Martyrs

Today, my family traveled to Carthage and visited the infamous jailhouse there. This is the site of the martyrdom of Joseph Smith, the founding prophet of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, and his brother Hyrum.

This is the jail cell where he was first placed in June of 1844.

This is the stairs to the upstairs room where the mob stormed to kill him.

This is the window where he fell after being shot from both the assailants in the room and the mob in the yard below.

A lot has been written about his life and death. Many opinions have been given. What is true and what is speculation is not always clear. I don’t intend to get deep into historical issues here. I believe him to be a true prophet, called of God, to restore Christ’s Gospel. I have read many things, both in his favor and to his condemnation. I still believe him to be a prophet.

A few years ago, I wrote a song about those that sacrifice their lives as a testament to the things they believe to be true. I include the song here:




Here are the lyrics (The first two verses refer to other martyrs, the third verse is about Joseph Smith)

Martyrs by Mark Hansen
markhansenmusic.com


The fires rise high on a moonless night
Marked by shouts and cries of fright
The scriptures burning up in ash and smoke
As they throw the scared believers in
Two men think to stop the din
But a still voice whispers, "No", to let them go

Chorus
They've stood up to the last
Their sorrows now have past
Their souls are rising fast
And I'll join with the choirs and sing
And sing the martyrs home

It's just about 4:00 when the men ride in
The time for the truce is at an end
In the blacksmith's shop the settlers make their stand
The riders surround and open fire
And in the end, when they retire
The blood of eighteen souls is on their hands

Chorus


In an Illinois Jail, four men wait
For the end of the story brought by fate
One man sings a hymn in the evening sun
A shouting mob rushes up the stairs
Bullets fly and bullets tear
And a prophet and his brother's lives are done

Chorus




I’ve visited this site several times in my life. It has always been very special to me, as I thought about the things that happened there, and the things he revealed and taught. So, today, I thought I'd share here.

Mark has a lifelong testimony of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (the Mormon Church). Mark also has other sites and blogs, including MarkHansenMusic.com and his Dutch Oven blog.

Mark's Other Blog Posts: name post, name post,

I wrote a new song this morning!  It's called "Tenth and Main", and it's all about rediscovering lost spirituality.  You can find the lyrics and the story behind it at my Mark Hansen Music Blog.





Mark has a lifelong testimony of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (the Mormon Church). Mark also has other sites and blogs, including MarkHansenMusic.com and his Dutch Oven blog.

Stake Dances, Revisited

Several years ago, I was on an LDS message board/forum, and someone posted a question asking about a mythical list of "approved songs" that BYU had supposedly compiled for church dances.  At the time, I mentioned that I was bummed that we, as a culture, couldn't produce our own music for our own dances.  Not necessarily to the exclusion of the music of the world, but mixed in with it.
I was shocked at the response I got.  It was not overwhelming in terms of numbers, but it was all negative.  The overall sense was that it was evil to put "church themes" to a danceable beat.  So, somehow, it was better to dredge through the muck that the world puts out to find a few innocuous tunes that are at least inoffensive rather than write our own positive songs.

I'm not saying we should necessarily set sacred themes to bouncy beats.  But we could write our own pop tunes about living the gospel in our lives.

Well, years later, we've got someone taking up this challenge.  Rachelle Call and Janine Laskey have written and recorded a great start.  Five tunes, available for listening at mystakedance.com. 

The two writers/producers are also featured in interview at yourldsradio.com, in the new music segment, hosted by Cherie Call.

I'm very excited by the project.  They're also looking for submissions from other artists as well, so if you make LDS music, please drop in and submit!





Mark has a lifelong testimony of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (the Mormon Church). Mark also has other sites and blogs, including MarkHansenMusic.com and his Dutch Oven blog.



Mark's Other Blog Posts: 2010 IDOS Convention, Making LDS Music

New Song! "Martyrs"

A while ago, I posted some lyrics here about a song I wrote, called "Martyrs". I'm excited to report that the recording is now done! Jump to the Mark Hansen Music blog to listen! It's this huge, arena rock anthem, kind of like: Guns & Roses meets The Who with a fiddle player...

Pardon the shameless self-promotion. But it IS my blog... :-)


Mark has a lifelong testimony of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (the Mormon Church). Mark also has other sites and blogs, including MarkHansenMusic.com and his Dutch Oven blog.

Martyrs

It's not a very common thing for me to write a new song these days. But the muse started smacking me upside the head tonight. I know that sounds painful, but it's cool.

