I've been using your reflections early each morning and enjoyed your music... what a gift they are. Your voice is like another musical instrument with its gentleness and wisdom... Thank you for blessing me with your gifts...
Rt. Rev. Graham Usher / Bishop of Norwich
In many ways this concept album was written and produced at a time of much physical weakness as a result of a stage 4 cancer diagnosis in 2011. But I have enjoyed delving into my Bible for the wonderful verses that have been a strength to me through all my life. I share them on this album, together with melodic, accessible music, in the hope that they might also be a strength to you.
The original instrumental music was composed in 2020. Recording the pieces in the studio with my esteemed musical colleagues has been a great part of the joy of this project, especially as they have worked with me on so many recordings and concerts over the last 30 years — Robin Thompson-Clarke, David Fitzgerald, Martin Paine, Linda Ellis, Sally Barnes and Ben Payne.
The Bible tells us on several occasions that God's message to us is often only heard in the stillness, not in the noise of everyday life. Jesus challenged his hearers that not everyone will understand his Kingdom-message of love. It is both a call to follow him and a great reassurance of his acceptance of us, whatever may lie in the past or in the future, 'for those who have ears to hear.' Psalm 46 reminds us to 'be still, and know that I am God'. I've found from personal experience that this is truly the only way to silence the many voices that compete for our attention every day, and to hear the one 'voice' that we need to hear more than any other.
When ill health and many other troubles become part of our everyday experience, I believe that it is more important than ever to seek the wholeness, comfort and healing that only God can bring. The things of this world that we have collected and treasured mean nothing in the end. Jesus said: 'Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.'
As I look back, I see the litter of a lifetime just fluttering in the breeze, while the whispers of God in my soul remind me of what really matters in my life.
Roger Mayor, 2020
Whispers is presented in two parts on separate discs. Disc 1 combines Roger's thoughts, meditations and Bible readings with his original music. Disc 2 has the music alone. The track samples presented below are selected from both discs. Click or tap the blue play buttons to listen.
(Psalm 8: 1-2, 3-5)
O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!
You have set your glory above the heavens.
(Psalm 36:5-8)
Your love, O Lord, reaches to the heavens, your faithfulness to the skies. Your righteousness is like the mighty mountains, your justice like the great deep...
O how priceless is your unfailing love!
(1 Kings 19:11, 12)
And he said: go stand upon the mountain before the Lord. And behold the Lord passed by,
and a great wind tore at the mountains and broke in pieces the rocks... but the Lord was not in the wind... nor in the earthquake... nor in the fire; and after the fire came a still small voice...
(Psalm 46:10)
Be still and know that I am God.
(I John 4:9)
This is how God showed his love among us; he sent his only Son into the world that we might live through him.
(1 John 4:18)
There is no fear in love — for perfect love casts out fear.
(Romans 8:35)
Nothing can separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus.
(1 John 4:11)
And if we love one another, God lives in us and His love is made complete in us.
(Psalm 91:1, 3-6 - from The Living Bible)
We live within the shadow of the Almighty... for he rescues you from every trap and protects you from the fatal plague... His faithful promises are your armour. Now you don't need to fear the dark anymore, nor fear the dangers of the day.
(Proverbs 3:5,6)
Trust in the Lord with all of your heart, and lean not on your own
understanding. In all your ways acknowldedge him, and he shall direct your paths.
Give us grace, O Lord, give us grace.
For when we've tried so hard,
and it's so hard to live,
we need your grace, we need your grace.
(Roger Mayor)
He gives more grace when the burdens grow greater,
he sends more strength when the labours increase.
To added affliction he adds his great mercy,
to multiplied trials, his multiplied peace...
(Annie Johnson Flint)
(Matthew 11:28-30 - from The Message Version)
Jesus said: Are you tired and worn out?... Come to me... and you'll recover your life. I'll show you how to take a real rest... Learn the unforced rhythms of grace...
(Deutermonomy 8:2, 17-18)
You shall remember all the ways which the Lord your God has led you... that he might humble you, testing you to know what is in your heart, whether you would keep his commandments...
(Deuteronomy 32:4, 7, 9-11 - from The Living Bible)
He is the Rock... is he not God your Father? Has he not created you? Has he not established you and made you strong? Remember the days of long ago!... for God protected his people... as though they were the apple of his eye. He spread his wings over them, even as an eagle overspreads her young. She carries them upon her wings — as does the Lord his people!
(Isaiah 43:18, 19)
Remember not the former things... behold I am doing a new thing!
(Isaiah 54:7, 8)
With great compassion I will gather you... with everlasting love I will have compassion on you, says the Lord your redeemer.
(Isaiah 54:10)
For the mountains may depart and the hills, but my steadfast love shall not depart from you, and my covenant of peace shall not be removed, says the Lord who has compassion on you.
(Psalm 71:5,14)
For you Lord are my hope, my trust, O Lord from the days of my youth... And I will hope continually and will yet praise you more and more.
(Romans 15:13)
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope, by the power of the Holy Spirit.
(Heb 10:23)
Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.
(Psalm 77:1, 2)
When I was in distress, I sought the Lord; at night I stretched out my hands but my soul refused to be comforted.
(Psalm 86:1-4)
Guard my life for I am devoted to you. You are my God; save your servant who trusts in you. Have mercy on me... bring joy to your servant...
(John 14:27)
Jesus said: 'peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give you as the world gives. Do not let your heart be troubled, and do not be afraid.'
