In the spirit of the previous post, I thought I would highlight two other recordings that I have found fun and interesting to listen to.
The first is the Vince Guaraldi at Grace Cathedral (Live). This was a jazz eucharist done at Grace Cathedral featuring the musician who composed the music for the Charlie Brown cartoons. It was done in the late 1960's (big surprise), and so uses the 1928 BCP for the liturgy. They do the fourth communion service, which is an old plainsong melody, to jazz, and have a choir singing the Veni Creator Spiritus and more. One of the biggest highlights, though, is that the infamous James A. Pike is featured on the recording - giving an introduction to the service. You'll notice that he refers to the "Ground of Our Being" (Tillich) to refer to God, which is rather interesting. Overall, it is very well-done, and lots of fun to listen to.
The other recording that I enjoy is the Missa Flamenca, which was composed by the flamenco guitarist Paco Pena. All of the music is flamenco, of course, and the singing is done in the flamenco manner by a specially trained choir. I studied classical guitar in college (under Mario Abril and Julian Gray), so I have a special interest in this type of music. This composition is full of energy.
Now, I would never advocate using this type of music in a "public" traditional Anglican liturgy, not because I think it is morally wrong, but because I don't think the style matches the language and solemnity of the BCP. Guitars and drums, and instruments like them, being used in worship is more a sin against good taste than a sin against God. Music like this fine, however, to listen to at home in a relaxed atmosphere. It may be enjoyed privately in order to help cultivate deeper devotion to God if that is what it does for an individual.
