The Songs Of Zion

Well, the election is over. I’ll let other bloggers sort out the chaos that will undoubtedly ensue. I will, however, say this: I was impressed both by McCain’s concession and Obama’s Victory speeches. After all, they both handled things with dignity. Wasn’t that what I was asking for?

So, tonight, I’m going to blog about something totally different.

The Songs of Zion

“The Showman Empire”
By TJ Fredette

The LDS hip hop hall of fame is a pretty small, it’s true. But if there were to be candidates and inductees, I’d recommend two: Arhythmatik and TJ Fredette. These are musicians whose songs I actually like. I mean there are a lot of LDS artists that I like and I support simply for their novelty. They’re unique and I like that. But these are two guys that I keep in rotation in my mp3 player. I can actually “sing” along with some of their tunes.

So, when TJ sent me his latest self-published CD, “The Showman Empire”, I was excited.

I was also a little nervous. I mean, when I really like something that I’m hearing, this little voice in my head wonders if the next thing they do will be as good.

Well, it is.

One thing I really love about listening to TJ is his messages. They’re hard-hitting, but clean. One of my favorites is “You Don’t Know What Could Happen”. This is an in-your-face story of what happens when wrong choices get out of control. “Say One Thing Mean Another” is an indictment of the excesses of mainstream hip hop culture that doesn’t pull any punches.

He can also get personal. “Young Shadows” is all about how little kids look up to older family members, and how we need to be careful about the examples we live. Repentance is the subject of “I Didn’t Mean It”.

I really like his tracks, as well. I don’t know who produces them, himself or someone else, but they always have more structure than typical eternal loops that I hear in a lot of pop and hip hop. The minor keys he uses tend to lend an air of austere seriousness to the songs, but honestly, that’s the one complaint I have about this CD. Most of the tracks come with that haunting, sad tone, and a similar pacing in the beats. I’d say to mix it up a bit more, but then, I’m not the expert on hip hop production, either.

Well, now I have some more killa beatz to add to my rotation on my commute!

Word…


MRKH
Mark Hansen
http://markhansenmusic.com

The Songs of Zion - LDS music

"Father to Son"

by Sam Payne

One of my biggest frustrations with all of the studio CD’s I get from Sam Payne is that if you don’t hear it live, you’re missing half the fun. Sam’s performances are lively, and very improvisational it’s true, but the real fun of a Sam Payne show is the stories. Sam is arguably the best storyteller in LDS music, and he sets up each song so, so well. In fact, sometimes the songs rely so much on the story that without hearing it the live setting, you end up kinda scratching your head and saying, “Huh?”

Some of my favorite Sam songs are like this. Once I see the show, and hear the stories, then the song falls beautifully into place, and its meaning is crystal clear.

So, Sam has now put out a “live” CD. I put that in quotes because it’s not really like a recorded concert, but it is. Rather than take a remote to a concert, they set up the musicians in the studio and invited in an audience. Then they recorded Sam, telling it and singing it like it is. Then they took those raw tracks and mixed them like a studio CD, along with all the audience.

I always have a tough time reviewing a Sam Payne CD, because as a reviewer I’m supposed to find flaws, right? I’m supposed to say, “Yeah, this was great, but he coulda dun this instead…” But I do have a difficult time finding things wrong with this one.

The recording and performance are excellent, the energy is there. The best tracks on it are “These Are My People”, Where to Find a Hero”, and his concert standard, “Autumn Leaves”. His religious references are not as blatant in the songs as they are in the stories, but they are powerful. “Brothers Road” and “You May Still Remember Me” are based on Old Testament stories. “All Comes Down in a Line” is all about the generations of the Priesthood. I know I'm listening to LDS music, but it's not beating me over the head, either.

After listening to it over and over, I have come to this conclusion: The only thing I have to complain about is that it doesn’t include many of my favorite Sam songs. “Big Time”, “Shazaam”, and “Space Man” are all missed. “Freight Train”, and “Holy”, two songs that actually make me cry, also didn’t make the cut.

Well, you can’t please everyone, you know…


MRKH
Mark Hansen
http://markhansenmusic.com

Mark in Meridian!

Exciting news!

When I saw that "Lost and Found" was about to be done a few weeks ago, I had an evil idea, and got in touch with my old friend Bruce Forbes. He's written a few articles for Meridian Magazine, and I thought it would be fun to do an interview. He was open and even eager to join the fun, and did a great interview and writeup.

So, today, Meridian magazine is running the article. Bruce did a great job, so check it out!