(Deuteronomy 33:27)
The eternal God is your dwelling place, and underneath are the everlasting arms.
(I Corinthians 1:9)
God who has called you into fellowship with his son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful.
(Isaiah 54:10)
My steadfast love shall not depart from you, says the Lord, and my covenant of peace shall not be removed, says the Lord who has compassion on you.
(Zephaniah 3:17 - from The Living Bible)
He will rejoice over you with great gladness; he will love you and not accuse you...
(Psalm 23:6)
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.
(Psalm 107:1, 10 onwards)
O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good! His steadfast love endures for ever.
Some wandered in desert wastelands, finding no way to a city where they could settle, some sat in darkness and in gloom, some became fools through their rebellious ways and suffered affliction. Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and he saved them. Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love.
(Psalm 104:33)
I will sing to the Lord all my life; I will sing praise to my God as long as I live. May my meditations be pleasing to him, as I rejoice in the Lord.
(Philippians 4:4)
Rejoice in the Lord always: I will say it again: rejoice!
(Colossians 2:7)
So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thanksgiving!
(Psalm 139:7)
Where can I go from your Spirit? Where I can flee from your presence?
(Psalm 16:11)
You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence.
(Psalm 27:4)
The one thing I want from God, the thing I seek most of all, is the privilege of meditating, and living in his presence every day of my life.
(Isaiah 63:9)
In all their affliction, he was afflicted, and the angel of his presence saved them; in his love and in his pity he redeemed them; he lifted them up and carried them through all the years.
(1 Peter 4:8-11)
Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each one should use whatever gift they have received to serve others.
(1 Corinthians 13:4-8)
Love is patient, love is kind, it does not envy, it does not boast. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking... it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.
(Hebrews 10:24)
Let us consider therefore how to stir up one another to love and good deeds, not neglecting to meet together, but encouraging one another.
(Psalm 23:1-3 - from The Living Bible)
The Lord is my shepherd; I have everything that I need.
He lets me rest in green meadows, and leads me beside quiet streams.
(Psalm 73:25, 26)
Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
(Philippians 4:12)
I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation...
I can do everything through Christ who gives me strength.
(Psalm 131:2)
I have stilled and quietened my soul, like a weaned child with its mother...
(Hebrew 13:5)
So be content with what you have, because God has said: 'Never will I leave you — never will I forsake you.'
(Romans 8:28)
For we know that all things work together for good, to those who love God and are called according to his purpose.
(Psalm 71:5, 14)
For you Lord are my hope, my trust, O Lord from the days of my youth...
And I will hope continually and will yet praise you more and more.
(Jeremiah 29:11)
For I know the plans I have for you says the Lord -
plans for good and not for ill, to give you a future and a hope.
(1 Corinthians 2:9)
No eye has seen, nor ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him.
(Revelation 21:1-4)
Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth... and I heard a loud voice from the throne saying:
Behold God will dwell with them,
and they shall be his people,
and God himself will be with them;
he will wipe away every tear from their eyes,
and death shall be no more,
neither shall there be mourning
nor crying, nor any more pain,
for the former things have passed away.
(John 14:11-13)
Jesus said: Do not let your hearts be troubled... In my Father's house are many rooms... I am going there to prepare a place for you.
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The album includes 2 CDs — Disc 1 combines readings with music, Disc 2 has the music alone — and is available to purchase now with FREE UK delivery.
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Online: Whispers is also available to download or stream from iTunes, Amazon Music, Spotify and Deezer (links below).
'Congratulations on what is a beautiful and deeply moving creation. I was thrilled to be a part of this project and even more thrilled to hear the finished version. Your words and music will bring, comfort, peace, inspiration and joy to so many people, I'm sure. God has greatly blessed you. I hope that the project, the fellowship and the realisation of your vision has brought you as much joy as you have brought others.'
'Just to say how absolutely beautiful your CD is... it will be very well used!'
'Extremely professional quality...'
'This is a masterpiece. I have listened all the way through it several times over the last few days. I'm pretty sure it will become a classic in our household over the coming years...'
'Over the last week I have had the greatest pleasure listening to Roger Mayor's latest album 'Whispers'. It is a gentle album of instrumental music with Christian meditations drawn from a lifetime of searching for, and finding God through the undulating rhythms of life. It is the vulnerable, humble and kind act of an artist sharing the very best of his life's work, for the purpose of sharing God's great love for His children. Like a Grand Master handing over his greatest lessons to his students. In his own words: 'It has always been my belief that my life and music must reflect the warmth and grace God has shown to me'. For both Christians and those searching alike, it will become a treasured part of your record collection. Most certainly an antidote to the troubles of 2020, but also, I would suggest, for life.'
Meditations and readings: Roger Mayor
Piano, keyboards and synthesizers: Roger Mayor
Flute and saxophone: David Fitzgerald
Violins: Sally Barnes, Linda Ellis, Ben Payne
Cello: Robin Thompson-Clarke
Bass and acoustic guitars: Martin Paine
All music composed and arranged by Roger Mayor
Engineered and mixed by Roger Mayor
Mastering: Nigel Palmer at Lowland Masters
Art direction and design: James Kessell
Photography: Gracie Gill, Theresa Wassif, Tadas Mikuckis
Bible readings taken from the New International Version and the Revised Standard Version except where indicated.
Piano sheet music for Whispers is available in the Original Recording version and as an Easy Piano version - click on the pictures below for samples and enquire by email to order.
