you are a dedicated Pillar or Disciple fan, this is probably not your album. But if you enjoy blues/folk/Indie music with pure, honest, well-versed lyrics, you should definitely pick this one up.
Lastly, I want to thank Ardent Records on two fronts - first for the free, pre-release music and for allowing me the opportunity to be a very, very small part of the bigger project and second, for supporting Joy and other artists like her. These are great songs that deserve to be heard and I believe will make an impact for the Kingdom.
You can read Joy's "Long Form" Bio, hear the new songs, and view various music videos at her official website!
Be sure to let her know you heard about it here!
Back in May of this year, I received an email from an employee of Ardent Records asking if I’d be interested in reviewing some of their new up and coming artists – no strings attached. By no strings, I mean no contract to speak the company line and no deadlines. Just an opportunity to get an advance copy of the CD and then write a blog of what I think about the music. SWEET deal! So tonight, I fast-forward from 1984 and arrive on September 16th, 2008 – when Ardent Records will release God and a Girl, the first full-length CD from artist Joy Whitlock.
First, let me say that to fully appreciate the music, one must first understand the artist. Born two years after I graduated from High School, Joy grew up a PK in Mississippi and later moved to Memphis, TN. One might assume that growing up as the daughter of a Christian minister, Joy enjoyed a life of following the straight and narrow and a deep, spiritual relationship with her God. One might assume wrongly. The truth, as Joy tells it in her MySpace bio (http://www.myspace.com/joywhitlock), is that she led a life of sin and rebellion. She was a self-described “Black Sheep” and relished the role. But at age 21, she found herself in a Memphis movie theater viewing The Passion of the Christ and a story of redemption was written, a relationship with her Savior born.
I have to confess, up until I received the press kit from Ardent, I had not heard any Joy Whitlock music. But one click of the Google search engine returned 290,000 hits – where have I been? Leading up to God and a Girl, Joy has released two EP projects. The Fake EP released in 2005 followed by the Christmas Hope Tour with NewSong and Todd Agnew in 2006 and a slot on Todd Agnew’s Better Questions tour in 2007. The God and a Girl EP recently released in June of this year.
God and a Girl has been in my CD player all week and I’m loving it. I’ve seen Joy compared to other artists such as Jennifer Knapp and Sarah McLachlan in various Internet posts, and those are both in the ballpark. But I would describe her somewhat of a female version of Derek Webb.
Her years growing up in Mississippi and Memphis paved the way for her bluesy-folk rock sound. Musically, you won’t hear anything on this album that you’ve never heard before. Where this album really captures the listener is in the lyrics. Joy’s songwriting is brutally honest, real and transparent. Nearly every song is an open door to her life. The major theme that permeates this project is one of redemption, a prodigal come home, to be sure. But the sub-themes of transformation and sanctification are inter-woven throughout. For example, the very first song (Cost of Being Free) begins:
Hello friends
Whatcha think of me now
I've done up and changed
Done a complete turn around
I sold my wheels
For a set of wings
But that's alright
'Cause I'm through collecting things
From first listen to the final track, there is little doubt that these songs tell of a radical change in Joy’s life. However, her honesty won’t allow her to leave the listener believing she’s got it all figured out. My personal favorite song on this project, Holding On To Me, admits that she still experiences pain and struggle. But it’s through that pain and struggle that her relationship with Christ is strengthened and her faith is reinforced:
Life pushes out
It pulls me in
The ride is wilder than the wind
Why would I worry when
You’re holding on to me
Other standout efforts on this disc include Cost of Being Free, Don’t Look Down, Fake, and Testify.
In today’s market of 10 song CDs, God and a Girl is a refreshing standout offering 14 tracks, including four from the Fake EP.
While I’ll be the first to admit I enjoy receiving free music, I’ll also be the first to tell you that if I had paid for this CD, I would not be disappointed. If you are a dedicated Pillar or Disciple fan, this is probably not your album. But if you enjoy blues/folk/Indie music with pure, honest, well-versed lyrics, you should definitely pick this one up.
Lastly, I want to thank Ardent Records on two fronts - first for the free, pre-release music and for allowing me the opportunity to be a very, very small part of the bigger project and second, for supporting Joy and other artists like her. These are great songs that deserve to be heard and I believe will make an impact for the Kingdom.
You can read Joy's "Long Form" Bio, hear the new songs, and view various music videos at her official website!
Be sure to let her know you heard about it here!
Tags: artist, ccm, joy whitlock, music'
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1 Comment
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Comment by Craig on October 16, 2008 at 11:37pm -
(3) Comments
Posted by: scott stenstrup on August 2, 2008 11:34AM EST
You sell out (kidding). I think that is really cool that someone that blogged about music that he loved from his youth could get noticed. That should also make you feel pretty good. Congrats and I will check her out (her music). Scott
Posted by: Jim Richardson on August 2, 2008 4:59PM EST
Nice job..they picked a good man to do the reviews. I still haven't done reviews for the last 4 good CD's I got! Gearing up for the football blogs..seeing Scott above reminds me it's coming soon!
Posted by: Craig on August 2, 2008 6:53PM EST
I haven't bought anything new lately - but I need to catch up. I've heard great things about the new Third Day record but I haven't had time to go pick it up. I'm looking forward to the NFL Preseason. Dallas begins on Aug 9th. And I bet there is much rejoicing in the Richardson household since Boston let Manny go - I bet he's in pinstripes by next year - woe is me!
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