In Alma, Chapter 14, in the Book of Mormon, it tells the story of Alma and Amulek witnessing the burning of the scriptures and the believers in a horrific place of martyrdom. At one point, Amulek suggests they use the power of God to stop the carnage, and Alma says that the Spirit of God is holding him back, saying that they're being welcomed up unto God in Glory. That thought always stuck with me. From our point of view, here on earth, these scenes of humans mistreating and murdering other humans is terrifying and saddening. From God's perspective, he's welcoming them home, knowing that they held firm to their beliefs.

So, I wanted to write a song about the martyrs in and for the Book of Mormon, but more from that more joyful perspective. I'm imagining that I'm one of the angels called up into the choir to welcome them back.

It's a work in progress. The middle verse, about Haun's Mill, needs some work. I did some research, but it's tough to sum it all up in six lines. I'll keep redoing it all and gel it all together.


Martyrs

By Mark Hansen
7/19/09

The fires rise high on a moonless night
Marked by shouts and cries of fright
The scriptures burning up in ash and smoke

As they throw the scared believers in
Two men think to stop the din
But a still voice whispers, "No", to let them go

Chorus
They've stood up to the last
Their sorrows now have past
Their souls are rising fast
And I'll join with the choirs and sing
And sing the martyrs home

It's just about 4:00 when the men ride in
The time for the truce was at an end
In the blacksmith's shop they ready their final stand

The riders surround and open fire
And in the end, when they retire
The blood of eighteen souls is on their hands

Chorus
Who stood up to the last
Whose sorrows now have past
Their souls are rising fast
And I'll join with the choirs and sing
And sing the martyrs home


In an Illinois Jail, four men wait
For the end of the story brought by fate
One man sings a hymn in the evening sun

A shouting mob rushes up the stairs
Bullets fly and bullets tear
And a prophet and his brother's lives are done

Chorus
And they've stood up to the last
Their sorrows now have past
Their souls are rising fast
And I'll join with the choirs and sing
And sing the martyrs home


MRKH
Mark Hansen
http://markhansenmusic.com

Pray & Sing

So, tonight we're doing our family scripture study (thanks to my dear wife Jodi), and it's Jacob's turn to read. He's in third grade, which is tough enough when you're reading scriptures, but he's also been struggling with his reading.

So, he's reading along, and he hits this word that he's having a really hard time with.

Sound it out, Jacob. Start with just the first half of the word.

"P..."

Good.

"R..." He struggles, "Pr..."

Good, good... now what does "ai" sound like?

"AY!" That one he knew.

Put it together, now...

"PRAY!"

That's it! Great job! Now, you already know the last half of the word.

He thinks for a moment... "Sing!"

That's right! Now put those two together.

"Pray, sing, pray, sing," he chants, just like on Sesame Street. Then he gets it: "Praising!"

It was right about there that the light suddenly hit me. Duh. Suddenly it dawned on me, once again, what it means in the doctrine and covenants, "The song of the righteous is a prayer unto me.." and "Make a Joyful Noise", from the Psalm.

It also reminds me of a song I wrote a long time ago.

I Will Sing This Prayer
Free mp3 Download

The mountains all around me
Are a fortress strong and tall
The pine trees at attention
Stand as sentries on the wall
The evening wraps around me
Like I was never really there
And while the light is fading
I will sing this prayer

The city seems so quiet
Wrapped up in all it's noise
Machines and men in motion
Some build and some destroy
The people rush on by me
Like I was never really there
And while the world is turning
I will sing this prayer

The earth just keeps on moving
Dancing slowly on it's way
Above the blue and green and white
My life just fades away
But there is One who always
Knows that I am there
And while I'm thinking of Him
I will sing this prayer

There are worlds too vast to number
But He knows I am there
And while He's thinking of me
I will sing this prayer




MRKH
Mark Hansen
http://markhansenmusic.com

More Hymns

So, I got this email today. It's from Shadow Mountain Records. They announced that they're working on a hymn-based project, and asked me to take a survey (basically where they asked me to pick my ten favorite hymns). It's kinda fun to do surveys, and I like to help out when I can. I also really love a lot of the hymns.

Unfortunately, the one question I wanted to answer, they left off the survey. That's the one where they ask if I really think we need another recording of hymns. The one where they ask how they could do this one in such a way that it sounds different from EVERY OTHER hymn project currently on their shelves.

But anyway, if you want to take the survey, too, you can.

Or, we can all join in, here at Mo' Boy. What are your favorite hymns?

Here are a few of mine:

• How Firm a Foundation - This is one of the few that can actually bring me to tears.
  
• Sweet Hour of Prayer - I used to sing this one to my kids as a lullaby
• If You Could Hie to Kolob - deep doctrine, way cool harmonies!

What about you?



