> happy anniversary – to my favorite music critic
I want to wish my favorite music critic a Happy 25th Anniversary (July 8th)
She has spotted some great bands long before they hit it big or were critically acclaimed. She started me down the right path when she heard Daniel Amos’ Alarma and proclaimed it great. (At the time I was still listening to the Imperials and didn’t “get it”.) This band and album helped define a new era for Christian rock music and while not so known today, many bands sight Daniel Amos as an influence (like Starflyer 59 for example). Adam Again, Charlie Peacock, Mark Heard & Mitch McVicker fall into the categories of artists she liked that were critically acclaimed. As for bands that she has identified as ready to hit it big: Switchfoot, Skillet and Family Force 5. (my daughter and her friend think it’s cool that their moms both appreciate Family Force 5!). Currently she really digs “This is Home” from Switchfoot and “A Thousand Winters Melting” from The Myriad.
We have seen many great shows together. She made the annual trek down to Cornerstone festival from 1983 to 1990 (The 77′s, Adam again, Charlie Peacock , Tonio K, Larry Norman, Randy Stonehill, Daniel Amos, Mark Heard, Steve Taylor….). Some other great shows we have seen together were: The Alarm at the State Theatre Detroit; Midnight Oil & Bruce Cockburn at the State Theatre in Kalamazoo; 10,000 Maniacs at Devos Hall; Simple Minds and the Call @ the Welsh ; Switchfoot, Sufjan Stevens, Denison Witmer, Pedro the Lion, Half Handed Cloud at Calvin College; Superchick, KJ-52, Tobymac, Hawk Nelson, Relient K at Lifest 2006; U2 and Lone Justice at the Pontiac Silver Dome; Yo-Yo Ma at WMU; The Glenn Miller Orchestra in some small town Michigan park…. and the list goes on.
She write occasianally about music “that clicks with her” (that’s her formula), but mostly her musings about life can be found at theglasshalffull.wordpress.com It’s been a great 25 years sharing music (and the rest of life) with her. I look forward to many more !
July 8, 1983
