Acoustic Storytime
Posted January 22, 2009
By KevinDavis_NRT, Staff Reviewer
Jason Gray is a Christian folk music singer-songwriter in the style of Derek Webb, Bebo Norman, Andrew Peterson and Shaun Groves. Something unique about Jason is his speech handicap and how he has overcome that “affliction” in his profession. Jason says “I'm actually grateful now that my speech handicap never afforded me the option of masking my weakness behind an illusion of competency. Whenever I opened my mouth, there it was for all to see... I couldn't fool others or myself. I think the best thing that can happen to us is to be 'found out' for all that we are, our religious and human pretenses stripped away to reveal our sin, pettiness, and weakness. Then we can devote our energies to better endeavors than the constant masquerade of sufficiency.”
Those comments sum up the theme of Jason’s major label release “All The Lovely Losers” and the title song “Blessed Be” based on the Beatitudes. I really enjoyed that album last year, and I’m even more impressed by “Acoustic Storytime” because I get to enjoy the stories and heart behind Jason’s introspective and challenging songs. The basic message behind Jason’s songs is that “the added benefit is that people are able to see how God's grace works in a real person's life. When we come clean about our brokenness, Christ becomes the star of our testimony and not us.”
The live versions of “Blessed Be”, “The Cut”, “This Far”, “Not Going Down” and “Grace” are all enhanced by Jason’s spoken introductions and background about each of those songs. The stripped-down acoustic style of the album is also a highlight as you get to fully enjoy the message and heart behind the songs. There are also a few new songs and studio cuts mixed in and a great cover of Tom Petty’s “I Won’t Back Down” and for me one of the highlights is at the end of “Blessed Be” when Jason breaks into Roy Orbison’s “Pretty Woman”.
If you like folk-style music, then Jason Gray is for you. I recommend picking up this album and “All The Lovely Losers” to get the full experience of Jason’s music and if you like to get to know the artist behind the songs, then this album is a can’t miss. I’ve been very blessed to enjoy Jason’s songs and get to know his heart for God. “Blessed be the ones who know that they are weak.”
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