So what is Solas? Solas is an arts festival wrestling with the issues around the intersection of faith/arts/justice. It is an attempt to look at what is Scottish, and how these themes play out within a Scottish context. Mr Gay writing for the website says it so much better than i can;

“Solas Festival is an independently funded and managed organisation which works in Scotland to promote the celebration and exploration of relationships between faith, art and justice. Its roots lie in the Christian tradition, ecumenically understood, and it seeks to be actively hospitable to a range of faith traditions.
Our dream is that this all-age weekend will light up the Scottish festival landscape with a vivid mix of music, debate, theatre, comedy, film and visual art and will quickly establish itself as a unique location to celebrate and question our commitments to art, faith and justice within Scotland’s cultural life. Come with us on the journey.”

so get involved please help us make this happen.

come along to the weekend, that’s right, buy a ticket there is a heavy discount until the end of February
http://www.solasfestival.co.uk/tickets.php
volunteer, come and help us actually make the weekend happen.
http://www.solasfestival.co.uk/volunteer.php
become a saint and help fund this vision either regularly or in a one off basis
http://www.solasfestival.co.uk/give.php

As for me I will be the one running about hoping everything will run well.

Due to the combination of having a birthday, and having an amazon wishlist, I managed to get some books i was looking forward to reading. SO I got this one and read it one evening!

This book is a fable around the clash of youth ministry ideologies. One Charactor Wes has just moved to a mega church style church and taking one approach with a large youth group. And Britt an older youth worker who has a much smaller group. and their conversations as they discuss youth ministry and how it is done.

some obersvations

It was a good book. The story is readable. It is short enough to read in one sitting, (It takes about 2hours to read this book, while watching TV.) and I know what the book was trying to get me to realise at the end.
It helped to reinforce some of the things i believe and how i try to work.

Two small things bugged me about the book.
firstly the story struggles to stop feeling like an illustration for the points the author was trying make. It felt like a youthworkers story with the points signposted so everyone knows what you are meant to know by the end.
secondly chapter end with statements like this.
“What neither of them knew is how significant both Melanie and Britt would become in their lives – but not in the way they imagined.”
Stop it. It’s just bad to do that. I think the term bad comes to mind.

anyway I don’t read much fiction, but I did enjoy this, despite my frustrations. It was a fun easy read, which made me laugh at points, feel better about the work i do and glad about the fact i had read it again. Interestingly (for me) it used some of the language I had been using to describe my way of working over te last 5 years almost term for term.

so if you can read it, it is a decent read if you are interest in youth ministry.

From 2009 the year that Jonathon Ross returned to his Radio two show and Sir Terry Wogan left his, also the year we got a new baby. Talitha. (nice) .
the contenders in alphabetical order;

Using a completely biased methodology of what did I listen to most then, what do I listen to now and think is pretty good and just what rocks my world, the top three are

number 3
The Decemberists – The Hazards of Love
a modern progressive rock opera, with 4 lead singing parts, 2 female, 2 male, sung by two females and 1 male. staged as a touring show played in order, it shouldn’t have worked, on first listen it didn’t work, but Shara Wooten for My Brightest Diamond pushes this album into the realms of greatness. It is literate, deep, compelling, strange and weird all at the same time with some wonderful melodies and great tunes backing it up.
seek out – as it is a progressive rock opera, it has to be the whole album, one song just doesn’t give enough without the full fabric around it.

number 2
Dirty Projectors – Bitte Orca
Dirty Projectors, never quite got the previous album, “twin cinema”, but “Bitte Orca” is magnificent, it just sound right. It does just sound right. It is indie greatness.
seek out – sorry the whole album, it is wonderful and only slightly pipped by Sunset for the top spot.

number 1
Sunset Rubdown – Dragonslayer
This is a wonderful album which starts as grandly as it can and continues in it’s opulence and rock opera melodics for the whole album. considerably shorted that the Decemberists attempt at doing the same thing and this album does rock, you have probably never heard it but this sounds wonderful, like a band who are having fun creating something they will be proud of for the rest of their lives. truly a great album.seek out – The whole album. You just should.

