Sew Many Tastes
Released December 25, 2016
Album cover photo by Kirk
Available on Apple Music and many other streaming services
The idea for this album was derived by me (Kirk) in 2015. After recording the bulk our Christmas album, I started looking ahead to the future. We spent most of 2015 learning a ton of new Christian cover songs. 3 songs were selected by each person in the group. We discussed the criteria that I use to determine if we would use each of the songs in our worship service or not. The criteria was:
- Do I like the song?
- Does it draw people closer to God?
- Can we do the song (may not be identical to the original)?
- Is it appropriate?
- Does it fit on one page?
We analyzed each song and found that some songs may be great, but are not appropriate for our worship setting. We also found that some songs may be appropriate according to the setting; for example, a more difficult 'performance' style song may work if we're the only ones singing it.
We also discussed some basic music theory and song forms (use of bridges, verses, chorus', and repetition) and what makes a song 'good'. Then we took a look at some songs with regard to music style, instrumentation, key & chord structure, vocals style/range/melodies/harmonies, and anything else that stood out in order to build upon those foundations for our next album.
This album is titled 'Sew Many Tastes' because we dove into many different flavors (styles) of music. Yes, it's a pun, it could've been 'So Many Tastes'; since we're weaving many different styles into one album, it's like we're sewing.
There is no correct style of music. It's important to experience many different styles. The album is meant to meet all of the criteria mentioned earlier and include many different styles (except country, you've got to draw the line somewhere).
As with all of the songs on all of our albums, these songs were used in worship services at Legacy Christian Church.
My challenge was for each member of the group to write at least one song for the album (and that we would use in worship) that was 100 words or less, in one of the following styles:
Style - influence
Blues - Buddy Guy
Jazz
Rock
Heavy Rock - Skillet
Heavy Metal
Indie? - The Gray Havens
African - a hymn
Indie? - 100 Portraits
Pop - To Know Your Name (Live) by Hillsong Live
Pop - VERIDIA
Spiritual - Holy Spirit by Francesca Battistelli
Ideas for song content
Personal experience
Scripture - a story
Scripture - a verse or verses
Poem
Josh left the group while we were working on this album so the Indie slant was mostly missed on the final album.
Bob Conly plays with us every week but doesn't enjoy recording very much so for this album we had a number of different bass players.
We also invited a couple lead guitar players to join us on a few songs. I (Kirk) am a drummer that plays drums and other things but I'm not a great lead guitarist, and based on my practice patterns, I'm probably not going to be one. So sad, I know.
One of the cool things about this group is that there are no big ego's.
One of the bummer's about creating an album is jumping through hoops with formats. We use CDBaby to distribute the album but I have to use a program called VLC to convert the audio to a 44100 KHz 16bit WAV file to upload. Silly.
No Idea
No Idea (Carley Wesseler and Kirk Hopkins)
Intro: Capo 4 or G#m E B F# Em C G D 2x D Verse: My future rests in God's hands I know for me You have a plan It might be different than my plans It might be different than your plan Repeat Intro Repeat Verse Chorus: So I'll stick with God's plan Yeah I'll stick, I'll stick with His plan God knows the future, He knows the end result So I'll stick with God's plan Repeat Chorus Repeat Intro (no hold) Bridge (soft guitar only): I'm not going to Harvard I'm not staying at home Don't know where I'll be, but I know I'm not alone I know I'm not alone Instrumental 2x: Em C G D Repeat Bridge Repeat Chorus 2x Instrumental soft 2x: Em C G D Outro 4x: So I'll stick with God's plan
Composed by: Carley Wesseler and Kirk Hopkins
Style: 2010's Pop Rock
Vocals, Lead - Carley Wesseler
Electric Guitar - Kirk Hopkins
Acoustic Guitar - Kirk Hopkins
Bass - Ryan Mains
Drums - Kirk Hopkins
Song Notes: I (Kirk) challenged Carley (and everyone else in the group) to write a song. When we met to work through the song I asked her what it was called; 'no idea' was her answer. I don't think that was what she meant, but that's what I wrote down. I've written songs starting with a melody, starting with a rhythm, starting with a poem, starting with a musical style. Carley wasn't sure about this song; she said maybe Skillett or the Beatles. Yeah, those are not similar at all. After a little prodding, she gave me a concept which quickly became the lyrics for the song. Then she played 'Rescue Me' by Kerri Roberts. I was inspired by the process and the direction that Carley was taking the song (although I don't think she knew it). I helped with the lyrics and developed the chord progression and part of the melody line. After that, Carley and I tweaked the lyrics and she took the song as her own as I played the acoustic guitar. 20 minutes later we recorded the song on my iPhone. It will be interesting to hear how it compares with the final recording.
