BEC Recordings’ introduces the organic worship album, Achor, from Josh White, formally the lead singer of Telecast. Now a church planter and worship leader in Portland, Oregon, Josh White delivers a unique collection of folk/bluegrass worship tracks.
The songs on Achor are the songs of White’s church, Door of Hope, and are used in its worship services. The meaning behind both the church name and the album title come from Hosea 2:15. The valley of Achor is the valley of trouble; so named after Achan’s sin was discovered and judged in the days of Joshua. The prophet Hosea proclaimed that the God’s restoration would transform the valley of trouble into a door of hope.
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Josh White [Achor]| Posted December 15, 2010
In the spring of 2009, Josh White decided to take a huge step of faith. Previously the lead singer of the band Telecast, White quickly became a church planter and worship leader in Portland, Oregon. His church is located in the Hawthorne District of Southeast Portland, a bohemian part of town, known more for its hippies and hipsters than churches. ?I met my wife Darcy in this neighborhood 14 years ago,? recounts White. ?We know the culture and the people. Which in turn fuels the heart and vision of the church: to preach the gospel to the some of the most un-churched people in the country.? His church Door of Hope offers the inspiration for White?s solo debut Achor, a folk/bluegrass project with BEC Recordings. The meaning behind both the church name and the album title come from Hosea 2:15. The valley of Achor is the valley of trouble; so named after Achan?s sin was discovered and judged in the days of Joshua. The prophet Hosea proclaimed that the God?s restoration would transform the valley of trouble into a door of hope. It is this restoration that White and Door of Hope aim to see in their neighborhood.
From my first listen, I was totally hooked by this album. The opening track ?He Who Feeds The Ravens? has a folk music feel like Bob Dylan and is such a fresh worship song, I can?t get enough of Josh?s emotional vocals and the deep and Biblical lyrics ?He who feeds the ravens will give His children bread.? The next song ?Holy Ghost Revival? has a blues rock musical style and I could imagine singing it at a Southern Gospel revival gathering. The musical diversity is just one of the many attractions to savor about this phenomenal worship album. ?I Love My God? switches to more of an acoustic folk ballad style and I feel like I?m eavesdropping on Josh?s prayer time. The stand-out song ?You Amaze Me? is next and I can?t get enough of this song. The musical style switches to more of what I?ve come to expect from Josh with strings, guitar picking and Josh?s tender vocals rising to an emotional crescendo that gives me goose bumps every time I hear this incredible song of worship. The chorus is completely worshipful, ?I?ve been swallowed up by You, there is nothing I can do, You amaze me.?
There are several acoustic guitar and piano-based ballads including ?To Burn In You,? ?Our God Is Present,? ?This Better Part? and ?He Is Able? which are all prayerful and gorgeous songs. ?Let Me See Your Hands? includes a great banjo intro and will have you singing and clapping along with this blues-inflected gospel song. My other favorite song is next, ?The Wall,? which I would love to sing with fellow believers. It is a totally vertical worship song sung directly to Jesus, ?the wall has been torn down by Your blood and as our lives collide with Your love, we pray tear down those walls that keep us from You.? ?Awake? is a worshipful chorus sung by a church choir and ?Be Still? closes out this excellent album with another personal prayer directly to God.
CLOSING THOUGHTS
Don?t miss out on this incredible album. More than just a collection of great songs, Achor is a deep meaningful worship experience unlike any other I?ve heard this year. This is one of my top 10 ?gourmet? albums of the year. I truly enjoyed the Brit-Rock and worshipful songs on Josh?s three Telecast albums. Josh White is at the top of his singer-songwriter profession with this gem of an album. If you feel like most of what you hear on the radio sounds the same and want to experience a fresh, deep, introspective and completely worshipful album, then look no further than Achor. My favorite songs are ?He Who Feeds The Ravens,? ?I Love My God,? ?The Wall,? ?Be Still? and the stand-out song ?You Amaze Me,? which has quickly become one of my all-time favorite worship songs. If you like The Glorious Unseen, John Mark McMillan and Robbie Seay Band, you need to check out Josh White.
Josh White| Posted November 13, 2010
While Josh White may sound like an unfamiliar name, he is not new to Christian music. Once the frontman for Christian rock act, Telecast, White currently pastors and leads worship at Door of Hope, a church in Portland, Oregon. The singer/songwriter composed worship songs for his church and recently recorded these songs to form his first solo effort titled Achor.
Even though the music on Achor is rather mellow and understated, it’s an intriguing blend of instruments and styles. Songs like “He Who Feeds the Ravens” and “Holy Ghost Revival” are rootsy bluegrass. “You Amaze Me” is similar to John
Mark McMillan’s folk acoustic style. “He Is Able” and “To Burn In You” incorporate brass, flutes, and other woodwind instruments. Other songs are more stripped down and simple such as the final track, “Be Still.” “Awake” is a musical highlight of the record, a beautiful praise tune sung by a choir and carried by a group of stringed instruments.
The lyrics on Achor are worshipful yet honest. One of the most lyrically potent is “Let Me See Your Hands,” “Jesus, let me see your hands/I want to see the holes where you felt Your Father’s plan.” Other songs are more stirring than potent. “Our God Is Present” reminds us that when we seek God, no matter what the circumstance, He is with us. “I Love My God” is another standout as a peaceful and intimate worship song.
Josh White has crafted a seemingly flawless album. Achor is a breath of fresh air in the over-saturated worship scene, not only because of its colorful musical style but also because of its striking authenticity.
Great one| Posted November 13, 2010
Josh White has done a great job in his debut album. Its great. The songs really help us to grow more closer with God. I just heard to these album and the songs are wonderful.
Unique and inspiring| Posted November 11, 2010
Upon first listening to this release it struck me how unique it was. I simply don't hear much coming from Christian music labels that fills this genre. The overall feel of the album is thoughtful, inspiring and very organic.
anchor (Josh White)| Posted November 10, 2010
this is a smooth, relaxing and inspired listen...
it settled me down to focus on the words, which are the sound of a heart set free by love. the instrumentation was just enough to keep it interesting, reminding me of CASH's "When the man comes around" well done. I want to listen again...
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