From 2008 the year that Barack Obama (“yes we can”) was elected 44th US president, and Bill Gates stepped down from day to day control at Microsoft in order to give away money.
the contenders in alphabetical order;

Using a completely biased methodology of what did I listen to most then, what do I listen to now and think is pretty good and just what rocks my world, the top three are

number 3
Bon Iver – For Emma, Forever ago
atmospheric, folky, rough yet gentle, this album had some wonderful things in it, an album of emotive depth which takes root in your head and keep s floatinground and round. a ultimately joyful listen
seek out – “Flume”, “Skinny Love”, & “For Emma”

number 2
Vampire Weekend – Vampire Weekend
Loved this album. Especially shouting out (Blake’s got a new face loudly at really inappropriate times. dunno what else to say. it wears its influences on its seleves and is very enjoyable as a listen.
seek out – “Oxford Comma”, “A-Punk”, “Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa” & “One (Blake’s Got a New Face)”

number 1
Fleet Foxes – Fleet Foxes
Great Album, similar to Beirut’s album the year before, but simply and wonderful album of harmony, melody and song. I really like this album alot
seek out – The whole album. It lovelyness in musical form.

From 2007 the year that was “European Year of Equal Opportunities for All”, the year Gordon brown became UK prime Minister, and the year of minority government at the Scottish Parliament.
the contenders in alphabetical order;

Using a completely biased methodology of what did I listen to most then, what do I listen to now and think is pretty good and just what rocks my world, the top three are

number 3
Over The Rhine - The Trumpet Child
This is Over the Rhine’s third appearance in albums i liked from the 2000’s. and this one is again full of consistently great tunes and wonderful lyrics. another quietly wonderful album.
seek out – “Desperate for Love”, “Trouble”, “If A Song Could Be President” & “Don’t Wait For Tom”

number 2
Steve Earle – Washington Square Blues
A great album from Mr Earle, Recorded in New York where he had moved and influenced by the sounds of new york this album mixes up folk and country with hip hop beats and urban production. But it does this without messing with the songwriting, or the key folkiness of the album. It is a good album to listen too, but every so often some of lyrics will catch you provoke and challenge, i like that.
seek out – “Satellite Radio”, “City of Immigrants”, “Sparkle and Shine” & “Oxycontin Blues”

number 1
Radiohead - In Rainbows
Radiohead, narrowly edge out The National’s “Boxer”, with “In Rainbows”. What a great album. First thing to notice is that it is only ten songs, ten great songs, everyone is individually noticeable and integral to the album. secondly, it rocks. It really does. “15 step” is great, “Bodysnatchers” sounds wonderful, “weird fishes/arpeggi” is as clean a rock song as Radiohead have ever done.and on it goes. one song highlights this for me “House of Cards”, so simple, deep, emotional, yet simple. it doesn’t seem the longest song on the album yet it is. Lovely album. and in all the coverage about the pay what you want thing, i think the lovelyness of this album got lost somehow.
seek out – The whole album. It lovelyness in musical form.

Using a completely biased methodology of what did I listen to most then, what do I listen to now and think is pretty good and just what rocks my world, the top three are

number 3
Muse - Black Holes & Revelations
we were driving back fro Ruaha National Park to our digs at the Deaf school near Iringa, the night had been fun and long with good chat and cold frosty beverages, around 2am the hippos had started shouting seemingly outside our waterside lodges, lions had been calling to each other, and our lodges had no glass in the windows! We had had a long day animal spotting, and the drive home was long. as we drove Alice asked if we could listen to one of her tapes, It wa athe new muse album. The sun was going down as the landrover drove, the stereo played this amazing soundtrack as we powered to our home. This album sums up our time in Africa in a wonderful and great way.
seek out – “Take A bow”, “Super Massive Black Hole”, “Knights of Cydonia” & “Assassin”

number 2
The Decemberists – The Crane Wife
Kinda “Progrock” in places, pop rock in others. it is a fantastic album with a depth of music and way with words which get in your head as much as colin’s voice is Unique. frankly a very, very good album, which was odds on for number 1 if the number one album hadn’t made an appearance to my ear buds!
seek out – “The Crane Wife 3”, “O Valencia”, “Summersong” & “Yankee Bayonet (I Will Be Home Then)”

number 1
Hem – Funnel Cloud
Hem’s funnel cloud is a beautiful album of gentle folky indie music. It a delight of an album.
seek out – The whole album. It is simply beautiful.

