One of the things I used to love to do (back in the days when they still made long play vinyl albums) is read the liner notes to a new album to find out what the artist was thinking or what inspired them. But that was then and this is now, so I’ve decided to go ahead and put the liner notes here on my website. If you’re here, thanks so much for your support, and I hope you enjoy the tour through my brain. All of these albums are available to stream or download on Spotify, iTunes, Apple Music, Amazon, etc.
A DIFFERENT KIND OF LOVE SONG :: Liner Notes
There are a million love songs. And most of them get it wrong. There just aren’t many songs that speak to the deeper aspects of love—fidelity, faithfulness, grace. So this collection is about that different kind of love—that trusts, hopes, perseveres. Thanks to Ryan “Harpo” Harbert (sax), Nate Poehlke (guitar), Elizabeth & Jason Dyer (vox), Rachel Luz (art), Kody Renfro (design). © 2022 Manuel Luz.
Track 1: THAT’S NOT WHAT LOVIN’ IS
Appropriately, this album begins with a treatise of sorts, based on 1 Corinthians 13. Agape love never fails.
Sometimes you feel a fire, Sometimes you feel a flame
Sometimes you feel desire—But that’s not what loving is
Sometimes you fool around, Sometimes you fall too deep
Sometimes you fail and drown—But that’s not what loving is
Love is patient, love is kind, Love is not a selfish mind
Love is humble, perseveres, Love endures through all the years
All the world will never seem to find, That that’s not what loving is
Sometimes you live the lie, Sometimes you limp along
Sometimes you’re in denial—But that’s not what loving is
Sometimes you play the game, Sometimes you feel alone
Sometimes you cast the blame—But that’s not what loving is
Love is patient, love is kind, Love is not a selfish mind
Love is humble, perseveres, Love endures through all the years
All the world will never seem to find, That that’s not what loving is
Sometimes you play the game, Sometimes you feel alone
Sometimes you live in shame—But that’s not what loving is
Track 2: BE SOMEONE WHO LOVES
Love is a misunderstood concept. The world thinks that love is primarily an emotion. We use terms like “fall in love” like it was gravity, like we are falling into a manhole. But more fundamentally, love is an act of the will. Love is something you choose to do—to serve, to sacrifice, to give yourself freely to another for the sake of the other. That’s what lovin’ is.
I’ve been in love with love before
Like walking through a wardrobe door
But when the magic disappears
The feigned emotions leave you nothing but tears
Don’t wanna be in love with loving you
Just wanna be someone who loves
Too many times, I’ve walked away
Then hurry back to make my play
Deceptions, lies, and jealousies
Just tell the truth in love, the way it ought to be
So here is all I am, It’s here I take my stand
My soul is open, bare, Without a mask to wear
All my agendas gone, Don’t play me like a pawn
Beyond romantic games, I’m here to say
Don’t wanna be in love with loving you
Just wanna be someone who loves
Track 3: DRIVE
You’ve heard of the metaphor of a road to explain life. For example, “The Long And Winding Road”, or “On The Road Again,” or “Hit The Road, Jack.” I wanted to take a slightly different tact on that metaphor and talk about driving as a metaphor for life. Because we don’t really experience the road, we experience the drive. Think about the act of driving with your spouse—who gets behind the wheel, who picks the radio station, who ends up navigating, who ends up arguing about the navigating. Honestly, I think part of the trick of having a successful marriage is simply learning how to look out at the world through the same windshield. Because things are whizzing by at the speed of life, and it’s not always easy. This song is about that.
Put on your Wayfarers, it’s a sunny day
We’re top-down riding round the town
Wind in your hair dancing upon your face
Turn up the tunes and dig the sound
And we drive, drive, drive
Around, around, around, around
A rainbow washes all the clouds away
Just feel the sunshine pouring down
It seems like years since we were on our way
We once were lost but now are found
So we drive, drive, drive
Around, around, around, around
Hold my hand and let’s get out and drive
Doesn’t matter where we go, just make me feel alive
Hold my hand and we’ll get through this time
just hold on tight, it’ll be all right
Believe me when I tell you just to Drive
We’ll pull into our favorite cafe
I’ll sit and stare into your eyes
And think of all the memories we’ve made
Each silver lining a surprise
So we drive, drive, drive
Around, around, around, around
I know tomorrow might bring back the pain
We’ll drive together through the night
Just hold me close just like them olden days
We run the race to get the prize
So we drive, drive, drive
Around, around, around, around
Hold my hand and let’s get out and drive
Doesn’t matter where we go, just make me feel alive
Hold my hand and we’ll get through this time
just hold on tight, it’ll be all right
Believe me when I tell you just to Drive
Track 4: PROMISES
In this day and age, marriage vows are too often considered sappy sentiments, or optional suggestions. But they aren’t. They are some of the most important values that can define your life. To have and to hold, for better or worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish—these are fundamental values that mold character, and carve out one’s life and the life of your family for generations. That’s why I believe that love means keeping one’s promises.
