the repertoire

Here is what I play- 

Wonder by Natalie Merchant
This is the first song I really learned. Especially the lyrics. Lyrics can be hard, but these lyrics came naturally and quickly. "They say I must be one of the wonders of God;s own creation, and as far as they see they can offer no explanation", that is the chorus and with my belief in God this came quickly. It lifts me up to know - " "I must be one of the wonders of God's own creation". And yet this is a song of pain and overcoming that pain with faith and love. 

Winter's Storm by Joshua James
I love playing this song....actually I love singing this song. I love immersing myself in singing the lyrics..By far the easiest song to play on guitar that I know and ranking up there as one of the most powerful songs I know.. 

A friend, Alex Miller, once encouraged me by saying- "some of the best songs I know are one chord.". Since I only play chords, right now, that was highly encouraging. This is not a one chord song, but close enough to what Alex said. The lyrics to this song are just drop dead powerful. 

Stars Go Blue by Ryan Adams

I have read in many places what this song means and what the writer Ryan meant when he wrote it. This  song does not really carry the same for me,, and I think that is okay. 

This song speaks to me of loneliness, something my personality feels all to often and it hits my heart. Yes, I have a family and an amazingly loving wife (who puts up with a lot), but all to often I am where the "stars go blue". 

He Loves by John Mark McMillan

This song speaks to my Christianity. Anyone who really knows me knows I try and try and try to be a godly man. I love singing this song to the masses, playing and singing it with a group of people. 

From the opening line - "He is jealous for me", He has me. 

Something Beautiful by Alexi Murdoch

Of everything I play I dream of mastering this simple, but amazingly powerful two sentence song. 

"May the grace of God be always in your heart, may you find the strength to know that; you are something beautiful"

"And I thought, that I saw, I thought I saw a light shine, thought I saw a light shine"

This song BLOWS ME AWAY. 

There are many songs that I started with that have not made the cut, but are still in the works-

Heart of Gold by Neil Young

Peace, Love and Understanding by Nick Lowe

To Love Somebody by the Bee Gees

Wish You Were Here by Pink Floyd

Heroes by David Bowie

Hurt by Trent Reznor

God's Gonna Cut You Down by unknown; version I play by Johnny Cash

Silly Love Songs by Paul McCartney

Lantern by Josh Ritter
Can I Stay by Ray LaMontagne

...and the list goes on and on. 

If we should meet, I would enjoy playing anything I know with you dear reader. Thank you for reading and maybe even eventually listening. 

Thanks to so many people for music in my life- Judy Skeels, Adam Hill, Mike Weiss and the entire Upper Darby cru- Greg, Ricky, Aaron, Daniel, Sarah and Penny as well as Ben, Barbie and Louie. A big thanks to my locals- Gerry and Matt!! My camp alum- Mary, Mike, Debo, Tim and all the staff and of course my fam- Margaret, Sean, Aryn & Johnny and Taylor.

Playing has only been a part of my life in my latter years and you have all contributed more than you will ever know. 

And there is of course you....the reader. Thank you.
 I blog to get my emotions out, but to think someone may share them and love me, for me. Well...thank you. 

Grace - - Peace - - Love

                                         Tate

what would you like to hear?