Loading ...Dede: In the Fields of Boaz
Rounding out our house-church two-pack this month is Dede (pronounced dee-dee)’s debut album, where she shares her life experiences through simple messages of song. Her aim: to draw the listener – with herself – closer to God.
This mother of four, who recently celebrated her twelfth wedding anniversary with husband Jon, grew up in suburban Atlanta and began leading worship. Dede soon found herself writing and performing her own material, in what seemed a natural progression for her.
The songs on this EP were born in times of spontaneous thanksgiving and worship, given more structure and form later. The title comes from the story of Ruth in the Bible – viewed through a typological lens of Christ and the Church. The album’s ambiance is one of intimacy between an individual and her Redeemer and that can also be viewed as a corporate expression from the bride (Church) to her bridegroom (Christ).
Incidentally, Dede is part of the same intentional house church community (http://atlantasaints.com) as Christ In Y’all author Neil Carter.
mcadrette
Well, I finished Neil’s book Christ in Y’all and immediately put in the CD Dede – From the Fields of Boaz. Let’s start with the CD cover – which I never really pay much attention to, but since I was reviewing the material I thought well be thorough. The quotes immediately caught my attention and I found them unusually moving, prompting me to wonder about the story behind the quotes. Then I turned over the cover and read the back – no small task in my case – and I could read the fine print regarding the copyright where it says “Stealing music is mean.” Cute. I enjoyed listening to the songs, found them soothing. Her voice was crisp and clear, easy to listen to. I found My Everything to be the song I liked the most. Her voice had me remembering other female singers in my past who were a source of great encouragement, especially during my initial years as a Christian. Dede’s sound had the same impact.
May 27th, 2009
T. Michael Cart
Every once in a while, a Christian artist comes a long that reminds us of what it is all about. In her debut album “From the Fields of Boaz”, Atlanta native Dede—pronounced dee dee—gives us just such a reminder.
Beginning with the toe-tapper “No Place I’d Rather Be”, the listener is offered an introduction to Dede’s warm and naturally tempered tonality, set against a smooth, unassuming groove that will find you hitting the repeat button, likely more than once.
The song “So Wonderful” brandishes a powerfully contagious progression along with a pure expression of worship that happily lingers in the heart long after.
Throughout the work, is a subtle familiarity in progression that comforts and satisfies the musical mind yet, at times, proffers pleasantly strategic glimpses of the unexpected that refocus attention and spark curiosity. Additionally, There is an underlying sense of motion that connects each of the album’s five tracks to one another in a way that feels like a spiritual road trip.
Perhaps the most remarkable aspect of this album is its honesty. Everything about this album is honest—from the transparent lyrics of the title track to the perfectly clear and complimentary quality of the engineering.
Dede is definitely an artist to watch. Her authenticity and love for Jesus permeates every moment of every song. At its core, “From the Fields of Boaz” is an album of worship. There is no mistaking that fact and, after listening to this album more times than I can count, I am fairly certain that you will find your eyebrows raised and probably your hands too.
-T. Michael Cart
Author, T.R.U.T.H. IN MINISTRY
San Diego Christian Examiner, Examiner.com
T.R.U.T.H. in Ministry.org
Jun 2nd, 2009
gdeitz
Dede – From the Fields of Boaz
Overall, there is not a lot that I have to say about the CD. It comes across as a demo CD with five tracks on it. For the most part I enjoyed the CD, but did think that it sounded unpolished. It did feel like it was a good combination to go with the book as most of the songs sounded as if they could be used in an intimate gathering for worship. I primarily enjoyed the message on songs four and five. The CD does have a fairly broad diversity in musical attempts and that is why it sounded somewhat like a demo CD. I would listen to a full CD if one was released, but for the most part, I would recommend it to someone else that was looking for something that had a good message and is something new.
Jun 9th, 2009
EnglewoodReview
Along with the above book, I was sent a copy of a cd entitled by “From the Fields of Boaz,” recorded by Dede. I’m not much of a music critic, so this will be brief. The songs seemed to have well-written worshipful lyrics – you got to love a writer that digs into the book of Ruth for images of devotion and commitment. The singing and instrumentation seem to be well-done, though were not exactly my taste, and seemed to be fairly typical of the worship-music genre.
Jun 10th, 2009
tylerwarfel34
After finally finishing Neil Carter’s new book, Christ In Y’all: Following Jesus Into Community, I was left feeling a little disconnected. I kept waiting for everything to come together at the end but it never did for me. In the introduction, Carter states that the purpose of his book is to explain how he ended up having church “in a living room with 25 people, among whom [he has] no special place”, despite the fact that he is a seminary graduate.
Carter uses statistics to support the fact that many Christians are looking to get away from the traditional church model, and he gives five reasons why it may be happening to so many individuals. He lists that the church is becoming too impersonal, members are becoming burned out, boredom with ritual is becoming the norm, abuse from other church members will always hurt, and selfish apathy has overtaken any kind of social consciousness.
