Howie Campbell Discography
Thank You
Howie 's first CD, Thank You was released in 2003. This is an acoustic blend of jazz influenced folk, both inspired and refreshing. Howie's smooth vocals and Scripture based original music will sooth your soul, and refresh your spirit. Howie Campbell - Vocals and Acoustic Guitar (LoPrinzi), percussion; Wayne Grosvenor- Acoustic and Electric Bass, Congas; Webb Sanders - Harmonicas; Heather Walker - Cello; Lonsdale Walker - Flute; Debbie Campbell, Dianna Sit, Chris, Sarah and Campbell Taylor, Jessica Stablein, Elizabeth Bro - vocals.
The title track, Thank You
, is dedicated to the God and Father of my Lord Jesus Christ for having saved me. Like We Can Make It
, it has a mellow jazz flavor appropriate for the reverence and awe due His Holy Name. Acoustic bass and guitar, harmonica and percussion support the smooth vocals.
The Truth
, Turn Your Eyes To Heaven
and Jesus Is Salvation
are all played on acoustic guitar in a finger-picking style. Electric bass, percussion, and harmony vocals add rhythm and color. The ladies singing harmony are all from Memphis, TN and the musicians are from New York, making a nice north/south blend. On The Truth
, a Tin Whistle is played by the phantom whistler
(he wanted it that way).
Goin' Up To Heaven
a shuffle blues tune, is a favorite in the coffee houses, concerts and on the street. I love doing this one at "Downtown Jammin' with other musicians because we jam on it. The Greatness Of Our God
is a challenge to clean it up for Jesus. I believe it's a message for us today to take a serious look at who we are and live for the Lord. This song is done in a minor key with harmonica wailing in the back, electric bass cooking away, and lead guitar weaving throughout. It's a mover.
Where's The Love
, Psalm 101
and The Lord Is Holy
are enhanced by my dear friends Lon and Heather on flute and cello. They are very sensitive players who make the lyrics come alive. The Lord Is Holy
also includes a special treat and answer to prayer for me: my family joins me on this one. It sounds like a band of Christians in the Australian Outback praising the Lord around the campfire. It's cool.
The last song on the CD He's Comin' Back
, is exciting both musically and lyrically. The pulsing strum of the acoustic guitar, the drive of Wayne's electric bass, strong harmonies by the Memphis Ladies
Dianna, Jessica and Elizabeth, and Webby's driving harmonica declare the message the words are proclaiming: Jesus Christ is Coming Soon! Are you ready??
I hope you enjoy listening as much as we enjoyed putting "Thank You" together. My desire is that the words will inspire you to look into God's Holy Word, make it a part of your life, and share the exciting message of joy and hope, through Jesus Christ, with everyone you meet.
Colonial Meditations
Timeless melodies from the 18th century come to life in these modern, acoustic guitar instrumental renderings. Acoustic Ambiance - A collection of Hymns from the American Colonial period that is both soothing and inspirational.
The hymns chosen for this collection were all written between 1701 and 1831. They are songs that would have been sung by the men and women that founded America. Appropriately for the nation known as the melting pot
, a good number of these melodies were penned in the countries from which the early colonists came to these shores. Many of these historical pieces remain favorites of congregations around the world, often being translated into their native languages.
Rather than being authentic period pieces, these hymns are done Howie-style
. The LoPrinzi LR-20 steel string acoustic guitar has a warm, full-bodied resonance that enhances the warmth and beauty of the meditative hymns, while bringing life and vitality to the more up-tempo ones.
Howie uses alternate and open tunings such as a drop D tuning on track 2, open A on track 5, and DADGAD on track 4. The LoPrinzi, coupled with Howie's fingerpicking style, bring out such rich depth and color that listening the 10th or 20th time is as refreshing as the 1st or 2nd.
Colonial Meditations is a delightful musical excursion away from the hectic pace of life.
The Good News of Christmas
Readings of the Christmas story interspersed with folk arrangements of traditional carols and original songs. Artistic rendition of this timeless tale to enhance Advent or for enjoyment year 'round.
Messianic prophecies, the birth of Jesus, worship of Almighty God, the promise of Jesus' return all make this Advent devotional a must have for the Christmas season or any time of year. Scripture readings set up the following song, flowing from worship of God, through the prediction of the Jewish Messiah, the Angel's appearance to Joseph, Mary and the shepherds, to Jesus' words to his disciples and His promise to return. It's a look at this timeless story that you don't normally hear at Christmas time, but that carries God's plan to it's logical next step.
The story begins with Most High God, the words of which where written by my daughter in praise of our faithful Creator. After reading prophecies concerning the promise of a Saviour there is an artistic rendering of O Come, O Come Emmanuel.
Joseph's Song, with piano and guitar providing the backdrop, follows a telling of the angel's appearance.
O Little Town of Bethlehem and Away In A Manger are very simple guitar and vocal arrangements of these wonderful classics.
What Child Is This has been deemed the "spacey angel" song because of Anna's haunting background vocal supporting the familiar lyrics. Everyone's favorite: Silent Night is done with a male choir that sounds spontaneous and impromptu.
After hearing of the angel's appearance to the shepherds, there is a hearty arrangement of Hark! The Herald Angels Sing.
Next is one of my favorites: Mary's Song. It was fun creating the music bed that carries Anna's vocals as she expresses a young Jewish maiden's heart having just given birth to the most famous of all babies born to mankind. A short yet poignant perspective on what Mary must have been thinking at this incredible thing God had done to bring Messiah into the world.
In keeping with the reality of the Biblical account, the wise men come, perhaps a couple years after, and We Three Kings is both a song of adoration and prophecy. This non-traditional version makes it seem like you are there, riding across the desert following a Middle Eastern star to a young child
and his mother.
"In the beginning was the word" puts the whole story in perspective and what a joy it is. So Joy To the World is a song of rejoicing at this point.
Jesus didn't remain a baby, but grew to manhood to finish the job He came to accomplish. He gathered His disciples to Himself and promised to return someday. The Good News Of Christmas would not be complete without relating that, and the reading is followed by He's Comin Back, in a folk rock tradition.
Now Unto Him is the final song of the story, and is a blessing from the book of Jude.
As a bonus, and because I love this song and wanted to do it with my friend and musical compadre Ken Kotarski, the last song is a piano/vocal rendering of O Holy Night.
I hope you enjoy listening to The Good News Of Christmas. I worked long and late on it, to get it ready for our 2008 Christmas tour. We remastered and reprinted it in 2009 prior to that year's tour and many folks tell me what a blessing it is, which is a blessing to me.
Merry Christmas to you - all year long ! It's always okay to sing about the birth of Jesus. It's always okay to love Christmas.