Isaac Everett, a New York musician and recording artist, has released a new book that mixes up psalms with the emergent church movement. The result is a unique and original take on church music you can sample for free.
Everett’s The Emergent Psalter is being published by the Episcopal publisher, Church Publishing; but you can sample his work in a free weekly podcast on his Web site. Each week includes an interview with a guest and a recording of the psalm in a variety of styles, including rock, electronica and a capella chant. Episodes are released each Monday and cover the psalm for the following’s lectionary.
“Many alternative and emerging church communities are exploring ancient liturgical practices, such as psalmody, but very little music has been written with them in mind,” says Everett, an accomplished musician, songwriter and performing artist who is also a trained theologian. “The Emergent Psalter grew out of a need for strong psalm melodies that we could do in a variety of styles, and we’ve played this music in rock clubs, cathedrals, living rooms and protest marches. It’s written for anyone interested in psalm-singing or innovative worship.”
Everett is a musician and recording artist, the co-founder of Transmission, an underground church in New York City, and a graduate of Union Theological Seminary. Contributors include Lacey Brown, musical director at Church of the Apostles in Seattle, and J. Snodgrass, a lyricist, playwright and Everett’s long-time songwriting partner.
