06.18.2011 - Jennifer Knapp @ The Wheeler Arts Community
July 11, 2011
The Wheeler Arts Community
Indianapolis, IN
We found ourselves heading to The Wheeler Arts Community in Fountain Square to catch a uniquely intimate acoustic show by Jennifer Knapp. Now, I could spend a great deal of time explaining to you much of the back story of Knapp’s history and most recent news that shook the Contemporary Christian music world…however, I feel that the music she shared with us on this evening speaks volumes about her journey. So let’s begin.
First, I just have to say a big “Thank You”, to Sarah Mason for organizing the show. I admire the courage and the initiative she showed to put the show together and for allowing us to cover it. I love to see music fans that are so passionate about the music they love and will take it upon themselves to get an artist booked. Thank you so much for inviting us to share in this evening with you!
Knapp started out the set with “Want For Nothing”, a song from her most recent release, Letting Go and then went right into “Whole Again,” from her album Kansas. Knapp’s voice was so clear and strong, even chilling at times. You know that without a doubt, she is not writing just for the sake of writing a catchy tune; Knapp is writing from a very real place in her soul. Often throughout the set, she mentioned how songs that she had written earlier in her career are still meaningful to her, sometimes taking on an entirely new meaning in her life. I would have to imagine that to be a great emotion for an artist to feel about their work. Knowing that the lyrics and arrangement you created can transcend from journey to journey in your life is not something easily achieved in the songwriting world. As a listener who has been familiar with Jennifer Knapp’s work throughout her career, I can say that I indeed sense a new honesty and almost a sense of relief in her voice now. She also performed “Say Won’t You Say”, from Lay It Down, and a few others, including a cover of Shawn Colvin’s “Diamond In the Rough”.
I never had the chance to see Jennifer Knapp when I was familiar with the Contemporary Christian genre, and in a sense I am glad, because I think I got the opportunity to see her as she truly is. There were moments throughout the evening when I found myself relating to her story in such a way that I often had tears in my eyes…and I think that is the best part of music; being able to relate so strongly to lyrics and music that you are in awe that someone has felt the same way that you have at some point in your life. Some doors might have been closed on Jennifer Knapp for being honest about her true self, but the doors that will be opening for her will be much greater. I am excited to see what is next in her journey.
| Previous Review | Next Review |
Follow Us!
