crimson mercy nearly 10 years ago. For the past six years, enjoy “Visions,” with airy electric guitar the band has been playing at several minis- swells and syncopated delays while Ramon luminous try outreaches and churches. delivers a soulful vocal style reminiscent of “We just want to be real,” said Ramon Ivey, Jeremy Camp and Mac Powell. Musical ar- Music Review Music Reviews by Christmas McGaughey lead singer for Crimson Mercy, a five-per- “I think by being real in our music, we allow rangements on “Portion” include Dru on son band based out of Southern California. other people to be real—with themselves, pan-flute and Omar on fretless bass. Their heart is ministry to believers and with the Lord, and with other believers. Him. I’ve had to rely unbelievers through live venues including We have seen the Lord use that realness Lyrics in “We Would See” bring the believer phil wickham on Him more than ever youth camps, worship services, and the re- to impact people—especially teenagers at back to the heart of what’s important in the before, making massive cent Summer Fest outreach, sponsored by some of the youth camps we’ve played at,” Christian walk: “We’re willing to settle for a “For You I sing, I dance; Rejoice in this life decisions.” CC Beachside. Ramon said. He recalled a young lady who religion when relationship takes too much

divine romance …” The words of Phil photo by Ian Homer had suffered a painful situation and came time, and it always does … We Would See Wickham’s song “Divine Romance” sum- The Ministry Ramon’s brother, John forward for help; at another camp, several You. We would see Jesus. If we could know marize the heart of his self-titled album Along the way, Phil Ivey, backs on vocals kids accepted Christ. “We’ve played before the touch of His hands, if we could feel the nationally released earlier this year. A col- said, “He’s making me and plays acoustic gui- a thousand people, and we’ve played at hem of His garment, then we’d know the lection of intimately penned songs of wor- realize more and more tar, while John’s wife places where five people show up,” Omar Son.” The band is working on a new album ship and adoration, the album stands out the simple day-to-day Angela also supplies said. “One thing we’ve learned is that God to be released in about a year. for its musical complexity and Phil’s un- communication with back-up vocals; all will accomplish His purpose regardless of forgettable vocal style. The multi-talented Him—just praying and three are in the wor- our perceptions or our abilities.” www.crimsonmercymusic.com 22-year-old—who plays most of the instru- talking with Him when ship band together at CC Beachside, CA. ments on the album—is a second-genera- I’m walking down the Bass guitarist Omar Ramirez and drummer Their recent independent album, Luminous, Phil plays at a Creation Fest outreach in the UK. tion Calvary Chapel musician, of airport terminal or Dru Huston are also in worship ministry has tracks that range from industrial wor- pioneers of Christian music from the Jesus walking on stage with together at their local church. ship to a classic rock style. In “Will I Find Movement. He showcases a combination of the guitar. Or working with people—not slight bluegrass-Americana overtones, the You,” beautiful three-part harmonies drive the powerful-yet-lilting vocal capabilities of overlooking some kid who wants your au- song “Divine Romance” speaks of the inti- “The Lord really brought the band togeth- the catchy, rhythmic chorus in a heart-cry mom Lisa Wickham, formerly of Parable, tograph: to remember that every opportu- mate love relationship between Christ and er,” said Ramon. “In the same week, my to God reminiscent of Psalm 139: “If I run and the song-writing/guitar-playing chops nity, even when you’re sick or tired, is an the believer. brother John and Omar came to me sepa- to the end of world, will I find You there … of John Wickham, formerly of Parable opportunity to minister.” rately and asked if we should start doing If I fall, fall off the end, will You be there?” and The Way, who is now a worship pastor Phil’s style shifts for “Grace,” with both music again as a Christian band.” That was Fans of industrial/acoustic style music will Crimson Mercy at Maranatha Chapel, San Diego. He cites Jesus’ example of ministry among modern and ethereal overtones, poetic lyr- multitudes: “Jesus in the Gospel was often ics, and emotive singing. The song speaks Growing up in the swarmed with throngs of people. When one of “the biggest underlying theme of the mary barrett as a worship album. Faster tracks have a Word and in a man would come up and say, ‘My daugh- album—God’s bigness and worthiness tempo akin to bluegrass/folk music—a devoted to Jesus, Phil ter is dead, please heal her,’ or the woman and our smallness and humanity,” Phil hymns 2—be still my soul well-done medley of “Leaning on the said: “I feel like my with the issue of blood, He would stop and said. “With forgiveness, and repentance, Those who love the