Various Reccomendations by
Various Musicians and Leaders The site looks great. The songs are even better. Great days are ahead.
Dave Clark - Dave Clark (Dove award winning songwriter) (Mar 4, 2008)
Rick is a
solid musician, a fellow artist, and a brother in Christ. You can hear it in his songs and his arrangements and
more importantly in the words that he writes. I enjoyed the times he
and I played music together and discussed religion, art and the music
business. I believe that Rick is a man of deep courage, convictions
and belief. I believe Rick possesses an empathy that allows him as a
performer to adapt to his surroundings in order to best serve the needs
of the audience or congregation. I feel that Rick is able to minister
in the moment with timely words of encouragement, wisdom and spirit -
due in part to his continuing journey as an artist, musician and man of
faith.
Dale Baker
Dale's Discography:
Sixpence None the Richer
Emmylou Harris
Over the Rhine
Natalie Imbruglia
Stewart Copeland
Judd and Maggie
Claire Holley
The Prayers and Tears of Arthur Digby Sellers
Buddy Miller
Mark Olsen
Victoria Williams
Kim Taylor
The Basics
Steve Taylor
Michael W. Smith
Rebecca St. James
Mark Isham
Tito Puente
James Moody
Bobby McFerrin
Dale Baker - Professional Drummer (Mar 14, 2007)
I have visited your website and thoroughly enjoyed listening to some of your music. You have good ability to put together words and music compellingly.
I look forward to seeing and hearing you again.
Grace and peace,
Jesse C. Middendorf
General Superintendent
Church of the Nazarene
International Headquarters
Jesse Middendorf - General Superintendent Jesse Middendorf (Jun 18, 2007)
Rick, Not only has God gifted you in such an incredible way, but your spirit of genuineness and sincerity is awesome. I am so thankful for all that the Lord is doing through your life and the beautiful way that He is touching lives through your ministry! May the Lord continue to bless your outstanding ministry in worship leadership and music!
Timothy Green - Timothy Green, Author and Chaplain at Trevecca Nazarene University (Jun 24, 2007)
The Network of Springfield Ohio - www.springfieldohio.net (Sep 12, 2007)
Rick, Great to have you in Greenville this. You did a tremendous job. What a great spirit! Looking forward to your coming back soon. You gifts and talents were a great addition to our worship and you were received very well. God's best as you travel. We are praying for you.
Chuck Fountain - Pastor of Greenville South Carolina 1st Church of the Nazarene (Oct 1, 2007)
Review by Annie Reuter, MTV.com, Rollingstone.com by
“Songwriting is turning the heart inside out and letting the world hear its meditations. If a song is truly authentic it is a Christ event, a giving of your life for the benefit of those who have ears to hear,” singer-songwriter Rick L. James said.
This quote alone describes James’ music best. An international recording artist, guitarist, studio musician, songwriter, worship leader, ordained minister and tenured youth pastor, he has traveled throughout the US and Africa providing hope and healing to those in need. Having performed his music on radio stations, TV programs, churches, and coffee houses, James’ biggest gig was at Church of the Nazarene General Assembly in Orlando, Florida, where he performed for over 10,000 people.
It is perhaps no surprise then, that James began singing at the age of five when traveling with his family of Evangelists. Having learned guitar at 15, by the time he was 17 he was performing at Nashville’s renowned Ryman Auditorium and working as an assistant guitar teacher in the Doc Stone School of Music in Dickson, Tennessee. Many songs and worship services later, James is back with his latest release, A Little Lower Than the Angels.
Starting off A Little Lower Than the Angels strongly with in-your-face percussion, James grabs the listener’s attention right away. Best described as contemporary Christian rock music with hints of country and Americana woven throughout, James offers much to his listeners without sounding too preachy.
“Who am I that you are mindful of me/When you know I’m as sinful as I seem/I can’t wash blood off of my fingers/So your blood to make me clean…I’m amazed that I’m the one you love,” James sings on the title track. One of the more energetic on his 10-song release, James’ catchy songwriting leaves an impression on the listener.
Second track, “(If You’re Not Gonna) Move This Mountain” begins with gritty guitar and equally fit percussion. Singing of hardship, James questions his life and asks for advice. “How in the world did I get here/How in the world do I leave/The promised land is straight ahead and just beyond my grasp/I’m trapped between the mountain and the sea,” he sings. A song many can relate to, James asks God, “If you’re not going to move this mountain can you help me across to the other side?” With solid finger picking, background vocals and percussion accentuating the song, the album is off to a strong start.
Based in Springfield, Ohio, his songs are all-encompassing to worship services and believers everywhere. While ballads like “You Are There With Me” can be easily heard in services, tracks like “We Lost the G” are comical and tongue-in-cheek, offering much versatility.
A humorous tale of a sign that read “All singers welcome” before the G blows away and eventually reads “All siners welcome,” James offers something new to his listeners. A more Americana roots-esque track, “We Lost the G” is an enjoyable, light hearted song. While the static heard throughout the song is a bit distracting, it offers an older record-like quality to the performance.
“Few things give me the joy and fulfillment that playing music and singing to the Lord does. To me, music is a form of prayer.” With the goal to offer a quality music program while being a servant to the needs of his audience, James does just that on A Little Lower Than the Angels. Ending with two acoustic tracks, he reminds listeners what they are put on this earth for. It’s not every day a musician can do that.
(Feb 10, 2010)