Trouble
Trouble (Kirk Hopkins)
Intro: Riff 1 2x Riff 2 2x Riff 3 Verse 1: (Riff 2) Trouble, with a capital T Trouble, oh don't find me Trouble, lurkin' 'round the bend Trouble, happens now and then (Riff 3) Life isn't always easy Repeat song Instrumental Repeat Verse 1 (with Riff 3) Outro: Riff 1 4x ====== Riff 1: 1e a2 &a e& (4 1 2 3 4 ) E: 08 07 06 05 (drums ) Riff 2: 1e&a2 &a e& 4 & 1e&a2 &a e& 4 & A: 00002 00 00 3 2 00002 00 00 5 3 Riff 3: 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 D: 2 3
Composed by: Kirk Hopkins
Style: Hard Rock
Vocals, Lead - Kirk Hopkins
Vocals - Natalie Hopkins & Pam Hopkins
Electric Guitar - Kirk Hopkins
Bass - Brian Hoffman
Drums - Kirk Hopkins
Song Notes: Another heavy metalish/heavy rock/fun type tune. The song doesn't actually refer directly to God, but like the book of Ruth, you can see our need for God.
Do Not Fear
Do Not Fear (Natalie Hopkins)
Optional: Capo 5 Am & G
Intro:
Dm
Verse 1:
Dm
I am the Lord your God
who takes hold of your hand
and says to you
Pre-Chorus:
Dm
"Do not fear"
"Do not fear"
"Do not fear"
Chorus:
So do not fear, for I am with you
do not be dismayed, for I am your God
C
I will strengthen you and help you
Dm
I will hold you in my righteous hand
C
Repeat PreChorus
Repeat Chorus
Bridge:
Dm
The worries of this world are not worth the worry
C
the fears of this life are not worth the fright
Dm
So just let them go and you'll be alright
C
Repeat Chorus 2x
Repeat PreChorus
Outro:
Dm
I will hold you in My hand
Based on Isaiah 41:10
Composed by: Natalie Hopkins
Style: Ethereal
Vocals, Lead - Natalie Hopkins
Vocals - Carley Wesseler
Acoustic Guitar - Kirk Hopkins
Bass - Tim Cornelius
Drums - Kirk Hopkins
Keyboard - Kirk Hopkins
Song Notes: Natalie likes to listen to secular music as well as sacred music. She likes Twenty One Pilots as well as other groups. She was inspired to write this song after listening to the group 'Bastille'. Ironically, this song sounds nothing like them. That's how music creation goes sometimes.
Pachelbel's Canon in D
Pachelbel's Canon in D (Johann Pachelbel)
D A Bm F#m G D G A
Composed by: Johann Pachelbel
Arrangers: Kirk Hopkins, Sam Freese, and Tim Cornelius
Style: Classical to Metal
Electric Guitar - Sam Freese
Acoustic Guitar - Kirk Hopkins
Keyboard - Kirk Hopkins
Bass - Tim Cornelius
Drums - Kirk Hopkins
Song Notes: While this song is not necessarily a sacred song, since there are no lyrics, you could argue one way or the other. Can I worship God instrumentally? I think so. I decided to include this song because I wrote an arrangement of it for my wedding to my beautiful bride. It was played by 2 very close friends (Bill Pendleton and Angie Schaefer Pendleton) on the marimba. Years ago I heard a version on YouTube by 'funtwo' that blew me away. I decided it was time to revisit the song for recording purposes with Sam Freese (a phenomenal guitarist) and Tim Cornelius (an amazing bass player).
