On her new album, Tell Me What You Know, Sara Groves explores what she has learned over the past two years, lessons on the value of long defeats, and the defiance of hope in the face of insurmountable odds. Since the 2005 release of her last project, Add to the Beauty, Groves has been questioning just how, exactly, she is called to do that. Sara explains, “I believe God invites us to add to the beauty of his plan, letting us participate in his redemptive work. But I found myself asking, ‘How have I applied this idea?’ I had groomed and groomed and groomed my personal faith, but to what end?”

Her answers came in a series of global conversations and experiences, from the flood-ravaged gulf of Louisiana, to the genocide memorials of Rwanda, to the testimonies of Southeast Asia sex trade survivors. These experiences showed the disparity between some of the American pursuits of comfort and wealth and the joy of joining the difficult work of social justice and engaging in the suffering of the afflicted. As Groves explains, such is the case with the song “When The Saints”.

”’When the Saints’ was inspired by the work of The International Justice Mission. Their work made me think about the people I have admired in history and made their kind of action seem more accessible. I used to read about amazing heroes like Harriet Tubman who secured her own freedom from slavery and then helped rescue many others through the Underground Railroad. I have always wondered how I would have responded in different times in history. Would I have opened my home to the Underground Railroad or given Anne Frank refuge? We think those stories are removed from us, but right now there are millions of slaves, millions of people hiding from their oppressors. I realized not too long ago, that I have not been the Good Samaritian. I have been the other guys, who walk on the far side of the road. It is my heart’s desire to change that, and ‘When the Saints’ is a celebration of people who were placed by God for certain times and events, and a prayer that I will have the strength to show up for my time.”

No stranger to critical acclaim, Tell Me What You Know is already drawing praise from media for “revealing that she’s not content with glossy cultural Christianity,” (Relevant magazine) and how she “soaks up life’s myriad experiences and pours them into compelling songs that both enlighten and entertain, and we are all richer for her efforts” (CCM magazine), as well as:

” Tell Me What You Know may leave you in a world of rumination, it’s passionate and beautifully emotional, but it will also leave you in a place of peaceful contemplation. Groves, it seems, just keeps getting better.”
Worship Leader magazine

“It’s hard to feel anything but warm about Groves’ soaring vocals and acute pop sensibilities. Listeners will be grateful that Groves shares what she knows honesty, artistry and how to write a good song.”
Christian Retailing

“No question, Sara Groves remains one of the most skillful and thoughtful songwriters in Christian music. Tell Me What You Know is on par with her best work.”
Russ Breimeier, Online Managing Editor, ChristianMusicToday.com

“Sara Groves strikes gold yet again – a heartfelt, emotive offering steeped in introspective songwriting sensibilities, deftly executed earthy instrumentation
and an overall uplifting demeanor. Perfect for fans ofher past work and a solid introduction to the uninitiated.”
Andy Argyrakis (contributor to The Chicago Tribune, Illinois Entertainer, CCM magazine, Christian Single magazine, Concert LiveWire and more)

“Sara’s new disc has been in heavy rotation in our station wagon since we got our copy. It’s all there – genius writing, innovative production, great vocals, and a message that matters and moves. The whole thing is brilliant, but the first time I heard cut 2 [“In The Girl There’s a Room”], it was so good I had an actual physical reaction (which involved slamming my fist against the steering wheel and shouting “Woah”!) That doesn’t happen to me very often. Then again, an artist like Sara doesn’t come along very often. She’s given us another extraordinary gift in Tell Me What You Know.”
Carolyn Arends, CT contributor/award-winning singer/songwriter and author

Tell Me What You Know will be featured on HearItFirst.ca this Friday. Find out more about the album at Groves’ YMZ artist page. « Return to Previous Page