MRKH
Mark Hansen
http://markhansenmusic.com

The Songs of Zion, Shameless Edition

Mark Hansen
"Lost and Found"


Hello, friends! I’ve worked hard and long getting my newest CD put together. The writing and production is some of the strongest stuff I’ve done to date! I’m really proud of it, and I’m proud to announce that it’s available!

Let me run down the tunes for you (the ones with links have samples available for download):

1. Turn it Up Matt 19:16-21 – This one’s a kickin’ rocker, opening up the set. It’s all about turning your life up a notch.
2. Dance With the Devil 2 Nephi 28:21-22 – We don’t pray to the devil, we don’t serve him, but sometimes we dance with him a little too much. This is a heavy tune about that moment when you decide to stop the dance.
3. Today and Yesterday Isaiah 1:18 – Another one from the “Lost” side, this one has a cool retro/contemporary feel to it.
4. I Will Sing This Prayer D&C 25:12 – This is a beautiful ballad that builds and grows.
5. Play the Cards Matt 25:14-23 – Everyone is dealt a hand of cards in the pre-existence. For good or bad, how we play those cards determines how well we live.
6. Where’s My Soul 1 Nephi 8:23 – Ever have those times where you just feel like you’re missing something? Where’d it go?
7. Torocagua Eph 2:12 – My mission was in Honduras, and I started in a little suburb of the capital called “Torocagua”. This song is a tribute to the place that changed my life.
8. Two Houses Matt 10:35 – A mother and a daughter can’t see eye to eye. A sad but memorable ballad
9. The Things I Do 2 Nephi 4:17-19 – Why do I do the things I do? And why do I do them over and over? And why do you still love me, even when I do them?
10. Rejoice 2 Nephi 2:25 – One from the “Found” side of things. This one’s a bouncy little rocker about how wonderful it is to be married to my wife.
11. How Beautiful Isaiah 52:7 – A big, powerful gospel ballad. “Your God Reigns!”

The CD can be purchased online for only $11.00 + $2.00 shipping. Or just click into markhansenmusic.com and go to the CDs link.

I want to thank all of my blogger friends for reading my blatherings and for supporting me so much in my efforts. You guys are the ones that really rock!

MRKH
Mark Hansen
http://markhansenmusic.com

The Songs of Zion, sort of...

New LDS Music Finder

I’ve recently become involved with an exciting new website called “yourldsneighborhood.com.” It’s primarily an advertising site for LDS-Member-oriented products and services, but it’s also got a lot of cool blogs, interviews, and other features.

One of the features that I’m particularly excited about is one called “The Jukebox.” This is a growing collection of indie LDS artists. As a visitor, you can login, listen to, rate, and comment on the songs listed there. This is exciting primarily because this is being spearheaded by Greg Hansen (no relation, unfortunately), who is a major player in the LDS music industry. His idea is that producers looking for songs and artists can come here and see/hear who and what is new and great. If the public comes in and rates the songs, they can check that as well and see if an artist or song already has some traction with potential buyers.

Plus, you get to hear and sample a lot of great music.

Now, unfortunately, this system is still in beta and so it’s a little clumsy to navigate. So, here’s how you do it.

1. Go to The Jukebox.
2. Click “Join the Jukebox”, and fill out the form. It’s free.
3. Login
4. When you’ve logged in, you’ll see some grey tabs across the top. Go to “Rate Music”. Then you can check on the ones that are already rated high, as well as do a search and see the whole list.
5. Click on a song title. If it doesn’t start playing immediately, click the play button on the player. Read the lyrics, the comments, etc…
6. Click the “Rate This Track” link in the upper right hand corner, and give it a rating.

Now this system will work better and better as more and more people use it. I’d love to encourage you, of course, to give my songs a good rating. Obviously, I’d like to promote myself. But keep in mind that the system is designed to give honest feedback to producers. So, if you don’t like a song you hear, either give it a bad rating, or, better IMHO, don’t comment at all.

Those that are running the jukebox are talking about making a compilation CD available with the songs that end up with the highest ratings, so, forgive my shameless plugs, but I’d sure appreciate it if you good folks gave me good ratings!

Also, I’m going to be going through and doing my own ratings of songs I hear, and I plan on reviewing, here in Mo’ Boy, some of the good tunes I hear. I’d also like to encourage you to go in and give them good ratings too, again, if you like them.

Most of all, just give the system a spin, and see how you like it.

