Ben Cotten » Music http://www.bencotten.net This is my story and I'm sticking to it. Tue, 07 Feb 2012 18:34:07 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 “Please Be My Strength” by Gungor http://www.bencotten.net/media/music/please-be-my-strength-by-gungor/ http://www.bencotten.net/media/music/please-be-my-strength-by-gungor/#comments Sun, 27 Nov 2011 22:48:54 +0000 Ben http://www.bencotten.net/?p=19259 A great, and encouraging, song from one of my new favorite bands “Gungor”.  You can check them out here.

I keep finding myself carrying the weight of the world on my shoulders, repeating “Work harder, just make it happen” like some kind of mantra of self-motivation and pride.  I appreciate this song not only for its musical qualities, but also for the gentle and sincere reminder that all of us need strength that is beyond what humanity can give.

It’s a fool that rushes in, tilting at windmills, when divine help is available to him.  God help me not to be that fool.

]]> http://www.bencotten.net/media/music/please-be-my-strength-by-gungor/feed/ 0 David Eugene Edwards – Music, Creativity, and Honesty http://www.bencotten.net/media/music/david-eugene-edwards-music-creativity-and-honesty/ http://www.bencotten.net/media/music/david-eugene-edwards-music-creativity-and-honesty/#comments Tue, 23 Nov 2010 14:13:06 +0000 Ben http://www.bencotten.net/?p=9315 I have recently discovered David Eugene Edwards’ music.  He first came on the scene with his band 16 Horsepower.  They disbanded several years ago, but David continued on with a new band called Wovenhand.  Wovenhand is noteably different in style than 16 Horsepower, but still has that David Eugene Edwards vibe.  All of it is great music, in my opinion.

What initially drew me to his music is that I was fascinated that these are unfiltered Godward lyrics that the Christian music industry cannot find a place for, yet the non-religious world embraces it.  How is it that this musician (whom I had never even heard of) is touching these people?  The music is excellent, and certainly that is a big part of the attraction by his secular audience.  But I think it’s more than that.

I think the honesty and intensity of his belief, and sincere doubts, are deeply attractive to our culture.  His honesty gives him instant credibility. This is a man that has struggled with things like church, life, love and belief and you can see it as you look at the progression of his music over the years and the thoughts expressed in his writing.  His earlier music contains language that would get it censored on secular radio and banned on CCM.  This kind of transparency is a rare thing in the modern church world and I am grateful for it, warts an all.  As Paul instructed Timothy, “Let them see your progress…”  We can’t do this without some transparency.  Seeing this artist’s progress is as impacting as the music itself.

Check out this documentary.  Even if his music doesn’t suit you, I think this documentary will.  Enjoy.


Direct Link

]]> http://www.bencotten.net/media/music/david-eugene-edwards-music-creativity-and-honesty/feed/ 1 Phil Keaggy: While My Guitar Gently Weeps (with Jason Truby) http://www.bencotten.net/media/music/phil-keaggy-while-my-guitar-gently-weeps-with-jason-truby/ http://www.bencotten.net/media/music/phil-keaggy-while-my-guitar-gently-weeps-with-jason-truby/#comments Fri, 08 May 2009 13:17:18 +0000 Ben http://www.bencotten.net/?p=952 I haven’t put any Phil Keaggy on here in a while.  I just discovered this gem of a jam session.  This is PK doing his rendition of the classic George Harrison tune “While My Guitar Gently Weeps”.  That’s Ian Keaggy playing acoustic guitar.

The jam at the end is amazing because out of nowhere Jason Truby (from P.O.D.) appears with a Strat, plugs in, and rips it back and forth with Phil Keaggy.

Awesome stuff.

Link to Video

]]> http://www.bencotten.net/media/music/phil-keaggy-while-my-guitar-gently-weeps-with-jason-truby/feed/ 2 Rocking Spring Folly 09 http://www.bencotten.net/media/music/rocking-spring-folly-09/ http://www.bencotten.net/media/music/rocking-spring-folly-09/#comments Mon, 04 May 2009 01:43:50 +0000 Ben http://www.bencotten.net/?p=949 We got a last minute opportunity to play at the annual outdoor festival in Kernersville called “Spring Folly”.  I took a quick video from my camera.  I was trying to keep track of my 3 kids at the same time (Heather was singing) so the video is cut short and the quality isn’t as good as what you’d get with a video camera.

Next year we’ll get a proper video camera out there, but this will give you a taste.

I’m just so proud of our band that I wanted to share the love.  Thanks to Jessica Cotten and the band for pulling it together on such short notice and managing to be yourselves up there.

Rock on. Love you guys.


Link to Video

]]> http://www.bencotten.net/media/music/rocking-spring-folly-09/feed/ 4 Bobby McFerrin and Richard Bona Improvisation http://www.bencotten.net/media/music/bobby-mcferrin-and-richard-bona-improvisation/ http://www.bencotten.net/media/music/bobby-mcferrin-and-richard-bona-improvisation/#comments Mon, 27 Apr 2009 00:35:17 +0000 Ben http://www.bencotten.net/?p=905 Many don’t know that there’s a lot more to Bobby McFerrin than “Don’t Worry, Be Happy”.  A lot.  Not only can he sing well, he uses his voice like an instrument (lots of them, sometimes playing all at one time).  This is skat singing x 100.  This is true, live, improv.  Awesome.

And, of course, Richard Bona is incredible as well.  Enjoy.

The audio and video is a little out of sync, sorry… I didn’t make the video.

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