God is Unchanging
God is Unchanging (Kirk Hopkins)
(ZZ topish on cigar box guitar)
G
Sometimes the distance between us
is wide, sometimes you're near
I know when we are far apart
it's me that moved not You
Chorus:
A# C C# C G
because You, You are unchanging
I love the mountaintop times
when I can feel your presence
eternity will be like that
I wanna be in Your presence
Repeat Chorus
People around come and go
things don't stay the same
Good things, bad things, there's always change
but You remain unchanging
Repeat Chorus
Some friends are close and some are far
Their choices still affect me
In all things, You oh God
You are unchanging
Repeat Chorus
A rock, a constant, unmovable one
Always, forever, faithful
Loving, caring, compassionate God
You are always unchanging
Repeat Chorus
My Lord, my God, I trust in You
Father, teacher, watch over me
Never failing, always Holy
You are always unchanging
Repeat Chorus 2x
Composed by: Kirk Hopkins
Style: Rock
Vocals, Lead - Natalie Hopkins
Cigar Box Guitar - Kirk Hopkins
Bass - Brian Hoffman
Drums - Kirk Hopkins
Song Notes: This 'ZZ top(ish)' song was previously written to another tune that I didn't like. I was inspired by a training video from Nickel Cigar Box Guitars and decided the ZZ top sound was exactly what this song needed. It has more than 100 words though so don't tell the rest of the band.
The Way You Do
The Way You Do (Bob Conly)
Intro:
C F C G
Chorus:
C G
Why do You love me, love the way You do
C F
Why do You care for, care for such a fool
C G
I broke Your heart, turn my back on You, too
C F C G
Why do You love me, love the way You do
Verse 1:
I can't explain, this rare exchange
You gave us life, while you embraced the pain
You made a way, when there once was none
Your Calvary complete, our salvation won
Repeat Chorus
Verse 2:
Tear back that curtain Lord, and let me see
That narrow way, the way for me to be
Right in Your sight, and set apart
Find favor in Your eye, a place in Your heart
Bridge:
G F
Now I surrender, I'm all in
G F
In You my hope, my hope begins
G F
No longer am I, am I in charge
C F G G7 G
I give You my mind, my soul, my heart
Closing Chorus:
C G
Oh that You love me, love the way You do
C F
That you really care for, care for this ol' fool
C G
I know Your heart, and You've got my back, too
C F C F
That's why I love You, love, that's why I love You, love
C G riff C F C G C
that's why I love You, love the way You do
Composed by: Bob Conly
Style: Blues/Rockabilly
Vocals, Lead - Bob Conly
Vocals - Pam Hopkins
Electric Guitar - Bob Conly
Bass - Bob Conly
Drums - Kirk Hopkins
Song Notes: This song is a life statement. Bob loves the blues and wanted to write a Christian blues song. The words came first. How can God love us with the way that we are? We're all fools, aren't we? Bob says that as a teenager and a young adult he was living contrary to what God teaches, what God is all about. He became 'born again' (began living for Christ). The disbelief of how Christ would die for us by choice is amazing. By His death on the cross, we became winners. 'At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook, the rocks split' Matthew 27:51. At that moment we instantly gained access to God. Bob wanted to use some modern colloquialisms like the gambler is 'all in'. The song flips from asking 'why do You love me' to knowing that He loves me and really cares. 'That's why I love Him, love the way I do'.
I Will Sing To The Lord
I Will Sing To The Lord (Kirk Hopkins)
Intro:
Riff 1
Heavy Metal on a cigar box guitar tuned to G so 0=G
Verse:
G G G G A#~ G G G G
I will sing
G G G G A#~ G G G G
to the Lord
C C# |
for He is highly exalted
Instrumental:
G G G G A#~ G G G G
Chorus 2x:
7 6 5 3 2 0
He is my-y stre-ength
He is my-y defense
He is my salvation
G G G G (1st time)
Bridge:
G G G G A#~ G G G G D F
G G G G A#~ G G G G
Repeat song from Verse
Verse modified softly and build:
I will sing to the Lord
I will sing to the Lord
for He is highly exalted
Repeat Chorus 2x
Outro Repeat Bridge
Inspired by Exodus 15: 1 & 2
===================================
Riff 1
3 times in 7/8 (low G string only):
0000 0006 5 4
1e&a 2e&a 3e&a 4e
Last time in 4/4 (low G string only):
0000 0000|
1e&a 2e&a 3e&a 4e&a
Verse Riff
G power chords, others are individual notes:
G G G G A#~ G G G G D F
1 & 2 & 3 & 4 & 1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &
A#~ = huge vibrato
Composed by: Kirk Hopkins
Style: Heavy Metal
Vocals, Lead - Natalie Hopkins
Vocals - Carley Wesseler
Cigar Box Guitar - Kirk Hopkins
Bass - Brian Hoffman
Drums - Kirk Hopkins
Keyboard - Kirk Hopkins
Song Notes: I got a new cigar box guitar from Nickel Cigar Box Guitars and it inspired me to write this heavy metal song. I don't listen to heavy metal so I'm not exactly sure why I like to write heavy metal tunes. The lyrics are based on Exodus 15 verses 1 & 2.
