Jim Bohn & Friends
“Farther Up the Mountain”
Independent
10 tracks @ 49:24

When I played this record for the first time, my wife and I both said, “He sounds like Pete Townsend.” Freaky weird (we’ve been married for over 20 years) but its meant to be a compliment.

Bohn was named the “Gospel Songwriter of the Year” last September at the Songwriter's of Wisconsin Awards Showcase. I don’t know if that accolade carries much weight in the music industry but this is a great record and I will give it repeated plays.

There are a variety of sounds throughout this record; some saxophone here, piano there, violin, tin whistle and more. My favorite instrument credit was for the “scaper thing.” In the linear notes, Bohn says he’s been “influenced by music ranging from country to Southern Gospel to Irish to blues and plain old rock and roll.”

Don’t think that this record lacks focus musically as it comes across as an integrated whole. Bohn says the songs, through its lyrics, share a common path, “every day is another step farther up the mountain, another day closer to the presence of the King.”

Lyrically, themes range from conviction, “Greater Creator;” exultation, “There’s a good rain comin’ today;” motivation, “Farther Up the Mountain;” and valediction, “Home.”

Highly recommended.

Bohn’s official web site is http://www.jimbohn.com and includes lyrics for two of the songs on this disk, “Plowman” and “Count On My Amazing Grace.” Those two songs are also available as mp3 downloads.

You can purchase this record through www.cdbaby.com. Not only do they have music from other independent Christian artists, but CD Baby sends out some hysterically funny email notifications when you order product from them.

I’d also like to thank www.ccmmagazine.com for mentioning this disk on their web site. That’s how I found it.

- Rob S.