TN EP is the highly anticipated release from Derek Webb & Sandra McCracken, following 2008’s Ampersand EP.  Featuring the stylistic juxtaposition of two distinct singer/songwriters (and Derek Webb’s production), TN EP is not simply a patchwork collaboration but rather, it’s something entirely new.  Featuring five new original songs and two cover songs (Time After Time by Cyndi Lauper and Simon & Garfunkel’s The Sound Of Silence), TN EP is as strong as a any major release from Webb or McCracken.  And it’s AVAILABLE NOW! 

See the music video for "From You To Me."

Download the single for FREE. 

Buy the album.

I remember the sessions when we recorded those songs...the orange carpet and walls in the MCA Universal studio over on music row.  The room was like a clubhouse, perfect for sound and atmosphere, and it was an incredible group of musicians (Bucky Baxter, James Digirolamo, Craig Wright, Millard Powers).   We tracked the songs live with King Williams masterfully engineering.  Jonathan Trebing gave shape to the performances as the producer and lead electric guitar player.  A couple times, we had to shuffle our schedules at the last minute because we had to record during the off times when the studio was not being used for country demos.

After it was all recorded, I remember asking Roger Moutenot to mix it, and although I was a HUGE fan of his work, I didn't have much cash.  But he was willing and gracious to work with me on a shoestring budget.  He was temporarily set up to mix in the old bank that was boarded up across the street from Woodland studios (in East Nashville).  This was just after Woodland had been closed for flooding and renovation. That bank building was dark and creepy (and filled with so much studio junk) except for Roger's mixing board and a modest sofa for listening.  He worked his magic on the songs...taking care to frame the mixes as a singer-songwriter record, with emphasis on the guitar/vocal performances. 

And I remember the CD release party at the Radio Cafe (which incidentally, is the local establishment that is now gone and sorely missed).  The night of the show, we had the whole band crammed on that tiny stage, and the show was loud and sort of gritty, but in the best way.  I remember seeing my husband beaming in the audience (we were newlyweds), and friends and folks packed into that narrow room.  

Listening to the album this morning, after all these years makes me a little uneasy at some of my vocals (let's just say I hope that means I've grown as a singer).  But self-conciousness aside, listening afresh makes me grateful for the experiences that brought these songs into being, and grateful for the way that these songs are still a part of me today. 

I'm uploading the album to NoiseTrade for you to download and share for a few weeks in hopes that these songs would be part of you, too.

GYPSY FLAT ROAD FREE DOWNLOAD

All the best,

Sandra

"Conversation is a form of activism."
—Marilyn Chandler McEntyre, Caring For Words in a Culture of Lies

"As a follower of Jesus, social justice is something I am called to do perfectly. I fail. But Jesus has accomplished social justice on my behalf. This reality, like a new birth, liberates me to engage with my neighbours in mercy and humility. In the words of John Bunyan, 'Run and work, the law demands. But gives me neither feet nor hands. A better song the Gospel sings, It bids me fly, and gives me wings.'"

Link to full article: http://www.cardus.ca/comment/article/2288/

THREE special edition screenprinted journals are part of the auction. Sandra has handwritten the lyrics for "In Feast Or Fallow" in each book.  A copy of the CD is also included in the price.

Here are the links to the three books for sale:

In Feast Or Fallow Journal and CD 1

In Feast Or Fallow Journal and CD 2

In Feast Or Fallow Journal and CD 3

Hurry, they won't last long!

Writing new melodies to old hymn texts is an old idea.  It has been practiced in religious communities as far back as you can trace.  There are cycles of renewal in every facet of culture, and church music is no exception. We are beginning to see a resurgence of hymns globally and across denomination lines. 

We have just launched a new website, www.newoldhymns.com (beginning with Sandra McCracken’s two hymn albums) in hopes that it will eventually become a meeting place for people to find conversation, critique, and common ground to help propel the movement of hymn revitalization.

Send your ideas, essays, or hymn submissions to newoldhymns@gmail.com