Ten Shekel Shirt: "Much"

Title: Much
Category: Alternative
Artist/Group: Ten Shekel Shirt
Rating: 4 / 5
Responses to this review (2)

First off, I just want to get it out that I really like this CD. It’s been a while since I’ve listened to a CD that had this level of worshipful intimacy. It’s as if I’m listening to these guys play, and I can sense that they are worshipping. The cool thing about it is that when I play this CD, I feel like I can worship along with them.

Check out how the opening track entitled, Meet with me gives us a nice blend of drive and honesty without being too loud or over produced.

I find the music good enough that I could enjoy it. And not so "out there" that it would be a distraction in worship.

When you listen to songs like Healer or Much, you get the feeling that it’s point seems not to be "look at me because I’m a musician", as much as it is "look at what God has done in my life". And you can pick this up in both the lyrics and the music.

I think that these guys have produced a CD that truly conveys their desire to draw near to God. The funny thing is that I can use these songs to come before God and do/say the same thing. I think that’s the mark of good praise song writing...when you write music that echos what’s in people’s heart. If you’re too poetic, you’re in danger of alienating people. If you’re too simplistic, you’re in danger of putting people to sleep.

Ten Shekel Shirt is a band of three guys who met through ministry training at YWAM (Youth With a Mission). They would go out and lead YWAM events (coffee houses and the like) somewhere in New Haven, Connecticut. I guess that they were so good at it that they decided to become a band.

The band's name is from a sermon on Judges 17 by this guy, Paris Reidhead. In the passage, the prophet, Micah hires a Levite as his personal priest. The price for the Levite's services was ten shekels (of silver) and a shirt. The point of the sermon, as well as the name, is a reminder that ministry is not for sale.

Joe
Kim
7/16/01

Responses to this Review:

"I felt compelled to respond to the dialogue regarding the Ten Shekels and a Shirt CD and the sermon that inspired it. I am the granddaughter of Paris Reidhead, the evangelist who preached that sermon. I received this CD from a friend for Christmas, but honestly had no idea that it was inspired by my grandfather's words. I will pass along to my grandmother that the words of my late grandfather continue to do the work of Christ."

In Him,
Sarah T.
08.01.02

"I was looking for the transcript to Paris Reidhead's sermon, and this is one of the first sites that came out on Google. Wow. I was like,"emmanuelchurch.net"? I know those guys... Just wanted to drop a line and say "Hi". Ten Shekel Shirt IS a great band, and so much so that we met up with them when they played in a club out here in Boston, talked with them after the concert, and invited them to have another concert at our church on November 7th! Getting psyched for it.

Rock on, brother. Good taste...
Dave K., Penn Class of 98
10.31.01

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