Charlie Peacock is one probably the most achieved musicians in my lifetime, and his identify will possible be unfamiliar to many. Who’s Charlie Peacock? He’s the kind of artist whose work is extra well-known than he’s. Ever listened to Amy Grant’s “Heart In Motion”? Switchfoot? “In The Gentle” by DC Speak? The Lone Bellow? The Civil Wars (the band, not the battle between Sulla and Marius)? Then you could have heard Charlie Peacock. He’s gained a number of Grammys and is acknowledged in musical circles as the most effective musicians and producers of his era.
Peacock is an distinctive musician and artist in his personal proper, with a number of solo releases underneath his belt, however he’s greatest recognized for his contributions as a producer and songwriter for different artist’s initiatives. He has additionally performed a key position in vital kingdom work, together with efforts to handle the African AIDS disaster, being one of many first artists to carry out within the former Soviet republics, and his position in creating Art House America.
Given my time in the music industry, I’m acquainted with Peacock. Actually, he was the chief producer on certainly one of my band’s data (which makes a cameo within the discography appendix), although I’m unsure if he ever really listened to the ultimate album we made. Regardless of understanding him to some extent, I didn’t totally respect the depth of his life, work, and background till I learn his new autobiography, “Roots and Rhythm.” It’s each fascinating and spectacular.
A Sensible Theology of Music
Peacock is an exceptionally considerate Christian who has been creating distinctive artwork for a really very long time. There are insights and understandings that come solely steadily, like the expansion of a tree—not the sudden flash of lightning. Peacock spends a good portion of the e book taking you together with him as he arrives at these essential classes. I discovered myself benefiting from this e book’s knowledge.
He additionally presents stable sensible theology. Within the music world, Christians can typically fall into the entice of a truncated understanding of the gospel. You might be tempted to consider that if the music isn’t evangelizing or main individuals in worship, then it’s not honoring God. Peacock has lengthy advocated and modeled the Reformed precept that every one of life is to be introduced comprehensively underneath the lordship of Christ.
For anybody thinking about seeing a dwelling instance of how a Reformed understanding of the gospel’s sufficiency shapes somebody’s work and life, this e book is about pretty much as good because it will get. Once I hear non-musician theologians discuss music and creativity it appears like a international language to me. When Peacock (who has some seminary coaching) talks about it, it comes from a spot of lived expertise, not tutorial conjecture.
Another excuse to learn this e book isn’t just for the knowledge it affords, however for a way fascinating and entertaining it’s. Peacock is an excellent producer, and his strategy to producing is fascinating when he permits you to in on it. I want he included extra particulars about how he approached sure initiatives. He’s lived an adventurous, dangerous life, and it’s value studying about. He partnered with Bono on the One Campaign and opened for Bob Marley within the Nineteen Seventies. There’s merely an excessive amount of to listing in a quick evaluate. Simply belief me: the man is a fountain of nice tales.
The Form of Music
Each musician is identical. You don’t know them till you’ve listened to each the music they’ve made and the music that made them. To get probably the most out of the e book, I like to recommend studying it along with your favourite music streaming service open. Peacock makes numerous references to songs, albums, and artists all through the e book, both as a result of he labored with them or they influenced him. If you wish to actually perceive this musician, you’ve acquired to take heed to the music.
When Peacock references his early solo data, cease and take heed to them. Revel of their bass-slapping, prog-pop glory. When he mentions the band 77s, give them a pay attention. Like me, you’ll say, “This can be a fairly cool monitor.”
When he talks about The Civil Wars and the way he rescued certainly one of their albums with inventive studio heroics, you’ll hear Charlie’s fingerprints on it and respect absolutely the genius that turned a salvage mission into Grammy awards. Listening as you learn makes for a wealthy expertise and is an effective way to find new musical gems. Earlier than studying this e book, I wasn’t acquainted with The Lone Bellow, however now I’m diving into their whole catalog with enthusiasm.
For some, the “jazzy” construction of the e book—its non-sequential historical past, Kerouacian riffs, rabbit trails off of rabbit trails, and a number of first-time introductions to the identical individuals and locations—may be troublesome to comply with. I discovered this format difficult at instances, but it surely’s to be anticipated from a man who’s been pulled in two instructions: progressive jazz, which is improvisational and exploratory, and, on the opposite facet, sharp, vivid pop songs.
As a reader, I want Peacock had adopted a few of his pop instincts and made the e book a bit extra concise. He has a behavior of not solely telling you concerning the individuals he’s crossed paths with within the music world, however about individuals they’ve labored with, the songs they’ve performed on, the studio the place these songs have been recorded, the noodle store subsequent to the studio, and so on.
There’s a lot meandering within the e book that it could actually typically learn like an encyclopedia. In fact, there’s a purpose for this: one of many themes of “Roots and Rhythm” is that no musician emerges totally fashioned. Reasonably, they’re the product of a household historical past, a spot, a tradition, and a time. Everybody they’ve crossed paths with has helped to form them. This can be a key theme, and positively fascinating, however I might have most popular a extra succinct presentation.
This e book is a must-read, after all, for anybody who enjoys Charlie Peacock’s work as an artist or producer. It’s additionally for all musicians or anybody obsessed with music. Sitting right down to take heed to an artist of Peacock’s knowledge and caliber is fascinating and enriching. Moreover, anybody thinking about how the gospel shapes work, creativity, and non secular formation will discover worth on this e book. It’s a well-written account of a dwelling legend, and it’s positively value studying.
Matt Morginsky serves as pastor of Grace and Peace Church in Denver, Colorado.