Once upon a time, There was a younger version of me
Who fell in love with a younger version of you
And we stood in front of everyone, our friends and family
And said the words our hearts wanted to be true
Now I’m not one to settle for a fairy tale
I’m not one to wish upon a star, cause
Love is way too complicated, demarcated, consecrated
Love is what has taken us this far
I keep my promises, I keep my promises
Standing on a sacred vow, Forever yours, forever now
I keep my promises
Once upon a time, And time it falls like rain
An older version of me, and one of you
In the laughter and the tears, the heartache and the pain
And every single day I say, I do
Now I’m not one to settle for a fairy tale
I’m not one to wish upon a star, cause
Life is way too orchestrated, obfuscated, caffeinated
Life is you and me and who we are
I keep my promises, I keep my promises
Standing on a sacred vow, Forever yours, forever now
I keep my promises
Have and to hold, better or worse
Richer or poor, sickness and health
I keep my promises
Track 5: TEN THOUSAND
This is just one of those sappy love songs to commemorate Deb’s and my 35th wedding anniversary. We honeymooned in Kauai, so this song is about that.
Musical note: If you’re a lyricist, you might notice that the rhyme is in the middle of each phrase and not at the end.
When we kissed, we could hear the sound of gentle rain
In the midst, of a hundred different promises
Holding hands, as we ran between the raindrops
In the sand, where we drew initials in a heart
Ten thousand memories of you
And every one a way to show our love is true
Ten thousand memories of you, in my heart
Ten thousand memories of you
And every changing season passes so brand new
Ten thousand memories of you, in my heart
In my mind, I still hear the sound of ocean waves
Close your eyes, Can you feel the raindrops falling
Out of time, I will drift back to each moment
Every sign, Like the surf that comes and goes
Hold me close, And we’ll slow dance to the silence
Like a rose, Every petal drawing near
Heaven knows, Every thought that echoes pictures of
Every pose, Has your smile etched in my mind
Track 6: TAKE ME BACK
It’s funny that when you get married, there’s no way to prepare you for the difficulties and challenges and the highs and lows of it all. I really believe that there is a power in naivete, when you don’t know how hard a thing is, so you go and do it anyway. I think marriage is a lot like that. Marriage is two imperfect people choosing to love the other person imperfectly, every imperfect day. And in the process, something completely deep and profound and wonderful occurs. And that is one definition of love. Proverbs 5:18 says, “May your fountain be blessed, and may you rejoice in the wife of your youth.”
I must confess that I am, Too much invested in us
So I attest that I am yours, I am yours
If I assess the situation, I will regress to simple words
I am a mess so I’ll just say, I am yours, So come and…
Take me back to when we were younger, There was
Never such a simpler time, When the
World was just a little softer, I was
Yours and you were mine, Take the
Glasses down from the cupboard, Babe, and I’ll
Pour that old bottle of wine
Take me back
Three simple words, I love you, Turn back the blur between our
First infatuation and the years flown by
How many days in forever, How many ways to show you
The yesterdays just melt away, in time, So come and…
So walk with me into the, Possibility of something
New, you see, we won’t know til we try, we try, So come and…
Track 7: GROCERY LIST
One of my love languages is Acts of Service. And that includes going to the grocery store for my wife. Unfortunately, grocery shopping is akin to going to the dentist for me, especially because Deb always asks me to get the most esoteric items, like arugula or French brioche, or organic coconut aminos. So I thought I would have a little fun with this and write a love song based on some of the grocery lists that Deb has given me.
A musical note: This song toggles between C∆9 and F#m11, which shouldn’t work in a song but does. Essentially, it feels like there’s a key change every two bars.