MRKH
Mark Hansen
http://markhansenmusic.com

A New Song Written, and an Oops

Sometimes people ask me where I get ideas for my songs. The answer is as varied as there are songs in my catalog. But one thing that scares every songwriter is that this great new song that you've written is based on an idea that was subconsciously "borrowed" from some other, already famous, song.

So, that happened to me the other day. I wrote this song, and after working on it for a couple of days, practicing it, reworking it, I suddenly realized that a major part of the hook was from somebody else's song. You'll probably pick it up right away.

So, I doubt I'll ever record this one, but I thought I'd at least share the lyrics here...

I've been thinking a lot about joy lately, as I've been considering what to blog about and how to direct my life this year. I've also been going through some tough times. Which is probably why I'm so urgently looking for joy.

I started to realize that the whole opposition in all things is very much in play. With struggles comes blessings, with suffering can come inspiration and humility. Ultimately, after despair and futility can come love and forgiveness.

Anyway, here's the lyrics of my newest song of 2009!

Alleluia
By Mark Hansen
1/11/09


It feels like you're taking the hits one by one
You look for a plan and you're sure there is none
And your hope dries like water in the afternoon sun
You look at your life, "God what have you done"
But somehow it all works out right, just like He knew ya

Alleluia, Alleluia
Alleluia, Alleluia


The world is just full of bullies and fools
Who break into your life and scatter your jewels
They're selfish and spiteful, angry and cruel
You want to strike back, cause revenge is the rule
But still you pray for them in spite of all that they've done to ya

Alleluia, Alleluia
Alleluia, Alleluia


After all you've been through
You just feel like you've had it rough
After all that you've done
It still feels like it isn't enough
But then, life should be all about joy, you know that
Or do you?

The more that you try the more you feel less
Like all that you've made of your life is a mess
At the end of it all you're just left with a guess
If it was all worth it, if you made the test
And you'll stand before Him and you'll feel His love flowing through ya

Alleluia, Alleluia
Alleluia, Alleluia


MRKH
Mark Hansen
http://markhansenmusic.com

The Songs of Zion

Matt Whitney, Plan Be Music

I gotta just tell you the story of how I got to know Matt.

He and I were involved in the LDSmusicians email group, and we also worked together planning the LDS Independent Music Festival a couple of years. For one of those years (or maybe two), we actually put together a band. The first year, we called it a "project" because we knew that if we ever called it a band or gave it a name, it would end up in a horrible breakup with ugly litigation. Because that's how ALL "bands" end, right? So, we were quite adamant about NOT calling it a band.

It had Matt on keys, vocals (incredible vocals), and songwriting, John Newman on horns, songwriting, keys, arranging, and other miscellaneous things that we needed. Morey Day played the drums, and I played bass, guitar, and sang (thought not as well as Matt).

We were a twisted eclectic band. We did everything in a kind of weird way, because we all came from such diverse styles. John was our jazz, I was the rocker, Matt was the showman, and Morey was just along for the ride, playing just about anything we could throw at him. That first year at the fest, we did a few of John's tunes, one of mine, and a couple of Matt's. The hightlight, however, was this fast, funky jazz version of Book of Mormon Stories. We called it, "BookaMo". I can still remember it.

At one point we did actually get a gig in a park and at that point we decided that we had progressed beyond "project" and that we needed a name. One suggestion was "Matthew, Mark, Morey, and John". Another, since John, Morey, and I were all pretty stout, and Matt, being in the military, was in great shape, was to call us "Slim and the Fatboys". We figured that our schtick could have been that we would all argue over who was actually slim.

In the end, because our sound was so eclectic, and because our rehearsals always seemed to degenrate into silliness, we settled on the name, "Random Tangent".

In the end, we did split up. Matt went to Iraq, then to the east coast. John went back to school nights, and we just couldn't keep it together. Fortunately, it wasn't an ugly breakup. We're all still friends, and no one has even mentioned suing anyone.

In the intervening years, we've all progressed in our music in our own way. Matt, in particular, has just put up a website with a couple of tunes on it. He is an amazing writer, an amazing pianist, and an amazing vocalist. The big reason I find him most amazing is that he doesn't sound anything at all like all of the other Mormon pianist/singer/songwriters. His style is more show-y, with a cynical, yet heartfelt edge to his testimony that has been painfully honed by the sharpening stone of reality. When the scriptures talk about the sword that cuts the joints and the marrow, they're talking about his tunes.

Unfortunately, the ones of his that I like the best are not available for free download. But the ones that are there are certainly worth checking out.

