Review: Chris Rice Concert
By Jim Willis on Nov 17, 2007 in Music, Reviews | Printable Version
My family and I had the pleasure of attending a Chris Rice concert at The Forum Theatre this past Thursday evening. Chris’ music is what many would call contemporary Christian music. He is an extremely gifted singer-songwriter. Some have compared him to James Taylor, a comparison which is not unwarranted. Chris writes songs that are fun to listen to, yet they make you think. The lyrics prompt you to probe your own soul and often challenge your beliefs about God and mankind. I like music like that! Good lyrics, good beat–a great combination when it’s Chris Rice.
But I have to say I was somewhat disappointed in the concert. Not with the music, which was excellent. Chris’ music has a blues/jazz/pop rock kind of thing going on. It’s really fun to listen to. And the musicians traveling with Chris did an excellent job. Chris himself played acoustic guitar for most of the concert (piano at one point), and then there was a guy on the synthesizer/keyboards, another who played the bass guitar, and a superb drummer. Together the quartet belted out some great sounding tunes. It sounded almost like the CDs. I love it when musicians “reproduce” in concert the way they sound on CDs–always the sign of a great musician.
So why the disappointment? It wasn’t the music, but the message. When Christians attend a Christian concert, they want to feel “connected” to the artist, and to God. We don’t want to be entertained so much as ministered to. And when the music is purely entertainment, it leaves you feeling kind of empty. Chris didn’t do much talking, which can be good or bad depending on your perspective. I personally like to hear the artist’s story–his or her biography. What’s going on in their lives. Their struggle, and how God is making a difference in that struggle. It was that which was lacking in Chris’ concert. He mentioned at one point that’s he’s a pretty positive guy. Maybe he dosen’t have struggles like I do, who knows? I suspect he’s a very private person, and that’s OK. I’m just saying that for me personally, his lack of “connection” with the audience, his lack of sharing his testimony, left me kind of cold.
Don’t get me wrong…I will continue to buy Chris Rice CDs. I find his music uplifting and challenging, as I’ve said. Perhaps he prefers to just let his music do the talking. That’s fine with me! But I won’t be in a hurry to attend another live Chris Rice concert anytime soon. I’ll stick to buying the CDs.
What about you? Did you attend? Do you have a different take? I know these kinds of things are really subjective. Whether you agree or disagree, let me know in the comments.
Technorati Tags: Binghamton Forum, contemporary Christian music, Chris Rice
William | Nov 26, 2007 | Reply
Christian music? I love Christian music, some of the first great artistic masterpieces of in western civilization. The Renaissance masses of Josquin dez Prez, Palestrina, and all those cantatas by Bach, the B minor mass … Christian music is awesome.
It is time we see ‘Commercial Contemporary Christian music’ for what it is.
There IS an authentic tradition of contemporary Christian, racially segregated, the way churches tend to be in the south… of black gospel music and white or country/southern gospel. Black tradition includes Mahalia Jackson, Thomas A Dorsey; white gospel – often quartet or groups like the Statlers and Gaithers, shape-note singers of the AL “Sacred Harp” tradition. Crossing over, Elvis was one of the first white guys to sing in a black gospel style.
There are some that carry on these traditions today, but the most in today’s Christian music industry are simply using the Christian label to market a brand of pop / rock music that has no musicologically intrinsic identity, other than the lyrics, and not even that sometimes. It is a marketing ploy and niche that sometimes offers those success that would be unable to compete in the larger overall commercial music world. To me, this music is nothing more than a marketing brand aimed at a certain demographic. Often, if I were hearing this stuff I wouldn’t know it was ‘christian music’ unless someone told me it was. It’s nothing more than ’sellin’ it with Jesus,’ and we know, the ‘Jesus brand’ sells.
Jim Willis | Nov 26, 2007 | Reply
Thanks for your comments on this post William. Perhaps you will be surprised to learn I agree with much of what you say on this topic! I think a great deal of modern Christian music has more to do with marketing than with praise to God. However, I also believe there are authentic artists today who attempt to use their music to worship God, as did the phenomenally great composers of the Renaissance and Reformation. Today’s music may not be as good as those “giants,” but I believe their hearts are in the right place. It sometimes seems to me as though we settle to listening to the musical equivalent of a Big Mac when we could be feasting on the fillet mignon of the musical greats.
I’m not sure I agree with your observations on modern Christian music being racially segregated–at least intentionally so. There is a divide between southern gospel and black gospel music, as you point out (again, I’m not an expert, but that is my observation). I remember in college, my black roommates–who became good friends–turned me on to groups like the Walter Hawkins Family–and I still enjoy black gospel music today.
I can see you’re a person who knows his music! Feel free to send me further thoughts you have on music, Christian or not. (Did you see BB King when he was here? That would be a great concert!)