Dec 10: Christmas Presence credits

ACT ONE
Nelson Boschman & the band - Christmas jazz
Ron Reed - Nicholson: "Christmas Drinks Party"
Michael Hart - Huron Carol
Jim Byrnes & The Sojourners - Be Ready When He Comes
Ron Reed - "Clay"
Jim Byrnes & The Sojourners - Of Whom Shall I Be Afraid
Michael Hart - Come Thou Long Expected Jesus
Ron Reed - Tom Carson: "Snow Angel"
Richard Osler - The Gift
Jim Byrnes & The Sojourners - Fortify Me
Ron Reed - Ferlinghetti: "Christ Climbed Down"
Michael Hart - Light Of The Stable

ACT TWO
Nelson Boschman & The Band - Christmas jazz tune
Jim Byrnes & The Sojourners - You Better Run
Ron Reed - Rudi Krause: one way
Michael Hart - Mary's Boy Child
Ron Reed - Buechner: "The Annunciation"
Michael Hart - What Child Is This / O Little Town of Bethlehem
Richard Oslter - Advent poems
Michael Hart - Polish Carol
Jim Byrnes & The Sojourners - Please Come Home For Christmas
Ron Reed - Lekich: "A Keen Sense Of Occasion"
Michael Hart - Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas
Ron Reed - Falke: "Child's Christmas In Texas"
Jim Byrnes & The Sojourners - Today
Ron Reed - Dillard: "Feast Days"
Michael Hart - Candle

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THE PLAYERS

Michael Hart has been a Christmas Presence essential since the whole thing got started in the atrium at Regent College, thirteen or fourteen years ago. His gorgeous Christmas album, "Dulcimer Light," is in constant rotation at the Reed house every December: check it out at his website, as well as other albums such as Desire, Lord of the Mountain, The Heart of the Matter, Soulkeeper, and True.

Steve Dawson has joined us several times over the years, first drawn into the PT orbit by his brother-in-law Wyndham Thiessen. One of the workingest musicians in Canada (and half of "Zubot & Dawson" - the latter half, in fact), you can read about his newest release (and listen to some of the tunes!) at Black Hen Music. Where you'll also find Jim Byrnes - including streaming audio of three of the tunes he and The Sojourners sang for us last night: "Fortify Me," "Today" and "Of Whom Shall I Be Afraid," the latter "a nod to the 27th Psalm" and a glorious answer to "Clay." (Also check out Jim's Myspace page.) This summer somebody pointed me to Jim's latest CD, "House Of Refuge," and it instantly became the record of the year for yours truly. I sent Steve a fan email (he produced and plays on the record), one thing led to another, and last night all five of the boys joined us onstage. And didn't it rain!

Marcus Mosely, Ron Small and Will Sanders became The Sojourners when they joined JB for the "House Of Refuge" sessions, but they've sung together in all sorts of contexts over the years. I first heard the three of them as featured vocalists with the amazing Good Noise Gospel Choir, which Marcus co-Artistic Directos with Gail Suderman. A recent Christmas concert at my home church, Fraserview MB, is still being talked about, and I'd tell you to make sure and go to their upcoming gigs at the Cathedral - except they're already sold out! Watch the blog (or sign up for my Soul Food email) for word of their future performances.

And then there was our amazing house band; Nelson Boschman on piano (Keeping Time, Vol. 1), Brett Ziegler on keyboards, Kenton Wiens and Rick Colhoun on drums and percussion, and Becca Robertson on bass.

I've known Richard Osler for years, but it was reading his recent book "Again, No More: Poems Of Africa" that prompted me to invite him to join us for Christmas Presence. Carolyn Arends has posted several of Richard's Africa poems and stories in her online journal. For copies of his book (which includes a cd of the poet reading his own work), contact Richard directly at osler@shaw.ca. Thanks, Richard!

For other Christmas readings, check out Oblations