C'mon, Matt! What about DC Tonight? :-)

MRKH
Mark Hansen
http://markhansenmusic.com/

The Songs of Zion

General Conference’s Greatest Hits
The Mormon Tabernacle Choir, with Special Guests

Most of the time, when I’m in here reviewing musicians, and their CD’s and songs, I’m dealing with the indies, the edgier side of LDS music. Today, I’m talking about the Mo’ Tab. The is no musical group in all of LDS music that is more mainstream than they are. Their performances in the conferences twice a year set the bar, the standard, and the model for church choirs all over the world. They define what LDS worship music is. Ya can’ get mo’ mo’ mainstream than that!

Yet, I’m a big fan. I love to hear them sing. Their arrangements and execution are always incredible. There have been many years where, as inspiring and instructional as the talks are, the music has been more memorable and more impactful to me.

…And now, I can fill up my iPod (or whatever) with it!

At a page in the LDS.org website you can now download mp3’s (as well as other media) of the musical performances of the choir!

Some of my favorites: The reverent and tranquil rendition of “I Know that My Redeemer Lives” is amazing, as is “I Need Thee Every Hour”. The more rousing ones, like “Rejoice, The Lord is King”, are great, too. Some are more straightforward arrangements, some are more innovative.

A bit of a headsup, some of them, like “High On the Mountain Top” are covered with the announcer’s voice. I just deleted those when I listened.

It’s pretty exciting news, to me, a musician and ward choir director.


MRKH
Mark Hansen
http://markhansenmusic.com

The Songs Of Zion

Can Mark Rap?

From time to time here here in Mo’ Boy I’ve reviewed various LDS rappers. I’ve even lamented that there seems to be a lot more going on in LDS rap these days than there is in LDS rock.

Be that as it may, there’s one of these guys that I’ve actually had a chance to meet face to face on a number of occasions. That’s Clayton, AKA Arhythmatik. Great rapper, great guy.

At the fest, someone asked about that name. When I said it was his stage name, they asked, “What’s his real name: Social Studies?” We all got a good chuckle over that one. Of course, you’d have to spell it funny to make it work. Hmmm…

“Soshul Studeez” …?

Anyway, about a year ago, as I might have mentioned in one of my many blogs before, he and I started collaborating on a rock/rap hybrid tune called “Shine the Light”. The original intent was for me to create the basic track, and sing the chorus, and he would rap the verses. But after he sent me the first verse, he suggested I rap the second verse. I was hesitant, but he encouraged.

I felt totally out of place, but I gave it a shot anyway, and in the long run, I’m pretty pleased with myself. Anyway, after a lot of technical back and forth, with him adding something and then me adding something else, I’ve finally finished the rock mix of the tune! I’m so stoked. It’s available at my site, on the music page for free download.

Arhythmatik is also still working on a more hip-hop mix, and I can’t wait to hear that. Collaboration is so much fun!

MRKH
Mark Hansen
http://markhansenmusic.com

Thoughts on the LDS Independent Music Fest 2008

Some background: In the middle of 1999, a lonely LDS guitarist and folksinger in Idaho was frustrated that he had no way to communicate with other church musicians. He started an email group called LDSmusicians. A few days later, I found it and joined. Soon after, there were others and we became quite a chatty and encouraging group. We shared our song, and helped each other get more points with their mp3 sites. We talked shop, and critiqued each other’s work. We talked about ways to get gigs and promote ourselves.

And that summer, in 2000, we set up a couple of traditions. One was producing an annual compilation CD, and another was the music festival. As many as could make the journey would gather together at the American Fork Amphitheater on a Saturday in late August. We would play music together all day long, and at the end, we staged a concert. We’ve been doing it every year ever since, with one exception.

It’s always been a lot of fun to see people year after year. You get to hear their new tunes, tell some stories and have a great time. It’s like a big family reunion.

So, last weekend, it happened again. This year, it was a three-day festival, with a youth night on Friday, an all day event on Saturday, and a Sunday evening devotional for the more sacred music. I attended Friday an Saturday, but wasn’t able to attend on Sunday.

Friday

Steve Brown, of the acoustic duo Border Crossing, was in charge this year, and was greatly assisted by Julie Keyser. I showed up around 5:00 and saw them both there, as well as a few others. The sound and lights guys were there, setting. I was glad, ‘cause I’d done that in years past, and I was very grateful that it was someone else’s problem this year!

All of us just hung out and talked for a long time. It was great fun. In the back of my mind, I can remember Gaylen Rust, of yourldsneighborhood.combeing there, but in retrospect, I’m not sure. The two days kinda blurred for me. He was definitely there on Saturday. He’d helped out a LOT with the fest, in terms of promotions and sponsorship. We talked a lot about what was going on in LDS music. He’s getting involved pretty heavily in promotions and marketing. Which is something our little group needs desperately to learn.