From 2005 the year Ellen MacArthur sailed very fast, Live 8 saw Pink Floyd on stage together again, and Coldplay made my the walls of our flat shake.
the contenders in alphabetical order;

using a completely biased methodology of what did I listen to most then, what do I listen to now and think is pretty good and just what rocks my world, the top three are

number 3
Jointly My Morning Jacket – Z & The National – Alligator
I couldn’t split them. Both American rock bands, both with awesome albums which I loved. Both are great live, both are albums i keep on returning to often. I don’t know how I could separate them to be honest.
Seek out – both albums. they are very good.

number 2
Martyn Joseph – Deep Blue
What an album. really what an album. Practically prefect songs in every aspect. turn me tender is possibly my favourite song form this decade. it constantly leaves me desiring its company and wisdom as I work out what this thing called life is all about.
seek out – the album, it is quite wonderful

number 1
Sufjan Stevens – (Come on feel the) Illinoise!
I love the songs on this album, the way some tracks last 40 seconds or so, and how some last 5minutes. the way the sparing use of orchestration, the grooves on some songs, the fact it is about one of my top 52 American states, the fact the production seems sparing to give each piece of music its on space. it is quite, quite brilliant.
seek out – the whole album. it should get your attention.

From 2004 the year Jeffery John and Christiano Ronaldo’s wink as Portugal put England out of European football championships both became infamous.
the contenders in alphabetical order;

using a completely biased methodology of what did I listen to most then, what do I listen to now and think is pretty good and just what rocks my world, the top three are

number 3
Ron Sexsmith – Retriever.
I was standing with my wife and Sarah at a concert, and the Sound Guy played this album over the PA. I was commented I loved this record, Sarah asked who it was, and I told her about it. she commented she wished she had my record collection. This album is a wonderfully great pop record, fantastic songs, quietly catchy, with strong melodies, lyrics to die for, this album is wonderful and why he is not stratispherically famous is shocking
seek out – “Not About to Lose”, “Happiness” & “Tomorrow In Her Eyes”

number 2
William Shatner – Has Been
His follow up to his last album in 1968 was great. Shatner doesn’t sing, he kinda reads poetry over the top of musical arrangements. Perhaps it was watching too much Star trek but I didn’t expect the emotional intensity of reality, brokenness of this album. Added to that Ben Folds, wrote the music, played, produced and co-wrote most of the songs this is really an unexpected, special, album. which deserves much love.
seek out – “Real”, “I Can’t Get Behind That”, “You’ll Have Time”, “Common People”

number 1
Five For Fighting – The Battle for Everything
I bought this album on the basis of hearing a song on a sampler CD. I thought I was getting country rock, instead i got a gorgeous wonderful collection of beauty. It really is wonderful album with songs of love and loss which have stayed. a depth of melody and meaning give rise to occasionally just singing part of the song as you are driving around. it is a great album.
seek out – “The Devil In The Wishing Well”, “If God Made You”, “100 years”, “Maybe I”

From 2003 the year London introduced its congestion charge, and the end of Channel 4’s Brookside and Supersonic aircraft Concorde.
the contenders are in alphabetical order;

