The Stone Table String Band is a group of musicians led by Timothy Smith, who seek out meaningful songs both new and old and present them with a fresh, folk-rock twist. Tim has been singing and playing with some of the band members for over twenty years, and others for about five years. They recently released their first CD, called "The Love and the Mercy". Their sound is an informal blend of 60s folk-rock, 70s "Jesus People" influences and contemporary acoustic styles, with roots country and bluegrass elements thrown in when the mood strikes. "It sounds like a bunch of friends singing together in a living room somewhere." Most people today do not know what "Folk" is, but they like it when they hear it. The main features of Folk are an informal yet heartfelt delivery, a tendency to take the song and not the singer seriously, and a willingness to go deliberately retro whenever the song calls for it. The sound available to a group of musicians if the electricity went off is pretty close to the sound we strive for, yet digital recording equipment and signal processing, and even the occasional strains of electric guitar are welcome. The most important thing is the song itself, and the message that moved us to share it with you. We (and our songs) will grow on you. And if you grab a guitar and say, "Hey, I could do THAT!" then we'd consider our mission accomplished. Keep singing!

This great new album features twelve songs, including six original songs. The other songs include a bluegrass hymn, two cover versions of songs first sung by the Wilson McKinley (the first Jesus People rock band) and songs by several of the greatest Contemporary Christian songwriters. Instrumentation ranges from electric bass and acoustic and electric lead guitars to banjo, mandolin and even a homemade string bass made out of a five gallon oil can (on two numbers). Throughout, the clear and competent lead singing is complemented by layered harmonies and homemade percussion (such as pocket change in an old sock). We are truly pleased with the result, which was all recorded in an ordinary (and still functioning) bedroom from June 1999 to January 2000 using digital multi-track recording technology. This blend of state of the art and deliberately retro is what makes the Stone Table String Band so refreshing and unique. The track titles are:

He Pulled Me Out of Trouble (J. Hicks)

The Love and the Mercy (T. Smith)

I’m Glad (M. Mooney)

He Is a Friend of Mine (Wilson McKinley / McGuinn)

That’s What Faith Must Be (M. Card)

Everything Is in Your Hands (T. Butler)

He Set Me Free (A. Brumley)

Warmth of His Love (D. Fortschneider)

Lift Me One More Time (M. Messer)

Grace Will Lead Me Home (Newton / K. Smith)

Sparrow (C. D. Martin / Wilson McKinley)

To See Jesus (M. Mooney)

Please check out our sound samples and then order this fine album (available on CD or cassette). Click

To view the complete CD liner notes Click the link Cover Notes