TORONTO, Canada, January 16, 2006 — What's a party without music? As a key element of its 2006 Centennial celebrations the Canadian Bible Society (CBS) is launching a unique compilation CD of Canadian artists singing original songs inspired by Scripture. Good News Celebration features 15 Canadian Christian artists from coast to coast representing various musical styles and traditions. The deliberate use of Scripture is the common thread that weaves the selections together.
The artists on the CD range from the well known to the about to be discovered. Winnipeg-based Steve Bell is a Juno award winning singer and guitarist featured on the CD. "So much of the lyrical content of my music is taken from the Scriptures; it just seemed pretty obvious I should happily lend a track to the Bible Society's festivities," says Bell.
Other musicians featured on the CD include B.C. based Brian Doerksen, Tabitha Lemaire from Quebec and First Nations singer Cheryl Bear. Bear's connection with the Canadian Bible Society runs deep. "I am from the Carrier Nation in British Columbia-and once I found a Bible written in my language at the CBS I was so excited! I gave copies to my elders and they were very pleased," remembers Bear. Her featured song is the Lord's Prayer sung to an indigenous big drum, hand drums and a distinctive rhythm that Bear hopes will "bring a new emotion and emphasis to the Lord's prayer."
It's this kind of diversity and distinctly Canadian touch that has executive producer Peter Fleck so energized for this project. He made it a priority to include singers from all across Canada and songs in both official languages on the CD. "We have a great depth and diversity of Christian music talent in the country," says Fleck. "The CD is very much a partnership between CBS and the artists. The songs on the disc are very worshipful and hopefully some congregations will end up singing some of them in their services.
"We have pieces that are very contemplative and one that is a hybrid between native music and rock. We have the Psalms softly spoken over a stirring bed of music," says Fleck. "There is everything from pop, folk and rock to classically-oriented and country tunes."
Most people know that the CBS is a ministry committed to distributing, translating and publishing the Scriptures. The production of a CD is key to the other part of the CBS mission: encouraging the use of Scripture-but this time through music. "Coming at Scriptures through the lens of art allows for nuances of understanding and insight," says Steve Bell.
For many people music provides an accessible entry way to Scripture. People who might not read the Bible regularly still enjoy hearing Scripture sung. "Music is a powerful communication tool that helps drive home the message of the song to the very core of our being," says Fleck.
The Good News Celebration CD is now available in Christian bookstores, Canadian Bible Society stores and online at www.biblescanada.com.
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