The healing music of Don Moen

I like the way a newspaper write-up referred to Don Moen as the Barry Manilow of Christian music. That is very true. Manilow is famous for writing and recording pop songs that invariably become hits. Moen is also famous for writing and recording pop songs that invariably become hits. Where they differ is that Moen’s are Christian worship songs about man’s relationship with God.

A generation or two ago, Moen’s songs would have been classified as church music, accepted in church and during religious ceremonies but shunned elsewhere as old-fashioned or plain churchy. It was Moen who made things different. He saw no reason why songs for or to God have to be limited to the traditional or why church music cannot sound pop. Why not indeed?! And so he decided to change things. 

Moen, then a young worship leader, composed songs like God Will Make A Way and Lord, I Offer My Life To You. They were simple ballads with commercial melodies that spoke directly to God. They instantly became hits. Not only that, because the songs easily won acceptance with the masses, all of the Christian denominations also took to using them. Nowadays, it is very seldom that a day goes by without us hearing a Don Moen song. For example, there is a strong likelihood that your Holy Mass last Sunday had a Moen soundtrack.

Take a look at these titles from the God Will Make A Way: The Best Of Don Moen album for an idea of what I mean. I am sure you will find most of them familiar. This is also an excellent way to introduce the stranger to Moen’s music, This one has his biggest hits starting from 30 years ago. And this is also great for long-time fans who just want Moen’s inspiring songs playing as they go through their days.

God Will Make A Way, Give Thanks, Shout To The Lord, I Want To Be Where You Are, God Is Good All The Time, Hallelujah To The Lamb, I Will Sing, Blessed Be The Name Of The Lord, Celebrate Jesus, Heal Me O Lord, I Am The God That Healeth Thee, Let Your Glory Fall, Here We Are, We Give You Glory, You Make Me Lie Down in Green Pastures, I Offer My Life, Your Steadfast Love, God With Us (He Walked Where I Walk)/ God Is Good/ Now Unto The King Eternal Medley and All We Like Sheep.

These songs are the reasons why Moen’s concerts are considered double-edged events. You get the usual music show with an attractive performer singing his hit songs just like Manilow. But in this case, you also get a blessed, uplifting religious experience like what the audience experienced last Friday, Oct. 17 during Moen’s concert held at the new CCF Center on Frontera Verde, Ortigas Avenue in Pasig City beside Tiendesitas.

And while we are on the subject of Moen’s music, don’t you ever think that the man who wrote and sang so many songs about Jesus Christ has forgotten the meaningful Christmas celebration. Moen has a Christmas album titled Season Of Hope, which is made up of popular Christmas favorites like O Come All Ye Faithful and some of Moen’s own compositions like Season of Hope.

Included in the album are It’s The Most Wonderful Time of the Year, O Have Ye Not Known/ Good Christian Men Rejoice Medley, Season Of Hope, Joy, Holy Lamb of God, Agnus Dei/ O Come Let Us Adore Him Medley, Some Children See Him, Mary Did You Know?,, My Christmas Prayer and Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas.

Other concerts

Another upcoming show to look forward to is MAGIC! on Oct. 22 at the Newport Performing Arts Theater in Resorts World Manila. The band MAGIC! comes from Toronto, Canada. The members had already been doing production work for various acts for several years, when they decided to record their own album. What happened next was pure magic.

MAGIC! instantly hit it big with the reggae influenced songs, Rude, a triple Platinum seller that made No. 1 in several countries, and Don’t Kill The Magic and the band has since gone on tour to bring its kind of music to everybody. MAGIC! is made up of Nasri, vocalist, producer and songwriter; Mark Pelli, guitarist; Ben Spivak, bassist; and Alex Tanas, drummer.

For tickets, log on to ticketworld.com.ph or call 374-9999 or 891-9999.

And of course, fans are not likely to miss out on Jason Mraz’s next local gig. The singer-songwriter-performer and not to forget, environment and freedom activist, who popularized tunes like I’m Yours, Lucky and others, will be back in town on Nov. 27 for another show at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. This time around, he will be bringing the folk-rock band Raining Jane to perform cuts from its new album simply titled YES!

Jason Mraz and Raining Jane Live in Manila is promoted by Ovation Productions and MMI Live! Tickets are now available. Get in touch with www.Ticketnet.com.ph for purchase and reservations.