Harmony Part I

I am not sure where the Spirit is going to lead me in this discussion, but I felt it's push to post about this topic. If the Spirit leads this discussion, I know it will be one that blesses me. I hope it blesses you also.

Is there anything more beautiful about music than harmony? I'm not sure there is, but then again, I am not exactly the one to be talking about the ins and outs of everything musical. I sang in the Mars Hill chorus for several years, and of course you have to consider I have been singing in church since day one. I love the history of singing in our fellowship. I can't imagine the singing being better ANYWHERE! I am also blessed to get to hear the unbelieveable singing of our college students here at Harding. It's off the charts. Going back to my musical abilities.......or lack of...........I also learned to play the guitar a few years ago. Well, "play" may be giving me too much credit. I can strum most of the basic chords and play along to most country songs. My good friends Craig Jones, Jimmy Behel, Chuck Hicks, Ken Pulley, Don Eudaly, Klay Bartee, Tom Alexander and some folks I am probably leaving out helped me tremendously in learning to play. We used to get together one Sunday night a month to play, and I still miss those fun nights. Several of us formed a little group and we even got a few gigs there for a while. American Bandstand was on the horizon! :) Sorry for that tangent, but I wanted you to know my musical pedigree. Do you have to be a great musician to appreciate beautiful harmony? I sure hope not........and I don't think you do.

Before I close this portion, I want to give you some of my favorite harmonies that I have come to appreciate over the years. I LOVE all kinds of music!! When I think of harmony, this is what comes to mind for me:

At the very top, it has to be "Pure Praire League" singing "Amie"! I don't think I could EVER get tired of hearing them sing those beautiful harmonies with the acoustical instruments in the background. How about these others?

Crosby, Stills, and Nash singing "Suite Judy Blue Eyes". Or really, CSN singing ANYTHING!
Hey, I even enjoy Neil Young joining em.

Eddie Kendrick and "The Temptations" singing "Just My Imagination". Does that ever get old?

We didn't get to hear them together enough, but James Taylor and Carole King harmonized on several songs in the early 70's. One being "Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow". I'll never get tired of hearing those two beautiful voices together.

Another harmony from the mid 70's was Roberta Flack and Donny Hathaway with songs like "Where is the Love". Snuggling music at it's best! :)

How about Simon and Garfunkel? "The Sounds of Silence"........those two guys were put on this planet to harmonize with each other. Both have been successful alone, but not to the degree they were together. I loved it when they went on concert together a couple of years ago.

How about the Motown sound of Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell? If she hadn't passed on at such a young age, they may have gone on to have been the greatest duet of all time! Their harmonies were glorious.

Have you heard Natalie Cole harmonize with her golden throated dad Nat on "Unforgettable"?
He may have had the most beautiful singing voice of any male in history, and to hear them sing together is a musical feast.

The Beatles. Period.........nough said. The greatest band of all time, with two geniuses writing the lyrics and harmonies. Probably three geniuses.

Ahhh.........you didn't think I could leave out African music did you? :) Have you heard "Ladysmith Black Mambazo" sing? Those guys bring my eyes to tears just about everytime I hear them. I can't imagine the angels being able to harmonize any better than those guys do.
They also remind me of the most beautiful singing I have EVER heard in my life..........yeah, I mean EVERRRRRRRRRRRRRR..........and that is the singing by Christians in Nigeria. I am going to sit in the Nigerian corner of Heaven just so I can hear those folks 24/7 for eternity!
I'll save you a seat if you like.


Ok, there are some of my favorite musical harmonies. Do they effect you like they do me? I just can't get enough of them. I gotta believe it's one of God's greatest gifts, but let's save that for the next post. Tell me your favorite harmonies. I left PLENTY on the table for you to grab up........and I can't wait to hear about them!