| Music
Review – Bebo Norman "Myself When I Am Real" |
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review by Tom Gilbert
Bebo Norman "Myself
When I Am Real"
(Essential Records)
The newest release from Bebo Norman,
“Myself
When I Am Real” contains more of the introspective
and heartfelt songwriting that helped make his previous
release, “Big Blue Sky”, one of the
best Christian releases of 2001. The CD has twelve songs
addressing such matters as overcoming our tendency to
mess up (i.e. sin) in “Falling Down”,
God’s shining glory (“Great Light of the
World”) and the desire to be there for others
(“Everything”).
This is a release that took some time to sink in. It would
be easy to gloss over the songs and give a superficial
“thumbs up” to the album. To do that would
not be a true reflection of the depth of the material.
On first listens it does go down easy and you’ll
find yourself humming along and feeling good about life.
Then you start to really hear the lyrics and recognize
Norman’s willingness to stand naked on this record.
The title is apropos. We all struggle with authenticity
and long for opportunities when we can be who we really
are. Because that is part of the inner journey none of
us gets there overnight.
One of the tougher things for any of us is to find acceptance
for who we are. Imagine what it must feel like for Jesus.
What he most desires is a relationship with us, a personal
and honest friendship. In the chorus to “Just
to Look At You”, Bebo Norman sings Would
you believe in me/or would you walk away in need/…or
would you turn away and leave/either way, my love…I
would give my soul just to look at you. The ambiguity
of whether he sings about the Lord or a friend is what
makes many of the songs work. They can be taken on more
than one level.
The band is also to be given credit. Bebo Norman has his
name on the label, but it is a group effort and the playing
of Dan Needham, Craig Young, Jerry McPherson, Carl Hergesell
and Ed Cash neither grandstands nor gets in the way of
the arrangements.
It’s refreshing to have artists in this genre who
aren’t afraid to show vulnerability and to write
songs that show the struggles we all go through and the
“Mystery” (track #1) of our personal
faith journeys.
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Scripture taken from the
Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®.Copyright ©
1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. All rights
reserved throughout the world. Used by permission of International
Bible Society.
NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION® and NIV® are registered
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trademark for the offering of goods or services requires
the prior written consent of International Bible Society.
Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy
Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996. Used
by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton,
IL 60189, USA. All rights reserved.
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