Jean Watson is not your average Christian musician. Gifted in multiple instruments as well as singing and songwriting, the modern day psalmist plays with the Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra when she's not crafting her own worship songs. Those songs have been shaped by her experiences of a deep need for grounding in God's love through everything the whirlwind of the music industry throws her way.

Watson's latest project is Wonder, a worshipful venture wrapped in ethereal musical tones. The multi-talented artist took the time to share the heart and inspiration behind each track.

1. "Wonder"
This spontaneous worship song by Amanda Cook really sets the tone for the album. The words are simple yet powerful, and the arrangement draws me into the awareness of the Lord's presence every time I hear it! What a beautiful invitation to stop trying to figure God out and just worship Him.

2. "Blessed Be Your Name"
This song was a wonderful creative accident. I was finishing up my last CD with John Ellis of Tree63, and we started "messing around" with this classic anthem that John's iconic voice had made famous. He got out his guitar, I started singing, and there was a sense of holiness in the room! Producer Billy Smiley recorded our duet, and this beautiful moment was captured forever. 

3. "Warmsworth St. Peter's In D Minor"
I was doing a concert at a church in Warmsworth, England a couple of years ago. During the soundcheck, a man sat down at the piano and played a captivating, wistful melody. I quickly picked up my violin and began to improvise with him. After performing our spontaneous creation at the concert, I came home and recorded a fleshed out version of this beautiful song named after the church where it was birthed. It's still one of my all time favorite pieces to perform!

4. "Cooley's Reel"
When I first started ministering in Ireland some years ago, I felt I needed to learn some Irish folk music to connect with the culture. So I began to play "Cooley's Reel" with one violin and a loop station to create a sense of energy since I did not have a band to travel with. This song has become an audience favorite in my concerts, and now we have a recorded version with a great band and Jonathan Crone's inventive electronics. Fun! 

5. "I Can Hear Your Voice"
I have been performing this song for many years but never recorded it. As we went into the studio, I realized I could play the violin part, and I could sing, but I could not play the piano part very well. With a mixture of audacity and childlike faith, we called the songwriter himself: Michael W. Smith. He said yes! What a dream come true it was to worship with the one who has led me in worship so many times. Praise God! 
 
6. "Restless"
When I heard this song by veteran songwriters Dwight Liles and Sara Hart , I instantly knew I wanted to create my own arrangement. The lyrics, based on the writings of St. Augustine, are full of poetry and beauty in their own right. For the musical setting we chose sounds that evoke heaven and added a soaring violin interlude. The result was a departure from Sara's original arrangement but, I believe, equally as moving. ​

7. "It Is Well"
Penned by Bethel worship leader Kristene DiMarco, "It Is Well" is a beautiful take-off on the original hymn "It Is Well With My Soul." I love the way the song honors the powerful hymn lyric while adding a contemporary interpretation of the verses. Producer Billy Smiley and arranger Jonathan Crone created a stellar world music backdrop which highlights the celtic timbre of my voice. 

8. "Czardas"
Pronounced "Char-dus," this violin showpiece has been part of my repertoire since I was sixteen years old. It's based on a Hungarian folk dance and serves no useful purpose except to invite the listener to dance! Requiring precision and speed, performing "Czardas" always keeps me on my toes and never ceases to surprise the audience! 

9. "Everything Can Change"
The only song on the album that I penned, "Everything Can Change" has been the most powerful song of my ministry. Co-written with worship leader and friend Jeff Held, the song hearkens back to a time in my life when I was desperate to believe God could deliver my oldest son from drug addiction. This song set my prayer to music and helped me not give up hope. Thankfully, the Lord did deliver my son from his addiction, and it is my prayer that others will be encouraged to believe that with God all things are truly possible!
 
10. "Amazing Grace"
What a powerful conclusion to the CD--I can't think of a more influential or anointed song in all of history. We chose to feature the celtic sound of the violin in this arrangement and added a powerful world music climax to draw the listener into worship.... the place of Wonder where we began! 

11. "Hallelujah"
This song was an afterthought! I could not stop thinking about the idea of creating another solo violin looping piece that I could play in the prisons and homeless shelters where I often perform. This song has become so much a part of our culture that the melody alone evokes a "hallelujah" in the spirit of the listener. So in the quiet of my home studio, I recorded the parts I heard in my head, and in Nashville, we added the finishing touches to this simple yet powerful arrangement.