theo|digital

Jason Harrod
Living in Skin (2000)
Contemporary Folk/Newgrass

In person, the large North Carolinian introvert is awkward, but his shyness belies his songwriter savoir faire: he doesn’t mention his previous sell-out shows as the 90’s Boston duo Harrod and Funck, or his Chris Austin Songwriting award – judged by bluegrass icon Gillian Welch. The acoustic Living in Skin is effortless harmonica hooks, smoked vocals, and unafraid falsetto that would decisively capture the scene if his thoughtful southern poetry didn’t quietly win the day.

I accidentally saw Jason at Aroma in Champaign while he was doing a I’ll-drive-myself tour through Illinois. He newest album is Bright as You (2005) and apparently is now available on iTunes.

A minister tells of trying to lead home Bible studies among the poor of Northern Mexico. In such studies participation is, of course, always encouraged. He related that, at the beginning, he would read a passage from scripture and ask, “What do you think?”

No response. Just silence.

Over and over this happened. Finally he realized that no one ever asks the poor what they think. That also is part of what it means to be poor “in spirit.” No one imagines you could have any thoughts worth sharing.

~ Dallas Willard in The Divine Conspiracy