Yesterday, Today and Forever by Vicki Beeching
I noticed this song in the iMeem list above, and was surprised to find a more mellow, orchestrated version there. Here's a You Tube link to the original version of the song, which I think shows its true potential for corporate worship:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6uJrexjlKiw1. [potency thoughts] Lots of energy throughout. She sort of builds up gradually in this recording, but I can see a trio (drums, bass, electric guitar) hitting this full-power on the first note, running through a half-verse & chorus instrumentally to get folks attention (and into their seats, if it's the opener) before starting the first verse
2. [power thoughts] Plenty power "available" depending on how the worship leader wants to use the song. When I first heard about Vicki Beeching, she was quickly making a name for herself as not only a worship leader who wrote her own stuff (great stuff, at that), but as one of the "new breed" that led with electric guitar. This song is a perfect case in point. For a group the size of our congregation, max power will come with electric guitar & crisp drums, rather than keys or acoustic guitar leading the way
3. [participation thoughts] Catchy, words always match the cadence of the tune, so there's no tricky spots where words are "crammed in". Chorus will be quickly memorized, verses will take a little longer. The words have a "familiar ring", but they are not trite, predictable rhymes that worshippers can guess at, and get right. Proper powerpoint timing will be important
4. [publically-known thoughts] I heard about about her when her debut album of worship songs (her own, not covers) came out, which is where this version of the song came from (the one with the You Tube link above). I had expected to hear more of her on the radio and at contemporary services, but I suspect the recent trend of Christian mega-groups doing praise albums and the seemingly infinite number of Hillsong releases have left her somewhat un-noticed which is a terrible shame.
NOTES : [additional thoughts, pleas for comments, etc.] My blatant opinion: Except for the fact that this song will have little instant recognition with the congregation (I'm assuming here, I could be wrong) it has most everything a worship leader would want for a new high-energy song:
*The chorus is extremely catchy, and ripe for multiple vocal harmonies
*Lots of energy, but doesn't require a "large" instrument team to deliver it
*The beat is about as easy as they get--nobody will get lost
*The word syncopation (sp?) matches the music rhythm
*The words have some theological "meat", and do not get overly repeditive or stylistic
*It's not so rock-and-roll that folks older than me will bolt from the room in disgust (unless that sound guy has it up way too loud!)
Rather than create another song post, I'll mention another of her songs which will convince you this girl has a heart for God, and a musical gift to go with it. She does "Above All Else" (her song) on solo acoustic guitar here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XDVRQ1TZpX4&feature=relatedPlease leave a comment after listening. Feel free to disagree with my "blatant opinions", and vote "FOR" if you feel so inclined.
Jeff White (that sound guy)