A dozen eggs, a bag of kale, and pickled jalapenos
Three cans of cat food, tortilla chips, fire-roasted red tomatoes
Some decaf coffee, but grind it extra fine
Blueberry waffles, a bag of clementines
I’ll call you when I get to the frozen aisle
There just might be a few more things that I can’t find
Short bread cookies, a loaf of sourdough
Some deli turkey, a few ripe avocados
Protein bars and shredded three-blend cheese
Honey, I can’t find the frozen peas
I’ll call you when I get to the frozen aisle
There just might be a few more things that I can’t find
Granola, tofu, bananas and chicken thighs
Pick up a bottle of wine, if there’s one that looks real nice
I’ll see you just as soon as I get home
I’m at the checkout now, so I’ll just hang up the phone
Track 8: TWENTY
If this looks familiar, it is. This is a neo-soul arrangement of a song I released on the All There Is album in 2007 commemorating our twentieth anniversary.
Twenty summers, Twenty springs, Twenty roses that I bring
Twenty promises, Twenty rings
Twenty love songs that I sing
It’s like I first fell for you
We’re holdin hands while the world keeps spinnin
I’ll spend a lifetime with you
And that is more than a man could ask for
A lifetime with you
Twenty winters, Twenty falls, Twenty answers to my call
Twenty pictures hang, In twenty halls
Twenty memories on the walls
It’s like I first fell for you
Just hold on tight while the world keeps spinnin
Don’t you wish it were true
But this life keeps on turning, turning keeps on turning
Not like the dreams that we knew
Life is trials and tears and cloudy skies
We’ll take one day at a time, and see it through
A lifetime with you
Twenty oceans, Twenty seas, How deep is the love of you and me
Twenty summers, Twenty springs
Twenty love songs that I sing
Track 9: BLUE SKY BLUES
Some days, you wake up, and the sky is blue, the grass is green, the sun is shining. And yet, for whatever reason, you feel negative about life. This song is about choosing to be hopeful, to count blessings, and deciding to live life to the full.
Jump outta bed, chase the sandman away, Gotta get a-moving, can you come out and play
Oh no, You got the blue sky blues again
Whole world’s spinning, like a carousel, Time to take your pennies to the wishing well
Oh no, You got the blue sky blues again
Well, I don’t care what they say What they say, You’ve got to keep on believin’, it will be okay
So honey, shake off those blue sky blues again
Listen to the rhythm of the radio, There’s lots and lots of room on the dance floor
Oh no, You got the blue sky blues again
Glass half empty or glass half full, Maybe it just needs a little ice to cool
So come on, You got the blue sky blues again
And I don’t care what they say what they say, You’ve got to keep on believing, It will be okay
So find a change in your heart, You’ve got to find a way to start, find a way to start
So honey, shake off those blue sky blues again
It’s so easy to stop and stare, wond’ring why life is so unfair
You’ve gotta take a chance, just a wing and a prayer
Tell me why, why, why, why, why
Winter fades and spring will call, Don’t you love the way that the summer falls
Oh no, You got the blue sky blues
Come on baby, will you take my hand Take my hand, Rock to the music, and roll with the band
Come on, shake off those blue sky blues again
UNRAVELED :: Liner Notes
Unraveled is a 2013 release featuring the Manuel Luz Trio. I’m very happy in that it is a true musical collaboration with Matt Sawhill and Chad Jackson, and represents the best of what we were able to do together.
Credits
All songs © 2013 Manuel Luz. Arranged by ML3. ML3 is Chad Jackson (drums), Matt Sawhill (basses), Manuel Luz (piano/keys/vocals). Additional musicians: Steven Randal (electric guitar), Kent Peterson (electric guitar), Bob Kilpatrick (acoustic guitar), Kim Peterson (sax), Steve Liberti (percussion and honorary ML3 member). Special thanks to Phil Denna, Greg Davis, Won World Studio, Proclaim! International Studio. Recorded at Psalm 98 Studio, El Dorado Hills, California. Mastered at Won World Studio. Art Direction and Photography: Keith Elliott.
Track 1: MAKE UP YOUR MIND
Sometimes one comes to a moment of decision and that perso become paralyzed in it. It could be a spiritual decision, a psychological one, or a difficult life decision. And I like to encourage people, in those moments, to simply keep moving forward in life. Because often times, the worst decision is not to make one. Featuring: Steve Liberti, Kim Peterson, ML3.
