Monday, January 19, 2009

New Releases - 1/20/09

Fiction Family - Fiction Family - Credential Records - EMICMG

FICTION FAMILY is Jon Foreman of Switchfoot and Sean Watkins of Nickel Creek.

Both artists have achieved immense success with their respective bands. Sean Watkins is the guitar player and founding member of the Grammy award-winning trio Nickel Creek. Watkins has a weekly residency at the
Largo in Los Angeles known as “The Watkins Family Hour,” which regularly features guests such as his sister and fellow Nickel Creek bandmate Sara Watkins, as well as Fiona Apple, John C. Reilly, Greg Leisz and Benmont Tench of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. Nickel Creek has sold over 2 million records in the US. Jon Foreman is the guitarist and lead singer of the Grammy-nominated rock band Switchfoot, which has sold over 5 million records worldwide. Foreman has had considerable success as a solo artist as well with his 4 seasonal EPs and the Limbs and Branches compilation.

Both Watkins and Foreman being vocalists and multi-instrumentalists, took turns singing lead vocals and they both played several instruments on each song including guitar, bass, keyboards, percussion, baritone ukulele, piano, organ, mandolin, steel guitar, 12-string guitar and more. Nickel Creek fiddle player Sara Watkins is also featured on several songs. The album was recorded and written in parts over the span of three years with no real deadlines, while still touring with their respective bands.


In addition to all of this, Fiction Family recently performed at the Women's Literary Club right here in Grand Rapids. Sorry that you missed the show? Me too. But you'll be sorrier that you missed this album (if you don't buy it at Baker Book House, that is).

That's it for this week. Just the one release, but what a great one!

Wednesday, January 7, 2009

New Releases - 1/13/09

If it seems like it's been a while since I've updated the blog, it's because it has. But honestly, nothing was really coming out in the time that I wasn't updating. So here I am again, and with new releases galore.


Mark White Band - Now And Forever - 7 Spin Music – Provident


The Mark White Band is inspired and driven by the call of God upon their lives to be vessels to influence their generation for His glory. Their songs are designed to be relevant and Biblical expressions of worship. Their music is continually finding new shape and expanding in new dimensions of creativity. Their songs are already being sung in a number of churches and are gaining momentum in this generation. Their hope is to see these songs used worldwide for the glory of God. Their desire is to spend their lives writing songs, leading others, and being lights in this broken and dark world – pointing people to the truth and majesty of Christ…


Shari Addison - Shari Addison - Verity Records – Provident


There’s a saying that second place means first loser. That’s note the case with Shari Addison, who took second place honors on BET’s hit show Sunday Best. The panel of judges actually voted two to one against having this Chicago native on the show, but God knew better, and Shari wound up charming the audience week after week. And although she didn’t come away with the first place prize, Shari came away with a recording contract with the Zomba Gospel Group! On her self-titled debut album, Shari will team up with an array of great Gospel writers and producers, among them the award-winning Donald Lawrence.


Crystal Aikin - Crystal Aikin - Verity Records – Provident


For six weeks, Gospel music enthusiasts tuned into BET on Tuesday nights to witness and weigh in on the crowning of Gospel music’s newest superstar. At the culmination of the competition, millions watched as Crystal Aikin was named the first Sunday Best winner.

Zomba Gospel is pleased and excited to present Aikin’s debut recording, aptly titled, Crystal Aikin. Featuring production by gospel powerhouse team PAJAM, R& B notables Dre & Vidal, Gerald Haddon (brother and producer of Deitrick) , and pop / country luminaries Bernie Hermes and Natalie Grant, the result is an eclectic yet cohesive collection of songs that reflects Aikin’s limitless range and ability.


Heather Headley - Audience Of One - EMI Gospel – EMICMG


Acclaimed by Billboard as “one of the great entertainers of the day,” Tony award winner and multiple Grammy nominee Heather Headley makes her triumphant debut on the EMI Gospel label with the most personal album of her multi-faceted career, Audience of One, recorded with Grammy award winning producer Keith Thomas. Following critically acclaimed performances on her certified gold debut CD This Is Who I Am (2002) and her second album In My Mind (2006), Headley now returns to the gospel roots that became the foundation of her career singing as a child in her father’s church in Barataria, Trinidad. “My dad was a preacher, and my mother once told me that I should do a gospel album,” Heather recalls. “I told her it would be amazing to do it one day.” Now she is displaying her amazing voice with a powerful collection of inspirational songs, including the first single “Jesus is Love,” a cover version of the classic 1980 tune by Lionel Richie and the Commodores featuring fellow EMI Gospel artist Smokie Norful.


Various – When you Love Someone (Songs of Love & Friendship) – EMI


Christian music most-often expresses themes of love, grace, forgiveness, worship, & encouragement. However, artists from time to time record songs exploring the romantic side of love as well as songs about celebrating deep friendship. When You Love Someone (Songs of Love & Friendship) is an all-new collection of the best songs from the past few years along with a few classics that will release just in time for Valentine’s Day and wedding-planning season.



Various – Walk & Worship – EMI
Various – Run & Worship - EMI


Too much turkey. Too much egg nog. Too many Christmas cookies. Too much time in the lazy-boy. What next? Are you going to sit there and wallow? No! You’re going to grab the Walk & Worship CD, rip it into your iPod and get that body back in shape…all while you have a personal worship time with God. Just in time for those New Year’s Resolutions come 2 new collections of the best worship music from today’s best-known artists specifically designed for walkers and runners. Each CD is programmed with songs for the warm-up, the workout, and the cool-down (hopefully not the melt-down) and features well-known songs by Chris Tomlin, David Crowder*Band, Jeremy Camp, Newsboys, Kutless, Rebecca St. James, Delirious? & more. Also included in packaging are inspirational Bible verses providing encouragement to ‘run the race’ to the finish.







DVD – Jeff Allen – Jeff Allen: My Heart, My Comedy – EMI

Jeff Allen: My Heart, My Comedy is both entertaining and inspirational. Loaded with laughs, Jeff Allen packs this performance full of hilarious new insights on family and marriage. Then for the first time, Jeff and his wife Tami share their story of God’s love and restoration in their lives. After years of rage, sadness and pain, Jeff and Tami decided to call it quits. Only 10 minutes away from filing for divorce, they both decided to give it one more chance. From comedy to testimony, prepare to laugh and be encouraged.


DVD – Leslie Sansone – A Closer 2 Mile Walk – EMI

Walk and Worship with Leslie in this high energy, high calorie burn in home walking workout. If you can walk, you can follow this workout designed to help you create a healthier, fitter, more spiritual self. This 30 minute, 2 mile walk features inspirational music that will keep your body and soul motivated as you explore the powerful union of fitness and faith. Meet the cast of energetic veteran walkers who have all been a "witness to fitness". To complete this connection of mind, body, and spirit, Father Philip N. Farrell prays together with Leslie and cast members. Listen to his uplifting message as he inspires you to Walk By Faith.

DVD – Anchor Bay Entertainment – Alice Upside Down - EMI


Do you ever feel like every time you turn around, your life is flipped upside down? Welcome to the world of Alice McKinley (Alyson Stoner of CAMP ROCK) who's just moved to a new town with her dad Ben (Luke Perry) and brother Lester (Lucas Grabeel of HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL). In her imagination, Alice is cool, confident and popular, but in reality, she feels like she can't do anything right. Can Alice survive the embarrassments of being 'the new girl', and the miseries of Mrs. Plotkins sixth grade class?

New Release

Today's new release is from Jeremy Camp. His new cd "The Story's Not Over" is now in store. Stop on by and grab a copy. 😊...