Funklein
Mystery of Difference
© 2005 John R Finch (634479168116)
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Art house spirituals. Original, heartfelt new songs with an acoustic/electric British Folk feeling, with a meaningful blues overtone.
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BLUES PRIEST John R Finch is not only a singer song writer, he really is a very cool Roman Catholic priest based at Sacred Heart Church, Leigh, Lancashire, England.
Father John is also an ordinary guy with a special gift for making songs that don't push religion, but are in touch with ordinary people's spirituality. This man is intellect with raw emotion that's in touch with common humanity.
Father John was born in Wigan. He has has been playing guitar since the age of 12. His musical influences are Johnny Cash, Bob Dylan and Leonard Cohen. John started writing songs as a way of communicating his very personal spirituality and compassion for people. Never preaching, but songs with a message-that's his recipe for success and perhaps why his music appeals to people of all ages, young and old.
John says: "The songs reflect in different ways sparks of my life and love, spirituality and passion and open-ended philosophy. It is our music, and I call it "funkabilly".
John's ideas are influenced by mysticism and he says: "The name Fünklein is borrowed from Meister Eckhart, a 13th century Rhineland mystic, who uses the term: Seelenfünklein ("spark of the soul"). At one level, Fünklein (from funk, connoting an emission of sparks or rays of light) identifies that part of the soul in which mystical apprehension, or union with God, occurs. On a personal level, it reflects my Polish roots on my father's side of the family (our family name was changed from "Funk" to "Finch" when I was 13).
Listen to these songs with your heart and you will be touched in some special way by something personal for you.This is music of the heart and soul.
John says:
The first song, "Elected Silence" is inspired by a poem
of the same name by Gerard Manley Hopkins. Hopkins was
a brilliant poet and this doesn't do his work
justice-I hope he doesn't mind me borrowing a line
from his poem-by the way, there is also a line
borrowed from the "Desiderata"- listen for: " Go
quietly amid the noise and haste..."
"Midnight Tears" seems almost like a tribute to Hank
Williams or Roy Orbison but really it is based on John's
reading of an 18th
century Polish love poem that he found in one of his
Dad's poetry books! It will have you crying in your
beer, or vodka, as the case may be!
"Daffodil Island" was inspired by a real place: Hope
Island
roundabout in Skelmersdale, Lancashire- and if you
look at
the montage in the CD cover you might find the steel
daffodil referred to in the song! By the way, on this
track you just
get John playing guitar (open tuning) and of course
singing.
"Give Us Lord" is "traditional" based on an English
poem
called "Gradely Prayer" I think it was written by a
Victorian poet named Clarke.
"What's the Matter" deals with the human condition, and
asks what are we doing to this planet?
"Practice Letting Go" is about spiritual detachment.
The latter was inspired
by a quotation from German poet, Rainer Maria Rilke -
but John can't remember where it is from exactly.
"Wanderlust River" is on an environmental theme.
"Sea Story" is also developed from an idea from a poem
Song by an
English poet William Allingham (1824-1889) but it is
also based on a real-life experience from Duncan's
student-days when he encouraged someone out of the
sea, on the Welsh Coast. The guitar solos by Duncan
are great.
"Mystery of Difference" was inspired and reflects not
only my ideas on
spiritual-seeking and inter-religious dialogue, but
also the importance of dialogue for everyone.
"Late have I loved you", is John's interpretation of an idea
borrowed from St Augustine of Hippo's "Confessions". Finally, "Thank you for the Moment" is a modern-take on
the idea of the sacrament of the present moment.
May God bless you through this music.
Peace! John
reviews
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Old & new
author: Rev Steve ParrishSince I got this cd as a birthday present, I've never stopped listening to it. Each time I hear something new, and something deep and ancient. I thoroughly recommend it.
Good Music
author: Lee SmithI had never heard faith music before and this is a very good and peaceful musical experience. It has a nice atmosphere and relaxing feel. The songs are good enough that you would think other musicians out there would listen honestly and see it for the raw quality and passion that is there in the music. I also think that plagiarism is a crime and should never be accepted especially if they take from such quality music as this. Keep up the good work Fr John
Marvelous
author: John EzeI have listened John’s CDs and I found them very inspiring. The message in his songs is so rich that one cannot listen to any of them without giving it your best of attentions. His effort is very commendable and I truely recommend his CDs to anyone who has ears for good music. Bravo to you John.
Inspirational and thought provoking,.
author: Patrick WoodfordI enjoyed this CD because it is a good LISTENING disc. For me, is is about realities of life and allows one to explore and reflect. Its spirituality is simple and soothing...if you feel contented, browned off, stresed or just want refreshing....then treat yourself and listen to it.
A GREAT 2ND C.D.
author: Mary. CI've been waiting for this CD for a while as I'm lucky enough to own John and Duncan's 1st CD, FUNKLEIN.(try it you won't be disappointed.)The more I play this CD the more it grows on me. Like Funklein, the songs on this CD have John's Inspirational lyrics and Duncan's haunting guitar melodies which leave there mark on you. The only problem is I can't decide which is my favourite song!
A gentle sound
author: MaximillianThis was a CD of my mothers. But we often share interests! That says well for this CD I suppose. It appeals to all ages 28 (me) 60 (mother). John sings in a rather 1960's style I think, but more relaxing, gentle, easy to listen to. One of the CD's I can play whilst studying! Worth having. Give it a try.
very inspirational and uplifting both in music and message
author: Denis PerrinIn listening to this CD I felt an inspiration to live each day and to do my very best. Each song was quite uplifting both in the music and in the message. I would recommend it to anyone who is feeling a bit down. My favourite song was the Mystery of Difference-it gives me a real boost everytime I hear it. My grandkids enjoyed it too!
this CD makes you look at life differently and it may make you a better person
author: John BuggyI love this CD - the more I play it the more it grows on me. The words strike a chord with me and I feel that its comforting in a strange kind of way. I have recommended it to my friends and even Patsy my young niece says its very good. She bought 3 copies!! i can't wait for the next one to come out!