Nothing to talk about, Nothing to realize
But ooh, don’t you know that
Ooh, Just make up your mind
No need to talk it out, No need to rationalize
But ooh, Tell me ‘bout you
Just make up your mind
No time to waste away, No need to compromise
But ooh, don’t you know that
Ooh, Just make up your mind
Nothing that you could say, No need for alibis
But ooh, Tell me ‘bout you
Just make up your mind
Tell me your dreams, drop the disguise
Tell me what keeps you up at night
Tell me your sorrows, tell me your fears
How do you dry those tears
Nothing to talk about, Nothing to realize
But ooh, don’t you know that
Ooh, Just make up your mind
Know that I’ll be with you, Know that I’m on your side
But ooh, tell me ‘bout you
Don’t you know its true, between me and you
Just make up your mind
Track 2: ANOTHER LOVE
We were trying to do something different with this song, which is a rock tune in standard 4/4 time. Listen to the quirky instrumental break which is in 7/4 time signature, featuring some inspired percussion work by Steve Liberti. Featuring: Kent Peterson, Steve Liberti, ML3.
I, I feel the weight of things unsaid
The memories in your head, the wide and empty dread
I, I see you walk this world alone
With nothing to atone, you live a life unknown
But the days are like a river
Drifting, flowing ever nearer
There’s another love I know, There’s another life I live
There’s another hope I hold, There’s another grace to give
There’s another tale to tell, There’s another time to go
There’s another life I live, There’s another love I know
I, I see the hollow in your eyes
The blackened cloudy skies, I have to wonder why
I, I feel no solace in this cold
You watch your life unfold, without your pot of gold
But the days are like a river
Drifting, flowing ever nearer
Track 3: I CAN’T REMEMBER WHEN
Of all the songs on the album, this is the one that most people ask, “what is that one about?” Though it is quite metaphorical—which is why people can relate to it—there is a quite literal explanation. The song is about the life of Moses. He went through a lot in his life quest to follow the will of God, and though he did so imperfectly, he paid quite the price. It was unfortunate that, at the end of his life, he was unable to go into the promised land. And that is something I can relate to. Featuring: Steven Randal, Steve Liberti, ML3.
Forty years in the desert, Forty years in the dirt
Forty years of living through the heartache and the hurt
Forty years of plodding, On these same old ruts I’ve known
Forty years of reaping, Off these same old rows I’ve sown
And I can’t remember when, No I can’t remember when
No I can’t remember when, I last saw your face
Forty miles of highway, Forty days at sea
Forty thousand paces, Each one has taken a toll on me
Forty times I’ve stumbled, Forty times I fall
Forty times I’ve gotten up, Just to answer the call
And the desert is a mistress, And the sun hangs in the sky
And my footprints sinking deeper, And I have to wonder why
Forty lame excuses, For the man I’ve come to be
Forty bad decisions, Can this be my destiny
Forty times I’ve stumbled, When I’ve fallen on my face
Forty years of seeing every act of Your grace
Track 4: ROXANNE
This is only the second cover I’ve ever recorded. This song always reminds me of Jesus’ encounter with the woman at the well. Please note the excellent classical guitar on this track. Featuring: Bob Kilpatrick, ML3.
Roxanne, you don’t have to put on the red light
Those days are over
You don’t have to sell your body to the night
Roxanne, you don’t have to wear that dress tonight
Walk the streets alone
You don’t care if it’s wrong or if it’s right
Roxanne, you don’t have to put on the red light
Put on the red light, put on the red light, put on the red light
I loved you since I knew you, Wouldn’t talk down to you
I have to tell you how I feel, I wouldn’t want to share you
I know my mind is made up, So put away your make-up
Told you once, won’t tell you again, It’s a bad way
Track 5: TAKING A TOLL ON ME
The year 2012 was a difficult and sorrowful one for us as a church, as we said goodbye to a lot of our friends. This song is about them. Featuring: Steve Liberti, ML3.
Lie awake until daylight, Listenin’ to the old house creak
Nothing on, till I see the sun, Yeah, it’s taking a toll on me
Said goodbye to an old friend, He was almost fifty three
Take me down to old forked road, Yeah, it’s taking a toll on me
Lord I know, That the winter storms will blow
Lord I know, Like a mist that comes and goes, We go
Crimson dawn will rise up, But the silence falls too deep
One more day, as we join the fray, Yeah it’s taking a toll on me
Honey put on your black dress, We’ll stand under the willow tree
Amazing Grace, till we see his face, Yeah it’s taking a toll on me
Lord I know, That the winter storms will blow
Lord I know, Like a mist that comes and goes, We go
Blue skies on the ceiling, and the sun shines down on me
A mound of dirt where a man used to be
Yeah, it’s taking a toll on me
Track 6: RAPUNZEL
We preach a lot on vision, intention, and means, as a way to understand spiritual transformation. We acknowledge that we are trapped by the mechanisms of our internal dysfunction, but we also must embrace through intentional surrender the life that God intends for us. Featuring: Kent Peterson, Steve Liberti, ML3.
