Much can be said about the rhythms of life we find in the everyday. From the microscopic of cells coming into existence, growing, reproducing and passing their DNA to the next generation, to the macro-space cycle of stars being born, dying, etc. This creative cycle that seems so second nature to our existence seems to echo the nature of Divine in all created order. In between it all we find ourselves plunged everyday into a life of birth and death and rebirth, embedded with an urge to mimic this great Creator in every aspect of life - creating and recreating, holding hands with this Divine Dance Partner, breathing in the old and breathing out something new - using the created order to contribute another note into this great symphony. This collection of songs became an opportunity for me to do just that. The raw materials I used to create these songs came from a handful of hymns, mostly written long before I walked the planet. I used those hymns as starting points, the building blocks for the songs of this project, to which I added melody and arrangements and new lyrics to bring forth a creation that feels as much like “me” as anything I’ve ever created. The process of creating this record has been one of the most fulfilling experiences in my life and has taught me a ton about the act of creating and re-creating… standing on the shoulders of others who have written before me, partnering with those around me via a $10,000 Kickstarter campaign, and mirroring the movements found in Creation itself - Dawn. Day. Dusk. - Humanity and Divinity in a daily dance of creation.
The songs will be released in 3 movements, echoing a fundamental cycle we find ourselves in every day: TIME. The first movement is called Dawn, the second, Day and the third, Dusk. My hope is that these songs will find their way into the common parts of your life - your dawn, your day, your dust - the rhythm of your everyday, and speak to you in surprising ways.
~Ben Thomas, April 2015
credits
released June 23, 2015
All music written by Ben Thomas, except track 7 & 10 - written by Ben Thomas and Andrew Schroeder.
Lyrics by: Anna Letitia Barbauld (track 1), Jane Parker Huber & Ben Thomas (track 2), Traditional African American Spiritual (track 3), A. Katherine Hankey & Ben Thomas (track 4), Isaac Watts (track 5), Oliver W. Holmes, Sr. & Ben Thomas (track 6), Frances R. Havergal (track 7), Samuel Ecking (track 8), Henry W. Baker & Ben Thomas (track 9), George Matheson, Ben Thomas & Andrew Schroeder (track 10), John E. Bode & Ben Thomas (track 11), Louisa M. Alcott (track 12), Ambrose of Milan & Ben Thomas (track 13).
Primary musical contributors: Ben Thomas, Andrew Schroeder, Andrew Vogt.
Additional musical contributions by Cory Andersen, Courtney Grote, David Yeager, Jen Showalter, Jess Sinnot, Mandy Hughes, Ninfa Lear, Priscilla Dean, Stephanie Ho and the Kickstarter Backer Handclap Choir.
Recorded at Kiwi Audio in Batavia, IL and a little bit in Ben's living room in Naperville, IL.
Engineered by Brad Showalter. Additional engineering by Ben Thomas and Glen West.
Mixed by Shane D. Wilson at St. Izzy's of the East Nashville, TN.
Assisted by Aaron Chafin.
Mix Coordination by Lani Crump for Showdown Productions.
Mastered by Doug Van Sloun at Focus Mastering in Omaha, NE
Album Art by Stephen Signa-Aviles.
Executive vision team: Scott Hodge, Larry Boatright and Adam Mock.
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Special thanks to my beautiful, creative and infinitely supportive wife, Joy and my daughters that surprise and inspire me every day - Lucy and Elliana. Thank you to the incredible supporters who made this project a reality on Kickstarter - If you didn't exist, neither would this record. Thank you to my dear friends and teammates at The Orchard - getting to do what I love with people I love is a joy and privilege of a lifetime… your support an encouragement brought these songs to life.
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