The Way of Wisdom

Description

The Way of Wisdom is the eighth studio album by the American singer and songwriter Michael Card, released on Sparrow Records in ‎1990. The album was recorded and mixed by Ronnie Brookshire with Phil Naish producing. The Way of Wisdom is the second album of The Ancient Faith trilogy covering the Wisdom books of the Bible. (The Beginning and The Word being the first and the last installments, respectively.)

It is always encouraging to see a musician stretch himself rather then play it safe – especially when no one is complaining. With ‘The Way of Wisdom’, Michael Card does the seemingly impossible: Create another biblically sound and musically enticing project.

This is number two of the “The Ancient Faith” trilogy and covers the Wisdom books of the Bible. Card covers this body of work with the clarity and thoroughness of a patient, kind teacher. What is most noteworthy about his project is the painstaking depth he brings to the musical portion of this work. Know for simplifying the music in order not to upstage the lyrical content and focus, this time Card presents more a marriage of music and message; the result being an intended, deeper listener appreciation for both elements to add both depth and insight to the contect without sacrificing either. This is a music lover’s album.

Missing from this project is long time producer, Norbert Putnam, who is replaced by Phil Naish, collaborator and contributer to Card’s projects. Naish does well in allowing a sense of continuity to flow throughout this work. There is a freshness and intensity that allows the music and instruments to play a vital part in the storytelling. Strings sing, flutes dance, guitars and arrangements hum and sometimes simmer – it’s a veritable potpourri of musical instruments. From mandolin to dulcimer to the London Symphony orchestra, there is a wonderful thread of continuity that links this work with Card’s earlier projects; the rawness of ‘Known by the Scars‘; the storytelling and pleading of ‘Scandalon‘; and even the anthemic fullness of ‘The Final Word‘. Card’s voice has the color and versatility that was last heard on ‘The Final Word’. Why it’s welcomed return? It could be the subject matter.

Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, the Psalms, Job, and Song of Solomon are covered here. Particularly stirring is the four-song suite of Job, which he tranforms from a book of suffering to the acknowledgment of the awesome character of God. We all know the story, but it’s good to hear the well-worn words of Job: “Yet in my flesh I know, I’ll see the Lord” or Job’s reply to God, “I am unworthy, how can I reply?/ I place my hand over my mouth/ … I place my hand over my mouth.”

There are many “moments” and highlights to this project, too numerous to mention, but ‘The Way of Wisdom’ will delight both longtime and new listeners and leave them wanting for like-minded projects. Particular appreciation goes out for the thoughtful and provoking liner notes and biblical references making it one of the year’s most “user-friendly” album. [Kathleen A. Ervin, CCM, November 1990]

> Apple Music (https://music.apple.com/us/album/the-way-of-wisdom/716133482)

CD tracklist:

01. The Way Of Wisdom – 3:52
02. Under The Sun – 4:50
03. Job Suite – 9:48
04. Arise My Love – 3:29
05. How Long – 3:30
06. The Death Of A Son – 3:25
07. My Shepherd – 3:48
08. Search Me And Know Me – 2:37
09. Meditation #4 Selah – 3:17
10. My Help – 1:58

Note: Simultaneously released on cassette, 12-inch vinyl LP, and CD by Sparrow Records. The Ancient Faith released in 1993 contains the trilogy – The Beginning, The Way of Wisdom and The Word: Recapturing the Imagination – in a boxed-set (plus “Heal Our Land” song for the National Day of Prayer and “Ancient Faith Overture”).