From My Shelves – Isaac Everett

From My Shelves is a series of occasional posts that look at items from my personal collection to which I have a special attachment.

Isaac Everett – Rotation (2006) Despite the fact that I made my living in the church for over a decade, I am not a huge fan of most “religious” music.  I enjoy and find inspiration in many different styles but there is very little that has truly grabbed me and stayed with me.

I first came across Isaac Everett at the 2006 General Convention of the Episcopal Church.  He led much of the worship music at that convention.  I was hooked very quickly.  Bringing together both classic traditions with contemporary music and instruments from around the world, Everett’s music spoke to me in a deeper place than most other “church music”.  Here you get piano and electric guitar and oboe and oud and didjeridu.

I used one of the tracks at a church camp for senior high students with great effect.  “Preparation” has a driving electric guitar line, which I played at VERY high volume as the group walked in.  Add in the line “Lead me to Jerusalem to die” and I had everyone’s attention.  My adult staff all had looks that said, “this better be good”.  I think it was.

The music gives you a variety of sounds and feel.  “Incarnation”, the first track, uses the 1st Century Liturgy of St. John for its lyric source and a 17th Century French Carol for the music.  You end up with a wonderful, modern setting for worship.  “Preparation” has a special place for me, as noted.  “Valediction” gives a soaring, flute driven feel.  Everett takes the 22nd Psalm as his lead for “Execution”,  “My god, my god, why have you forsaken me?”,

Each track has its own unique aspect.  “Lamentation” which gives classic Latin a strong bass line and some electronic keyboard support.  “Resurrection” has a bright, rock feel to it.  “Adoration” with a smooth jazz piano intro, then glides into lyrics by Thomas Aquinas!

It’s not “worship music” of the sort I grew up with, nor the kind I have found too often around the church.  Maybe that’s why a decade later I’m still listening to it.

The website hasn’t been updated in a while, but you can listen to more of his music at http://www.isaaceverett.com/