Previous | Next 

CURRENTLY IN MUSIC
Big Tent opens wide its ministry flaps

Peter J. Woelk

Big Tent is a praise and worship band of musicians from Waterloo (Ont.) MB Church that has opened its ministry flaps. Besides producing a number of CDs in 2000 alone, Big Tent has toured the East Coast and has played at local church events. Its theme verse is Isaiah 54:2-5. Big Tent consists of Jen Hoogendam, Martin Witzke, Claudia Witzke, Vince Goobie and Arn Wohlgemut. Big Tent’s style of music uses singers with guitar and piano accompaniment such as one would likely find leading a typical worship service on Sunday morning in church.

Hello Big Tent. High Beams Studio, March 2000.

Some varying vocals on this album make for an interesting listen. The songs come from the heart and glorify God. Big Tent has some good talent and lots of energy. I was disappointed that the lyrics of the songs were not included in the jacket. Included instead is a neat little story of one of Big Tent’s member’s experience of singing to pass the time in a doctor’s office one day only to hear others joining in.

Straight Arrow Big Tent. Waterloo, Ont.: Big Tent Studios, April 2000.

Straight Arrow is Big Tent’s fourth album, complete with new songs. It is a live recording. Considering that not much time has passed between its third and fourth albums makes me realize how prolific this group really is. Joined by a sixth musician, David Schiefele, for this album, Big Tent seems to be improving over time. It is also diversifying its sound by adding more instruments, such as a harmonica, and changing lead vocalists more often. This shows that it has a high range of talent. I noticed a jazz influence in some of its music. I wasn’t sure what the track “Sinister Seas” was all about, but it sounded unique. “Awakening”, a track just two minutes and 21 seconds long, has good guitar work. Again the lyrics for the songs are not included in the jacket. Also absent in the jacket are song credits and a note about what each member of the Big Tent does. The concept of us being like “crooked arrows” before the Lord is a keen one. Straight Arrow hits the mark.

The Light Big Tent. Big Tent Studios, August 2000.

Only a few months have passed from the band’s last album. With The Light, Big Tent is starting to sound more commercial. The instrument playing is very good. This is a very relaxing sound for those who just like to mellow out after a hard day’s work or who need a different format by which to worship God. The songs focus on the majesty of God. This time the lyrics are included in the jacket, but I still don’t know who sings which songs and who plays which instrument. Big Tent needs to stop being so modest. Again, I noticed a jazz and a blues influence. “Ride” is a catchy tune filled with the imagery of Christ as the rider on the white horse who ushers in the wrath of God in the book of Revelation. The other songs are equally biblically based. The lyrics are cut and dried, with no ambiguity. The Light breaks through the darkness of its earlier production blues.

Peter J. Woelk is editorial assistant for MB Herald.

Previous | Next 

Last modified April 19, 2001.

© 2001 Mennonite Brethren Herald.
Published by the Canadian Conference of MB Churches.
Masthead and usage information.