NEW MUSIC
SELECTIVE HEARING | Robert Berman
ANDREW PETERSON CRYSTAL LEWIS
Behold the Lamb of God 2019 Rhapsody
The Joshua Tree. Tapestry. Jagged Little Pill. twentieth anniversary, but it is surprising how Some people are game for any challenge.
Rumours. Some artists have a single album closely the new arrangements hew to the old. Crystal Lewis came to prominence in mid-
that so strongly defines their career that it On some tracks, you’d have trouble telling you 80s CCM in the cowpunk (look it up) band
becomes a gilded cage. In the twenty years weren’t listening to the original version. The Wild Blue Yonder, then spent a decade in
since Andrew Peterson released his advent goal appears to be a series of minor tweaks to adult contemporary balladry like “Lost Inside
album “Behold the Lamb of God: The True Tall ensure that the touring version stays viable for of You” and the big mid-90s hit “People Get
Tale of the Coming of Christ,” he’s released a another twenty years. A few songs are in lower Ready (Jesus Is Coming).” A powerful belter
string of engrossing albums while returning to key to account for aging singers. A bit more from the get-go, she’s persevered through
his masterwork every year for a Christmas tour percussion and background vocals appear seismic shifts in the music marketplace.
with ringers from Alison Krauss to Josh Garrel scattered throughout. Scott Mulvahill (but not, Her latest effort brings more surprises with a
to Marc Martel. The special guests are always alas his legendary solo bass styling) substitutes big band soul sound that lands somewhere
great, but the biggest surprise of the annual for Derek Webb on “Deliver Us.” The title between Gladys Knight and Kristin Chenoweth.
tour is the faithful replication of the album’s track benefits most from this second chance, Lyrics stick exclusively to romantic themes of
folk/newgrass sound, with as many as twenty its refrain fleshed out with verses into a more attraction and rejection. Special credit goes to
musicians on stage at a time. Small wonder it fully-fledged song. The ever-welcome Jess Ray Christian jazz trumpeter Tony Guerrero, who
reliably sells out major venues like Nashville’s turns in a surprising mezzo performance on gives the albums’ production a classic Tony
historic Ryman Auditorium. “Passover Us.” If you don’t own either version Bennett ambience far removed from the bleeps
of this project, it’s a toss-up which belongs in and bloops of modern Top 40. It’s all about
One can’t be surprised that Peterson and your collection. But without question, at least horns supplemented by piano, live drums, and
company would remake the album for its one of them does. smooth Fender Rhodes. File this with Joss
Stone, Michael Buble, and Amy Winehouse in
your library.
November 2019
Subscribe for Free...
39