At about 8:00, Shawn Phillips started DJing. It was supposed to be a dance, but there was hardly anyone there, much less dancing. Still, it was really cool to listen to the way he’d blend the music and the samples. At about 9:00 we decided to start the live performance part of the show. I went on first, and did what I felt was one of my best sets in a long time. I was feeling really confident in the show.

Then Arhythmatik took the stage and he had everyone dancing and shouting along with him. What a performer! He’s solid! It was exciting to me to see the few people that were there respond so well to two performers (he and I) that are so far out of what is normally mainstream LDS music.

It was a lot of fun, and I left that night thinking how lucky I was to be involved in such a great group.

Saturday

The next morning I was slow getting started. I had my two boys with me, and it wasn’t easy getting them ready to go. Still, we managed, and when we arrived there were already a number of other musicians there. I was surprised to see Greg Hansen there. Greg and Gaylen have been teaming up to get the yourldsneighborhood jukebox going to help provide promotional outlets for indie LDS artists. It was fascinating to talk to the two of them. Greg has been involved heavily in the LDS music industry for a long long time. We talked a lot about trends, like the imminent death of the pearl awards, the future of the LDSBA and its convention, the way the internet is taking a bigger and bigger chunk out of retail… Fascinating stuff.

Early in the afternoon, we set up for the “Songwriters in the Round”. Four of us had been asked to sit up on the stage and take turns playing songs, with just our own acoustic guitars. I was both very honored to be asked to participate, as well and very nervous. I enjoy unplugged gigs, but I don’t do as well at them. I have a struggle remembering the words while I’m trying to play the guitar as well. But I did OK. I got Sam Payne, another participant, to scat along with me on “Thank You”, and Brendon came up to pound out a beat on my guitar case during “Superman”.

Neil Owen, Julie Keyser, and Sam also participated. Julie sang one about when she lost one of her babies after only a few hours of life. That one hit very close to home and got me teared up. It was very well written. Of couse Sam is an incredible writer, and Neil is the consummate bluesman. He does one (I don’t remember the title) based on some New Testament scriptures. Very gospel. Great stuff.

After the Songwriters, we had the open mic. A number of people had sort of stumbled onto us and they got up and performed. I was quite impressed with them, too, but I didn’t remember their names. My two boys got to sing a couple of primary songs, and everybody loved that as well.

As the stage guys and the bands for the evening began setting up, Julie and Steve stepped forward to present the first annual “Green Jello” awards. That first year that we had the fest, there were some in the LDS industry that whispered that our little show would be like a “Roadshow on Steroids”, or that it was all very “green jello”. Some of us got a little miffed, but others said that being “green jello” meant we were music of the people, not of the machine. In honor of that, they created these awards.

I was pleasantly surprised when they announced me as the “lifetime achievement” award. We all kinda chuckled over that one, but there are very few of us in the email group that have been with the group since the beginning, and stayed with it. I guess that’s an achievement! Anyways, I was touched. It sure made me feel good. And I got a cool little trophy, too.

In the Early Evening show, there were three ladies that had formed a group called “Musically Inclined”. They played some up-tempo tunes to minus tracks. Great job, and crystal clear harmonies.

Lindy Kerby did some tunes that I think were off her new CD. I love her voice. She did the solo at the end of “How Beautiful”

I did two tunes, too. I had planned on doing three, but my tracks CD had gotten scratched, and so that last tune kept skipping.

The evening show started with Jen Handy and her group. She’s got a killer voice, and her sound is a very strong Contemporary Christian vibe. Did I mention her voice is amazing?

Then, we got to hear more of Neil Owen, this time accompanied on the Dobro by Ryan Tilby and a bit of harmonica from Sam Payne. What a show.

Then, Sam took the stage. I always love watching him perform. I don’t think I’ve ever seen him more animated on stage than this time, though. They started with their version of “Route 66” and he was all over it. It’s fun to watch him dance, too. He’s the ultimate hick jazzman! Great set.

Finally, Alex Boye. Another consummate showman. But with a lot of heart and testimony. And another killer voice.

Overall Impressions

I’ve had a rather tough time these last two-three years trying to figure out what my place is in the LDS music world. And, it all sort of came together for me this weekend. I got a lot of encouragement from speaking with Gaylen, Greg, Alex, and Sam, and to suddenly be recognized so much by the group made me feel like I actually have a place in it.

I’m starting to see that my focus of writing, recording, and releasing mp3 singles is a great model for me to follow in promoting my site and my music. I’m not in a position where I can do a lot of touring or performing. Pressing thousands of CD’s is also beyond my limits. But I can put together some kickin’ tunes and share them on the ‘net.

