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"Send The Light" (2003) is Rick Sparks' third instrumental release in 18 months, following last year's "Smooth Gospel" and "Wade In The Water." According to Rick, "Send The Light" is not just the result of seven months of production, but the culmination of 30 years as a broadcaster, musician and believer in Christ who loves the piano and its standout role in pop music. "My musical influences on this CD cover the pop spectrum, from Neil Diamond, Norah Jones, and Chicago to pop pianists like David Benoit and Ramsey Lewis," says Rick. "When you listen to this album, you're going to hear some great Christian songs with some pretty unique arrangements. I wanted to honor these songs with contemporary arrangements that the listener would enjoy, whether familiar with the songs or not." The British group 'Down To The Bone' inspired the Lee University professor in Cleveland, Tennessee to infuse the album's first track, "Jesus Saves (We Have Heard The Joyful Sound)," with an energetic drum and bass groove underlying a Ramsey Lewis style piano solo. From there, each of the songs adds a new element to the CD, from the Chicago-like horns on the title cut, to the Bruce Hornsby-inspired piano on "Lord I Lift Your Name On High," to the Latin acoustic guitar and horns on "My God, I Love Thee." The album extends the musical direction of Rick's first two CDs into a richer and more developed jazz/pop style. But apart from the music, he sees the foundation of the songs as being rooted in their lyrics. "The words of these songs stand on their own as great expressions of Christian faith," says Sparks. "I just wanted to express that faith in a more modern and accessible musical style. If you take the great original melodies and change the underlying framework using the tools of smooth jazz and pop piano, you end up with something fresh and new that honors the original but is totally relevant to today's audiences." One example is the traditional Christmas hymn, 'We Three Kings.' "In my mind," says Rick, "that song is a musical mystery tour across the desert by three young royals riding stallions, not camels. To communicate that musically, I injected energy, groove and fun into a great song about traveling with all due haste to see the King of kings." "Send The Light" is available for purchase online at www.cdbaby.com/ricksparks. Dr. Rick Sparks (Ph.D.) is a native Tennessean, lifelong broadcaster, educator and musician. He teaches on the communication faculty at Lee University, Cleveland, Tennessee. Check out the artist's website: http://www.geocities.com/silbersix Track List: 1. Jesus Saves (We Have Heard The Joyful Sound) 2. Send The Light 3. Praise Him, Praise Him 4. Now Thank We All Our God 5. We Three Kings 6. My God Is Real 7. Lord I Lift Your Name On High 8. Nothing But The Blood Of Jesus 9. My God, I Love Thee 10. I Have Decided To Follow Jesus Other Genres:
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