http://loriharris.com/blog.html Lori Harris: Blog Jannis' PHPRss class - http://www.jannis.to/ Fri, 16 Jul 2010 11:58:18 -0700 http://loriharris.com/blog.html/testing_something_new
This young gal and her husband loved Reliant K and I saw her post on facebook that they'd be attending their upcoming concert. That was a couple of weeks ago. The other day when we had coffee at Starbucks, however, she told me that she was FRIENDS with one of the band members. Real friends, not facebook:)

That changed everything. Her story held more weight for me now...and for her, too, evidently. She recalled the scene when she and her hubby talked outside the back door of the venue with their long-time buddy, catching up on what they'd been doing during the time of the tour and other stuff...soon he started giving them some of the back stories of the songs they'd be performing that night.

"That made the concert so much more enjoyable to us," she said. "And even afterward, when I'd listen to the cd in the car, I'd remember what he'd told us, and I'd be like, oh man, I GET it...and what was a great song before became stellar."

All because she knew the guy as a friend and listened to his heart behind those public statements.

Okay, bottom line: that's why you've GOT to know Jesus as your friend. Not on facebook. You can't just know about Him, but as a real friend you can really talk with. He'll tell you privy info as you're reading the Bible or chatting about things...and He'll blow your mind, because they're way smarter than you are. Life will become soooo much more enjoyable, because if you want it, you'll sometimes get the backstory. Send a friend request right now--ask Him to be your pal for REAL:) It's so worth the faith you spend...]]> http://loriharris.com/blog.html/testing_something_new be inspired. leave humming. - Lori Harris - Blog http://loriharris.com/blog.html/in_the_afterglow_on_the_cusp
I'm there.

The songs are inside Larry's recording studio. My memories of them are out here, and they're fading! I remember thinking they were solid, tight, very, very good...and seeing the guys faces affirmed that my thoughts matched theirs. These very skilled and experienced musicians were pleased with the outcome. But now two weeks later, my memories are cloudy and muffled, and all I can do is keep hope alive until I can listen to them next....

You may be wondering why we didn't just burn me a copy of them to take with me after the session. That's because the recordings are all done on different tracks--some 24 or so--and to compile them all into one track that can be burned to disc would take time. Arg--Time is money! I have to keep all of that resource funneling toward more recording time. All I have are the memories for now, in that case. And so goes the drama of independent recording projects!

Ten songs with a full band sit tight, waiting for layers of guitar parts to strengthen and build them...strings arrangements to heighten emotion and pulse little rhythmic hooks atop the melodies...interesting organ sounds to give idiosyncratic character to some songs, mandolin and steel guitar for others. Sonic visions of grandeur dance in my head! Three more songs wait for me to record them live in their purest form; just me and piano, as if at a show, or in the listener's living room. I'm so excited for the next date!

Here's where I pray: Lord, you know how much money these projects take. I'm tapped out; all the funds I made this spring have gone toward the foundation we just poured. Please inspire investors who have a heart for my music; stir their hearts to join the fun and spread Your good word. With thanks I bring this prayer, this petition to You, asking You for the $10,000 or so I need for the next phases. I can't wait to see how you'll answer; You always do. Bring on the next really, really great date!]]> http://loriharris.com/blog.html/in_the_afterglow_on_the_cusp Fri, 16 Jul 2010 11:58:18 -0700 be inspired. leave humming. - Lori Harris - Blog http://loriharris.com/blog.html/first_pass
No need for nerves. Each one of the players completely owns their craft and I look forward to discovering the nuggets of gold they've deposited inside each tune over the next few months as I listen to them a million times.

A little about the guys:
Lester Estelle Jr. plays drums. A lot. The son of a master guitar player (who plays beautifully left-handed and upside down) here in KC, he came by it honestly. Playing with the likes of Pillar and his own band Stars Go Dim, he's now touring with a country artist I don't know yet but will find out. He splits his time between here and his studio in Nashville (where he tracks things via the internet for other artists), is married to Lisa and has three kids. He has black tattoos on both arms, one being a really cool symbol of his favorite verse, 2 Corinthians 5:17, the other a star. He laughs often. Great guy. By the way, did I mention that his skills are indescribable? He's so good...

Craig Cue plays bass. Almost perfectly. He's extremely humble, easy-going and will talk about the state of the union if you get him riled up, but probably not to just anyone. He is a volunteer for the Humane Society and kept talking about sending Alex two Siamese cats in the mail. His passion for animals is dear, and makes me sad that I didn't adopt the free kitten across the street last weekend. I have a feeling that he's super-duper intelligent and would kill me in Scrabble. I like him very much. And I love the way he plays.

