one month

Heroes #3 - Neil Bennetts

Ok, just so you know there is no chance of me getting a pay rise so this isn't some big suck up.

I've met a lot of talented and renowned worship leaders and song writers in my time, including many men and women of God who have blessed the wider church in immeasurable ways. And to my mind there is one who is head and shoulders above the rest; Matt Redman. 

However saying that there is another worship leader who I think has grasped what it truly means to love and serve the church; to be committed to building the community of believers with a truly Kingdom perspective: Mr. Neil M. Bennetts.

He would be the first to say that he's not the best guitarist or vocalist (actually, I'd probably say it first as a joke - but he'd humbly agree), yet in terms of establishing values, working in unity, steering a church towards worship, equipping a church with songs, building and progressing a team and, crucially, leading the church into God's presence - there is no-one I've met to match him.

As modern worship leaders increasingly resemble the rock stars they wish they could be, Neil remains undistracted by the glamour and celebrity of the era - even when we have a big church and we help run a regional conference. So many would seek to 'build' on that or to 'bless' the wider church. Instead, almost all his efforts and thoughts go into what God is doing in Trinity Cheltenham. Selfish? No, obedient.

When Emilie and I moved to Northern Ireland in 2003, Neil was pretty much the only worship leader from England who stayed in touch - even though we didn't know each other that well. When he was over visiting his family he would always ring up for a coffee and was always keen to have me over and keep me involved in New Wine. 

Ever since I started writing songs as a precocious teenager many 'important and influential' leaders were interested in my 'development'. However few retained any commitment once I was no longer in immediate contact or had left the glare of Soul Survivor's limelight. Even though I was 'just doing the youth' and I was a decade and half younger (and more than a little bit of a know it all) - Neil treated me like a peer; as a co-worker in the Kingdom - even when he was heading up worship for the whole New Wine movement.

Delight in other's success is one of his trademarks.

This summer I witnessed how truly delighted he was as God moved in our church and led people into new depths of worship. As a move of the Spirit brought new intimacy and passion and wonder to our times of worship, Neil was in his element, with a simple delight in the things of the Kingdom. 

Sometimes he gets more excited about my songs than his own. 

He is not without his weaknesses, shortcomings and failures - but that just puts him in the same category as every great man of God I've ever met or read about. I am proud to be his friend and colleague - though make no mistake, I will continue to tease and torture him cruelly at each frequent opportunity (it is a gift I have).

I am probably going to regret this post so I better click 'Publish' before I think about it for too long.......

What he says - "We in our churches and in our ministries need to live in wonder. We can’t reduce our lives as worshippers to a set of procedures, creeds or profit and loss accounts. We need to linger in the cloud a little more - not try and explain it, manage it, control it, assess it. But pause in that place where things are mysterious and let the wonder grow. It's what brings life alive."

"I am committed but not involved"  

"Who is Jay-Z?"

"Admit it, I am a design genius!"

What they say - "Neil Bennetts has been slowly but surely building a reputation as an exceptional songwriter and worship leader. His work at Trinity Cheltenham and his regular worship leading at the New Wine event has made this, his first "solo" album, long overdue and what a delight it is!" - Tony Cummings, Cross Rhythms

Finest Moment - It's a fine call between 'King of Love' or 'O Perfect Love' or employing me.

dg

Heroes #2 - Damon Lindelof

Make no mistake. To my mind Damon Lindelof is the coolest person on the planet right now.

As Co-Creator, Executive Producer and Show Runner of 'LOST' he is chiefly responsible for the creation and development of the greatest show in 21st Century television. Together with his writing partner, and fellow Exec, Carlton Cuse he holds all the secrets to the Islands mysteries.

Now let me tell you why LOST is so special. There are very, very few examples of TV or Films that can simultaneously handle three key objectives.....

