Mountain of Myrrh
Prepare your heart, your mind, and your spirit for a revolutionary approach to exaltation and devotion of Jesus Christ. Much more than songs of worship and praise, ‘Mountain of Myrrh’s’ songs are abundantly filled with God’s perfect grace, promising the listener/believer divine elation, joy and elevation from our daily toils as these anointed players exude a deeply profound love for the Lord in every note, in every breath….
“Mountain Of Myrrh”, Mike Pemberton’s eighth and by far his most prolific accomplishment, filled with high-spirited anthems drawn from Bible verses and personal praise. This collection is packed with vibrant and positive messages, expressing from the inspired writer’s point of view how Christ changed his life forever, in a renewed and stirring manner. 2003 was a good year for Mike, following a long run with his popular Deep-Ellum, Texas garage-style psychedelic band, ‘The Burnin’ Rain’, with some very intense suggestions from the Holy Spirit to share his jubilation in Christ with the world, imparting through his music an outreach to the troubled, the hurting, and those not yet saved, without an ounce of piety. No simple task in this raging world of religiosity.
Having never performed with the musicians on the CD, accomplished local bassist Paul Pennington;( a long-time friend and performer from such Deep Ellum, Texas, psychedelic bands as ‘The Underneath’ and ‘Texas Fog Society’ ) John Barrett, adept lead guitarist, (formerly lead guitarist of the Deep Ellum band, Cathouse) or local vocalist Joe Jarvis, ( lead vocalist with Deep Ellum band, “A Simpleton’s Dream”) Mike the artists to honestly proclaim their intended dedication to Christ, otherwise the result would not honor the Lord as Mike was instructed to do in his heart.
Dennis Linder, a local Dallas guitarist, was elected to provide his brilliant guitar skills while visiting Mike - a recorder was rolling tape unaware, capturing his jazzy jam and the first track was born that very day. Joe Jarvis had never played drums in his life, but with a cunning sense of rhythm, and Mike’s gentle guidance, Joe set the timbre with a soothing cadence that complimented the other players , and Paul’s thoughtful bass pulled the mellow, temperate sounds of “Mountain of Myrrh” together. The peace, joy and comfort within every song purvey a reverent devotion and deep belief in our Lord, Jesus Christ.
“Mountain of the Lord”, a prayer about the coming of Jesus Christ to earth, when Heaven and Earth will pass away and replaced by His new Jerusalem, for us to dwell with Him for a thousand glorious years. The song assures that every year, at this time, we will embrace this mountain, paying homage to our Lord Christ.
The first track, “He Has Risen” is a declaration that Jesus has indeed risen, that His blood will wash our sins away , offering the great comfort that we can only receive from The Lord, as we are established in his Kingdom as Kings and Priests to rule and reign forever” . With its solemn yet reassuring ode of Moses’ great trial leading the Jewish people out of Egypt, “Cloud By Day explains how the Lord made a cloud by day and a fire by night to ease their passage. This cloud of protection would continue to hover over the Ark of the Covenant. Today it urges us to realize that Jesus Christ will light our path if we choose to turn our will and our lives over to Him.
A reflective yet lilting tribute to the 91st Psalm of David, Secret Place” assures us that the Lord will shelter us in a secret place if we abide by His laws, promising us comfort and protection from life’s many storms. The guitars sway and the soft vocals will lift the spirits of the most downtrodden.
“He is Our King” flowed from Mike’s mind the moment he awoke one morning,. With his great faith in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, he knew in his heart that in his 100-song repertoire, he’d never written that many words in one sitting, ever!! As the Holy Spirit supplied the words, the recording began and the backbeat drumming of Joe Jarvis polished this expression of miracles as when Jesus walked upon the sea, removed blindness and healed those unable to walk, delivering us from ‘self’, giving us a new life that we could not attain on our own.
“You are The Way” is a pensive devotional/praise song reminding us that we must come through Him to get to the Father, the instrument being His sacrifice for us all on the cross. Chorus harmonies of ‘Hallelujah’ surround the simplicity of heartfelt bliss in our Lord. ‘I’m so happy that I have found the Lord, he changed something deep inside of me’…
“Open Song To My Lord” is a gentle, simple embrace of the King of Kings. With an Appalachian feel in the guitars, “Light of This World sways the listener into prayer and encourages meditation.“Jesus Is Master” contemplates the rapture and elation we will experience when he returns to take us to Heaven with Him. ‘Jesus is Lord, He is your Master, Coming to love you, take you away’, ….The acoustic version of track 5, “He is Our King”, is another melodic reflection of how Christ gave his life for us, comforts and assures us that through Him all things are truly possible!
The final track, an acoustical version of track 2, ‘He Has Risen’ reminds us that our Lord has risen to live on the Right hand of the Father until His triumphant return with tens of thousands of his Saints to rule and reign for ever and ever, world without end. Amen and Amen. If you love the Lord, and wish to enrich your prayer life, or haven’t found God yet, it is the artist’s hope that this effort will reach you in some way.
Mike Pemberton: Vocals, acoustical and electric guitars and lyrics
Paul Pennington: Bass
John Barrett: Lead guitar
Joe Jarvis: Drums
Dennis Linder: Guitar, “Mountain of The Lord
“I cannot start my day without this blithe, exuberant and ardent devotional anthology to our Lord Jesus Christ. I actually asked for three copies, one to share with a new believer, and the other two to replace the first I one that I knew I would wear out. In this troubled world, what a comfort these songs bring the spirit. ” !
Ms. Lyric LaCeile
-Journalist, Unsigned Magazine, Stoke, Staffs, England-
-Hostess and presenter, UK Featured Artists Studio, http://www.myspace.com/lyricuk
-Music Biographer
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