Micah Burdick is a youngster twenty-something guy who I am so glad is on this project, because he loves to play weird guitar, and he's very, very good. Innovative sounds make such a difference underneath other layers, like little mysteries you can't quite define. He'll give us those and more, I'll bet. He likes to read the Bible and think about it very deeply, which is cool because so do I, so our conversations go deep really fast. He's introspective, went to Art School in Chicago but didn't like the cold there, has a wife and two kids who are small and incredibly cute. I saw pictures. He likes sushi and that seals the deal; he's a keeper.

Alex Cordero makes me wish I'd stayed in piano lessons. His knowledge of practical theory and production techniques stands like a sentry in the corner of the room, coming to the rescue only when needed, but so welcome when he speaks up. Little melodic hooks just fall out of him. He makes me happy. Gentle spirit, that Alex. Very cool cat. Oh, and his strings parts give me chill bumps.

Larry Gann is simply out of control. (It's his studio and he's the engineer, so I'd better be careful what I say:) He makes wacky sounds that actually mean things to describe what he wants the musicians to do, and I just roll. It's because sometimes he dances around when he does them, and it's hysterical! He's animated like your crazy friend in high school that always livened up anywhere you went, he's always right, and he's really fast at all those ProTools components. Banks of billions of computerized sounds don't daunt him one bit; he just mows through them and finds the right one and says, "Okay, we're going to rock it, it's going to be awesome, and we're going to rock it!" And then we do. You'll see.

Back at it in two days. I hope I can sleep until then so it'll come faster.]]> http://loriharris.com/blog.html/first_pass Mon, 05 Jul 2010 11:06:03 -0700 be inspired. leave humming. - Lori Harris - Blog http://loriharris.com/blog.html/youre_only_a_day_away
This record is so right to do...I love these songs. I need to hear these songs, you know, in moments of doubt and fear and trepidation, when my soul is cast down low. That's one reason why I'm so excited to record them.

Awestruck Studios feels like home, as it's where we spent so much time creating A Different Kind. Larry is a brother, certainly a dear friend. Wendy, his bride, is especially dear.

All new musicians save for one; Alex Cordero will join us again on keys, Lester Estelle Jr. will bang drums, Micah (I don't know his last name yet) is our guitar man and Craig Cue grooves the bass. (I have just enough to pay these guys, then Papa will have to start paying for everything.)

All of this is super good and gracefully placed by my Lord who loves me and equips me for every good work. But right now is one of those moments I could use a little listen to these songs for a pick me up.

Man, why am I so shaking nervous? Hope in the Lord, o my soul, come on! Geesh...

Stay tuned as I get a grip:) I'll write after the sessions and let you know how things are going...oh, and pray!]]> http://loriharris.com/blog.html/youre_only_a_day_away Sun, 04 Jul 2010 15:45:21 -0700 be inspired. leave humming. - Lori Harris - Blog http://loriharris.com/blog.html/gotta_go
I remember giving birth four times to these little brilliant people I thought would NEVER arrive. That last two weeks seemed like two years as I flew about, making everything ready in case "today was the day." My house has never been so clean; all the laundry done so it wouldn't mildew during my three day hospital stay, floors vacuumed in case mice wanted to feast in our absence, dishes washed so nothing could stink up the place and ruin the historic moment that I'd introduce the baby to their new home. All the while, I'd wonder what the birth experience will be like: would there be smooth sailing or complications? Ultimately, I had it both ways--some easy as epidural pie and one totally nightmarish, needing a miracle (which God gave in beautiful supply).

In the same way, this album gestates. Twelve songs are written and fully ready, as far as I can tell, but the delivery to come--their actual production in the studio--is unknown. I've sat down and mapped out the plan, but many things are still not in place to make it come to pass and I still don't have peace. Is it really not time? I know to wait upon the Lord is good, because He always reveals more and things turn out better than you'd ever hoped, but part of me still wants to reach for the castor oil.

Meanwhile, I pray. Direction and discernment. Patience. Strength to not lose focus and momentum, which is bound to lag in times of waiting. Release of financial provision. Favor. Open doors. Most of all, faith: in Jesus Christ, in the importance of spreading His Word to save souls for eternity, in my own calling and ability to do this at all. I pray for faithfulness. To walk, to run, to fly.

I pray for my baby, this album called Lifted, to deliver and be healthy, then grow up and do what it was made to do: lift people's spirit's up, lift up their heads, let them see God at their right hand so their bodies can live in hope. I pray that listeners hear and rejoice, wake up in their spirits and be the captain of their own ships. I pray many then sail on in the Living God's current, no longer tossed about by every wind.

