My best (or at least favorite) songs recorded from 2004 to 2011. All of these are available on the music page in other albums but in an effort to “draw a line in the sand” I compiled this collection as a solid introduction to my music and a taste of what’s to come from here on out. Download, pass it on, leave a tip if you’re so inclined, enjoy.

Midwest Blues – 8-27-11 from Jonathan Kendall on Vimeo.

Sigh No More – Mumford & Sons (amazing lyrics)
“Love it will not betray you, Dismay or enslave you, it will set you free
Be more like the man you were made to be
There is a design, an alignment, a cry of my heart to see,
The beauty of love as it was made to be”
See it live on Youtube here.

The High Road – Broken Bells
Creative, moody, tight arrangement and a great video. See it on Youtube here.

Boy Lilikoi – Jónsi
Beautiful and unique instrumentation, a total celebration of life. Live on Youtube here.

Tornado – Jónsi
Heartbreaking in the right way. I listened to this after my Grandma’s funeral and it completely crushed me and healed me at the same time. Simple piano version on Youtube here.

Derezzed – Daft Punk
Tron Legacy? Daft Punk soundtrack? Sign me up. Sparkling, crackling electronic magic.
Video on Youtube here.

Bang Bang Bang – Mark Ronson
Fresh, fresh, fresh. Simple and different and so so catchy.
Video on Youtube here.

Cousins – Vampire Weekend
These guys can play, and they can write punk/pop all day long. Fun and energetic.
RAD VIDEO here.

Tightrope – Janelle Monáe
WHAT. So unique. Watch her on Youtube live.

Wooden Heart – Listener
I listened to Dan sing/speak this song in a van full of college guys (while Dan was driving by the way) and we were all speechless after. For example:
“Because our church is made out of shipwrecks, from every hull these rocks have claimed,
But we pick ourselves up, and try and grow better through the change.”
Dan yells it out on Youtube here.

It Is Well – The Ember Days
I got to hear Jason and Janell play this sitting in an empty conference room, their hearts were open and I could feel the pain of life and the grace of Christ pouring out of them.
Full song on Youtube here.

What are your top 10 from 2010?

At school my boy was making a dragster, he brought it home to decide what to paint it. We had to go “monster” it on it of course! Also he has shown outstanding character lately, he informed a teacher about a theft at school even though the thief threatened his classmates if they told; and he was gracious and grateful to a teacher despite being terribly disappointed about not getting picked for a special project he signed up for. What a guy! I’m so proud of him and blessed to see him being a wonderful witness in tough situations. Way to go bud!

I’ve had MANY discussions with friends about music and art, about why really genuine, faith-fueled, artistically rich music and art rarely makes it into the Christian industry and why we’re frustrated by that. Christians, as a group (apparently) don’t vote with our wallets for these people, as many or most of them create “on the side” while carrying full-time jobs and such. Many of them avoid road life so they can be with their families and that minimizes their opportunity for exposure. I have to believe the power of the internet could help with this. Right? Surely. “Art” of course is a dreadfully loaded word, and taste and faith are often uncomfortable partners but I think there’s a way to bring these people together and provide support and exposure for people of faith who create music and art. I’m going to cook on this idea for a bit…

This is my bro Dave, who lives and works with his family in India, where they are attempting to live out the Great Commission. Dave is the best, most natural musician I’ve ever played with, he has music coming out of his pores and he gives his gifts freely to people in the form of worship, training and lessons, recording or just getting out the guitar when the folks at the party twist his arm. Dave has taken several of my songs (Every Living Thing, Not Alone) and played them in churches and youth groups, more people have heard my songs through him then they have from me and for that I’m grateful and blessed. Dave and his family are amazing witnesses to the power and love of Christ, no matter how murky the Christian subculture gets I can always see the Truth shining out of people like them. They are inspiring. Dave has just taken a lease on a building in his town in India and is working towards setting up a guitar building shop there, to train up locals with a passion for music and to influence their hearts for Christ in the process. I’m pumped to see where this goes, and would ask anyone who feels compelled to pray for the Murray’s, or help them out in any way you can. Here is their blog: Murray’s In India.

Dave Murray – Orphans of God
This track is Dave playing/singing Mark Heard’s “Orphans of God,” Dave’s version of this pierces my heart, truly beautiful.