Randy Stonehill
Los Angeles, California7 reviews across 4 releases
Randy Stonehill is a California singer-songwriter who emerged from the early-1970s Los Angeles Christian music scene after moving there from Stockton. His songs often use character sketches and compact narratives to address faith, hurt and ordinary absurdity, with humor close at hand. The acoustic Stories presented that approach in sparse arrangements, including songs about troubled individuals and episodes from Stonehill's own life. Lazarus Heart broadened the palette in 1994, dividing its attention between radio-minded rock and slower songs of confession and worship while marking his work on the Street Level label. By Thirst in 1998, the sound had become rootsy organic rock, with Celtic guitar, Indian instruments and polished studio textures surrounding both spiritual songs and comic pieces such as "Baby Hates Clowns."
In 1989, Stonehill formed the Keaggy/Stonehill Band with Phil Keaggy, Tim Chandler and David Raven, extending a friendship that had already produced recorded collaborations. He later ran Street Level Records, the artist-oriented label that issued Lazarus Heart, and continued writing rather than following a fixed commercial style. In 2002, Edge of The World recast him as a more serious singer-songwriter, using story songs about longing and sadness and guest performances from Keaggy and Sara Groves. Stonehill continued recording and performing after that period, including live work with Keaggy and projects connected with Compassion International. He also formed Stonechelli Productions with Keaggy and Mike Pachelli in 2006.
4 releases reviewed
Stories
Lazarus Heart
Edge of The World