Locked in your room, Stuck in your castle, high up on the hill
Trapped within your house of Babel, Held against your will
High above your ivory tower, Life on a window sill
Day by day and hour by hour, Nothing but time to kill
She don’t know she holds the key
She don’t know, She could be free
Let down your hair, Rapunzel, Rapunzel, let down your hair
It’s all I can do, It’s all up to you, Rapunzel, let down your hair
Knock on the door, put up a fight, All in her own little world
Braided locks that hold her tight, Keep her a lost little girl
Sit in your room, Rattle your chains, Far above it all
Addicted to the inner pain, That hides behind your walls
She don’t know she holds the key
She don’t know, She could be free
Track 7: UNRAVELED
We performed this song first at a men’s retreat at Zephyr Cove in Lake Tahoe. This is a special place for me, where God always seems to meet me in significant and undeniable ways. Featuring: Steven Randal, ML3.
I fall on my knees again, Alone in this place again
Down on my knees, Begging You please, To pick up the pieces
I don’t know who I am, But I’m not the better man
That I want to be, Addicted to me, Cloaked in myself
But I’m unraveled, Yeah I’m unraveled
Oh I’m unraveled, in Your presence
Caught in these white lies, Blind to these sight lines
That live in my soul, But still take their toll, Where no one can see
No more excuses, The silent accusers
That take hold of me, Help me be free, to live in the Truth
But I’m unraveled, Yeah I’m unraveled
Oh I’m unraveled, in Your presence
Track 8: YOU STILL TAKE MY BREATH AWAY
For my wife Debbie, on our 25th anniversary. I mean every word.
So much sand thru the hourglass, So many beats of my heart
So many dreams have come and gone like, So many shooting stars
So many faded photographs, So many dawns turned to dusk
So many frozen memories like, tracings in the dust
But when I catch a glimpse of you, It doesn’t matter what you do
Just a fleeting glimpse of you, And I realize the simple truth that
You still take my breath away, And you still stir my soul awake
And you still make my heart, Beat like a drum when you are near
You still, still take my breath away
So many words unspoken, So many thoughts in my head
So many ways to say I love you, Without a word being said
But when I catch a glimpse of you, It doesn’t matter what you do
Just a fleeting glimpse of you, And I realize the simple truth that
You still take my breath away, And you still stir my soul awake
And you still make my heart, Beat like a drum when you are near
You still, still take my breath away
SO FAR :: LINER NOTES
SO FAR is my compilation album released in 2012. It includes 13 tracks from my three solo albums, dating back to 2001. Each of the tracks is available individually on iTunes or on cdbaby.com.
All songs © Manuel Luz. Photography and Art Design by Keith Elliott. Additional CDs can be purchased on iTunes or CDBaby.com.
Track 1: When I Call
Some Christian songs seem a little formulaic: Verse 1, I was lost; Verse 2, Then I was found; Verse 3, You can be found too, cause it’s great! But I’ve found that the formula doesn’t always match up to the realities I’ve experienced in my life. So I try to write songs where the answers aren’t so obvious, if there are any answers at all, and in the midst of the unknowing, God might seem distant or unresponsive. That’s the essence of this song, based on Psalm 77, where all you can do when God doesn’t answer is keep singing.
Credits: Matt Sawhill (bass), Steven Randal (guitars). From All There Is © 2007.
Track 2: Shelter
This is the title track to my first solo album in 2001. And yes, it is an obvious nod to Bruce Hornsby, one of my keyboard heroes. When ML3 plays live, one of the moments I look forward to the most is hitting the piano solo section of this song.
Credits: Matt Sawhill (bass), Kent Peterson (guitars), Alvin Henry (drums), Marti Denna (vocals), Bill Pence (vocals). From A Bridge Called Surrender © 2001.
Track 3: Grace Is
We have a tendency to make the word, “grace,” too small sometimes. Grace can be defined as God’s unmerited favor, and we understand this as God’s saving mercy which covers our sins, and adopts us as His beloved children. And that is, thankfully, very true. But outside of God’s savinggrace, He also extends to us a sustaining grace, that which we find in the mundane and every day moments of life. If grace is God’s unmerited favor, then grace is found in every sunrise, every drop of water, every smile, every good gift, every relationship. Indeed, every breath we take in our lives is an experience of God’s unmerited favor upon us. This song is a reminder of God’s sustaining grace that pours out to us in every moment.