For starters, here are a couple of recommendations:

“Tempted” by Julie Keyser

This one has a really cool minor key groove. It feels contemporary, almost R&B, like a girl group with a hot dance track behind it could really take it places. The current recording is really just a demo, however, so you have to listen with a bit of imagination. But the lyrics are strong and the melody’s hooky. It’s really great!

“Today and Yesterday” By Mark Hansen

Yeah, that’s me. Like I said, I’m not above shameless self-promotion. This is probably my favorite from the new CD “Lost and Found”. It’s got a hooky modern/retro groove and possibly the best mix and arrangement on the CD. Check it out!

MRKH
Mark Hansen
http://markhansenmusic.com

Yeah, Cool, ...But is it Art?

Today, I want to talk about art.

It seems that, lately, there’s been a lot of discussion (in the circles that I circle in, anyway) about what art is. We haven’t really been saying, “What is art”, but we have been talking about trends in LDS film, and the nature of free speech. All of which is leading me to ask, “What is art?”

And that leads me to another question, which is, “What’s the difference between bad art and great art?”

I touched on this a while back, when I reviewed Doug Erekson’s “Backporch Believer”. But I’d like to go into a bit more depth.

I grew up with a couple of artists. Mom is a visual artist. A painter, and erstwhile sculptor, specifically. She mostly does watercolors. Amazingly skilled in both execution and expression. Wow. She got a Masters in Fine Art when I was just a tiny kid, and just kept doing it, year after year, better and better. She also played in orchestras.

My Dad’s strongest artistic endeavor is probably his photography. He’s done a few shows, but mostly just takes great pictures when he travels. He also sings, mostly in choirs, but some solo, and plays piano. He also is a great appreciator of classical and orchestral music as well as the art that mom and her colleagues make.

So, I learned a lot about the arts as a kid. I grew up around it. We saw concerts, we saw plays. We went to galleries. I played ‘cello in school orchestras and the youth symphony.

Still, I think I define art in different terms than they do.

Art is a very difficult thing to define, when you think about it. One man’s scribble is another man’s art. Dad and I, for example, used to go rounds over and over about whether or not rock was actually music. Good thing he never heard any rap, eh?

So, my definition of art is: “Something original that someone consciously does to express their ideas or beliefs.”

I admit that this definition is very broad, and includes a lot of things that others wouldn’t include. I’m OK with that. See, I can allow something to BE art, without actually having to LIKE it personally. Too often, I've encountered people who define art by what they personally like, then justify that with arguments of technical advancement, or respectability, or even shock value.

And I follow that to a certain extent. What makes art great, is that it impacts me. If something makes me think something new, feel something new, or just makes me consider something in a new way, then it elevates from the world of simple art to great art.

That becomes very personal. Great art is then, by definition, in the “eye of the beholder”. What impacts me will not impact someone else. Or, it might impact me and someone else in different ways.

The problem I’ve been seeing in a lot of these discussions of late, and ultimately, in the discussions that I’ve had over many, many years is that too many people think that once they’ve defined “Great Art” in their own minds, they think that gives them the right to impose that definition on others. I’ve seen that as those in the avant garde try to force their way into traditional venues, and I’ve seen traditionalists reject the new and untried. Both are interpreting art from their own perspectives, and trying to force that perspective onto others.

The biggest example in I’ve seen recent years is going on in the debate in LDS film. Those that made edgy, challenging movies proclaim that the Mormon masses are uneducated philistines that wouldn’t know great art if it was hung around their necks.

Those that make simple love stories and comedies complain that the others are elitists that don’t understand a clear, minimal message.

In my mind, I’ve seen greatness and lameness in both camps. And the difference is NOT in technical excellence, but rather, how *I* feel when I’m done with the experience. Did it leave me thinking? Feeling? If so, it was art. If not, then, “…meh…” to it.

What will become the “Great Works” of Mormon Art? Time will determine, and debate and argument won’t.

But, honestly, that won’t stop the debate and argument…

MRKH
Mark Hansen
http://markhansenmusic.com

The Songs of Zion

Scrapbook

Maurice

When I first got this one, my first reaction was, “Hmmm… A rapper that scrapbooks…?”

I started spinning it in lots of different circumstances. When I was cleaning up the house, when I was driving to work, etc... I found it growing on me. Each of the tunes is well-produced, and well-rapped. The timings are tight, and the rhymes and lyrics are solid. I could feel it. Not too preachy, not too angry, just enough of each to reach me.