Because of this trend of breaking the tradition, Carter believes there needs to be a rediscovery of the gospel. It boils down to the fact that the “life of faith wasn’t designed to be lived out solo.” This is a wonderful idea, but I think it could have been said just as succinctly in one or two chapters instead of the 194 pages that Carter uses. It seemed as if every chapter I read was simply more of the same I had been reading throughout the whole book. I felt like at times I was simply wasting my time reading through the same ideas over again.
Despite this repetitiveness that I sensed, Carter had some good things to say. Occasionally it sounded as if he was down on any type of church other than a small house church. Near the end of the book, however, he made a statement that I really like: “I don’t really think it matters how they meet, where they live, or when they gather. The important thing is that they learn to find Christ as their all, and that they learn to express that in ways that can be seen and heard and touched” (pg. 173). That is very well-said, and I think the book would be much more enjoyable if it could be condensed into a much shorter version. The same good points Carter makes could certainly be made just as well.
Jun 10th, 2009
darien
For Dede: In the Fields of Boaz
A mellow mix of fresh sounds and classy lyrics. Dede has an easy to listen to voice. Not too high like so many.
“No Place” has an anthem feel which I really like.
“From the Fields of Boaz” was a bit slow but did move you to reflect on this great story.
“So Wonderful” attempts to be a great anthem but doesn’t quite get there. I did find this song growing on me after a while, however.
“My Everything” is a quiet ballad that is peaceful and easy to listen to. Great voice.
“Consummation” was my favorite. Great melody and lyrics.
Neil Carter writes an impassioned plea to church leaders and followers in Christ in Ya’ll.
Christ in Ya’ll
I have to admit, I had to get past that title. It’s terrible even after I hear why he chose it. But it is memorable and makes his point well. And I’m from SC…
That said, his point is worth making. Quoting the Bible, Neil tells us that the Greek word for “You” in the verse “Christ in you…hope of glory” is plural. Why is this significant? The answer makes Neil’s point beautifully. The verse more appropriately reads, “Christ in ya’ll” , or, my preference, “Christ in you all.”
His point is that the Christian life and the Kingdom of God are designed to be lived out in community. With this I wholeheartedly agree.
My issues come with his challenging church life today. Not that I disagree with him as much as his method. At times he comes out strong and at others he just hints at it. I found myself wanting more concrete examples. Even more, I wanted more Scripture or history to help support his point. At times it felt like he was making a lot of charges without really justifying them beyond his own personal experience (which I felt was lacking as well in the book).
Nevertheless, Neil made me think and challenged me on a number of levels. He really helped me think through how we do church services as a scripted, controlled affair instead of a Spirit-led experience. Right on there!
In the end, I recommend reading this if you’re wrestling with how we do church. If you’re seeking to become more Christ-centered and Holy Spirit driven in your methods, give this book a read. But I’d love to see more of his bibliography and I’d love to see a broader source of references than Frank Viola and a few others.
Jun 11th, 2009
SGill4613
From the Fields of Boaz is a short 5 song CD by Dede and has reminded me why I do my best to avoid Christian pop music. Each song is built around a chorus which seems meant to be sung in worship as mindless repetition. Dede’s voice is nice, yet her lyrics are recycled from every other generic worship song on the market. I’m not quite sure the reason for sending Carter’s book with this CD, other than this being a way to quickly get rid of a bad CD.
Jun 20th, 2009
Lawdawg
The only thing I don’t like about this CD is that it’s not longer! Five beautiful songs, all betraying the special intimacy the artist enjoys with her Lord. I’ve been listening to Dede’s album over and over in order to memorize the tune and words of each song so I can use them in my own fellowship with the Lord throughout the day.
Jun 21st, 2009
tylerwarfel34
This CD is one that is easy to listen to and encourages a spirit of worship. They lyrics are beautiful and one of the things I like about the songs are that they are easy to sing along with. They could very well be used in a church praise service and anyone could sing along. Good stuff!
Jun 23rd, 2009
MMM
I have listened to this album several times, and each time I am moved by the sweet intensity of the singer’s voice. The attitude of “come closer….you’re still not close enough…” is evident throughout the lovely melodies.
I think this would be an awesome background track to a wedding. That’s not me being chintzy. I know if I heard something so lovely I’d be asking….”Where can I find this beautiful music?”
Good job, Dede.
Jun 26th, 2009
spiritofburning
“Christ in Y’all” CD by DeDe, a young woman who participates in the same gatherings as Neil Carter. In this first EP, DeDe expresses heartfelt songs of worship that birthed out these organic, simple gatherings of the saints. Her lyrics are strong and thought-provoking. It was easy to listen to this CD. Be sure to keep an eye out for this female artist in the future.
Jul 8th, 2009
pat.hannon
From the Fields of Boaz is a gift from one house church community to the wider community of faith. This five song worship album presents faith lifting, singable, artistic songs. I would love to hear more! I am hopeful that more faith communities will create original songs (and other art) for use in worship and share the best of their artistic endeavors with the rest of us.
Dec 17th, 2009
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