A SHOW OF HAND
-by Jess Phillips

When you first listen to HAND, the debut effort from Vermont-grown artist Jonathan Noel, right away you may notice that some of the songs sound strangely familiar. This is due to the fact that three out of the ten cuts from Noel's indie project (featuring the musical spoils of Jars Of Clay's Stephen Mason & Charlie Lowell, Margaret Becker, and PFR's Patrick Andrew) were later recorded and released as singles by two different bands.

Jonathan's most recent cut, "The Stone", was recorded by Jars Of Clay and appears on the 2000 Essential Records release, CITY ON A HILL. His title cut, "Hand", also recorded by the Jar Boys, is found on their 1999 Essential Records release, IF I LEFT THE ZOO. "(Hand) is a song about faith," says Noel, "and knowing that there is Someone leading you, even when you're too worn down to care where you're going. It's about believing." "Hand" was a Top Ten A/C radio single as well as a featured single on an episode of the Warner Brother's hit television series, ROSWELL. Another song from Noel's project, "What Your Grace Can Do", was released by the Ardent Records band, Clear, on their 1998 self-titled debut album. It, too, was a Top Ten single on A/C radio.

The seven remaining HAND tracks include a diverse mixture of lyrical themes and musical styles. Noel openly surveys some of his life struggles, seldom with resolve, but never void of true hope and anticipation. In the progressive, guitar driven, "This Terrible Freedom", he explores God's unconditional affection and the struggle of understanding a love that is undeserved: "I saw the face of love today and you kept nothing from my eyes/Every facet blinding/And I could only look away standing there so unrestrained/I couldn't go on fighting." A Crowded House-ish pop/folk selection, "Yellow On Blue" is the narrative of a soul fighting feelings of envy and discontentment. In the shadowy ballad, "Ivy," Noel's passionate vocal and piano stylings blend smoothly with his somber words: "Should I quake from what lies deep beneath the words she never says/Or do I trust she soon will wake/Embracing what was always here." Jonathan's arrangement of the traditional hymn, "Farther Along," breathes new life and feeling into verses all but forgotten.

Jonathan has spent the past six years touring with award winning artist Margaret Becker. He has recently secured a coveted opening spot on the Fernando Ortega Spring 2001 nation wide tour. "Working along side of such gifted people, over the last several years, has significantly altered my perspective of music, Christianity, and how the two relate. No fluff, no pretense, and no over-playing. I've learned the importance of being vulnerable and the value of listening, as frightening as that can tend to be." Frightening or not, Jonathan has gathered much from his experiences. Listen for yourself.

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