| 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 trademarks
of International Bible Society. Use of either 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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