I like “The Revolution” and “To My Buddy” the best, I think. “Buddy” is a nice romantic slow jam that provides some good variety to the CD. I also liked where he put the Beethoven in the track behind “Blackout”.

Some good, solid tunes.

My only complaint is that there is a bit of “sameness” throughout. I, personally, could stand to hear a bit more variety, making each tune stand out a little more. Of course, as I listen to many mainstream and big-time CD’s these days, I might be out of touch with what’s selling, as there’s a real tendency to package music in “similar boxes”.

And another thing!

I’ve noticed of late that there seems to be more happening in the world of LDS rap than LDS rock, both in terms of recordings and live performances. I’m a little jealous! So, if I’m missing something, someone let me know!

Want to hear Maurice? You can listen to samples or buy the CD!

MRKH
Mark Hansen
http://markhansenmusic.com

The Death of the CD?

Some friends are discussing the impending demise of the CD as a music format, and that inspired this posting:

I’ve got a lot of thoughts regarding the end of the CD:

1. It is inevitable

Even though the final day is still fully a long way off, the format will eventually vanish. Music styles come and go, and in the same way, music formats, too. The CD was great while it lasted, and it will still last a while yet to come. But eventually, it will be replaced with something else.

2. The return of the single

As the CD dies out, I think labels and artists will begin to recognize the value in releasing fewer songs at a time. Rather than sink many multiple thousands of dollars into recording 15 new songs, half of which are filler anyway, the big labels will more likely invest less money into two or three songs, and release them one at a time.

Indies, already strapped for cash, will release the songs as they have them done, rather than sitting on them until a complete CD is finished. This strategy will make for a more consistent marketing effort.

As a result, more and more singles will be released and purchased, rather than full collections.

3. The final and complete death of album cover art

In the electronic world, the cover of the CD will be gone. Say what you will about little pictures appearing in my cell phone, the graphic representation of CD’s will die, possibly replaced by the graphic vision of the artist’s website. So, even though I long for the days of the great fold-out double albums in vinyl, I will bid it adieu.

4. Ease v Quality

No matter how good the original mix is, an mp3 played over tiny speakers stuffed into your ears will not sound as good as music played through a large, full-spectrum system. Most people are OK with that, and are choosing convenience and portability over the audio quality. As a result, more and more of the original mixes are being geared toward that listening environment, and the result is a more compressed, less dynamic mix.

5. The complete shifting of the music industry paradigm

In the past, new recording playback formats changed the way music was enjoyed, but didn’t really impact how it was created or delivered. With the looming death of the CD, we shift into an entirely new paradigm. No longer is music a tangible product. It is no longer a plastic thing we can hold in our hands. It is no longer ink on paper. It is now bits in a computer. And that means a total shift in the way it’s distributed. And that will make shifts in the way it’s created.

6. Someone will have to win the format war

Ultimately, someone will have to come out on top and become the standard format for downloadable music. I predict it will be the iTunes mp4 format. But someone could well jump up and surprise me. But people won’t stand very long for formats that won’t play in all their devices.

7. It opens up the field for indies, heaven help us.

For good or ill, this new paradigm opens up the field for indies with little or no financial backing. That means that there will be lots and lots more music available to the public. And when I say “lots”, I mean “Here comes the flood”. And that means that there will be lots more bad music than good. I’m fine with that. I say bring it all on. Someone will listen. The best music and the best promotions will ultimately come out on top.

8. People listen to more variety

Ever look at someone’s iPod? I’m constantly amazed. Back in my day, you were defined by your tunes and what you listened to. You didn’t cross over, or at least not much.

Now, I see songs from all styles being mixed in together. One song’s rap, the next one’s retro, the next one’s rock, and-whoops-here’s a show tune! People are enjoying things more and more of a wider variety.

Think of it. You can now carry in your pocket more music than you can physically listen to in a couple of weeks. That’s, like, your whole collection, dude. So, why not stack it full of every mood you have? Why not shuffle it and mix it up?

And if you really like one song an artist does, but not another, you don’t have to buy them both…

9. …

Who knows what’s really going to happen? We’re all just guessing, here, anyway. It’ll sure be an interesting ride, though. That’s the one thing I can guarantee!

MRKH
Mark Hansen
http://markhansenmusic.com

Deseret Book, Covenant, and Me

http://www.sltrib.com/search/ci_4917287
http://www.sltrib.com/search/ci_4963726

Many have probably heard by now that Deseret Book has acquired its biggest competitor, Covenant Communication, including its Seagull Book stores. The addresses above include the articles that cover the event, if you haven’t heard about it yet.