1. Mass Appeal

2. Artistic Integrity and Quality

3. Depth of Intellectual Content

LOST handles all three exceptionally well. Its first season was a pop culture phenomenon. And even with reduced ratings from losing the casual observers who can't keep up with the depth of the story lines - it is still massively popular. Genuine 'water cooler' TV. Its production values are first rate - many have described it like watching a 'movie every week'. The characters and dialogue are just brilliant. After watching an episode of Lost, your other favourite serialised shows (24 or Heroes) seem clunky, bad acted and second rate. They're not - it's just that LOST is so good. It is far more than a TV show. I never make an effort to see shows I've missed - life is too bust and there are far more important things to do - yet I NEVER miss LOST. Never.

No other show has the scope to examine redemption, life and death, the nature of good and evil, science versus faith and freewill and destiny. It also has a nice sideline in 'Father Issues'.

There are two things I love most about LOST and Damon Lindelof is the chief protagonist for both. Firstly, the mythology of the Island - JJ Abrams described the Island as 'a character' in its own right. I love all the mystery of the show, the piecing together of the puzzle, the 'Easter Eggs', the speculation, searching the screencaps. This is the primary reason why LOST has a second life on the internet. There are hundreds of forums and chatrooms where the endless theories are posted. There have also been three ARG online games which have enhanced and augmented the overall mythology of the show. 

Secondly, the show's sponge-like absorption of cultural references. From Greek Mythology to Star Wars there are hundreds of references from across the board. There is even a 'LOST Book Club' run by the ABC Studios to encourage fans of LOST to read the books which influence the show. The show is rich in religious imagery particularly Christianity and the Eastern religions.

The show is truly a rich tapestry and I am enjoying whilst it is here because there are only 34 more episodes to be broadcast. I cannot wait to see how it all ends and how the mysteries are revealed yet I am also dreading its ending - there will never be anything quite like this on TV ever again. 

Many of you will be thinking "It's only a TV show.... You're a geek and a loser". With pride.

Thank you Damon.

What He Says - “Thank you for believing in our show. We know it's frustrating sometimes, but hold on and thanks for getting Lost with us.”

What They Say - "The show with perhaps the most compelling continuing story line in television history" The New York Times

Finest Moment - It's a toss up between the "snake in the mailbox" twist at the end of Season 3 and the brilliant genre bending episode 'The Constant' from season 4, both written with Carlton Cuse.

dg

Heroes #1 - Thom Yorke

A wave of ginger hair. A lazy left eye. A piercing, emotional voice. Thom Yorke is more of an Anti-Hero really.

As a young 14 year old whose musical taste was held in the twin vice like grips of Aerosmith and Bon Jovi, the Britpop scene came along, shook me up and crashed open the doors of musical wonderment. This movement spearheaded by the the warring Blur and Oasis coincided with the airing of The Beatles Anthology which radically changed my perceptions of music. 

Through this formative period I approached the grunge scene from Seattle and eventually ended up with a song called 'Creep', which had been a huge hit in the States, by the Oxford band Radiohead. So when I was given a taped copy of 'The Bends' I was looking forward to it. 

I literally played this tape to death. 

Where my mother heard "wrist-slitting" I heard life affirming beauty. From the rip-roaring "Just" and "My Iron Lung" to the fractured simplicity of 'High and Dry' and 'Bulletproof.... I Wish I Was' - I was mesmerised. So I eagerly awaited it's follow up 'OK Computer'.

Epiphanous. It is the only way I can describe it. I've never really recovered from that record. All of a sudden music could be catchy, simple, complex, layered, intelligent, poignant, current, retro, fragile, aggressive and meaningful all at once. I can still remember listening for the first time with head phones on. As 'Airbag' opens with a cello soaring into my right ear and monster riff attacking my left ear before those distorted drums and syncopated bass line turned my world upside down.

