The Master Musician

Description

The Master Musician is a solo album by the American singer and songwriter John Michael Talbot, released on Troubadour For The Lord in 1992. The album was produced by John Michael Talbot and Phil Perkins.

When Jesus wanted to communicate complicated ideas to his hearers, he used parables – simple little stories about a man sowing his seed or about the return of the prodigal son which told profound truths about the Kingdom of God.

Now John Michael Talbot has turned to the parable, crafting a story that uses the concept of music to explain the purpose of the Christian life. The extended parable forms the basis of his unique new book and CD, both titled ‘The Master Musician’.

As Talbot sees it, individual Christian believers are like musical instruments that are created by God to blend their sounds in a beautiful symphony of praise to their God. “God is the Master Musician,” he writes. “We are his instruments, he gently plucks the strings of our lives to make a harmonious song for all creation.”

A similar approach was taken by Christian author Calvin Miller in his ‘Singer’ trilogy, and by contemporary Christian music pioneer Larry Norman in his concept album, ‘The Tune‘. But Talbot extends the parable.

In the book version of ‘The Master Musician’, Talbot compares growth in the Christian life to the process of crafting a guitar, including the cutting of the tree, the drying and bending of the wood, and the lengthy process of sanding and lacquering the wood to remove its imperfections.

Talbot also describes the extreme discipline required for musicians to create beautiful sounds, comparing this process to the discipleship of the Christian life. And he compares an orchestra’s rehearsals and performance to the life of Christian community – whether it be church or in the more monastic-styled community Talbot and others share at the Little Portion hermitage in Arkansas.

The CD version picks up on these themes in 11 new Talbot compositions, which feature Talbot’s crystal clear voice accompanied by Talbot’s acoustic guitar and Phil Perkin’s tasteful orchestration.

Although this material should appeal most to musicians, almost anybody should appreciate Talbot’s carefully crafted parable and benefit from the insight it sheds on the trials of the Christian life.

But musicians, especially, should consider studying this book together in small groups and singing the songs from the CD as a way of deepening their devotion to God and their commitment to using their talents for God’s glory. For as Talbot convincingly shows, the potential power and majesty of music shows that music is truly a creation that is near to the heart of Jesus. [Steve Rabey, CCM, December 1992]

> Apple Music (https://music.apple.com/us/album/the-master-musician/76071414)

CD tracklist:

01. The Master Musician – 3:38
02. The Tree – 1:43
03. The Craftsman – 4:13
04. Clasical Order – 3:03
05. Impressions – 4:03
06. Words And Music – 3:40
07. One Note – 3:41
08. The Symphony – 3:06
09. The Conductor – 4:15
10. The Blessed Musician – 3:36
11. The Final Ascent – 3:44

Note: Simultaneously released on cassette and CD by Troubadour For The Lord.