I’m very excited about the ones I’ve been working on lately, as well. I’m collaborating with Arhythmatik on a rock/rap crossover tune, I’ve got some rockers and ballads both coming along, including one I wrote a few years back for my anniversary.

Come along for the ride with me!

MRKH
Mark Hansen
http://markhansenmusic.com

Whither the Listener?

Over on the LDS Musicians yahoogroup we’ve been having this discussion as to how important the audience is or should be to the musician. Should they target their writing to a particular audience, or should they create independent of who’s listening?

I’ve talked and written about this one a few times, like here and here, but I thought I’d share here, the post I made to the group:


Writing for the Audience v Writing for Yourself


This has been a really interesting discussion. Like I do on so many other issues, I find myself sitting on the fence on this one as well.

John Newman and I used to have this discussion, based on the old question: “If a tree falls in the forest and there’s nobody there to hear it, does it make a sound?”

At first, my argument was to the effect that it doesn’t matter if there’s anyone there to hear it. As it falls, it still creates waves. It’s simple science, and there’s no discussion nor philosophy involved.

But John countered that those waves are nothing but changes in air pressure, until it gets picked up by an ear and re-interpreted as sound. He said that it doesn’t become “sound” until it is heard.

The philosophical implication there is that without a hearer, there is no sound, only pressure waves. That means that it has to be a communication. It’s not just an outpouring of noise. The D&C kinda talks about this, too. In section 50, starting at verse 17, He talks about how the preacher and the listener both need to be in tune with the spirit for the communication to happen.

Now, there is some value in writing songs that are very personal. They help us sort out things in our minds. They are truly self-expressive. Sometimes, I write songs like this and I know that nobody else is ever gonna “get it”, and I’m fine with that. I’ve written some songs that are so personal that I’m not sure I’ll ever share them. Sometimes, I do, and it surprises me how many other people can find meaning in it. “Toy Soldiers” is a good example of this. I’m constantly amazed how many other people find themselves in what was originally a very personal song.

Other times I write songs that are intended to go out to particular groups. “He’s Out There” is a good example of that.

Most of the time, I write what hits me. While I’m writing or editing, I try to be clear enough that my audience can understand it, because I think it’s important to communicate. I AM thinking of my audience, but I’m usually not driven by it. Does that make sense?

Perhaps the real question that we should be asking is: “If a singer sings in the woods and there’s no one there to hear him, does he make a difference?”


MRKH
Mark Hansen
http://markhansenmusic.com

A New Song! "Too Late Smart"

When I was a little kid, I can remember my mom saying one of her sayings: “I’m too soon old and too late smart” whenever she did something that she thought was a big blunder. At the time I didn’t really get it. I thought all adults, especially my mom and dad, knew everything! They were the smartest, coolest people ever. If only the world would just listen to them, then it would be a great place to live.

Then I got to be a teenager. Suddenly my parents became total idiots. They had no idea what end was up. I was going to take the world by storm. I was going to make a difference! I was going to be the one that the world rallied around! The Lord had a very important mission for me.

It wasn’t until long after my mission, and well into my married life that I started to learn how fundamentally clueless I was (am). It was then that the wisdom of that saying started to sink in.

And now, many years later, as I look at my where my life is, sometimes I wonder what I’ve been doing all this time. And I wanna smack myself on the forehead like David Byrne and say, “Well… How did I get here?” At times like these I start to think of those times when I thought adults knew everything, and I start to think that now I’m too soon old, and too late smart.

I guess that’s a pretty normal thing for a guy to go through at my age.

Anyway, a long time ago, I wrote a song about it, and then about a year ago, revised it to reflect my newfound wisdom and acceptance of the drab and normal life my choices have brought me. My important save-the-world mission? I still don’t know what it was or is for sure. But raising my kids to be happy and faithful followers of the Lord is a daily challenge, and it’s the most important thing I can do right now. And I'm very grateful to have the help of my very, very patient and loving wife at my side.

So, anyway. Here’s the new song!

I like it a lot, actually. It’s a solid, driving rock tune, with a killer mix. Nuthin’ mellow about it! Check it out, and feel free to post your own comments and experiences!


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

A Moment of Shameless Self-Promotion

Over the last few weeks, I've been working really hard on two creative projects. One involves my music, and one involves my game.

On the musical end, I'm very excited. I've completed the music for my next CD. I mentioned a few entries ago that it would be called, "Lost and Found", and that I would send a free copy to any blogger that wanted to review it with a linkback. I'm currently working on the cover graphics.

In the meantime, there's two cool additions to my website that I'd love to invite you all to check out. One is, I've released that last song! It's called "Rejoice", and you can get it for free download!