So what do bands do when they reach a critical and commercial high? - They do it again only it isn't quite the same. Unless of course you are Radiohead - then you disappear for 3 and half years and release an release an Art Rock record without any interviews or singles. 'Kid A' is not a lesson on how to rest on your laurels. Many find it difficult - I found it magnificent. This was followed up by the equally engaging 'Amnesiac' and the more guitar based 'Hail to the Thief'. The incredible solo album 'The Eraser' and the industry changing 'In Rainbows' bring us up to the present day.

Making great music is not enough to become a 'hero' however. My appreciation of Thom Yorke stems from how the music is made, how it is presented and the endless progression and experimentation. There is no mainstream artist that can match Radiohead's invention. His lyrics draw form so many familiar phrases and images and together they paint the bleak picture of the 21st Century world - complete with breaking rays of sunlight and hope. Interestingly he was an opponent of New Labour from the outset - as early as 1997 singing "Bring down the government/They don't speak for us". In 2001 Amnesiac's 'You and whose army' directly challenges the Blairite cabinet to a showdown.

The manner of Thom Yorke's political activism has always impressed me. He was heavily involved in the 'Jubilee 2000', though not always the most visible advocate, and he has regularly supported the 'Free Tibet' campaign and is a constant and passionate supporter of 'Friends of the Earth'. He is an intelligent proponent of the causes he cares about, contrasting with the sixth form common room chatter of the Chris Martins of this world. Rather than the soapbox, proselytising style of a Bono - shaking hands with Bush and Blair and whichever Billionaire was going pay for some retrovirals- he has always kept his integrity - trying to instigate and inspire his fanbase into direct engagement and involvement in the issues.

Most importantly he hasn't forgotten the day job, realising that it is the impact of his art that gives him a powerful voice - not his celebrity. The fact U2 have not made a good, original record since 1997's POP  ('All You Can't Leave Behind' is a good U2 pastiche - 'How To Dismantle...' is an awful U2 pastiche - yes, October was good, but that was 25 years ago.) weakens the validity of Bono's voice and compromises his integrity as he now seems to trade on his fame more than his artistic merits.  Thom Yorke has been responsible for 6 great records in that time. And as always, I can't wait for the next one.

What He Says - "It's like a supply and demand thing. It's like 'Well, this is what they want me to do, this is what they want to hear. So I'll do more of this, cuz this is great... and they love me.' Suddenly people start giving you money as well. So then you've got money and you get used to this lifestyle. And you don't wanna take any risks cuz they've got you by the balls, and you've got all these little things that you've bought, or you're attached to. And you start spending all this money... And that's how they get ya!"

What They Say - "But this is pop, a music of ornery, glistening guile and honest ache, and it will feel good under your skin once you let it get there."  - Rolling Stone

Finest Moment - Paranoid Android - the bit where he spits out the lyric "Kicking, squealing, Gucci, little piggy".

Heroes

No this isn't a confusing story about normal people who develop super powers and then spend 3 seasons twisting and turning trying to avoid the huge plot holes of having numerous characters that can time travel and stop time or see the future.

Instead this is a little mini-series highlighting people from various fields of life who have become some of my heroes; People who have influenced and inspired me and have generally made my life better and richer because of their efforts. Some of them you may know already, others you may not be too familiar with, but all of them are brilliant in their own unique ways.

I've not included any Biblical characters or Mother Theresa/Mandela types - that would be a bit too predictable, easy and, frankly, boring.....

enjoy...

dg

Jamie Oliver

Top 5 Films 2008

1. No Country For Old Men 

Yeah I know it won the Oscar, but sometimes they get it right.

2. There Will Be Blood

.... and there was. A hugely memorable film about greed and evil destroying the soul.

3.Wall -E

Seriously. This a great film.

4.The Dark Knight

Not quite the deep, philosophical film it pretends to be, but still the best Superhero flick of all time (at least until Watchmen comes out next year). Heath. Ledger. Oscar. 

5. Juno

She just about stays the right side of annoying  - lovely unexpected film.