There’s been lots and lots of talk on the ‘net about it in the aftermath. Who’s the bad guy? Who’s the good guy? What will it mean?

I don’t really know the answers to any of those questions. What I see, from my little perspective, is that it indicates a big lull in the LDS artistic scene. Let me clarify.

When I got interested in LDS music again, after a long hiatus (this was back in ’99 or so), I looked around and I saw a lot of very exciting things happening. There were some incredible new albums coming out. LDS publishing was exploring many new genres, and—wonder of wonders—people were making movies! It was like the LDS popular arts were exploding. It was a pretty heady time.

Then the movies played out and trickled off. Music started slowing down. DB bought out Excel and after a time, many artists were dropped from the roster. Now the biggest competitor is also acquired.

First off, I don’t really see it as good guy/bad guy. It’s easy to point fingers at the big, bad establishment and say that they’re stomping out the little competition. But it is, after all, a business, and businesses do what they do to survive.

For me, personally, it’s not going to have a big impact directly. Neither Covenant nor Deseret was pounding on my door to start a bidding war over my recording contract. There were probably few in either office that even knew my name. Still, to me, it is sad to see happen because it indicates that the scene is down. Not as much creative output is being published or bought. The demand isn’t as high as we’d like it to be.

There could be hundreds of causes for that. Some say it’s because the quality is so poor. Others say it’s because people simply don’t know it’s there to buy. Others say it’s because the economy isn’t as strong. Whatever the reason or the combination, it shows me that things aren’t as booming as they once were.

But my sadness is tempered by the knowledge that pendulums swing, and they swing back. Things shift. Interest ebbs and flows.

It won’t impact me all that much. I’ll still keep putting out songs. I’ll still keep telling other people about the other musicians I hear.

In the meantime, go out and buy a book, or a song, or a movie. I don’t care whose it is. Just buy one and enjoy it.




MRKH
Mark Hansen
http://markhansenmusic.com

The Songs of Zion

“Back Porch Believer” By Douglas Erekson

I need to start this one out by clarifying a conclusion I’ve reached lately. I’ve come to define when some kind of creative work crosses over some imaginary line and goes from “nice work” to “great art”.

This is a very personal definition, and I don’t mean to imply that it should also be YOUR definition. Even if you should choose to adopt this criteria, it’s so personal that you and I might not even classify the same work the same way.

Here it is:

It is “Great Art” when something creative makes me think or feel something I hadn’t before.

Having said that…

“Back Porch Believer” is a collection of hymns of the LDS church re-interpreted in an old-time bluegrass style. When I say, “old time”, I’m not talking about simply playing the songs with fiddles and acoustic guitars. There’s nothing new-age about this. It’s down-home folk. Think “O Brother Where Art Thou” about a hundred years before it got hip.

Now, there have been a myriad of CD’s put out of late where artists have redone hymns in their own arrangements, their own styles, etc. Some could say, ad nauseum. There are a few of them, however that stand out as “Great Art” by my standard. Very rarely do several of them happen on the same CD. “Back Porch”, however, is such a CD.

The one that struck me the hardest was, “I Know that My Redeemer Lives”. This hymn has been solemnized and revered for centuries, it seems. Until Douglas, I’ve never heard any one sing this with the jubilation that sweet sentence truly gives. This song moves with an excitement that never loses respect, but is still truly joyful.

In fact, in spite of the fact that most of the CD is a downright fun and lighthearted romp, I found myself feeling the glow of the Spirit as I listened.

Other highlights are “The Day Dawn Is Breaking”, and “There is Sunshine in My Soul”. I also loved the bluesy instrumental of “Israel, Israel God is Calling”. There are some Mormons who just can’t bring themselves to admit that a hymn in our book would have its roots in southern blues. Me, I’m glad to find it once in a while!

While I do like all kinds of music on some level, I very rarely will listen to bluegrass, especially deeply traditional bluegrass. But this CD grabs me. I’ve spun it while I’ve been working, while I’ve been at home, and while I’m commuting. It’s got this great blend of Spirituality and fun that just keeps me coming back.

I hope you’ll at least try it out.



MRKH
Mark Hansen
http://markhansenmusic.com

Podcast Interview!

Just a little shameless plug: About a week ago, I got to do a really fun interview with Candace of the Imagine Podcast. It just got released this morning and you can hear it at imagine.candacesalima.com


MRKH
Mark Hansen
http://markhansenmusic.com