Free music that is worth listening to

Perhaps I could subtitle this entry "CD Report #1" - I hesitate to do that though, because it could unleash a monster: there's a lot of good music out there. However, not much of that good music is FREE, so I want to tell you about some that is.

Derek Webb is one of my favorite artists. He has a great voice, pretty good guitar skills, and is a talented and provocative songwriter. When my dad listened to him a few weeks ago, he said his voice and words were reminiscent of Bob Dylan. Derek Webb would be proud. He is a Christian artist, but with a unique and refreshing slant on things - by that, I mean he sings about what is true and right and challenging. He has the courage to go where few Christian artists have gone before. And now he's giving his music away for free. If you click on the title of this entry, you'll go to a website where you can download Derek's latest CD, Mockingbird. It's a CD that would definitely be considered "controversial" by some, but only by those who would consider the following lyrics, from the song "Rich Young Ruler", controversial:

poverty is so hard to see
when it’s only on your tv and twenty miles across town
where we’re all living so good
that we moved out of Jesus’ neighborhood
where he’s hungry and not feeling so good
from going through our trash
he says, more than just your cash and coin
I want your time, I want your voice
I want the things you just can’t give me

I'd encourage you to download Mockingbird and listen to it a few times. I hope it will make you think!