Tell Me What You Know

Last night I hosted a “Listening Party” over at our friends’ intentional community home here in Corona.  We spent a few hours together with some new acquaintances and some old friends enjoying Andrew Peterson‘s new album, “Counting Stars.”  I have been a huge fan of Peterson’s incredible music for a few years now, and though I have no stake in the game as far as being on some non-existent street team, I simply wanted to share in a moment of beauty with other people who were willing to take the time on a Friday night to gather and listen to an artist who has truly blessed me and whom I highly recommend.  We brought desserts to share; we talked and got acquainted; I introduced the album briefly; and we pressed play.  We listened to half the album, and then had an intermission to reflect on the songs thus far.  I brought lyrics sheets I had prepared so those who wanted could follow along with Peterson’s masterful lyrical songcraft.  After a time of discussion about what impacted us during a close listening of the first half, we played the rest of the album and continued our comments and reflections on the album as a whole.

The group gathered there at Riverbend Commons last night was a perfect audience for this kind of activity.  Even though there was little to no familiarity with the artist ahead of time, everyone seemed to really engage and carefully listen to the words and the stories woven by Peterson backed by tight and beautiful musical arrangements.  ”Counting Stars” is an album easy on the ears.  The comments by our guests confirmed that this artist has a gift to reach down into the human soul and stir the emotions with a sense of childlike wonder preserved through the trials of adulthood, the joys and rigors of marriage, and the longing for God to set all things aright.  Peterson weaves together clever poetry, theological depth, literacy, melancholy, love for family, and overall a great sense of hope to craft albums that are consistently brilliant.

I put together this informal Listening Party because so often amid the noise of life and the din of mass-commercialized music, we miss out on opportunities to share in beautiful things together with our friends.  A museum is a quiet place where people can go with others or alone and intentionally focus on pieces of visual art.  But for truly excellent music that has touched your life, may I suggest hosting your own Listening Party?  Modern life can be so hectic that we rarely slow down to appreciate beauty by ourselves, let alone with friends and loved ones.  And I believe beautiful things are made better when shared with others.

Posted in Director's Comments
Tags: Andrew Peterson, finding beauty, intentional community, listening, music, Riverbend Commons