Sandra McCracken, In Concert, February 26, 2010

The talented Sandra McCracken first came to my attention through the revitalized hymnody of Indelible Grace.  Many churches now sing some of the new musical settings of traditional hymns given new life by McCracken and others, but her gifts and musical aspirations have grown beyond hymns, leading to the release of six independent records, including one of my favorite "hymn" records of all time, The Builder and the Architect, and a killer Americana record, Best Laid Plans.  Yes, she is also the wife of former Caedmon's Call frontman Derek Webb, lately mildly controversial in Christian music because of the prickly content of his songs (spiritual provocation, possibly), but her work stands on its own, not serving up trite answers but asking deep questions about life and faith.

Sandra has moved from songs in an Americana vibe, a bit folk-country at times, to the alternative folk-pop stylings of her latest release, Red Balloon, an album Christian Music Today called a "near-perfect balance of Christian inspiration, poetry, and introspection."  A new mother, Sandra says she recorded Red Balloon as a symbol of childhood, hope, and freedom, after the classic movie of the same name.

Thanks to the sold out crowd of 75 or so of you who joined us for a warm winter night of song!  After a nice opening set by Chelsey Scott, Sandra delighted us with an offering of her own originals, as well as several revitalized hymns, and even one new hymn.  We even got to sing along.

For more information on Sandra McCracken, visit her at her website or on MySpace.

WATCH: