The only problem with some unknown artists is that they have such a huge repertoire -- you simply don't know where to start. Well, this is exactly one of those moments for me. But perhaps a few words about the artist's influence in my life, first ...
I came across Tonio K. as a young adult (in my early 20s). As the son of a Southern Baptist pastor (even considering becoming a full-time missionary at the time), I was -- unsurprisingly perhaps -- working at a Christian bookstore in Riverside, California, in order to earn pocket money as a student at Cal Baptist (CBU).
I managed the music section, which at the time was flourishing with new artists -- and larger markets. It was there that I came across such beauties as Gretchen Goes to Kansas by King's X and Kerry Livgren's group AD, after he left Kansas. At any rate, there was a lot of new talent moving onto the scene.
Whereas, before, it had been mostly age-old renditions of hymns and some so-called "praise music," which those of you who grew up in or around the church must either love or hate ... I was personally struggling with my faith, and I preferred those singers and lyricists who spoke to that struggle -- you know, trying to be godlike without first learning how to be human ...
I already knew Daniel Amos in the mid-80s, and there were several others, such as the 77s and early Charlie Peacock, that really gave me a good listen. It was about that time that Tonio K. came out with his first "Christian" album.
Of course, I snatched it up (I got to listen to all the new albums for free, obviously :)) -- and then got into his older stuff, digging through bins in a musty used records shop in San Bernardino, I believe.
If his Christian work is witty, nuanced, compassionate, and wise, his earlier stuff is again all that -- but with a lot more sarcastic jibes, a percussive cacophony, screaming guitars, and well ... just plain screaming :D
What I like about his whole portfolio is that he is so insightful into the human condition, meaning he knows how to pull our heart-strings just as well as he knows how to make us want to get up and start a revolution in the streets.
Sooo ... Where do I start? I think I'll try something in the middle and post a few more extreme examples at the bottom ...
The above is from his second Christian album, I believe. If you read the lyrics, you can begin to sense how deep a thinker and feeler he is (without being too overt in trying to save our souls, which is a nice bonus :)).
So, but now, I want to show a bit more of his sensitive nature, for all the lonely ladies out there ...
The next one is the other extreme of the spectrum -- how one sometimes might feel when one's relationship may or may not have come to an end ... [TRIGGER WARNING!!!] :D
