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MP3 Angela Josephine - A Restful Sense Of Urgency
11 MP3 Songs
FOLK: Folk Pop, ROCK: Folk Rock
Details:
She has been described as bold and humble, a little ''out there'' and down-to-earth. Perhaps that is why you find a paradox of sinner/saint mirrored in her blend of introspective yet demanding lyrics - and why people from many walks of life are able to identify with Angela Josephine.
When asked to describe her art and music, this quality (or quirk depending on who you are talking to) becomes apparent as Angela turns the question around.
"God leaves evidence of Himself everywhere just waiting to be found. So that is the catalyst to my art - responding to the discovery of God present and active. I think the point of art - like worship - is to respond - so I guess the best description for my music would be to ask you what you would say."
And people do have things to say.
Tony Cummings of the UK magazine Cross Rhythms responded to Angela''s first album. "Angela Josephine shows herself to be a poetic songwriter able to pen songs that get under the shield of the post modern muse with power and poignancy."
Nicole Philibosian, an instructor at the renowned Interlochen Arts Academy and a former voice instructor for Jewel wonders if Angela "could be the Laura Nyro of modern-day Christian Music."
While accolades from peers are encouraging, Angela gets her drive from meeting the children of God where they are. That means paving a diverse road of appearances and a commitment to the rich experience of the journey rather than the travel-ability of the highway. Coffee houses across the Midwest have warmed to the soulful brew of her music, yet town parks and city malls have also provided a stage. People are often struck by her honesty and candidness. The testament is clear, and is a reflection of her own journey, as she points toward the One who has carried her through.
"The truth that God really loves us is proven - not that the cross wasn''t enough - but also in that He will allow us to struggle. It is in that struggle, not our perfection, that we are better able to share the grace of Christ."
Response from fellow fans and sojourners echo this thought.
"Some of your songs lead me to a place where I have been in my life and bring meaning and purpose whether or not that place was good or bad."
"You have played a big role in my life by the way you look at things, especially when you share your struggles and how God brought you through them. You have had struggles and with God you daily overcome them."
"God has brought me a new way of looking at being Christian through your music. I don''t have to be afraid to think outside the box. I am not alone in some of my struggles that I have with figuring out ''where do I fit in here on earth?''."
One fan poetically conveys this sentiment.
"There''s a lyric in a Beatles song that reminds me of you, ''the girl with kaleidoscope eyes.'' It''s not as though you don''t see all the broken dislocated pieces, it''s just that you filter them through your eyes of faith, or kaleidoscope eyes,and then your art becomes a reflection of your faith in ''vibrant harmonies.'' The bad stuff is transformed because of your faith."
This vibrant harmony is most evident through Angela''s dynamic and engaging performances. The music pours out through soulful vocals and strong guitar, piano and dulcimer arrangements. Audiences are drawn in by her unique stories, art and poetry that paint an intimate, spiritual self-portrait whereby they glimpse their own likeness. People are comfortable with the imperfect rendition of themselves and the reminder of an approachable loving God who beckons them to just belong to Him. After this, who could resist painting on a "Community Canvas" or joining her on stage to strum a toy guitar?
Along with performances and recording, Angela continues to share her time and efforts with many organizations that have gripped her heart. She is an advocate for Compassion International and presents their mission at her performances. "Josephine''s Coat of Many Colors" creatively brings awareness to the great need and poverty plaguing children all over the world. Signatures on the coat represent families who have made a difference by sponsoring a child.
"The coat was a vanity before the signatures. Strangers would comment on it, so much so that family and friends nicknamed it my ''rock star'' coat. I was tempted to think I was pretty cool because of the coat and that began to bother me - a lot. I was ready to pitch the thing when it occurred to me that this attention could be turned into a good thing."
A huge hit at festivals and camps is "Painting of the People". Angela developed the activity to engage audiences. A blank canvas is available for everyone to paint on through the course of the event. At the end of this time, the finished painting is presented to the venue that represents the community of people who participated - parts of the body of Christ coming together as a whole.
One participant comments, "With the canvas you set up outside your concert, you encourage others to make a visible mark of expression. This is an expression that now contains a part of history."
Angela also volunteers at Traverse City House of Hope - an organization that brings hope and healing to teens and families who have been crushed by a myriad of problems such as substance abuse, sexual abuse and eating disorders to name a few. Angela''s testimony of God''s healing in the midst of her experience as a pregnant teen is more evidence of how God will use our brokenness for His mending.
Angela was so moved by the story of how House of Hope came together that she wrote a theme song entitled "House of Hope". While having a congregational worship feel, the song goes outside the box with imagery such as, "jewel bedecked castles of our hearts" and "Your truth shines bright as sapphire against the diamond of Your love." The song is one of the tracks on her latest album Grace Exhaled. The sophomore effort brings Angela''s artistry to the forefront, defining her sound in a unique and intelligent way with thoughtful weavings of spoken poetry, original music and a showcase song of Angela''s latest instrument, the hammered dulcimer.
Producer John Pisciotta of Paradiso Music in Nashville and producer of Grace Exhaled had this insight to offer.
"Angela is the kind of artist that pulls from multiple worlds - musical, visual, and poetic. In this way, she is comfortable being different, comfortable being who and what God is making her to be."
So what is the answer? Would she rather be thought of as - bold or humble, ''out there'' or down-to-earth? When asked that question, Angela replies that she would rather be thought of as Christ''s. And she hopes that you would too.
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