Another thing that I'm very excited about is that I've also found a cool site where I can upload sound samples and provide them to fans as ringtones! So, I cropped out a couple of hook riffs, and I put them up on the site. You can find them here or the link off my main page.

I'm very excited to hear any feedback about either of these two efforts!

On the game side, I've been doing a lot of work on the game itself, and there really isn't any visible new stuff yet. Still, those that have been following me for a while and know of my efforts and my commentaries about games in the LDS community might be interested in following along.

MRKH
Mark Hansen
http://markhansenmusic.com

The Songs of Zion

Hymns Anew

By Clayton Pixton

Sometimes I think that in the pre-existence, when we were developing and growing and getting ready to come down to earth, some of us signed up for some music classes. We might have even signed a pre-earth recording contract. And in that contract it must’ve had a “hymn clause”. This said that if, in the earth life, we were to become musicians, and we were to end up doing recordings, we would be spiritually obligated to do an complete album of hymn arrangements.

And every time I see one in a store, or on a website, a part of me wants to roll my eyes and say, “Oh, no, not again…”

But then I listen. And it turns out that about half the time, I’m surprised. I mean, I admit, I’m jaded. I’ve heard so many flowery new-agey-solo-piano versions of our best loved hymns, that I think I’ve heard them all. But at least half of them still catch my ear and make me say, “My word, that’s NEW!”

That must be what Clayton was aiming at when he chose the name for this CD: “Hymns Anew”. As I listened, I was just amazed at how fresh and original the arrangements were. And they’re simple. Not a lot of orchestration. Overall, there was a folksy feel to most of them, yet with a contemporary edge. There was an energy to them that I usually don’t find in Hymns.

The first one to really grab me was the driving piano of “Come Come Ye Saints”. Wow. This sound would make me want to stand up and follow. And then later on the CD, there was an a capella, do-wop-ish version of the same arrangement. That was cool.

“Adam-Ondi-Ahman” (also known as “The Earth Was Once a Garden Place”) Had a really fun touch with the tin whistle and the guitar, and the tempo was a little livelier than I was used to. “Come Thou Font of Every Blessing” was one of my favorites arrangements of one of my favorite hymns.

The only track that I felt didn’t really live up to the others was “A Poor Wayfaring Man of Grief”. It was performed well, but as a piano solo, it just didn’t carry anything new for me. Not like the others did. I felt like I’d heard that one before. But it still sounded great, and was very well done.

I’d strongly recommend this CD. It’s truly Hymns, done Anew.

It also made me think of what I'd like to do when I record my contractual hymns CD...

MRKH
Mark Hansen
http://markhansenmusic.com

MoTab Rocks

There was some really cool things said in the Sunday morning conference session. I was really impressed. I’ll blog about them, for sure.

But that crowning moment for me was listening to the choir sing “How Firm a Foundation”.

As our own ward choir director, we did it (straight from the hymn book) about a month ago. It’s long been one of my favorite hymns. I thought our choir did a great job. This song is one that carries me through my trials more than any other.

The Tab choir did the third verse a capella, and the harmonies were glorious!

"Fear not I am with thee, O be not dismayed

For I am thy god and will still give the aid

I'll strengthen thee help thee and cause thee to stand

Upheld by my righteous omnipotent hand."

Wow. What a sound, and what power. Then they sang the last verse in unison, with only the organ providing the harmonies. It just filled my soul, my eyes, and gave me chills. Especially the last verse:

“That soul that on Jesus hath leaned for repose

I will not, I cannot desert to his foes

That soul though all hell should endeavor to shake

I’ll never no never no never forsake”

They rock!

MRKH
Mark Hansen
http://markhansenmusic.com

Prayer

I’m gonna start by talking a bit about the way that I make my music.

I start by writing the song. I come up with the lyrics, the chords, and the melody. It’s all just in my mind. The only thing I really write down is the lyrics, and sometimes the chords. I usually have an idea of what I want the recording to sound like.

When the time comes to do the recording, I start off with a program called a “sequencer”. I start by laying down the drums (using my keyboard) and a scratch bass line. I might also block out some chords on a piano or organ sound. All these notes that I’m playing are all stored on the computer. Later, I’ll replace a lot of these parts with more live sorts of playing.

While I’m putting down the basic drums, bass, and keys, I’m all using a keyboard, and playing the parts. I’m not exactly the best of players, so often my timing is off a little. Sequencers, however, have a function called “Quantizing”. It takes all the notes I’ve played and it shifts them to the nearest beat or half-beat. It basically takes my playing and locks it right into place.

