Randy Stonehill

Item: Stories
Author: Beth Blinn

Stories

(1993)

Reviewed by Beth Blinn

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Label MyrrhThe LighthouseJuly 1993

acoustic folk singer-songwriter

Randy Stonehill has been around the Christian music scene long enough to be considered one of the founding fathers. Known for his off-beat personality and thought-provoking (although sometimes wacky) music, many of his songs feature a storyline, illustrating pieces of his or other's lives. Which leads us to Stories, a collection of Stonehill tunes that he has recorded over the years, plus two new cuts. Acoustic in vein, the songs clearly show how Stonehill achieved his position in the history of contemporary Christian music.

While I have always appreciated Stonehill's sense of humor as evidenced in songs like "American Fast Food" and "Cosmetic Fixation," his story-songs were usually the ones who spoke to me the most. Stonehill has a penchant for illustrating individuals who are in hurting situations and showing how God has love and compassion for those individuals.

The cuts "Rachel Delevoryas," "Starlings," "Weight of the Sky," and "Christmas at Denny's" are the most obvious examples of this. All are about individuals who are battling against the harsh elements of the world, be they physical, mental, or emotional, and of the One who can heal those hurts. The arrangements are very sparse, with Stonehill performing "Weight of the Sky" acapella.

"Bells," "Coming Back Soon," "Letter to My Family," "Turning Thirty," and "Singing in Portuguese" are all snapshots of Stonehill's life, and how various incidents have affected his walk with God.

"Charlie the Weatherman" and "I Thirst For You" are the two new songs, produced by Terry Taylor and recorded with the Lost Dogs (Mike Roe, Terry Taylor, Gene Eugene and Derri Daugherty). They fit smoothly in with the others, both musically and lyrically.

The album concludes with an acoustic version of "Hope of Glory" that pulls the themes of the album together with the reminder that the central theme of our lives is Christ and his compassion and love for us.