Through his music, Billy Crockett has shown himself to be a celebrant of genuine love, both vertical (between a believer and God) and horizontal (between believers). And there is, indeed, much to be celebrated. But genuine love, however wonderful, is not simply a warm, fuzzy feeling-it brings with it a responsibility to respond to it. Crockett clearly has recognized this duality, and brings us his spin on both sides of love in Red Bird Blue Sky.
The celebration begins with the opening cut, calling us to hear the "Song and Dance" of God's creation. The next tune explains that "This Kind" of love, while doggedly pursuing you and meeting you where you are, "wants you to come home/wants you to start over." In "Come and See," Crockett asks,
If there was a place That felt like home, Would you go there? If there was a chance That you could know love, Would you try?
and then invites the listener to "come and see" that all this and more is fulfilled in the Father's love.
"The Wake-Up Song" is a bouncy, Latin-flavored romp, beckoning a friend to wake up and share the day with the singer. What really makes this song, however, is the hilarious running commentary between lyric phrases, provided by Crockett's friend (and co-writer for most of the album), Milton Brasher-Cunningham. Cunningham's words follow the same mission as the song's lyrics-to wake the listener-but with a much sillier flair. Even the grumpiest non-morning-person probably couldn't wake up mad at Cunningham.
In "Are You," Crockett describes some of the responsibility of love between friends, as he reflects with an "old friend" on days past when they were full of dreams and faith and gently asks if the friend still holds on to those things now. The quiet "God Is For Us" reminds us that no matter what we face, the love of God will always be with us. "Inside Out," an upbeat track, proclaims what he has called the "upside-down heart-logic of Christ," that defies all our human thinking and-hopefully-changes it, too.
The title of "Friends At Last" may conjure images of overly-sentimental mush, but the song actually explores the opposite end of the spectrum, recognizing that true friendship (being born of true love) is a conscious act of the will and something at which we must work. "Thankful Boys and Girls" encourages us to be just that. It follows a life through all its days from childhood all the way through "years that slowly go... memories to keep/sorrow running deep," calling us to be thankful for all things in light of the love that surrounds us. In the last song, "I Will," Crockett reminds us once more of the responsibility to respond to God's love, as he affirms to God-and subsequently to himself and the listener-that he will follow where God leads.
As usual, Crockett's music walks the fine line of love, celebrating its wonder without over-sentimentalizing it and gently, but clearly, reminding us of our responsibility to respond. These lyrics are woven into an often gentle, occasionally bouncy fabric of acoustic music, driven by his stellar guitar work. If you like thoughtful and encouraging music, pick up this album and let Crockett "speak the truth in love" to you.
