Acoustic Alley – John Mark McMillan – “Murdered Son”
Coming off the huge success for fashioning such a hit as “How He Loves,” which ultimately landed John Mark McMillan the spot of opening for the David Crowder Band during their final tour, McMillan gives us “Murdered Son” in his latest record, Economy. It’s my assumption that “Murdered Son” could receive the attention comparable to the buzz with his release of “How He Loves.”
McMillan has a unique ability to craft songs that find themselves wedged between the classifications of being “okay to sing in churches” and too graphic for the general populace to sing in churches or its respective environments. I personally think the second classification is ludicrous, but it is what it is, I suppose. You probably remember McMillan performing “Sheet of Night” in an Acoustic Alley session with us. Well, we hope you enjoy his performance of “Murdered Son” after his show in Macon earlier this year.
This guy’s music sounds so much better acoustic/live. Why doesn’t he just record live and raw instead of remixing everything in a studio like on his new CD? I previewed the new album on itunes after first hearing all the live versions from his website and they just doesn’t compare.
Better?!!! In what possible objective way does it sound better acoustic/live?
I don’t mean to start an argument, the question above is directed to myself as much as to Ralph.
I agree that some of his poetry is not main stream. I played this song for communion services and my friend told me he didn’t like “murdered son” part. (I do think “sloppy wet kiss” is better then “unforeseen”).
There is nothing “ludicrous” about choosing songs to play at or with your congregation. Church musicians and artists are in somewhat different context then an artist presenting their art.
I love “Ten Thousand” but except the chorus I don’t get the lyrics at all, though English is not my first language and maybe one is not supposed to “get it” it just meant to evoke and it does that much for me.