Last night, I had the opportunity to be a part of something unique. I was privileged to play a few tunes with Chris Slaten, AKA Son of Laughter, on a concert featuring his latest work, “The Mantis and the Moon.”
First, before I continue with my review, I have to say that I am biased. Let’s just get that out in the open. There’s no real way to get around the fact that my husband and I have known Chris for some time now – and we have always appreciated his music, his creativity and his heart. Not to mention, Chris is married to Lyndsay, who grew up next door to my husband, Michael – and their families are still neighbors to this day. I can’t really compartmentalize the situation. I just wanted to be honest with you.
Now – on with the truth from my view at the piano.
A few months ago, I approached Chris about playing a show at our church and he agreed. He asked if Michael and I would play on a few of the songs – which we, of course, were thrilled to do. As we listened to his music and prepared and rehearsed, I became increasingly aware of Chris’s talent.
His music is warm, full of heart and lifts the soul to heavenly spaces at times. Somehow he is able to express truth clearly and lyrically, inside the framework of rhythms and chord structures, which is a bit mind boggling to me. From my experience, there is plenty of music out there that is lukewarm, meager in its presentation of thought and spiritless. But Chris’s efforts on Mantis and the Moon are the opposite, indeed.
At the end of our evening with Chris, I found myself encouraged, a bit more hopeful in the Gospel and light hearted from the joy of participating in such happy musical creations. So, if you want to know: my favorite tunes that he played last night were Cricket in a Jar, Take Me Down and The Meal We Could Not Make. Only Cricket in a Jar is on his most recent album. But, I hope our concert last night helped to get him a few steps closer to his next recording… then everyone can hear more of his work.
If you haven’t had a chance, you need to check out Chris’s music. You won’t regret it!
@ http://son-of-laughter.com
Thank you Chris, for sharing your music with us last night! It was a valuable gift to all who attended!
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