Clear The Stage
Clear the Stage, Jimmy’s fourth studio project with Inpop Records and produced by iconic producer/songwriter Ed Cash, is Jimmy’s most personal project to date. Through this album, Needham gives glimpses into the joys and sorrows life has brought since his last project. Instead of one theme, the common thread in this project is “how all of the facets of my personal life keep leading me to an expanding view of Christ; marriage to my wife Kelly, our daughter’s birth, and the miscarriages we experienced before our daughter’s birth. In all of these things, and in ever way I attempt to navigate life, my only satisfaction-the only true answers-will be found in Christ” says Jimmy. Nine out of ten of the songs on Clear The Stage were written or co-written by Jimmy. The title track to the project, “Clear The Stage” was written by worship leader Ross King and, as Jimmy says upon hearing the song “it shipwrecked me.”
Track List:
1. I Will Find You
2. If I Ever Needed Grace
3. Daddy’s Baby Girl
4. Rock Bottom
5. Stay (feat. Lizi Bailey)
6. In The Middle
7. Arrows
8. My Victory
9. The Only One
10. Clear The Stage
Nightlights
Nightlights features twelve new songs written or co-written by Needham and showcases his continued growth as a singer/songwriter and performer. The CD kicks off with a funky gospel tune, “Moving To Zion,” recounting Jimmy’s journey away from the pressures of the Law toward the grace that is in Christ Jesus. The semi-autobiographical song, “The Reason I Sing,” says the Lord is the basis for Needham’s music ministry and not the accolades that comes with a music career. “Grace Amazing,” tells how Christ brings life to the believer in a strong R&B approach, while the title track is a powerful poem that talks about the egos of the world in comparison to how Christ came as a humble servant. The thirteenth song wasn’t written by Needham, as it’s a remake of the pop classic “How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You).” Needham is in good company recording the song; it was previously performed by such illustrious artists as Marvin Gaye, James Taylor, Joan Osborne, Michael McDonald, and Michael Buble’.
Track List:
1. Moving to Zion
2. Being Small
3. Yours To Take
4. The Reason I Sing
5. Right Where You Are
6. Steal Away
7. Part The Clouds
8. Grace Amazing (feat. Trip Lee)
9. How Sweet It Is
10. Miss A Thing
11. Just A Heartbeat
12. Light Of Day
13. Nightlights
Not Without Love
Houston, Texas-based singer/songwriter Jimmy Needham’s Inpop Records debut, Speak, released Aug. 15, 2006, showcasing his down-to-earth lyrics while exposing the rock, pop and gospel-influenced side of his art as well. The album produced a No. 2 single at Christian Hit Radio with “Lost At Sea,” and its song “Dearly Loved” also broke the Top 10 on CHR. Last fall Needham was featured on tour with NewSong, Echoing Angels and Nate Sallie, while he also joined label mate Superchick for a special Christmas tour. Produced by Will Hunt (Bethany Dillon, Ginny Owens, Shane & Shane) at acoustic duo Shane & Shane’s very own Spaceway Studios, Needham’s sophomore album, But Not Without Love, is a fitting continuation of his first project and includes tracks like “Come Around,” “Tossed By The Wind,” “I am Yours,” and “A Breath Or Two.”
Track List:
1. Come Around
2. A Breath Or Two
3. Hurricane
4. Firefly
5. Forgiven And Loved
6. Before And After
7. Tossed By The Wind
8. Unfailing Love (Kelly’s Song)
9. Rend
10. The Author
11. The Great Love Story
12. Not Without Love (The Benediction)
Jimmy Needham – Speak
Fresh and vibrant, “Speak” is a full meal, with Needham’s quirky vocals, intricate arrangements and wide range of styles satisfying completely. He loves to switch things up on you, going from a rambunctious in-your-face calling out (the fantastic bouncy wake-up call, “Fence Riders”) to the passionate ballad “Dearly Loved,” thick with orchestration. The nimble “Lost at Sea” comes across like beat poetry enmeshed in a bed of fuzzy guitar riffs. “For Freedom” is a percussive treat, Needham’s soft crooning reminding us that it was for freedom that we were set free. He has a deep passion for the message of Christ that saturates every track winningly; the high caliber of his music earns him the right to be heard. Besides, he’s having so much fun on “Speak” it’s tough to argue his point.
“Make Me Sing” is a joyous finger-popping dance party, and “Wake Up” burns with thundering rock guitars and eloquent truth. Needham never holds back on the truth. Consider this lyric from standout track, the glorious “Fence Riders”: “I know it don’t make sense to those who ride the fence, but I’m sold out to Christ. Wake up, you’re all asleep.” You can’t get stronger than that.
As he moves through the project, the tone slowly strips down, until the last acoustic tracks. “The Gospel” reveals his unashamed love for the message of salvation and its Sender: “The Gospel, the Gospel, She’s good and she’s true, she cost quite a fortune to make all things new.” Closing track “Benediction” is straight-up spoken truth, as Needham challenges us again on the gospel message and our response to it. Some may take offense or be turned off. I get the feeling that Needham is fine with this, and so am I. I dug “Speak” like crazy, counting it as a long overdue fresh wind, one of the year’s best.
Track List:
1. I Am New
2. Lost At Sea
3. Fence Riders
4. Dearly Loved
5. For Freedom
6. Speak
7. You Make Me Sing
8. Wake Up
9. Regardless
10. Stand On Grace
11. The Gospel
12. Benediction
