Just wanted to post a little heads up about an album I snagged recently that I’m really growing to appreciate and love. It’s by a guy named David Potter. Unbeknownst to me, Bob Kauflin snagged a copy and already reviewed it, so head here for his thoughts. He seemed to like it, and I know I’m enjoying it. I had never heard of David Potter before I spotted his album on NoiseTrade, where I managed to snag it for free before they took it down. His album is called “Man of Sorrows.” It’s an album of hymns, a few of which are originals, but most of which are older ones that have been reworked to one degree or another.

One of my favorite tracks from his album is his bluesy take on “All Creatures of Our God and King.” Very unique. I find some irony in the fact that another song which stuck out to me (“Guide Me O Thou Great Jehovah”) was one that Kauflin wasn’t too fond of. I liked the groove of the blues Potter laid down, it had a nice soul feel to it. Throw in some horns and you could probably walk down a street in New Orleans to the song and start a little parade.

This is less an album review and more a focus on the artist, so I’m not going to cover any more of the album, though I would greatly encourage you to hit up Bandcamp and download it (for any size donation, I believe). You could also check out David Potter on MySpace, Facebook and on his website.

David Potter seems like a very solid, biblically focused worship leader and I would encourage you to try and snag his latest album and keep an eye out for what he does in the future.

Instead of reviewing an album tonight, I thought I’d point out an artist who is quickly becoming a favorite of mine: Phil Wickham. He’s got two studio albums out: Phil Wickham (self-titled debut) and Cannons. They’re both incredible albums. If you’re not sure if you will like him or not, check out his website, where you can download a live concert (just him and his guitar and a very enthusiastic audience) for free!

So why should you keep an eye on this artist? Well, he toes the line of worship music. Many of his songs have a worshipful focus, but sometimes they are either too intimate or ‘artistic’ for congregational worship. That said, they make excellent openers and offertories.

One of my all-time favorites is from his first album, “I will wait for you there”. It’s a very soft, intimate song which builds throughout to a very passionate climax, whereupon it drops back to a more intimate feel.

All of his songs have melodies which stick with you, and the theology and doctrine in them is very sound. I hope and pray that “the industry” doesn’t burn him out or discard him because I feel like he has the capacity to make quite a contribution.

So if you haven’t heard of him, or heard any of his stuff, definitely check him out and see what he’s got going on there – I doubt you will be disappointed!