Barenaked Ladies – Everything to Everyone
Belle & Sebastian – Dear Catastrophe Waitress
British Sea Power – The Decline of British Sea Power
Bruce Cockburn – You’ve Never Seen Everything
Coldplay – A Rush of Blood to the Head
Eddi Reader – Sings The Songs of Robert Burns
Martyn Joseph – Whoever it was that brought me here will have to take me home
OutKast – Speakerboxx / The Love Below
Over the Rhine – Ohio
Radiohead – Hail to the Thief
Rufus Wainwright – Want One
The Shins – Chutes Too Narrow
The Violet Burning – This Is The Moment
Zwan – Mary Star of The Seas

using a completely biased methodology of what did I listen to most then, what do I listen to now and think is pretty good and just what rocks my world, the top three are
please note this year was extremely good for music and a real tough decision!

number 3
Barenaked Ladies – Everything to Everyone.
in my humble opinion probably the best record Barenaked Ladies have made. off kilter, gorgeous pop with a rock underbelly. lyrics to die for and a pop sensibility which belies the seeming simplicity of the album, it took me a while to click with, but now the album is welded in my subconscious, with twists and turns which are as familiar as old friends and sometimes as surprising as friends are.
seek out – “Another Postcard”, “Shopping” & “War on Drugs”

number 2
Rufus Wainwright – Want One
I remember buying this CD then giving a lift to someone in my car, and saying “You must listen to this album. it is wonderful, it mixes classical pop, beauty and wonder. it is as operatic as it is pop, it is just wonderful”. then I turned it up loud and sang along completely convinced it’s beauty would work wonders.
what an album. If it wasn’t for number 1 it would easily have been album of the year.
seek out – the whole album. it is easily one of the top ten albums of this decade.

number 1
Over the Rhine – Ohio
I don’t know how 2 albums into a 4 album deal Over the Rhine persuaded Virgin records to allow them to release a double album, but frankly it is a move of backing artists vision which was rewarded by one of the best albums i have ever heard.
It is moving, frank, honest, emotional, wonderful, dreamy, yet real, bitter sweet, an album of supreme skill craft, songwriting and beauty, just wonderful. absolutely wonderful.
seek out – ensure you have this album. If you don’t have it ask I will buy it for you. (really this is a real offer)

As part of thinking back and remembering things on the cusp of moving into 2010, I am trying to work out what to put on my iPod and what not. so what follows is a brief look through the best albums I got in the year 200 and a top 3 with some witterings on why i like things you will probably not like!

Anyway from the year 2002 the year Gunther von Hagens conducted the first public autopsy in a London theatre for 170 years, and also the year of the Manchester commonwealth games.
the contenders in alphabetical order(!)

Aimee Mann – Lost in Space
Bon Voyage – The Right Amount
Buddy Miller – Midnight and Lonesome
The Chemical Brothers – Come With Us
Del Amitri – Can You Do Me Good?
Doves – The Last Broadcast
Johnny Cash – American IV – The Man Comes Around
Sixpence None The Richer – Divine Discontent
Steve Earle – Jerusalem

Using a completely biased methodology of what did I listen to most then, what do I listen to now and think is pretty good and just what rocks my world, the top three are…

3
Steve Earle – Jerusalem
I cannot remember why i bought this album. I had never heard any of Steve Earle’s albums before, but buy it I did. What I found was a politically charged, folk, country protest singer trying to work out what he saw going on in America and singing the songs which came out of that trying to understand.
It is a great album with some stand out tracks! It has an intensity, which brought with it controversy and a strong reation, then again isn’t all good art controversal?
seek out – “John Walker’s Blues”, “The Truth” & “Jerusalem”

2
Johnny Cash – American IV – The Man Comes Around
What can I say.
If you haven’t seen the video for “Hurt” your life is incomplete. this albums is as complete an album as a frail, old, dying man can make. Simply breathtaking.
seek out – go buy the album. and the video of Hurt. you really need this.

1
Sixpence None The Richer – Divine Discontent
The first time I heard Sixpence None the Richer’s Divind Discontent I was excited. it sounds like a brilliant polished pop album, georgous melody’s, Leighs brilliant floating vocals, a full rounded band sound. it sustained as constant listens happened. wonderful album. with a georgous sound and wonderful running order, the only blight on a great album is it was woefully under promoted. meaning very few people heard it. shame it is a great pop album.
seek out – the whole album, is it wonderful