Thanks to everyone who came out for the Nathan Clark George concert this evening. I wish we had done a little more to promote the event. We were still way above average for our Sunday night services and I guess it is a good reminder to think of it just like that–a worship service rather than a show. I missed the first fifteen minutes because I forgot my camera, but I thoroughly enjoyed everything I heard.

I joked with Nathan afterwards about him performing better than Bruce Cockburn. He had serious doubts about that, but added that Cockburn was an influence. I can see the similarities, except that Nathan is much younger, an American (eh?) and writes both confessional and cultural music; whereas Cockburn is more of a mystery to the Christian community (which by the way is okay).

I picked up a couple CD’s before leaving and stopped just short of getting a t-shirt (I had already written my check). The George children, who travel with Nathan and his wife in a motor home when on tour, were wearing NCG t-shirts with “crew” printed on the back. It was too cute.

Nathan’s first album, Words for Everyday, contains only worship songs. His second album, Slam the Door, focuses on the family and its ups and downs. Tracks like “Why Am I This Way” explore feelings of failure as a husband and father. There is no sanitization here, but the listener is left with a message of hope rather than lament and despair. This, I believe, is exactly what Christian artists are called to in the popular arts. Every song need not be a gospel presentation; every song need not gloss over the reality of the sinful world in which we live. Nathan uses his musical and lyrical talent to portray life in both its beauty and brutal reality, engaging us in our humanity while pointing the way to Christ.

Matt brought his iMac and hooked it up to the sound board. As soon as we get a chance to process the recording we will post a few tracks. In the meantime you can sample some of Nathan’s music on his website (both full tracks and press samples).