Today Caedmon’s Call’s “best of” cd came out. I knew it was coming out and had bells on when I walked over to the music department asking where it was. I started to look through our demo’s liner notes when our music buyer starts to tell me all about the cd. I nod at what hes saying to me while still looking at the liner notes. He gives me a look. I ask, what? You knew about all of that stuff already didn’t you? I shake my head yes. He asked how I knew. I smiled sweetly and said Im just in the know and walked away. He calls to me who told you. For reaction, I said Derek told me. He says well thats nice, I have to go return Smitty’s phone call now. I said, you do that.

I wasn’t too excited for this cd, and Im still not. 6 of the songs on there is from 40 Acres, which I own (two copies actually, my first is about to give out). Actually, I already own all the songs that are on Chronicles. Did I buy it? Oh yeah, totally. I’ll probably forever buy what Caedmons put out because, well Im a loyal fan I guess. It doesn’t matter I listen to Caedmons for a completely different reason now then when I first started listening to them. Whats that reason you ask? Well, the song writing is probably the biggest change. Their two main song writers from the start of the band, have left. So of course the sound is going to be different. But I miss the relationship songs. I miss the way Aaron Tate wrote that I had to pick apart the song to understand it. Derek said in an old interview when self-titled was releasing that they wanted to play music that was different and transparent. I think they still do this, to a degree. I understand all but Garrett and Josh are married, so something like Somewhere North or Table for Two will never again be on a cd. Josh is becoming more of a song writer for the band, which frankly, doesn’t excite me. ( Im allowed to say that all you Josh Moore fans, this is my blog. ) I think he just has a lot more growing to do before I’ll like his style. I know I should expect to hear self-title sound again, but that doesn’t mean I cant miss it.

Here is my thoughts on the first listen of Chronicles:
1. All My Life: Heh. Well, its runs for 2:30 and I think they say “All My Life” for about 2 minutes of it. Does someone in the band play the cello now? Hi CCM.
2. Thankful: Whats extended about it?
3. Lead of Love: Nice live recording… I didn’t know it was live till the clapping at the end.
4.There You Go: Yup, just like the record
5.This World: Very very nice new recording of this song. Andy O is a nice addition. No replacement, of course.
6.Table for Two: Again, yup just like the record (Sandra must of wanted this on cd cause its her fav song )
7.40 Acres: This would be probably the 5th live version of this song I have. I hear an Andy touch in the background, very nice.
8.I Will Sing/Hope to Carry On: Weird with Andy backgrounds on this one but I like it.
9.Only Hope: Didn’t like it on Back Home and still don’t like it. Radio hits, I tell ya.
10.Hands of the Potter: Oh THIS is the radio version everyone talks about. I don’t know which I like more or less.
11.Piece of Glass: Still the same great song. Maybe Danielle should write more.
12.Bus Driver: THIS is the gem of this cd. What a wonderful version!
13. Before There Was Time: This version actually makes me like this song a lot more.
14. Who You Are: Really, this was a radio hit?
15. Faith My Eyes: A classic on a 12 string, what more could you ask for? Oh, The House Show cd which is off of.
16. Shifting Sand: Ahhhh good old 40 Acres songs…
17. A New Day: Doesn’t sound like Cliff. Actually sounds like something Andrew Peterson would sing. I dig it thought.

Now, for those not Caedmons fan, your wondering who this Andy O is that I keep bringing up. Andrew Osenga (we call him Andy O, cause well, Andy, is Andrew Peterson) is the newest member of Caedmons. We all saw it coming when he started touring with the band. Did we like it? Yeah we did, hes a great touch to the band. What we didn’t like was Derek leaving. But I like things the way they are now, and its been almost a year since Derek officially left the band. Strange. Still, Im excited to see what Andy O’s wonderful talent will do for the band. Something else I like about the new Caedmons is Danielle’s voice. Off of Back Home, her songs are my favorite. A lot that has to do that Sandra wrote them, but her voice is just amazing these days. I hope that on the cd in the fall that she sings much more. Heck, Id even love to hear a song that Andy O has lead vocals for! I was kinda disappointed he didn’t sing his song on this one.

This “review” might come off that I don’t like Chronicles. I cant say that. I do like it, its more than I thought it would be. Id wish they would have so many of the same recordings of the songs that are already out there. I know that every Caedmons fan is going to have a different “best of” in their minds. Even between my room mate and I, it would be pretty different (shes not even gonna pick this cd up) . The “preview” of Third World Symphony does get me excited for the new record in the fall ( Danielle is wearing hoops… should we be worried? )