Satisfaction - Michael Battersby

My close friends have known me for strong interest in music. Been involved in the praise and worship team in my church for more than a decade, and also a pianist and keyboardist, I realized that my taste towards genre of Christian music have expanded from Pop and R&B to more "not-so-popular" ones like jazz and ethnic fusion. So where did I acquire this? I got this from listening to internet radios (my personal favourites are www.klvv.com & www.lightgeneration.com), from music buddies and partners I get to meet and share along my time being a musician, and from overseas trips and social excursions. So enough of that for now, as my intention is to introduce to you the album I have been listening to these couple of days.

Last Monday, I was in a Christian bookstore called Capstone, near Taman Iramanis, Kota Kinabalu. I wanted to buy a book entitled "Suprising Ways God Answers Prayer", which is mentioned in my previous post, but my cash was not enough; I decided to buy it using a credit card. However, the kind lady at the counter told me that I can only use the credit card with an RM50++ item purchase. Told her I wanted to find a jazzy Christian album to add to the purchase, so she introduced me to Michael Battersby "Satisfaction" album worth RM 32.90. For those who like Michael Buble (like me), this album is a must buy.

Now, you won't know much about Michael Battersby from Google.com, but this is what is written on his CD:

• He started singing in public at the age of 6; has already been inclined to swing and jazz music when he was very young
• Studied in WA Conservatiorium in Jazz in Australia (yes, he is Australian)
• Sang with Dizzy Gillispie, Natalie Cole and Ricky May
• He's married to his wife, Linda
• He's an associate pastor in Metro Church, Australia (check it out in www.metrochurch.org.au)
• He plays the piano
  

I have to admit, I initially thought that Michael was an American jazz singer, because he sounds so much like them! Probably as well that most jazz singers who made it out in the entertainment world are mostly American. Anyway, I've loved this album due to its easy listening music, very jazzy and bluesy tempo, as if I was sitting in Starbucks or outdoor cafes, drinking a cup of hot tea and reading a book. Sigh! *dreamy eyes*

Something like this (black and white image preferred)

Anyway, back to reality. In another note, he has quite a number of blue chords and licks in most of his songs. One song called "Satisfaction" (also his album's title) is unique, where the dominant instrument is the piano, which he played. Man, he played piano gooooooood...

Overall, I like the whole songs but I do reserve some personal likings. There are two songs: Satisfaction and When I survey the Wondrous Cross. The latter one uses much more slow beat, but that is what it's meant to be; contemplative and inspirational. It really gets the message of the song through.

Take time to listen to the songs, broadcasted via Podbean.com in my blog. I hope you'll enjoy the album like I do.