This Tuesday Sovereign Grace Music released our latest project, All That Thrills My Soul, a 6 song downloadable EP featuring Ryan, Jonathan, and Meghan Baird. Add Zach Boomsma to the mix and you get West Coast Revival.
For years Ryan, Jonathan, and Meghan have been contributing to Sovereign Grace music as vocalists, songwriters, and instrumentalists. Their songs include Always Forgiven, The Prodigal, Completely Done, and most recently Behold our God.
For a while now we’ve been talking about the Bairds working on a project that captured more of their unique influences and sound. I’d describe it as a rootsy, sometimes bluesy, form of Americana, featuring tight harmonies and compelling lead vocals. While the project was going to be a full length album called Behold our God, various limitations reduced it to an EP. And since Behold our God didn’t even make the cut, we had to give it a new title, All That Thrills My Soul. Which I kind of like better any way.
The EP contains six songs, three of which are suitable for congregational singing. One of my favorites is their treatment of All Creatures of Our God and King. I’ve always loved the tune of this hymn but wished the lyrics drew attention to Christ’s atoning work. This version not only does that but references his return as well. Here’s their version:
VERSE 1
All creatures of our God and King
Lift up your voice and with us sing
O praise Him! Allelujah!
Thou, burning sun with golden beam
Thou, silver moon with softer gleam
O praise Him! O praise Him!
Allelujah! Allelujah! Allelujah!
VERSE 2
Let all things their Creator bless
And worship Him in humbleness
O praise Him! Allelujah!
Praise, praise the Father, praise the Son
And praise the Spirit, Three-in-One
O praise Him! O praise Him!
Allelujah! Allelujah! Allelujah!
VERSE 3
All the redeemed washed by His blood
Come and rejoice in His great love
O praise Him! Allelujah!
Christ has defeated every sin
Cast all your burdens now on Him
O praise Him! O praise Him!
Allelujah! Allelujah! Allelujah!
BRIDGE
To Him who loves us
And is returning be honor
For we shall see Him in His glory
VERSE 4
He shall return in pow’r to reign
Heaven and earth will join to say
O praise Him! Allelujah!
Then who shall fall on bended knee?
All creatures of our God and King
O praise Him! O praise Him!
Allelujah! Allelujah! Allelujah!
Lyrics by St. Francis of Assisi (Verses 1 & 2), Jonathan Baird and Ryan Baird (Verses 3 & 4). Music by William Henry Draper and adapted by Jonathan Baird and Ryan Baird. Copyright 2013 Sovereign Grace Worship
Here’s the track list, with my description of each song.
1. All Creatures of Our God and King
2. All That Thrills My Soul – a prayer that Jesus would be our consuming passion
3. In the Beginning – Reflective, simple song taken directly from John 1:1-5 and John 3:16
4. Plead for Me – a song of faith that we have a great high priest who is aware of our weaknesses
5. Oh, to See You – voices a longing to one day seeing the crucified and risen Savior face to face
6. Time Keeps Slippin’ Away – a beautiful song that expresses our “longing for his appearing”
You can stream the album from Bandcamp, and download it from there or iTunes. Charts coming soon. Let me know what you think.
Love that SG Music released a band album. I think there’s something unique and compelling about writing arranging and recording your own stuff and it shows with this EP. Really like the tweaks to WCR’s sound.
Any plans to produce other bands?
I also would not mind another Heroic Piano album. That would be fine too.
“The EP contains six songs, three of which are suitable for congregational singing…”
Which three are you referring to? Thanks!
Aaron, thanks for the question. All Creatures, Plead for Me, Oh to See You.
Love the new verses on All Creatures! Especially appreciate verse 3. Excellent, Thanks Bairds!
I love the new lyrics to this hymn! Thank you for releasing this!
great union of music and lyrics-thanks Bob for the heads up!
BTW -the lyrics on the chorus of “Time Keeps Slippin’ Away” should read “then in triumph we’ll rise” -hate to point out the mistake on the lyric sheet-but I know we share a mutual passion for powerful, scriptural lyrics and want to avoid the confusion typos bring :)
Paul, thanks for the heads up. Just fixed it.
Sounds amazing.
Has it hit amazon yet? I see iTunes but not amazon yet…
Thanks!
Joel, doesn’t look like it’s up on Amazon yet, but should be shortly. Thanks for asking.
Totally love the EP and my teenage boys loved and asked to listen again in the car. That’s a wide spectrum of age to satisfy.
Had a listen through and it is very different to there previous releases. Lyrically it is beautiful for the reasons you mention (especially connected with All That Thrills My Heart). I had been hoping for something more edgy (Wonders of Jesus Crucified, Won’t Let You Fall Away type or even the song he did on the Psalms album – You Will Never Change – I think).
But all that said it is a quality SGM album and true to the more traditional style of music.
Wow. “Plead for Me” is a wonderful, powerful, moving song, in words and melody. Incredible!
Zac, I agree. Loved that song the first time I heard it. Thanks for listening!
Really dig this new EP! All Creatures of Our God and King has been a favorite hymn of mine for a long time and now I like it even more! Great re-mix. Going to download now.
SOOOOO good! Especially Plead for Me…”SHOW YOUR POWER”!!! Cannot wait for sheet music.
I didn’t see this question asked so I hope I’m not repeating anything. Do you know of any chord charts or sheet music that will made available for this album? Also, I would like to say I was at the D&T conference. I praise God for using that conference to open me up to Sovereign Grace Music. I purchased this EP along with T4G II and they’re pretty much all I’ve been listening to for a month.
Jeff, the charts will be available this week. Thanks for your patience!