Notable Disappointment:

Indiana Jones and The Kingdom of the Crystal Skull 

(Why? Why would you do that to people? It was one of the greatest movie series of all time. Now it has this sordid, half-baked dim-witted inbred cousin hanging round with the rest of them....  I didn't like it.)

*UPDATE*

I had thought that 'The Diving Bell and The Butterfly' was from 2007 when it was actually from this year and would definitely had made it in there, maybe even at #3......

Top 5 Albums (pre 2008)

1. Midlake - The Trials of Van Occupanther

Simply outstanding. Why did I not buy this in 2006? That's 2 years of my life wasted.

2. Justice - Cross

Daft Punk must be gutted. These guys have made an anthemic, spiritual and vital record for our times.

3. Burial - Untrue

This album sneaked into 2007 otherwise it would have been high on this years favourites. Urban Britain condensed into 51.2 minutes.

4. Whiskeytown - Pneumonia

Ryan Adams gets ready to be incredible.

5. Josh Ritter - The Historical Conquests of.....

He has been on my radar for a while but this album is the best of his I have bought...

Notable Mentions:

Once (Sountrack)

Iron & Wine - The Shepherd's Dog

Ron Sexsmith - Ron Sexsmith

Ryan Adams - Love is Hell

Doris Day - The Christmas Album (awesome!)

The National - Boxer

Top 5 Albums of 2008

Albums of 2008:

1.Fleet Foxes - Fleet Foxes

Beach Boys meets woodland fairy tale fantasies - incredible.

2.Martha Wainwright - I Know You're Married But I've Got Feelings Too

As good as one of her brother's albums. Yep, it is that good.

3.Laura Marling - Alas, I Cannot Swim

An enchanting and authentic British songstress - and still a teenager!

4.Joan as Policewoman - To Survive

A truly soulful singer songwriter with a great 'sophomore' album.

5.REM - Accelerate

Everyone said it was a return to form. They were right.

Notable mentions:

MGMT - Oracular Spectacular (would have made top 5 if 2nd half of record matched the awesome 1st half!)

Mogwai - The Hawk is Howling (a worthy addition to their impressive catalogue)

Sigur Ros - Med Sud I Eyrum Vid Spilum Enderlast (Even though they are huge now they are still one of the most unique bands on the planet)

Ron Sexsmith - Exit Strategy of the Soul (It is physically impossible for Him to write a bad song)

Chris Lawson Jones - Carolina (One of my favourite albums of any year - but then I wrote a bit of it, so i would say that)

Top 5's for 2008

Many of you fervent followers of my previous blog - (Daily Health Scare - R.I.P.) will be familiar with this. Like many pathetic modern men I have an addiction to lists of stuff - here are my favourite albums of 2008, older albums I bought in 2008 and (making a debut) films I've watched..... enjoy

Sufjan Stevens - Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing

Come, Thou Fount of every blessing,
Tune my heart to sing Thy grace;
Streams of mercy, never ceasing,
Call for songs of loudest praise.
Teach me some melodious sonnet,
Sung by flaming tongues above.
Praise the mount, I’m fixed upon it,
Mount of Thy unchanging love.

Here I raise my Ebenezer;
Here there by Thy great help I’ve come;
And I hope, by Thy good pleasure,
Safely to arrive at home.
Jesus sought me when a stranger,
Wandering from the fold of God;
He, to rescue me from danger,
Interposed His precious blood.

O to grace how great a debtor
Daily I’m constrained to be
Let that grace now, like a fetter,
Bind my wandering heart to Thee.
Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it,
Prone to leave the God I love;
Here’s my heart, O take and seal it,
Seal it for Thy courts above.

Come, Thou Fount of every blessing,
Tune my heart to sing Thy grace;
Streams of mercy, never ceasing,
Call for songs of loudest praise.
Teach me some melodious sonnet,
Sung by flaming tongues above.
Praise the mount, I’m fixed upon it,
Mount of Thy unchanging love.