But what I really wanted to talk about was prayer.

See, when I’m praying regularly, my life is a lot like that song in the sequencer. It’s like the praying tightens up my life and locks it into place. I feel the Spirit during the day, when I’m not even thinking about spiritual things. Suddenly, I’ll realize that the reason I’m smiling is that the Spirit is there. And that drives the direction of my life.

When I’m praying regularly and with Spirit, I find myself wanting to read my scriptures more. Not because I have a goal to finish by the end of the year, nor because someone said I had to, but because the thought crosses my mind, and I feel like I want to.

When I’m praying regularly, I start to notice things happening with my family, friends, and co-workers. I notice when they need help, or how I can move to make their lives easier. I can see what they need more, intuitively.

When I’m praying regularly, I get answers. And not so much miraculous voices in my head, but just clarity.

When I’m praying regularly, I understand how the Lord’s yoke could be easy. I understand how to have his image in my countenance. I understand what it means to wish you were an angel and could speak with the sound of a trump.

Even if all I do is blog about it.

MRKH
Mark Hansen
http://markhansenmusic.com

The Sun Shone Through the Windows

A posting for those that fell in Virginia

Overall, I didn’t enjoy high school. My senior year, I had enough credits that I only needed to attend school a half day. Afternoons, I spent at the University where my Dad taught, playing on their computers. I didn’t attend my own graduation. I don’t own any yearbooks, and I’ve never attended any reunions. The few friends I did have, in my geeky circles, I’ve pretty much kept in touch with via email and chat.

Junior high was even worse. It was an undending, day-to-day nightmare of teasing, harassment, and full-on bullying and beatings. There were a few bright spots, a few good friends. But all in all, I’d just as soon wipe all my memories from 7^th through 9^th grade, and most of them up through my senior year.

It wasn’t until my early college days that I started to not care what people thought of me. Or maybe it was just that I finally found a crowd that didn’t care who I was, so they could let me fit in without me having to change much. Whatever the case, in the early ‘80’s, life started making more sense to me.

One of the things I’ve learned, over the years, is that even those that were “mistreating” me in those years were struggling themselves. Most people that I’ve met and talked to went through difficult times in jr. high and high school. It’s just the way things are. Par for the course, and all that.

I’ve also learned that, as I looked back, I wasn’t always nice to other people, either.

And yet, somehow, as I went through life back then, trying to cope, and as I’ve tried to deal with my baggage in the years that followed, the thought of bringing a gun to school and shooting people never occurred to me as an option.

So, now, in the new century, when I read and hear about misfits and outcasts who take their frustration and their vengeance out on what they perceive as a cruel and unfeeling system, I’ve got mixed feelings.

On the one hand, I feel a certain bond, a kinship. I was where they were. I was mistreated, beaten, and mocked. I was trapped in a social system that treated me as the problem, not the victim (and frankly, both labels are counterproductive).

On the other hand, I never killed anyone. My life choices, such as they were, never ended up with anyone violently hurt or dead. I chose other ways of dealing with it.

So, a few years back, after the news of a school rampage finally got to me, I remember I sat up very late one night and wrote a song about it. As I did, I remember sitting on my living room floor and bawling my eyes out, after years and years of pent-up anger and frustration finally left me. I felt for those that got shot. I felt for their families. I felt for the boys that did the shooting. I felt for their families. And I was finally able to feel for me.

Anyway, here’s the song that came out of it:

The Sun Shone Through the Windows
Words and music by Mark Hansen, 3/5/01

The bell must’ve rang that morning
Drowned out by the noises
Of the clanging of locker doors
And a thousand busy voices

They were sorted into classrooms
Like a shepherd divides his herd
One was thinking louder
Today my voice will be heard

Chorus
And the sun shone through the windows
Bouncing through the quiet hall and
The sun shone through the windows
Warming the early cool of fall
As the sun shone through the windows
How could anyone have known
Though the sun was out
There was a dark cloud in the air

He’d said he was going to do it
He even showed the gun
He warned her not to go to school that day
Said she’d miss out on all the fun

She’d let out a nervous laugh
Not quite sure what to say
That laugh was ringing in her ears
When the shots rang out that day

Chorus

Now they talk about security
Detectors at the doors
Sentries stationed at the bathrooms
And cameras at every floor

They send the staff off to trainings
And the drills will never end
Would anyone be crying now
If he had just had a friend

Final Chorus
And the sun shines through the windows
Bouncing through the quiet hall and
The sun shines through the windows
Where the innocent have fallen
The sun shines through the windows
And the screams have all gone home
The sun is out
But there’s a dark cloud in the air

MRKH
Mark Hansen
http://markhansenmusic.com