I actually don't know how I came across Out of the Dust. I have a feeling it was on a compilation I downloaded from Noisetrade. Out of the Dust are a husband and wife duo, that remind me of 'All Sons and Daughters' and 'Jenny & Tyler'. Their music features beautiful harmonies, and brilliantly encouraging and challenging lyrics.
What has really spoken to me about their music is how honest it is. The album has six songs, which powerfully remind the listener that God is with us in our darkest nights guiding and leading us. God is restoring us to himself and each other.
You can read the story of how God worked in their lives here, and their trust and reliance on God is clearly evident in their songs. The songwriting is the clear highlight of the album. Each song builds on that message. My favourite is 'How to Love', which is a prayer that God would teach them to love. My favourite line is 'Even though we're broken hope is rising // From humility // Hand-in-hand we face this we are not A strand of two but three // We will overcome this // Love is never too lost to redeem'.
Thursday, January 15, 2015
Wednesday, January 14, 2015
2014 Cricinfo Awards
I look forward to the Cricinfo Awards each year. The awards are a reminder of the standout individual performances through the year. Between six and ten performances are nominated for both batting and bowling in each format of the game. Here are my picks, you can see the full list here. I've picked one that's not on the list, (and I'd love to see add best performances in Women's international cricket to the list).
Test Batting:
Brendan McCallum - 302 (v India). For me, the easiest to pick. When he came in NZ were 3/52, in there second innings still 194 behind India, (they slipped to 5/94 soon after). He became NZs first triple-century maker, sharing a record partnership with Watling along the way. I remember riding every ball on the fourth day while he moved 281 to 302.
Test Bowling
It'd be nice to pick Mark Craig the NZ off-spinner who took 7-94 against Pakistan to bring NZ back into the match, but Mitchell Johnson's spell against South Africa is probably the stand-out. The other honorable mention is the Bangladeshi Taijul Islam (who took 8 for 39 v Zimbabwe). These are the best figures by a Bangladeshi bowler and turned a very even test Bangladesh's way.
ODI Batting
No contest, Rohit Sharma who made 264 (173 balls) against Sri Lanka. Sharma scored more than Sri Lanka. Sharma is the only man to score two double-hundreds in international One-Day Cricket.
The honorable mention, is Corey Anderson, who made 131 (from 47 balls, the hundred came in 36 balls)
ODI Bowling
Binny's 6/4 would be my choice. When he came on Bangladesh were 2/58 chasing 105. Binny picked off the batsman one by one.
T-20 Batting
Stephan Myburgh (Netherlands) for his 63 (off 23 balls). The Netherlands needed to make 190 in 14.2 overs to qualify for the World T20 Cup. With Myburgh on fire, they made them in 13.5 overs. Chantelle Edwards' 92* against Australia, would be my second pick.
T-20 Bowling
Rangana Herath's 5/3 enabled Sri Lanka to defend 120 against NZ at the World T20.
Test Batting:
Brendan McCallum - 302 (v India). For me, the easiest to pick. When he came in NZ were 3/52, in there second innings still 194 behind India, (they slipped to 5/94 soon after). He became NZs first triple-century maker, sharing a record partnership with Watling along the way. I remember riding every ball on the fourth day while he moved 281 to 302.
Test Bowling
It'd be nice to pick Mark Craig the NZ off-spinner who took 7-94 against Pakistan to bring NZ back into the match, but Mitchell Johnson's spell against South Africa is probably the stand-out. The other honorable mention is the Bangladeshi Taijul Islam (who took 8 for 39 v Zimbabwe). These are the best figures by a Bangladeshi bowler and turned a very even test Bangladesh's way.
ODI Batting
No contest, Rohit Sharma who made 264 (173 balls) against Sri Lanka. Sharma scored more than Sri Lanka. Sharma is the only man to score two double-hundreds in international One-Day Cricket.
The honorable mention, is Corey Anderson, who made 131 (from 47 balls, the hundred came in 36 balls)
ODI Bowling
Binny's 6/4 would be my choice. When he came on Bangladesh were 2/58 chasing 105. Binny picked off the batsman one by one.
T-20 Batting
Stephan Myburgh (Netherlands) for his 63 (off 23 balls). The Netherlands needed to make 190 in 14.2 overs to qualify for the World T20 Cup. With Myburgh on fire, they made them in 13.5 overs. Chantelle Edwards' 92* against Australia, would be my second pick.
T-20 Bowling
Rangana Herath's 5/3 enabled Sri Lanka to defend 120 against NZ at the World T20.
Monday, January 12, 2015
Covers - Christa Wells [EP] - Review
I was pretty excited when Christa Wells posted that she was preparing an EP of cover songs from the 1980s & 1990s. The 80s & 90s was when I really got into music, and the bands I discovered during those years became the soundtrack to my life.
What I was looking forward to in Christa's project was being reintroduced to some of my own 'friends', and being introduced to some of the 'friends' she has shared her journey with.
The cover art for the EP beautifully echoes this point. The cover created the impression of Christa taking you for a walk through her memories and pointing out a few key ones in the gallery. Christa was sharing the sooundtrack to parts of her life, so openly and honestly.
The five songs on the EP are - Last Night I Dreamt That Somebody Loved Me (The Smiths), Come as You Are (Nirvana), One (U2), Waiting for the Night (Depeche Mode), Tonight, Tonight (The Smashing Pumpkins). Prior to hearing the EP, I hadn't much from The Smiths or Depeche Mode before. I'll be checking more of their music out.
