Get the new FREE JFH MP3 compilation -- Vol. 13!
Get the new FREE JFH MP3 compilation -- Vol. 13!

JFH Music Review


Jason Gray
Acoustic Storytime (Live Songs and Stories)



Artist Info: Discography
Album length: 22 tracks: 77 minutes, 29 seconds
Street Date: September 16, 2008


Jason Gray is inevitably rising to become one of the more passionate and creative worship leaders in Christian music today. And it is no wonder, his music bears something intimate while still striving for creativity and something that would permeate in the listeners ear after it's all done. Usually live albums are a major downgrade compared to listening to the studio recording. Jason, however, by packing Acoustic Storytime (Live Songs and Stories) with deep messages and intimate and even funny moments, manages to make this album well worth the buy just as much as his studio albums.

Silence is broken with the a capella premiere of "Down To The River." This song feels strangely personal, enchanting, and displays an image of a kind of river we all are confronted with in our lives. After the song, Jason Gray introduces himself with a stage charisma that seems natural and is actually very comical. He then begins the second song in the set, "This Far," off his debut All The Lovely Losers. Jason has a stellar live voice and guitar precision that sounds almost identical to anything that he might have recorded in a studio. Once this song is over, Jason proceeds by announcing his speech handicap of studdering. It's quite an inspiring testimony that might make you admire the guy more than you might have already.

The entire album is layered with stories and teachings from Jason's life. The teachings are profound and intense, so much that even if music was absent from the whole album, you still might want to give the teachings a listen. As it is, that's not the case, since the live album is bundled with fourteen songs among the twenty two total tracks. "Blessed Be" is next, with an unexpected surprise song toward the end, once again displaying his outgoing and free spirit. After this, he explains a short story about his following song, "The Cut," which is one of the more powerful songs he has to offer. Acoustic Storytime is one that must be approached with time and an open heart, because even the songs, in a way, seem like teachings. Following his song "Not Going Down," Jason covers Tom Petty's hit song "I Won't Back Down" and does a great job with it. He plays with the idea of innocent love in his song "If I Were a Dog," somewhat giving the album a nice range of freedom. The live venture ends with two studio songs, which threw me off at first. They're both good songs, just seem disproportionate.

In the end, Acoustic Storytime is probably one of the more intimate live albums I've heard in a long time. If you have a few spare minutes to receive something deep and inspiring, give this album a listen.

- Review date: 9/5/09, written by Ben Cardenas of Jesusfreakhideout.com



(JFH Sponsor Spot)

Purchase Original Art Prints, Drawings, Buttons, Stickers, Bookmarks and more from JFH's own John DiBiase! Save for the holidays with code JFH20 at checkout!

 

. Record Label: Centricity Music
. Album length: 22 tracks: 77 minutes, 29 seconds
. Street Date: September 16, 2008
. Buy It: iTunes
. Buy It: Amazon.com

  1. Down To The River (4:16)
  2. "...Acoustic Storytime" (0:59)
  3. This Far (3:53)
  4. "...Because Of Our Weakness" (3:31)
  5. Blessed Be (3:53)
  6. "... Getting To The Good Stuff" (2:25)
  7. The Cut (4:28)
  8. The Reason Why You Brought Me Here (3:53)
  9. "... Switching The Tapes" / How I Ended Up Here (1:40)
  10. "... Loose That Tongue" (6:55)
  11. Weak (3:58)
  12. The Things We Hold Back (3:04)
  13. "... When's A Good Time To Give Up?" (1:22)
  14. Not Going Down (4:17)
  15. I Won't Back Down (2:38)
  16. "...Praying With Our Lives." (2:20)
  17. You Are Mercy (5:15)
  18. If I Were A Dog (4:53)
  19. "...Getting More Than I Deserve (1:41)
  20. Grace (5:36)
  21. New Way To Live (3:21)
  22. Everything I Own (3:24)

 

 

go to main Album review page
go to Album review archive

 


(JFH Sponsor Spot)

 

 

                 
Purchase Original Art Prints, Drawings, Buttons, Stickers, Bookmarks and more from JFH's own John DiBiase! Save for the holidays with code JFH20 at checkout!

Search JFH




This Tuesday, October 29, 2024
SINGLES
Pipe Bomb Hate Club - Single [The Charon Collective]

This Thursday, October 31, 2024
ALBUMS
Neon Horse Habit of Creature - EP [Velvet Blue Music]

This Friday, November 1, 2024
ALBUMS
AWZY Sinners and Saints - EP [DREAM]
Forrest Frank Child of God (Deluxe) [river house]
Future of Forestry Symphonic Christmas (Live) (independent)
Influence Music It's All About You (independent)
The Kingdom Heirs No Better Time [Sonlite]
Limoblaze Young & Chosen (Power Pack) - EP [Reach]
Paul & Hannah McClure Christmas Morning (Re-Release) [Bethel]
Planetshakers Winning Team: Songs For Church (Live) [Venture3Media]
Skillet Revolution [Atlantic]
Sam's the Hero Charlie Cox - EP [Small Step]
Jim "Soni" Sonefeld Light of Joy - EP [Vere]
Ivan Theva Waiting Here for You - EP [Descendent/Provident]
John Van Deusen Anthem Sprinter [Tooth & Nail]
Phil Wickham Hallelujah! It's Christmas! [Fair Trade]
YWAM Kona Music Missionary Anthem - EP [Integrity]

SINGLES
Ayo Shamir, YP aka Young Paul Aaron Judge - Single (independent)
Gabby Barrett O Come, O Come Emmanuel (feat. The Piano Guys) - Single [Warner Music Nashville]
Brennley Brown Mary, Did You Know? - Single [Provident]
Lauren Daigle Then I Will - Single [Centricity]
Dreamers The Reason - Multi-Single [DREAM]
EJ Swavv I Hate Lucy - Single [Syntax]
Jess Ford This is My Jesus - Single (independent)
FYR FYTR So Simple - Single (independent)
Michael Monroe Pour It Out - Single [Provident]
Seph Schlueter We Sing (Joy To The World) [feat. Leanna Crawford] - Single [Provident]
Skye Peterson, Ben Shive Keep the Feast - Single [Getty]
SNT. VINCENT Confession - Single [Syntax]
Cyndi Thompson Silent Night - Single [County Line]
Thrive Worship Hark - Single [Integrity]
Tauren Wells Making Room - Single [Capitol CMG]

VINYL
Skillet Revolution Vinyl [Atlantic]

Next Friday, November 8, 2024
ALBUMS
Gabby Barrett Carols and Candlelight [Warner Music Nashville]
CXMMXNS CXMMXNS Chapter 1 - EP [Essential Worship]
New Hope Oahu There Is One - EP [DREAM]
Neal Morse & The Resonance No Hill For A Climber [InsideOut]
TAKE Time Bomb [Resuscitation Records]
Lauren Talley A Lauren Talley Christmas [Horizon]

SINGLES
Cory Asbury I Hope You Dance - Single [BEC]
Jordan Kauflin, Laura Story Approach, My Soul - Single [Getty]
Sam Bowman & GLADDEN Misfit Toys - Single [DREAM]
Wavorly Enemies - Single (independent)

VINYL
Michael W. Smith Every Christmas Vinyl [Rocketown]
Stryper To Hell with the Amps Vinyl [Frontiers]
TAKE Time Bomb Vinyl [Resuscitation Records]

DVD
Stryper To Hell with the Amps Blu-Ray [Frontiers]



For all release dates, click here!
 



Check out the new album from Taylor Holland Armstrong!



Listen to the new Single from Second Adam and the New Creations!

Check out depositphotos for royalty free images