The inside scoop: “Be joined to Jesus” EP.
As I’m sure many of you are aware by now, earlier this year I launched my second EP entitled “Be joined to Jesus”. If you want to read all about how it transformed my ministry’s engagement with people and how I share the gospel online, then that’s available in June’s blog-post. Today though I thought I’d take a few minutes and give you a little inside look at the EP.
The first IV.
Back in 2018 when I first laid the groundwork for starting this ministry, one of the things I did was record a little CD to take out on the road with me. Just a little four track EP with some piano instrumentals and a track with piano and vocals. It was called “The First IV”.
None of the songs were my own simply because at that time I had none of my own. However, after being on the road for a few months I QUICKLY REALISED I NEEDED TO WRITE MY OWN SONGS. Sure, I was still planning on using well known songs to create piano arrangements, but for the times where I was going to be singing, I needed to pick up the pen.
Writing my own songs.
The reasons for writing my own material were twofold. Firstly, when you write a song yourself you can write it for you own voice. YOU KNOW YOUR VOICE BETTER THAN ANYONE. So, it gave me an added security in that regard because I knew my strengths and weakness’s vocally.
Secondly it allowed me to be MORE AUTHENTIC. When I began writing my own songs it allowed me to share the stories behind them. It allowed me to shape each session a little better because I knew the theme I was working with and I knew each of the songs from the foundations up.
The demand was there but was it right?
Over the next year and a half, after nearly every session and every service I was playing at, people were coming up to me and asking for the same thing. They all wanted to know if any of the songs I’d shared were available to buy or listen to on streaming services and YouTube etc.
What I’m getting at, is that THERE WAS A DEMAND for a second EP.
As with any decision, I took some time to pray about it. I never want to make a decision based on my desires or my ego. In today’s social media culture where it is all about how many views you have and how may like’s you can get, it would be very easy to fall into line with everyone else and chase those things too. So, I took time to pray and then plan.
Spoiler alert: I released a second EP.
I’m sure at this point it’s no surprise that I did indeed release a second EP. Obviously I wanted to include a couple of my own songs, but I also wanted to include some piano tracks too. PIANO IS MY WHEELHOUSE. It’s where I’m most comfortable.
The title track “Be joined to Jesus” was one of the first songs I had written, and I knew for sure that it was going to be on the new release. That really set the tone for whole project. A CLEAR GOSPEL PRESENTATION.
The other song of mine which I included on the EP was “Behold the lamb of God”. With lyrics that breakdown the repetitive animal sacrifice of the old testament, as well as the once for ever and for all sacrifice of Jesus under the new testament it was a perfect fit.
All that was left was to select some classic hymns to arrange for piano.
When we have a Saviour, one who has saved us eternally and cleansed us from all unrighteousness we have a peace. If you are a Christian, you will know what I’m talking about. If you aren’t a Christian, then know that THERE IS NOTHING BETTER THAN HAVING THE PEACE OF GOD which the bible says, “transcends all understanding” (Philippians 4:7).
If you hadn’t guessed already “When peace like a river” was the first arrangement I included. The second was “Make me a channel of Your peace”.
Want to know more?
Today’s post is just a little look at this EP but don’t forget it is available to listen to on all streaming services including SPOTIFY and APPLE MUSIC.
If you want to know a little more about each of the tracks, for instance the story behind the two original songs and more about why I chose the piano arrangements, then here’s some links to the appropriate videos:
The story behind the songs // Be joined to Jesus (1/3)