Eight years ago, singer/songwriter Derek Webb was making a routine coffee run for his Caedmon's Call band mates when he heard Sandra McCracken, a recent Belmont School of Music graduate, playing from the stage of the small Nashville coffee shop. Struck by McCracken's voice and songwriting, Webb picked up a copy of her debut record and played it for the band. When Caedmon's extended an invitation to McCracken to join them on the road, she and Webb discovered they were kindred spirits and soon began planning a future together. A future that now includes two solo careers, eight Derek Webb records, five Sandra McCracken records, and a newborn son.
Critics have praised both artists for their songwriting and for their unique and uncompromising personal visions. PASTE MAGAZINE raved that McCracken's most recent album, Gravity|Love "rivals recent outings from Tom Petty and The Jayhawks." USA TODAY says Webb "has a knack for power-pop choruses that rival Brendan Benson or any current practitioner you might want to cite." And most recently McCracken's song "Ten Thousand Angels" was heard on ABC's Grey's Anatomy as performed by Caedmon's Call, featuring husband Derek Webb.
But even after eight years of personal and professional collaboration, thirteen albums, a marriage, and a new baby, the one thing McCracken and Webb had never done together successfully was write songs. When asked why, Webb jokes, "The majority of co-writing we'd done up to this point pretty much resulted in marriage counseling."
McCracken laughs. "Almost," she says. "The truth is that even though our musical tastes are totally compatible, we approach songwriting from completely opposite directions. I'm very conceptual and abstract. And Derek is very meticulous and intentional. Down to each and every conjunction." Webb nods: "I can spend a week on a conjunction. And I wish I were kidding. But a conjunction can change the meaning of the whole song for me." McCracken elaborates: "And because we both write songs that are extremely personal -- if not confessional -- it never seemed appropriate for us to write together."
Until now.
On April 22, 2008, Derek Webb and Sandra McCracken will release Ampersand EP, a collection of six brand-new recordings -- several of which were co-written by Webb and McCracken -- and recorded in the couple's home studio.
When asked how their songwriting partnership was born, Webb admits, "It all goes back to Caedmon's Call. The band had invited us separately to write for their latest record, so one morning at breakfast Sandra and I were talking about ideas, and those ideas quickly became songs." "But we weren't trying to write together," says McCracken. "Which is probably why it worked." Webb agrees. "We weren't writing confessional songs. We were writing for a band -- for a community of artists -- so we had this shared, communal vision." McCracken smiles, "And it was fun. It was probably one of the most relaxing, organic writing experiences either of us has ever had." Webb nods. "And neither of us wanted it to end."
The result is Ampersand EP, a record that's as sublimely melodic and superbly crafted as anything either artist has ever recorded, but one which reveals the couple in a surprisingly intimate and stunningly soulful new light. Every track capitalizes on their singular strengths, while breaking new ground for both artists. And while McCracken and Webb are both writing and recording together for the first time, longtime fans will find their work on Ampersand EP is every bit as personal and confessional as their solo work.
Ampersand EP is essential listening for Derek Webb and Caedmon's Call fans and for Sandra McCracken fans. And the all-new duo of Derek Webb and Sandra McCracken is bound to make new fans all its own.
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Excellent Relationship Album| Posted August 05, 2008
I am very privileged to get to meet Derek Webb when he visits my church later this month for an interview with me and my pastor during our church service and then a concert afterwards. In listening to Derek's entire catalog of songs I listened to Derek's newest EP called Ampersand, which he co-wrote and recorded with his wife Sandra McCracken.
The best way to describe this EP is that it is an excellent relationship album. My first date with my now wife was 20 years ago and this year is our 14th wedding anniversary. The songs on this album really reflect the beauty of the husband & wife marriage relationship and celebrating God's blessings. Derek sings lead on Valentine, a beautiful love song, and also Watch Your Mouth and My Finest Misfortune.
Sandra sings lead on the awesome cover of the Bob Dylan song If Not For You, and When The Summer's Gone and When The Lights Go Out, which are both wonderful love songs with tender vocals that remind me of Liz Phair or Leigh Nash. Sandra harmonizes with Derek on all of the songs. Watch Your Mouth stands out to me as my favorite song on this excellent EP.
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