The One I Praise - the CD


This project was also recorded at Lab32 - Talent Investment Studios in Waukegan, Illinois, with Jeff Lehman at the board. The CD was mastered by Jonathon Leubner at Surround in Sound Studio, Milwaukee, WI.

Special thanks to:

My family and friends
Tom Haines - drums
Bob Wright - drums on Doxology
Courtney Hay - Flute on The One I Praise and oboe on David's Heart and You Set Me Free.
Bob & Angie Hawke of Vision Graphix - graphic design work & layout

Click HERE to see photos from the CD booklet.

Select the song title for information about the song; select the CD icon to hear a brief sound clip.

1.The One I Praise 8.My God Knows What I Need
2.Armor of God 9.You Set Me Free
3.Do Right 10.Noah the Good
4.All Things 11.Psalm 89
5.Ev'rybody Needs to Know 12.Your Love
6.Ev'rything I Need 13.Psalm 92
7.David's Heart - Doxology Medley 14.The One I Praise - Reprise

 

1. The One I Praise

I picked this one for the "title track" because I think it aptly describes the heart of this project - simply, to praise. Some of these songs are fairly serious, others are more fun - but all have the common purpose of praising God. (Back to Top)

 

2. Armor of God

I wrote this one for a kid's program several years ago, at Beth's request. We came up with hand motions for it, but it was always tough for me to do them and play piano at the same time!. You'll have to ask Carla to show you. (Back to Top)

 

3. Do Right

Genesis 4:7 really struck me, and is the basis for this song. God tells Cain, in essence, that he needs to "do right" in order to be right, in order to truly feel "in line" with God's design and plan. And it hit me that that really is the basis of what we call our "conscience" - that inner voice that lets us know when we're "doing right" and when we're not. (Back to Top)

 

4. All Things

Obviously, this comes out of Phillipians 4:13. I think anyone that's been a Christian for any amount of time has experienced the need to lean on the promise of this verse. (Back to Top)

 

5. Ev'rybody Needs To Know

The CUMC choir sang this one first, many years ago. I re-worked it a bit, but the bulk of it is the same as the original, with an added bit of fun at the piano. (Back to Top)

 

6. Ev'rything I Need

This is one of my all-time favorite songs to sing and play... probably because I love playing the blues. I think Stan and I first did this song on a Sunday morning wearing sunglasses... (Back to Top)

 

7. David's Heart - Doxology Medley

At Pastor's request, I wrote this new tune for the Doxology, and it grew to be a real blessing of praise in our times of worship. I recently began composing the instrumental portion, and decided to call it David's Heart, since it seemed to capture what I sensed in much of David's writing - a feeling of loneliness, being picked on and abandoned... but always ending with a song of praise. The change from minor to major chording was an attempt to express David's gift for recognizing God's presence even in the darkest times. Adding the Doxology seemed to be a perfect way to verbalize the feeling of praise. (Back to Top)

 

8. My God Knows What I Need

I sometimes struggle believing all of these words, but I know the Bible is very clear about it. God does know what we need, and He does have our best interest at heart. Our job is simply to trust Him - which, admittedly, is sometimes much easier said/sang than done. (Back to Top)

 

9. You Set Me Free

Laura wrote these words and approached me about setting them to music. I struggled for quite a while with it, but then it all seemed to just fall into place. For the CD, I wanted to keep it simple and let the profound message in the words come through. Thank you, Laura, for letting me put your words to music, and for allowing it to be part of this project. Special thanks, also, to Courtney for a truly inspired oboe addition! (Back to Top)

 

10. Noah the Good

Originally written as a take-off of a popular "oldie", we discovered that the current copyright holders wouldn't allow the music to be used with different words... So I finally sat down and decided to come up with a new tune. I had no idea it would end up with a "big band swing" feel. For those of you who originally heard it to the other tune, I hope you can adjust, and that you like this version as well! (Back to Top)

 

11. Psalm 89

Plain and simple, straight out of the Psalm. There is none like Him anywhere. (Back to Top)

 

12. Your Love

There are times when I'm overwhelmed by the magnitude and purity of love that I feel. This song is a simple response to that love.(Back to Top)

 

13. Psalm 92

Another "straight from the Psalms" song. (Back to Top)

 

14. The One I Praise - Reprise

This is a "simplified" version of the title track, hopefully one that allows you to meditate on the holiness and worthiness of God. (Back to Top)