Credits: Jeremy Johnson (guitar). From If Life Were a Book © 2004.
Track 4: Twenty
I wrote this song for my wife, Debbie, on our twenty-year anniversary. It was the third song I had written for her. The first was when we were dating, and the second was for our wedding. I can honestly say that every day that I know her, I love her more than the day before.
Credits: Matt Sawhill (bass). From All There Is © 2007.
Track 5: If Life Were A Book
I speak often of God’s meta-narrative—creation, fall, and redemption—that is the story of the universe. Each of our stories of redemptive grace is a small stream in the vast ocean of God’s larger story, for He is the Author of Days (Hebrews 12:2). This song was an attempt to capture this idea, that God works in each page of each paragraph of each chapter of our lives, lovingly writing His love story upon us. This song also has my favorite bridge lyric: “Shaw he had his demons, Hemingway his wars, Melville knew the monster he was looking for. Verne he saw the future, Homer saw the past, but Solomon knew the things that would last.”
Credits: Jeremy Johnson (guitar). From If Life Were a Book © 2004.
Track 6: Blue
I’ve always felt that music was pretty easy to write; it was the lyrics that were always difficult for me. Influenced by Sting on this particular song, I was challenging myself to write some better lyrics. Specifically, I was playing with the meanings of the word “blue,” and using these meanings as a metaphor for life. This is what I came up with. And yes, blue is my favorite color.
Credits: Matt Sawhill (bass), David Holcomb (guitar). From All There Is © 2007.
Track 7: All There Is
This is the title cut to my 2007 album. Prior to choosing it as the title cut, I had approached my friend, Keith Elliott, to do the artwork on this album (he also did the artwork on this one), and I was explaining to him the overall concept of all the songs. He thought pensively, and replied, “I get it. This is your mid-life crisis album.” So I guess if there is a mid-life crisis song, this would be it. As a side note, this is the first song Rachel and Paige (then nine years old) sang in. I had to bribe them a dollar each to sing. Based on the book of Ecclesiastes, with a nod to the Motown school of funk.
Credits: Matt Sawhill (bass), Rachel Luz, Paige Luz (background vocals). From All There Is © 2007.
Track 8: You’re My Lord
The psalmist has a lot of songs that speak of desperation and longing. Somewhere in the darkness of our lives, we cry out to God, and hear nothing by silence. I’ve always loved this song, though I can no longer perform this song live—I simply can’t sing that high anymore. Big kudos to Matt, Kent, and Alvin for pulling off this song with such emotion.
Credits: Matt Sawhill (bass), Kent Peterson (guitars), Alvin Henry (drums). From A Bridge Called Surrender © 2001.
Track 9: Why
This song kind of epitomizes a lot of things I try to do musically—it is a mini-suite of different movements, enfusing elements of jazz, an unusual 6/4 meter, and anthemic piano ballad. Lyrically, this is also another one of those songs where I wanted to express that faith doesn’t necessarily mean having any easy answers. Sometimes all we have to cling to is the sovereignty of a benevolent God.
Credits: Matt Sawhill (bass). From All There Is © 2007.
Track 10: Falling
This is my “Dark Night of the Soul” song. The inventive drum solo by Alvin and haunting vocals by Marti at the end of the song still gives me goose bumps.
Credits: Matt Sawhill (bass), Kent Peterson (guitars), Alvin Henry (drums), Marti Denna (vocals). From A Bridge Called Surrender © 2001.
Track 11: It’s All Right
This song probably epitomizes the “So Far” theme more than any I’ve written. If you pay attention to the inner workings of the self, you attain a certain perspective when you reach the halfway point between birth and death: “No longer living life deceived, my faith is in whom I believe. It’s all right, It’s all right. Lord, I know it’s all right.”
Credits: Jeremy Johnson (guitar). From If Life Were a Book © 2004.
Track 12: Take Me To The River
I’ve been doing this cover many years. I felt it fitting that it would eventually make it on one of my albums, and it has become a crowd favorite over the years. With all due respect to Al Green and The Talking Heads, I think the guitar work by Steven and bottom thump by Matt on this song makes it the best version of the song ever.
Credits: Matt Sawhill (bass), Steven Randal (guitars). From All There Is © 2007.
Track 13: A Bridge Called Surrender
Probably the simplest song I’ve ever written. But also the one I keep learning how to live. More than any other, this is the song of my life.
Credits: Matt Sawhill (bass), Kent Peterson (accordion). From A Bridge Called Surrender © 2001.
Adventures in Faith & Art 