Psalm 47
Psalm 47 (Pam Hopkins)
C hold with clapping & drums (92 bpm)
Chorus:
C| C
Clap your hands all you nations
C| C
Shout to God with cries of joy
C| C
Clap your hands all you nations
F C
How awesome, how awesome is the Lord Most High
F C
How awesome, how awesome is the Lord
Repeat Chorus
Bridge:
F C
Sing praises to our God (sing praise!)
F C
Sing praises to our King (sing praise!)
F
For God is King of all the earth
Gsus G
The King of everything
Repeat Chorus
Beat/clapping:
(1)&a(2)& (3)&a(4) &
Composed by: Pam Hopkins
Style: Peppy
Vocals, Lead - Pam Hopkins
Vocals - Carley Wesseler
Shouting - Carley Wesseler, Natalie Hopkins, & Kirk Hopkins
Clapping - Natalie Hopkins & Kirk Hopkins
Acoustic Guitar - Kirk Hopkins
Bass - Jerry Caudill
Drums - Kirk Hopkins
Song Notes: Pam wrote this song after reading the bible and thought of a tune to go with it. She likes songs that help her memorize scripture. The recording has Natalie and Kirk clapping multiple times to make it sound like a bunch of people; you'll notice some claps not quite perfect, that was recorded that way intentionally.
So Worthy
So Worthy (Kirk Hopkins)
D G Bm7 A Chorus: Holy Holy, You are worthy You are Holy, You are God Holy Holy, I stand before You I bring this offering, To You God Verse 1: You're the Creator, My mighty Saviour A loving Father, Righteous One my Redeemer, the great Healer Almighty King, You are God Repeat Chorus Repeat Verse 1 Bridge: You are worthy, so very worthy You are worthy, of my praise You are worthy, so very worthy You are worthy, I love Your grace Repeat Bridge (soft and build) Repeat Chorus Repeat Verse 1 Repeat Chorus 3x
Composed by: Kirk Hopkins
Style: Contemporary
Vocals, Lead - Natalie Hopkins
Vocals - Kirk Hopkins
Electric Guitar - Kirk Hopkins
Acoustic Guitar - Kirk Hopkins
Bass - Jerry Caudill
Drums - Kirk Hopkins
Song Notes: This is a 'Revelation Song' type piece, with 4 chords repeating throughout the song. It's a spirit song, which is somewhat strange to record. With a spirit song, you just connect with God and don't worry about the words. The lyrics are simple but speak to who God is.
video
I Will Sing Your Praise
I Will Sing Your Praise (Kirk Hopkins and Carley Wesseler)
Blues inspired by Buddy Guy's "Born to Play Guitar" 12 bars blues in G G G G G C C G G D C G D Praise the Lord Praise the Lord, my soul I will praise the Lord all my life I will sing praise to my God as long as I live Do not put your trust in princes in human beings, who cannot save When their spirit departs, they return to the ground on that very day their plans come to nothing Blessed are those whose help is the God of Jacob whose hope is in the Lord their God He is the Maker of heaven and earth the sea, and everything in them he remains faithful forever He upholds the cause of the oppressed and gives food to the hungry The Lord sets prisoners free the Lord gives sight to the blind the Lord lifts up those who are bowed down the Lord loves the righteous The Lord watches over the foreigner and sustains the fatherless and the widow but he frustrates the ways of the wicked The Lord reigns forever your God, O Zion, for all generations Praise the Lord Based on Psalm 146
Composed by: Kirk Hopkins and Carley Wesseler
Style: Blues
Vocals, Lead - Carley Wesseler
Electric lead - Troy Berry
Bass - Jerry Caudill
Drums - Kirk Hopkins
Song Notes: Inspired by Buddy Guy's song 'Born to Play Guitar', I stole the lyrics from King David (Psalms 146). I left the melody line up to the vocalists. The vocals change each time we do this song. Carley came up with the vocals for the album. It's a slow blues groove.