My highlight is the recording of 'One'. Just love the harmony between Christa and Kaleb Jones. As you will know from reading this blog I am a big U2 fan, and this certainly has to be one of the best U2 covers I've heard. Waiting for the Night, will become one of my new favourite songs.
I recommend taking the time to listen to the EP, through headphones, in the dark.
My highlight is the recording of 'One'. Just love the harmony between Christa and Kaleb Jones. As you will know from reading this blog I am a big U2 fan, and this certainly has to be one of the best U2 covers I've heard. Waiting for the Night, will become one of my new favourite songs.
I recommend taking the time to listen to the EP, through headphones, in the dark.
Friday, January 02, 2015
On the sporting field - 2014
The two standout moments from the year were Brendan McCallum’s innings of 302 against India. When he came in, NZ were in real trouble; his innings enabled NZ to save the game.
McCallum’s had a great year - his innings against Pakistan in November turned that test too. It’s hard to fault his leadership on (and off) the field too. For mine, he'd captain the test team of the year.
It's easily the best year I can remember for NZ Cricket, since Hadlee and Crowe were playing. Hoping that its a good omen for the World Cup. Here's Cricinfo's take on NZ's year in cricket - which mentions a number of details I forgot. (Chloe Saltau's Test team of 2014 is pretty well on the money)
The second, was Auckland FC, who finished third in December’s World Club Championship (beating the Moroccan champions, the African champions, the Mexican champions, and a gallant 2-1 loss (after extra time) to the South American champions. Maybe there are good things on the horizon for NZ soccer. ;)
The year ended with the tragic death of Phillip Hughes, Martin Crowe's comments are worthwhile reading.
Other notes on the year:
The Football World Cup -- Germany became the first European team to win the world cup in South America. A world cup of surprises, specifically with Brazil and defending champions Spain no doing so well. The first half of the Germany-Brazil game was unforgettable. On the flipside was how well Colombia, Chile did. (Australia were courageous… but still have work to do, and the Asian Cup will be a big test for them).
The Swans had a great season, the only sour note was their performance in the Grand Final. Hopefully better things in 2015. The Rabbits won their first premiership in my life-time. I can hardly believe it, but NSW won the State of Origin. NZ’s performance in the Four Nations was pretty impressive (they are on a two game winning streak against the Kangaroos).
The Winter Olympics & Commonwealth games were held this year too, but I can’t remember much of either, aside from the fact that the Diamond's dominance over the Silver Ferns continued, and the NZ Seven's team lost ;) The Hockey World Cups were held this year too, with Netherlands winning the Women's and Australia the Men's. (As an aside, would love to see the Men's and Women's Football World Cups held simultaneously like for the Hockey).
On to 2015...
Looking forward to a few World Cup’s next year, the Men’s Cricket World Cup, the Rugby Union World Cup , the Women’s Football World Cup and the Netball World Cup.; not to mention the AFL & NRL. At least the Swan's Grand Final loss is now last year, and April is not too far away ;) On the NRL, all I want for 2015 is a consistently good Warriors' team.
It’s going to be a great year.
McCallum’s had a great year - his innings against Pakistan in November turned that test too. It’s hard to fault his leadership on (and off) the field too. For mine, he'd captain the test team of the year.
It's easily the best year I can remember for NZ Cricket, since Hadlee and Crowe were playing. Hoping that its a good omen for the World Cup. Here's Cricinfo's take on NZ's year in cricket - which mentions a number of details I forgot. (Chloe Saltau's Test team of 2014 is pretty well on the money)
The second, was Auckland FC, who finished third in December’s World Club Championship (beating the Moroccan champions, the African champions, the Mexican champions, and a gallant 2-1 loss (after extra time) to the South American champions. Maybe there are good things on the horizon for NZ soccer. ;)
The year ended with the tragic death of Phillip Hughes, Martin Crowe's comments are worthwhile reading.
Other notes on the year:
The Football World Cup -- Germany became the first European team to win the world cup in South America. A world cup of surprises, specifically with Brazil and defending champions Spain no doing so well. The first half of the Germany-Brazil game was unforgettable. On the flipside was how well Colombia, Chile did. (Australia were courageous… but still have work to do, and the Asian Cup will be a big test for them).
The Swans had a great season, the only sour note was their performance in the Grand Final. Hopefully better things in 2015. The Rabbits won their first premiership in my life-time. I can hardly believe it, but NSW won the State of Origin. NZ’s performance in the Four Nations was pretty impressive (they are on a two game winning streak against the Kangaroos).
The Winter Olympics & Commonwealth games were held this year too, but I can’t remember much of either, aside from the fact that the Diamond's dominance over the Silver Ferns continued, and the NZ Seven's team lost ;) The Hockey World Cups were held this year too, with Netherlands winning the Women's and Australia the Men's. (As an aside, would love to see the Men's and Women's Football World Cups held simultaneously like for the Hockey).
On to 2015...
Looking forward to a few World Cup’s next year, the Men’s Cricket World Cup, the Rugby Union World Cup , the Women’s Football World Cup and the Netball World Cup.; not to mention the AFL & NRL. At least the Swan's Grand Final loss is now last year, and April is not too far away ;) On the NRL, all I want for 2015 is a consistently good Warriors' team.
It’s going to be a great year.
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