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I came home from work a few days ago, to find an unexpected gift in the mail. The Real Live Preacher had sent me a copy of his newly released CD, A Christmas Story You've Never Heard. Included with it was a note, written on an old envelope. I thought to myself, "He's a man after my own heart - he reuses things until they are completely used up." I remembered recycling envelopes from junk mail to send letters to friends, back in the late 80's. Then a friend mailed me stamps, envelopes, and stationery, thinking I was too poor to buy new writing supplies.
Seeing as the Real Live Preacher passed the environmentally conscious test, I decided to give it a listen. Actually, I've followed Gordon's blog for years, going way back to the time when the Real Live Preacher was still anonymous. So I would have listened to this CD even if the preacher had burned down a rain forest.
Yet I am grateful that he didn't.
Gordon takes us through the Christmas story, from the time of Mary's pregnancy, to the shepherds' question: "Who is this baby?" He winds his way through many paths, pulling from tradition, history, culture, and speculation along the way. Although Gordon remained true to history (sometimes at the expense of tradition), he cloaked the whole story in the contemporary idioms of our modern (postmodern? - no! Let's not get into that argument here ...) world. Be prepared for some racy language. It's the way we talk today. Gordan strips away all religiosity by being real. If you don't like it, then you'll need to go looking for a Semi-authentic Sort-of-alive Preacher for your story telling needs. :D
A Christmas Story You've Never Heard is complimented by periodic guitar instrumentals in the background, thanks to Ben Tavera King. It's a soothing experience, even though it keeps one's mind working the whole time. Sort of like guided meditation.
Gordon gives us a few insights into his future plans, on one of the last tracks. He hints at this CD being the first installment of several parts. His ideas are intriguing. Gordon plans to explore many aspects of the story, including the Magi, and something about a supernova. The next one will be released for the 2006 Christmas season.
The CD ends with a couple of Ben's guitar pieces which stand on their own. Beautiful stuff, and after all that thinking I fell fast asleep in my lazy boy chair. I woke up wondering if I had taken up Yoga, the benefits were so apparent.
A Christmas Story You've Never Heard is a welcome relief from the frenzy of the season. It also makes a nice gift. You can go shopping for it right here.
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