On Worship

The soul of man is constantly on a search. A search for meaning; feeling like a mere spec in the face of eternity and space men feel like they must do something that will make others remember them, even if it is just on a spec of a planet. All the more, when men experience what their purpose, their meaning, is, even if just for a moment, they will continue going back to that place in time. When men feel the presence and love of their Creator, they will continue going back to that place.

When Moses came back down off the mountain, his face was radiant. He was reflecting God, whom he had been with for sometime. Once men reach the presence of God, it is almost impossible to pull them away. Worship isn't supposed to be mere singing, or following a power point and looking and the band, it is a search for the presence of God, a search for meaning. The only method for getting meaning, purpose, and fulfillment is through worship.

We confine this to mere moments on Sundays, not nearly enough time to seek God. Levites spent YEARS to become holy enough to seek God within His temple. We jog into church, no matter what we've been doing the previous night - or even that morning - and expect to get goosebumps watching the band do some songs. There have been worship services I've been to that lasted hours, feeling like moments as I've fallen into the arms of God. Its so simple, yet we are constantly on a search to improve the worship experience.

In the middle of intercity Baltimore, with a group of ghetto kids and a CD leading the worship, I went into the presence of God. Yet at a huge, awesome, loud service I have problems finding God. Why? Because we hold in the urge to sing and reach out to our Creator. We were made to walk with God (see Genesis), so it only makes sense that the best moments of my life have been when I have done just that. In the middle of those kids, singing to God. In the middle of a night long worship service on my face before God. If you reach out, really reach out - not just singing and looking blankly - you are compelled to fall before God in awe, admiration, and love. There is no option; it just happens.

Once in God's arms, your soul will not want to leave. Yet there are so many services I struggle through 3 minute songs. Most Sundays I can hear the house sound system better than the praises of God's people. Most Sundays its a 4 song and done, on to reset the stage for the sermon. Its so rare I find that place with God - even though I have been finding it more often through prayer and meditation - that those moments are life changers. You and I, just like Moses, change forever with each deep time in the arms of Jesus.

Worship is only illusive because we make it that way. On an infinite search for the next big thing - the next catchy pop melody - the next worship leader - we miss the point. In the middle of guitar solos followed by quiet bridges - we miss the point. In church - we miss the point. Worship isn't about you. Worship isn't about how well we can play pentatonic scales. Its falling into the arms of God, finding the heart of God.

And your life will be changed.

My favorite guitar solos - Part 1 -

Introduction

So I have decided to write a new series about songs with what I consider to be the best guitar solos. I have no real criteria that is consistent from song to song - other than originality and tone. I like shredding, just like anyone else, but it is rare that a shredding solo sticks out to me. I'm more about the feel of the song, and how well that solo matches the song and mood. I'll be giving a gear rundown for each song (at least as much as I can find), as well as what I think the solo does well. I hope this series shows you guys some new music, or at least another way to look at songs

-Now, on with the show!

"I Could Have Lied" - Red Hot Chili Peppers

Album: Blood Sugar Sex Magick

Year: 1991

Guitarist: John Frusciante

I think this song is an appropriate starting place for this new series. Placed at number 6 on the record, this song is a stripped down acoustic number for the most part. The song is very moving to me, and the overall instrumentation is great towards pushing the stripped down - near depressive mood of the song. All the emotions from the lyrics (dealing with a lost love, this is the Chili Peppers after all) continues to build into the guitar solo, and Frusciante just nails the tone of longing from the lyrics. Some have called it a bit sloppy, but I think that this just adds to the tone. He didn't care if the technique was perfect, he cared that the mood came across, and it did. Light overdriven pentatonic licks - present in so many songs old and new, have never felt this much emotion. Opening bends lead into a version of the vocal melody (with a bit of slurred timing, almost a "drunk" feel), then leads up the fretboard into another separate, but higher melody based on the vocals. It's such a moving solo, reminiscent of Hendrix. I can't speak higher of the rhythm section here as well; Chad Smith and Flea are monsters on their instruments, but they had the wisdom to just hold the base here, allowing Frusciante to soar. This is a must listen to anyone looking for inspiration on how to play a great pentatonic solo.

On the gear side - Frusciante is using a Stratocaster of some form (possibly his '62), into a basic driven amp. Not many other effects on this song (he is rather fond of effects, judging from the size of his pedal board and other RHCP and solo songs), which I think really adds into this song. It's rare that I ascribe to the "less is more" theology, but that applies here in spades.