William Chong

Keith and Kristyn Getty: Awaken the Dawn

A collection of well-crafted modern hymns destined for building up the next generation of believers. A

In a time when most Christian artists are aiming for relevance in their music and lyrics, and churches increasingly opt for praise songs where you’re not sure whether you’re singing about God, your girlfriend/boyfriend or pet cat, the Gettys are certainly a breath of fresh air. Songwriter Keith Getty is most well-known for co-writing the now-mainstream worship standard, “In Christ Alone”, while Kristyn (née Lennox) is a stellar soprano who continues her noteworthy singing and career through the couple’s sophomore release.

“Awaken the Dawn” is a tour-de-force of easy-to-grasp melodies, powerful lyrics, orchestrated in a lush, Celtic style drawn from the Getty’s Irish roots. It’s a clutch of 12 modern hymns that chronologically traces the journey of a worship service in a seamless concept-album style. From the call to worship “Hear, O Israel” through to the final closing numbers of “May the Peace of God” and “What Grace is Mine”, each song reflects the Gettys’ intention of writing songs to “get people of every generation all across the world to sing… songs that will build up the Church and enable people to express more about who God is.” The album title comes from Psalm 57 – read out on the penultimate track by Kristyn in a charmingly Irish brogue.

On listening through the album, there’s a number of gems suitable for congregational praise. “By Faith” stands out as an uplifting anthem where the church can exhort: “We will stand as children of the promise”, while “Behold the Lamb (Communion Song)” – co-written with Stuart Townend – is tailor-made for celebrating communion together. Unorthodox time signature aside, “Creation Sings the Father’s Song” uniquely traces the reason for Christian hope through three verses detailing creation, the fall, redemption and consummation. It’s capped off with a resounding and memorable chorus of “Hallelujah! Let all creation stand and sing… the wonders of creation’s King”.

Other tracks are more comtemplative but equally rich in theology and thoughtfulness. “Compassion Hymn” and “Still, My Soul, Be Still” hone in on God’s peace and compassion, while “When Trials Come” speaks an honest, Job-like account of trusting God even when it hurts. The album closes with “What Grace is Mine“, a hauntingly moving arrangement set to the tune of well-known Irish melody “O Danny Boy”. Kristyn has penned new lyrics that proclaim the Gospel with power and clarity:

“What grace is mine that He who dwells in endless light
Called through the night to find my distant soul
And from his scars poured mercy that would plead for me
That I might live and in his name be known

So I will go wherever He is calling me
I lose my life to find my life in Him
I give my all to gain the hope that never dies
I bow my heart, take up my cross and follow Him …”

This is an album you’ll likely want to savour with your iPod or CD player on repeat, as the words become more and more alive through each playing. At my own church we’ve immensely enjoyed singing some of these songs congregationally. The songs in this album seems set to be well-learnt and enjoyed by theophiles young and old, in countries all around the world.

———————-

Website: http://www.gettymusic.com
Buy their CD: Gettymusic

Disclosures: None to declare.

———————-

Email: loulouatbeach@xtra.co.nz; Website: www.eatout.co.nz/lou-lou-at-the-beach.html; Ph: 09 534 1989; 32 The Esplanade, Eastern Beach, Howick; breakfast $10-18, lunch $9-19, dinner mains $17-28.

Rating: A

Fabulous location, striking decor, though there’s room for improvement in the kitchen department.

———————–

We dropped in for an early meal at Lou Lou’s and for a bit of a treat. The well-known ceiling was probably the first thing that caught our attention – hundreds of wine corks with flexi-lighting playfully winding around them. It’s apparently been there since the previous owners ran it as Oasis – C and I found ourselves gazing and the intricate shapes, patterns, signatures and whatnot splashed above our heads. It works particularly well with the rest of the decor, which seems to be decked out like an old sea schooner.

There’s not just a nautical theme, however: co-owner, Louisa Hayward is also an artist with a distinctive Matisse style, and her nom de plume extends to canvas paintings, self-branded Australian shiraz, and of course the restaurant name itself.

We order a couple of mains in the hopes of dashing off quickly: C goes for a spaghetti marinara with mixed seafood, while I opt for the grilled skin-on gurnard and a ginger sake sauce. The waiter is relaxed, and sports an Irish accent which resounds in jovial banter with the customer throughout the evening.

Our food is presented in oversize bowls that proudly proclaim Lou Lou’s technicolour style – it wouldn’t have surprised me if Hayward stepped out and told us that the crockery was hand-crafted and for sale. C’s spaghetti marinara was a fantastic medley of sumptuous scallops, taut calamari and a well-herbed tomato sauce.

Unfortunately, I was shortchanged on my fish when it was presented as a half-baked fillet without the expected crisp pan-fried skin. I’ll be honest – it looked like the inside of a battered fish from the local takeaways. Upon questioning the waiter, he admitted that the fish they had that day wasn’t skin-on to begin with, and kindly offered to replace my main with no extra charge. I decided to go for the same spaghetti and C was revelling in, and was equally satisfied.

All in all, we enjoyed the rest of our meal, and even enjoyed a bit of sticky date pudding to cap the night off. Pity about the fish fiasco – but the service was humble and helpful, and we definitely couldn’t fault that.

———————–

N.B. Lou Lou’s has actually featured on restaurant entrepreneur John Palino’s show, “The Kitchen Job”. The episode review and a follow-up blog post at menumania.co.nz makes for pretty interesting reading.