depth and simplicity Everlasting Arms/I Stand Amazed in the walk with the Lord heal them. He was such a one-on-one in- and acknowledging of sin—there’s hope of the old hymns will likely enjoy Mary Presence (How Marvelous);” “I Must Tell has been incredibly dividual, focused on that relationship with and there’s no condemnation.” A favorite Barrett’s Hymns 2: Be Still My Soul. Keeping Jesus;” and “It Is Well With My Soul.” gradual. At 12, I made that one person.” He added, “I’m such an among fans, “Messiah” follows. “I love true to the original lyrics and arrangements Others—including Be Still My Soul,” and it more of a relationship.” Picking up the on-the-go kind of guy, to be able to look starting out with the idea of being des- of 12 favorite hymns, the largely acoustic “O Sacred Head Now Wounded”—have a guitar around the same time, he soon be- in someone’s eyes and listen and pray for perate and needy—basically that we can’t album includes “Be Still My Soul,” “O gentle, intimate feel that draws the listener gan writing songs and leading worship for them—it’s so simple: You just have to deny do this on our own—and then saying, Sacred Head Now Wounded,” “Come Ye near the Lord. This is no surprise, as Mary Mary Barrett leads worship in Africa. the youth group. After multiple requests, yourself and pour into specific people.” ‘Messiah, I need You.’” Another favorite is Sinners Poor and Needy,” “Rock of Ages,” has served as worship leader at Calvary Phil, at age 18, recorded independent al- the seeker’s heart-cry, “Mystery”—which and “Sweet Hour of Prayer.” Chapel Merritt Island, FL, since 1990. seek great things for yourself? Do not seek bum Give You My World at the Wickham The young musician does not take his moves from seeking an answer to seeking them.’” added, “The music ministry home. The Lord opened doors for leading calling lightly. “The massive honor and to know more intimately the heart of God: During the recording, Mary said the Holy “In my early years as a Christian, I remem- is not mine but His. He has given me this worship at multiple Calvarys and venues responsibility, that He would allow me to “Here in the quiet, speak to me now … Spirit ministered to her in a special way: ber struggling in finding my function in one gift to use for His purposes.” A motto around the world—including Creation be in front of His flock and His bride—it’s Your gentle, sweet whispering. Break down “I love it when the Spirit of God inhabits the body of Christ. I often felt guilty that that she stands by is “God’s will—nothing Fest in the UK. Those two years helped an incredible privilege.” He hopes to re- the door; come inside … I want to hear your praise right there in the studio!” I wasn’t like other believers who boldly more, nothing less, nothing else.” prepare Phil for what he’s doing now— mind believers how much they are loved by the thunder of who You are; I want to be went out passing out tracts and witnessing traveling the country and ministering in a Christ. “We have been brought near by the captured inside the thunder of who You are She calls this collec- on the streets,” she said. “As I grew in my Mary, whose parents are from the different city almost every night since his blood of Christ. ...We can get bummed out … to search out Your heart and all of Your tion “more an acous- relationship with the Lord, I realized that Philippines, spent much of her childhood self-titled album went national in April. “I that we’re falling short, sorry that we’re not mystery … Let me see You.” tic project” than her my gift was in serving the church as a wor- there and accepted Christ in high school do feel every step in the last five years has as good as we should be—I went through previous albums. All ship leader.” when a friend shared the Gospel with her. been preparatory for the next,” Phil said. that—but we forget how much Jesus loves Phil is touring the country solo and with tracks are driven by Mary’s ministry includes leading worship “It’s been incredible, the people who have us and wants to be with us.” MercyMe and ; dates and acoustic guitar, with Having been in music ministry for nearly at women’s conferences and gatherings been touched through the music—even in locations are listed on his website. some including man- 25 years, Mary recalled that she always seeks around the world. She lives with her hus- other countries.” Through the whirlwind The Music dolin, piano, or percussion. A mixture of to give God the glory. She cited Jeremiah band, Joe Barrett, on Florida’s east coast. of ministry, Phil said, “I think the Lord is With European-flavored vocals, a retro www.philwickham.com moderately upbeat and mellow arrange- 45:5a as a key verse for any Christian musi- using this in my life to bring me closer to acoustic rhythm, and percussion with www.myspace.com/philwickham ments, the project seems best categorized cian, in which the Lord warns: “‘And do you www.marybarrett.com

54 CC MAGAZINE REVIEWS CALVARY CHAPEL MUSICIANS REACHING THE WORLD FOR CHRIST.