From the time that we met and were starting to email back and forth, New Daddy and I have talked about recording music. He had a (now archaic) digital studio, some mics, and a home recording setup long before he met me. What we didn't know is that it would take almost eleven years of marriage before we had a finished product. But we finally released our first cd in March 2013.
We recorded and mixed it at home using Propellerhead's Record/Reason software, our home piano, instruments and mics. It was a secretive two years, recording at night and on the weekends, even finishing up a few tracks and the mixing after Tater was born. Some of our most memorable moments were chasing chickens away from the basement window and putting a barking Rosie in the garage to complete a take. During one breezy evening, the wind chimes were removed from the hook below the deck. New Daddy used Photoshop to create the album art, and Aunt Ma took our pictures for the insert. Homespun, it is.
The project came from some of the greatest trials that we've ever faced as musicians; and if we hadn't had the trials, there probably would be no cd. But the best reward that we could have- and was our ultimate goal- was to create music that our children could walk around the house singing, memorizing the Gospel set to music. There's plenty of "Christian" music that you can remove (or even keep!) the words to and hear rock n' roll, country, etc. Our goal instead, was to take Sis. Rebekah Smith's article on music and the recordings of Bro. Branham's singing as our vision. The result is something many people would probably fall asleep listening to. But it brings me peace-- the old-fashioned verses, acoustic instruments, and fairly understated rhythm.
Why An Evening Hymn?
I was reading a poem with this title to my children out of our Ambleside Online poetry. As I read it, the words formed a melody in my mind. Somewhere, there is probably another tune for the words, but this is our version that became the title track for the cd.
Also, we know that the world is in its evening stages, and we'll soon greet an eternal morning. So the title seemed fitting, and to choose hymns that reflect this point in time. Another reason is that most of the tracks are acoustic and mellow, which makes them ideal for listening in the evening. It's a reminder of the "last days" (Acts 2:17) rest that the Holy Spirit gives to the believer.
"Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." Matthew 11:28
About a year after the cd was released on most of the major outlets, CD Baby also posted it on YouTube. Enjoy!
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