Welcome to The Shaun Tabatt Show! In this episode I speak with Jean Watson about new album WONDER.
About the Album: "The music on WONDER is the most authentically 'me' music I have ever recorded," Watson says. "I believe the music is quite accessible to both the faith-based and general markets, and the opportunity to partner with Naxos to get the music into the hands of music lovers is huge."
"Naxos has great reach into the world music marketplace, so for the first time, my music has the possibility to be offered to audiences beyond the Christian market," she continues. "How amazing to think that people may listen to this music because they love the sound and be drawn closer to God in the process!"
WONDER represents something of a defining moment for the classically-trained singer/songwriter and instrumentalist, who is a fan favorite in the UK. She is especially popular in Ireland, where she has long hosted a daily inspirational radio show which can be heard worldwide on UCB Radio Ireland. So, her affinity for Celtic sound comes as no surprise.
Producer Billy Smiley, who has worked with Watson on her last two projects, suggested highlighting her Celtic-flavored songs and ethereal violin performances on the new CD and moving toward a more world music sound. In doing so, Watson discovered a glorious opportunity to simply be herself, both artistically and spiritually.
Sporting a world music sound that falls lithely between the ethereal, yearning Celtic sound of Maire Brennan and the graceful, poetic lyricism of Enya, Watson deftly tightwalks a line that stretches between ancient themes of grace and mercy, and is anchored by contemporary declarations of worship and adoration. There are exuberant expressions of praise ("Blessed Be Your Name"), hymns of hope ("I Can Hear Your Voice"), psalms of yearning ("Restless"), songs of surrender to the perfect will of the Father ("It Is Well"), and testimonies to the mercy and grace of God ("Everything Can Change," "Amazing Grace").
Whether invested in ardent celebration or lost in pensive worship, there is a humble honesty that runs through each song, that binds them together and points both listener and singer toward the throne of God. WONDER has an otherworldly, ethereal, moving quality which penetrates the heart and transports the listener into an attitude of worship.
In keeping with the world music direction of WONDER, Watson has enlisted the services of a number of musicians from around the globe, including South African John Ellis of Tree63 and former Newsboys drummer Peter Furler from Australia. Steve Hindalong from The Choir provides percussion, and as a special treat, Christian music legend Michael W. Smith appears as a guest accompanist as Watson performs Smith's hit, "I Can Hear Your Voice."
"I am so grateful for this opportunity for my music to reach a wider audience," says Watson. "I can't wait to see what God will do with WONDER!"
About Jean Watson: Internationally acclaimed singer/songwriter and classically trained violinist Jean Watson delved into the Christian recording world in 2003. During a time of great brokenness in Jean’s life, her landlord accidentally heard her sing and donated money to make her first CD! She gave the CD away to anyone who would listen and soon was singing and speaking in churches, coffeehouses, homeless shelters, and prisons, sharing the story of how God was transforming her life.
Since that time, Jean’s voice and testimony of God's grace and healing have touched thousands of lives around the world. She has recorded seven albums to date including her latest CD, Steady My Gaze featuring Grammy nominated producer Billy Smiley, guitar virtuoso Phil Keaggy, and John Ellis of ‘Tree63’.
Jean’s musical style is eclectic and features an abundance of celtic-infused violin and Watson’s signature haunting vocals. She has been honored four times as the Best Female Praise and Worship Artist USA by the UK Christian Music Alliance. Watson can be heard worldwide on UCB Radio Ireland where she hosts a daily inspirational radio show. Watson has appeared on The 700 Club, TBN's Praise The Lord, Cornerstone Television Network's flagship show, Real Life, LeSea TV's The Harvest Show, CTN's Bridges and many more media outlets across the globe.
Though her ministry is now international, Jean is still passionate about bringing hope to the hopeless through words and music. Having performed in majestic cathedrals and grand concert halls, her favorite venues are still homeless shelters and prisons. When she is not traveling, Jean enjoys playing violin in the Kalamazoo Symphony, spending time with her family, and riding her horse, Rosie.
Connect with Jean:
For additional show notes visit ShaunTabatt.com/085.