To God Be The Glory
To God Be The Glory (Fanny Crosby - Kirk Hopkins)
3/4 African drums and vocals with the original melody/harmony 1. To God be the glory, great things he hath done! So loved he the world that he gave us his Son, who yielded his life an atonement for sin, and opened the lifegate that all may go in. Refrain: Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, let the earth hear his voice! Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, let the people rejoice! O come to the Father thru Jesus the Son, and give him the glory, great things he hath done! 2. O perfect redemption, the purchase of blood, to every believer the promise of God; the vilest offender who truly believes, that moment from Jesus a pardon receives. (Refrain) 3. Great things he hath taught us, great things he hath done, and great our rejoicing thru Jesus the Son; but purer, and higher, and greater will be our wonder, our transport, when Jesus we see. (Refrain)
Composed by: Fanny Crosby - Kirk Hopkins
Style: African
Vocals, Lead - Pam Hopkins & Kirk Hopkins
Percussion - Kirk Hopkins
Song Notes: I wanted to do another hymn and while writing the background for this album, I wrote 'To God be the Glory'. It was a hymn that I sang many times growing up. Yesterday and today I talked to two different friends that I knew from that time in my life. One of them (Jimmy Eckel) talked about the importance of hymns and the other one (Mark Rosen) just reminded me of my past. With all of those things coming together, this song seemed to be an obvious choice. Plus, who doesn't want to lead worship with a song written by someone named 'Fanny', right? Well, actually, it wasn't well received by the band. We lead this song in worship but it was only recorded by me (Kirk) and my beautiful wife. This song is done with vocals and african percussion; a unique flavor to a familiar hymn.
You Are My Vision
You Are My Vision (Dallan Forgaill, Ireland (6th Century) & Kirk Hopkins)
Verse 1: D You are my vision, O King of my heart. A G A Nothing else satisfies, only You, Lord. G Bm D G You are my best thought by day or by night. D Bm A Asus D Waking or sleeping, Your presence, my light. Verse 2: You are my wisdom, You are my true word, I ever with You, and You with me Lord: You're my great Father, and I'm Your true son, You dwell inside me, together we're one. Verse 3: You are my battle-shield, sword for the fight: You are my dignity, You're my delight; You're my soul's shelter and You're my high tower. Come, raise me heavenward, O Power of my power. Verse 4: I don't want riches or man's empty praise: You're my inheritance, now and always; You, and You only, the first in my heart: High King of heaven, my treasure You are. Verse 5: High King of heaven, when victory's won May I reach heaven's joy, O bright heaven's Son. Heart of my own heart, whatever befall, Still be my vision, O Ruler of all. Heart of my own heart, whatever befall, Still be my vision, O Ruler of all.
Composed by: Dallan Forgaill, Ireland (6th Century) & Kirk Hopkins
Style: Indie/Hymn
Vocals - Carley Wesseler, Natalie Hopkins, Pam Hopkins, and Kirk Hopkins
Acoustic Guitar - Kirk Hopkins
Bass - Brian Hoffman
Drums - Kirk Hopkins
Song Notes: 'Be Thou My Vision' was requested by someone attending the 'Walk to Emmaus' where I was on the music team. The request sparked my interest so I decided to include a variation of the song as a second hymn for the album. I really like the version done by Rend Collective but wanted to make this my own. So this rendition has obvious 'Kirk' influence (listen to the drums). After listening to a recording of our group singing 'Good, Good Father' at a benefit, I knew that we needed to do another song with strong harmonies and, of course, a great message. As we recorded this song, I was taken back to my childhood where we sang hymns each week during Sunday morning, Sunday evening, and Wednesday worship services, yet those services were lead with piano and organ. I was also reminded of when I started leading worship with the First Christian Church (now Legacy Christian Church) praise. The praise team was mostly female vocalists with modern instrumentation (bass, guitar, and drums). I recorded Natalie singing the first verse and knew I needed reverb to remind me of the somewhat echo-ey sanctuary, so I added it. This recording of this song creates many bridges for me back to days before my time, to my early days, to my recent past, and to now and the future.