a stringed instrument
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OK, I do want to share my thoughts and hear some more of yours on what you talked about in your last post, but I'd prefer to do that face-to-face, which won't be so long seeing as school is almost over. I liked hearing all of your insightful thoughts on the subject and I'd love to talk to you about it in person.
For now, I'm just going to put in some filler material about something I have recently developed an attachment to:
BANJOS!!!
Yes, this is another musical post, but this time it's specifically geared towards an instrument that I believe is widely underrated. I was inspired by the Sufjan video I posted last time and realized I wanted to focus on this instrument. It's the kind that usually doesn't fit into a group ensemble, but on those strange occasions when banjo playing is appropriate, it's amazing! While the banjo is usually associated with hillbillies, rednecks, yokels, hicks, bumpkins, and all manner of country-dwellin' folk, the banjo can also be used in some fairly creative and unique genres.
For starters, there's one of my favorite video-game intros of all time. I wish all video-games started out this way, especially the more violent ones we play on Xbox and Fatty and Sissy's house.
It's so cute!!!
It reminds me of much simpler time of video-games when you collected puzzle pieces instead of other people's guns and instead of a flame-thrower tank on your back, all you had was a giant bird that pecked people who got in your way. Not that I think about it, this isn't really any less violent . . .
Anyway, I mentioned Sufjan Stevens above and it would be an absolute desecration to write post about the banjo without mentioning him. For me, Sufjan opened up the possibilities of the banjo and what it could be used for. He is able to perform such melodiously beautiful songs with a rather twangy instrument, which to me is amazing.
This song is called "For the Widows in Paradise, For the Fatherless in Ypsilanti".
He plays other instruments as well, but I whenever I think of Sufjan, I always picture him with a banjo, just because of the skill and heart he puts into that one instrument.
Another band that I have recently become attached to is Mumford and Sons, a folk-rock band from England. The also have so much heart and soul in their music, and they deal with some fairly difficult spiritual issues in their music. This song is my favorite of theirs. but unfortunately, the language is a little strong. I felt I should just warn you so it doesn't take you off guard.
If it doesn't let you watch it here, there should be a direct link to Youtube there. The song is called "Little Lion Man" if you want to look it up yourself.
This last one is by David Crowder*Band. They took an old southern revival song by a guy called Hank Williams and adapted it with a few modern changes. The song is a good ol' fashioned hoedown song about being born again in Christ. What I appreciate about the song is that whenever David Crowder plays it anywhere but the south, he always asks if it would be "socially acceptable" for them to break out in a hoedown. It's a fun song and they always get the audience into it. It's so much fun to be a part of a giant group of people all singing and worshipping in the most ridiculous way possible, which is probably why this is my favorite banjo song. Despite the diversity of the instrument, it's always best when used in a classic hootenanny style.
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So you may have noticed that most of the songs were either about God, or with some sort of religious issue. I'm not sure why that is to be honest, but I think it's so interesting that the banjo is so closely related to worship and spiritual experience.
Anyway, wish you bonne chance and buena suerte on your next exams and hope all the best for you in the last few days of school! This summer, I'll be more available because I'll probably be working more for my Dad. That means we can have more group parties, late night movie-watching, and even later night discussions. And I'll talk to you about pastoral stuff very soon, don't worry.
Have a great night Tim!
See you soon!
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