Phil Collins Gets It
The first time I realized the power of withholding the drums until just the right moment was in Phil Collins’ genius song “In The Air Tonight”. That’s when I “got it”. The following is a video of him playing this live in his Farewell Tour (I have this DVD – because Phil Collins is a musical hero to me). You know you love it! Is there anything cooler than when the drums kick in?
I hope the point is getting across. Let music build. Let it grow. Let it breathe. Leave space. Know when NOT to play. The musicians and bands that I’ve featured the last few days get it – it’s time the Church got it. I know some of you get this – but unfortunately, the majority of the Church (big “C”) doesn’t.
Do you have any other great examples? And yes, I know Mercy Me opened their Live DVD concert with their arrangement of “In the Air Tonight”. I loved it. You can watch that HERE.
February 4th, 2010 at 4:30 pm
My example of this would be Audio Adrenaline's intro to "We're a Band" on their Farewell tour: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YbqlqREZfoQ
(On a side note, I was at that concert… LOVED IT!)
Matthew
February 4th, 2010 at 9:38 pm
Thanks Matthew.
February 4th, 2010 at 7:41 pm
For all the people who use the word epic way to much, they should see if what they are calling epic matches up to this, because I believe this is one of the few epic things out there. Phil Collins is so money. Beautiful arrangement. Makes the final drum intro worth it. I love suspense and build up in music. Nothing better.
February 4th, 2010 at 9:39 pm
Well said, Ben. Well said. Phil and this song truly are epic.
February 4th, 2010 at 11:00 pm
Sick post. If your worship leader doesn't get this, they are just a music leader. Big difference.
February 4th, 2010 at 11:12 pm
Big difference. Well said, friend. Well said.
February 4th, 2010 at 6:13 pm
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February 4th, 2010 at 6:18 pm
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February 4th, 2010 at 11:25 pm
i would have to say that Kim Walker gets it…one of the few worship leaders who really do…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JoC1ec-lYps
February 4th, 2010 at 11:57 pm
Yep – great explosion of sound and music and passion about 3 minutes into the song.
February 5th, 2010 at 12:23 am
I think Chris Tomlin's indescribable kinda fits this. You dont really see the drums coming unless you know the song
February 4th, 2010 at 11:00 pm
Sick post. If your worship leader doesn't get this, they are just a music leader. Big difference.