A Great Collection of Music

A few weeks ago, while ordering Big Daddy's Father's Day and anniversary present, I treated myself to a little something: The soundtrack from the movie version of the musical Godspell. I recall being in fourth grade, and our class doing one of the songs, Day By Day, as our musical performance. My Mom was fond of musicals and movies. She probably took took my brother and I to see Godspell when it was first released. I also recall seeing the movie various times while growing up. Godspell used to get played on TV during Easter season, but it has been a good 10-15 years since I have seen it on cable or network television. Draw you're own conclusions about that. I think it has less to do with the dated, quaint 'hippyiness' of the movie and more to do with our nation's current climate of being tolerant of everything but art and media that carries an such an overt Christian message. However, I could be mistaken.

Anyway, this soundtrack is a perennial favorite of mine, and having lost it during our various moves, I thought it was time to replace it. When I was a newcomer to Christianity as a young adult, this album was something I recalled from my childhood as being religious, good, and full of great folk-rock music. Since I was turning from my old ways and becoming new person in Christ, it was especially helpful. I missed good music, since I felt then the importance of giving up my old rock and roll (and punk, jazz, alternative, etc., music) collection. This fit the bill, along with an old Al Green album. Later on when I found Don Francisco and Rich Mullins I was ecstatic. DC Talk went on to cover Day By Day on their seminal Jesus Freak album.

The Godspell movie features a very young, thin Victor Garber in the Jesus roll. Having been a fairly keen Alias fan, I was delighted when I realized that the man who played Jack Bristow also played Jesus! It also features the late, great Lynn Thigpen. You'll recognize both Garber and Thigpen from the numerous TV and movie rolls they've acted in over the years. Thigpen will always be beloved by me as the radio station DJ from The Warriors, a classic running-the-gauntlet movie from the late 70's. Thigpin was also The Chief from Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego and the voice of Luna from the Bear in the Big Blue House, both 90's era kid's programs. She and Garber can sing as well as they can act. Enjoy.