TBGB Pick of the Week: September 14, 2009

“Hold On (Change is Coming)”
James Grear & Company
From the CD Don’t Waste Another Day
Habakkuk Music/Universal Music Christian Group
www.habakkukmusic.com

On its latest CD, Don’t Waste Another Day, James Grear & Company from the Twin Cities performs an excellent cover of the 1997 Sounds of Blackness hit, “Hold On (Change is Coming).

Twelve years ago, when Sounds of Blackness (also from the Twin Cities) made this record, there had yet to be a 9/11. There had yet to be wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, shoe bombs, Hurricane Katrina, and the economic tsunami that washed over the country, sucking in its ebb families’ life savings, jobs, businesses, banks and careers.

Grear & Company’s interpretation of this anthem to hope thus takes on new meaning in the 21st Century, including the nature of the anticipated change, which could represent the leadership of President Barack Obama. Although the song doesn’t specifically reference the President, and is technically about keeping the faith and believing in the higher power, it’s hard to imagine that Obama wasn’t on the singers’ minds during the performance. It certainly was on mine.

Regardless, be sure to check out James Grear & Company’s accompanying video (below) about a man and his young son in complete exasperation and fervent prayer over foreclosure and financial angst…until the singers step in with a special gift.