As I wait, He renews my strength. I just rose up on wings like an eagle. Did you see? Mmm. I think I'll hold it a little longer. I can make it. But I hope it's soon.]]> http://loriharris.com/blog.html/gotta_go Thu, 14 Jan 2010 08:46:24 -0800 be inspired. leave humming. - Lori Harris - Blog http://loriharris.com/blog.html/shiny I'll be getting new clothes soon.
don't cry for me--I'm happy--
death has lost its sting.

see, the pain of death breaks down to sin
I'm afraid. What if God sees
all the stuff that that breaks His heart
that I've been doing in this body

and I hate it when you tell me
when you reveal the wrong that I do
this big wall raises up, I go dull
and my ears can't really hear you

but the second you mention Jesus
who takes my sin away
that veil I hide behind rips down
His Spirit frees my face to shine

to shine with glory reflected...
I turn from hopeless to hope
Redeeming love, forgiveness sweet
unveils my heart and I overflow

I shine, for eternity' s home now
I'm going forever, you'll see
God makes His light shine into my eyes

turn to Jesus
shine with me]]> http://loriharris.com/blog.html/shiny Tue, 01 Dec 2009 10:23:24 -0800 be inspired. leave humming. - Lori Harris - Blog http://loriharris.com/blog.html/aint_nothin_like_the_real_thing
When real is so glorious, why fall for fake?

Why do we tolerate it? We naturally have a nose for it; every child can smell a fake. Why do we ignore that split second—as immediate as a blink—when we can see things for what they are and know they feel funny? Why are we generally so conditioned that we’ve turned off this most basic filter?

How often do we so much more value the shadow that we miss the actual when it comes into view?

I can’t abide it anymore. Religion makes me tired, saps my energy, makes me wish I’d never heard the name of Jesus because it’s too hard to strap on my act everyday. I’m a failure at it. I hate doing things I’m not good at, so religion doesn’t work for me. I rebel against things I hate. Even while I’m really good at faking that I like it and I'm playing the game, for all practical purposes I’m always planning my escape behind a smile and empty words. And so there I am, being fake...please, someone tell me that two fakes don't make a right.

Now Jesus, Him I love. In Him there's a sigh of relief, a relaxing, a whimper and a cry and a grateful sob, like a toddler might give when her mom really does come back to get her from the nursery. Jesus is real, so I can love Him without fear of disappointment. I can trust Him. Best of all, He expects only what I can give Him, which is all of me at any given time; good thing, cause that’s all I’ve got. I get a break from the fake.

The counterfeit-loving world always says to me, “Do more! Press harder! Give. Produce. Create. Add to. Stretch. Tighten up. Maintain. Give more. Now”¦”

No.

Jesus, I choose to turn and look to You. Thanks for only asking for what I have right now. It’s a joy and a pleasure to give that, a relief past all I can imagine. Thanks for letting me relax for once. I will. I will rest in You. I believe You, and in your acceptance is perfect peace. Thank you for winning me access to this place by taking my place on the cross”¦and pulling me over to the other side where there are no shadows to confuse me. Thanks for giving me eyes to see the real, to appreciate truth and claim it boldly even if everyone else loves the fake.]]> http://loriharris.com/blog.html/aint_nothin_like_the_real_thing Fri, 20 Nov 2009 09:37:42 -0800 be inspired. leave humming. - Lori Harris - Blog http://loriharris.com/blog.html/drenched
I sat down nearby enough to see them but I wanted to stay dry. It is possible to watch the Kingdom of heaven splash all over someone else yet never experience a drop yourself. I thought they were crazy because I'd already gotten wet on a river ride and I just wanted to change my socks. It was cold when the wind blew and my jeans were sticking to me...essentially, unfortunately I'd grown up and valued my comfort more than fun.

The kids' laughter waved over to me and made me look up. Brilliant smiles and fast talk about how hard had it hit them and how surprising it was...oh, they were dripping and bedraggled, but shining. Camaraderie lit them up and made me wish I was twelve again so I could know that kind of joy again. Wish I didn't care so much about dry socks.

That's over. I've learned. Life's too short to grow up. I pray God sends me to that bridge and mashes me down with the biggest tsunami--that He gets me onto the Maiden of the Mist next to Niagra Falls and strips me of my rain poncho--and soaks me to the bone. Take me back to childhood, Lord. Make me know life as thrilling and unforgettable! Light me and my friends up with camaraderie in Your Presence!]]> http://loriharris.com/blog.html/drenched Thu, 19 Nov 2009 08:11:46 -0800 be inspired. leave humming. - Lori Harris - Blog