Inspirational songs that fill hearts with love and hope for humanity.

11 MP3 Songs
POP: Folky Pop, FOLK: like Joni



Details:
She loved to sing and dreamed of recording original, inspired music. He had passion for writing and playing guitar, and dreamed of finding true love. Both had traveled diverse roads before they had met. Through the grace of God, during a time of turmoil and despair, singer/songwriter Christine Yandell and guitarist/composer Steve Waite were united and the Connecticut-based musical duo, Sweetbird, was born.

Sweetbirdâs spiritual journey is captured in the song âIn My Heartâ on the groupâs third CD, "Shine," released in the Spring 2007. âIt was in one of those quiet, reflective moments,â says Steve, âwhen the opening lines of the song came to me. I started singing them, and Christine took the initial melody and created beautiful, flowing lines. We each came up with several verses and collaborated on the chorus and bridge.â Christine adds, âThe song poured out of our hearts almost effortlessly. We felt the Spirit moving through us. It was an experience that is difficult to put into words.â

Sweetbirdâs Shine may seem like a departure to those familiar with the duoâs previously released CDs, Free Spirit Reflection, (2003) and Soul Fire (2005), both on the independent label, Broadband Records. There were hints on those CDs indicating the direction in which Sweetbirdâs music was headed. Each record contained a few inspirational compositions, such as âI Am Loveâ (Free Spirit Reflection) and âA Time to Healâ (Soul Fire).

All of the songs on Shine fall into the inspirational genre. There are ten original compositions and a cover of âLove Songâ from Elton Johnâs 1971 album Tumbleweed Connection. The songs tell the story of spiritual regeneration.

âThe music on Shine,â says Steve, âhas nothing to do with religion and everything to do with Spiritual fruit. Itâs about walking in the Spirit. Christine and I are wary of religion and all the negative energy that radiates from it. As Oswald Chambers notes, if we are going to be ready for Jesus, we have to stop being religious and become spiritually real. The inspiration for our music is rooted in Godâs love - agape or true love - which is life generating. Without that love, we and our music are nothing.â Christine adds, âWe hope the songs on Shine touch peopleâs hearts and offer encouragement to those struggling to find their way in life. The music is a celebration of loving hearts and how these hearts can transform darkness into light."

In discussing a few of the songs, Christine notes that âMaybe Tomorrowâ speaks to an abused woman, encouraging her to let the Spirit guide her to a better life. âThe Callâ offers inspiration to those wondering what their purpose is in life, while âHere Comes the Lightâ is a song about hope, looking at every new day as another chance to live life to the fullest.

Steve and Christine produced Shine and most of the recording was done at Steveâs studio, âThe Nest,â in Shelton, CT. Sean Moffitt, of Woodbury, CT, engineered and mixed the record as well as played drums on it. Pianist Nick Bariluk of Danbury, CT and bassist Luis Rivera of Stratford, CT, contributed their musical talents. Shine also features guest appearances from Los Angeles-based guitarist Tim Godwin and bassist Mickey DiMichele of Waterbury, CT. Michael Fossenkemper at Turtle Tone Studio, in New York City, mastered the record. For more information, contact Gene Foley at Foley Entertainment, Inc. or go to Sweetbird's website.