Spotlight: The Innocence Mission

Another of my long time most favorite bands of all time is a quiet, subtle, fragile and beautiful group called The Innocence Mission. Husband and wife team Karen and Don Peris have collaborated for 18 years, transforming the from a Smiths infused folk band to a finely crafted, sparse yet dense band of longevity and power. The bands name carries the weight and purpose of the band -- a refuge and shelter for the memories and knowledge of the innocence and naive openness of a child. Karen's lyrics often reflect on the memories of her childhood, her family, her faith and journey and her (and Don's) decade long struggle to have children (which they finally have overcome, with 2 kids). Over the course of these decades the band has released 9 albums -- including an album of children lullaby's (Now The Day Is Over) and an album of old hymns (Christ Is My Hope). Their music is not for everyone, Karen has a fragile and high flitting voice, the sounds is somber, quiet and over the last 3 albums, completely acoustic. But on those quiet days, where you need introspection and reflection, The Innocence Mission is the perfect choice. ALBUMS:

The Innocence Mission (1989)
• Paper Dolls
• Black Sheep Wall
• Surreal
• Curious
• Clear to You
• Mercy
• Broken Circle
• I Remember Me
• You Chase the Light
• Notebook
• Come Around and See Me
• Wonder of Birds
• Medjugorje

Umbrella (1991)
• And Hiding Away
• Sorry and Glad Together
• Umbrella
• Every Hour Here
• Evensong
• Now in This Hush
• Beginning the World
• Flags
• Someday Coming
• Joan
• Revolving Man
• My Waltzing Days are Over (Mina's Waltz)

Glow (1995)
• Keeping Awake
• Bright As Yellow
• Brave
• That Was Another Country
• Speak Our Minds
• Happy, The End
• Our Harry
• Go
• Everything's Different Now
• Spinning
• There
• I Hear You Say So

Birds of My Neighborhood (1999)
• Where Does The Time Go?
• Snow
• Follow Me
• The Lakes Of Canada
• You Are the Light
• Birdless
• I Haven't Seen This Day Before
• She May Turn Around
• I Was in The Air
• July
• Going Away
• "Green Grass, Red Tree

Christ Is My Hope (2000)
• It Is Well With My Soul
• O Lord Of Light
• 500 Miles
• No Storms Come
• Christ Is My Hope
• Morning Star
• O Sacred Head Surrounded
• Were You There?
• Fare Thee Well
• Beautiful Savior

Small Planes (2001)
• Rooftop
• Too Early to Say
• Migration
• Today
• Girl on My Left
• Song About Traveling
• Oh Do Not Fly Away
• I Left the Grounds
• Some Clear Joy Is Coming
• Small Planes
• I Have Loved You

Befriended (2003)
• Tomorrow on The Runway
• When Mac Was Swimming
• I Never Knew You from the Sun
• Beautiful Change
• Martha Avenue Love Song
• One for Sorrow, Two for Joy
• No Storms Come
• Sweep Down Early
• Walking Around
• Look For Me as You Go By

Now The Day Is Over (2004)
• Stay Awake
• Over The Rainbow
• What a Wonderful World
• Moon River
• Somewhere A Star Shines For Everyone
• Prelude in A
• Once Upon A Summertime
• My Love Goes With You
• Edelweiss
• Sonata no. 8
• Bye-lo
• It Is Well With My Soul
• Now The Day Is Over

We Walked In Song (2007)
• Brotherhood of Man
• Happy Birthday
• Love That Boy
• Into Brooklyn, Early In The Morning
• Lake Shore Drive
• Song For Tom
• Since I Still Tell You My Every Day
• A Wave Is Rolling
• Colors Of The World
• Over The Moon
• My Sisters Return From Ireland

• BONUS TRACK: Amazing live recording of IM covering Tom Waits; A Little Rain