Chris Whittington Releases Debut EP "Bright Portal"

Singer and songwriter Chris Whittington has released his debut EP, Bright Portal.   Being a worship leader across Texas for over two decades, Whittington brings a seasoned Christian maturity to the EP of melodic, guitar driven tracks woven with symphonic overtures and lyrics planted in the truth of Scripture. 

On this new project Whittington has collaborated with fellow Texan, CCM pioneer Kemper Crabb, known for his work with Caedmon's Call, Radiohalo and ArkAngel. The new EP is available on amazon.com and other online retail outlets.

"My life has been a twisting path filled with surprises, but music has remained a constant," Whittington says. "BrightPortal is a collection of all of my musical influences so far in my life, including David Bowie, Kemper Crabb, Led Zeppelin and Caedmon's Call."

Whittington, who has shared the stage with Crabb and Caedmon's Call, called on Crabb to produce Bright Portal. The two met in the 1970s in a record store and became fast friends. Whittington and Crabb are both part of Colony 3, a creative community committed tolearning how to think biblically about everything.

Here are the track listing:

1. Sing with All the Saints in Glory

2. Coram Deo

3. Love Again

4. Love Is Come

5. Fill The Temple

Crabb's influence is readily apparent in both the music and lyrical content of Bright Portal.From the opening acoustic guitar strain of "Sing With All The Saints" to the lush orchestral underpinnings that close out "Fill The Temple," the mood Whittington sets is fresh and contemporary, yet thoroughly invested in classic, traditional and even ancient musical forms.Whittington invites his listeners not only to experience the music, but also to participate in it.

"Sing With All The Saints" channels classic Byrds' guitar licks with fuzzy, electric sitar-esque strings and beckoning mandolin, while weaving in traditional hymnody language to connect generations of worshippers to this compelling call to worship. "Coram Deo," literally translated, "In the presence of God," is a moody confessional, extolling the attributes of God while recognizing the shortcomings of humankind's sinful nature. 

Whittington moves effortlessly into the lovely, Irish whistle-embellished, acoustic love ballad, "Love Again." Whittington employs a decidedly classic rock vibe on "Love Is Come," with straight-forward electric guitars, thumping bass lines and brassy horns to underscore the message that you can't stop love. Minor key strings usher in the reverential worship aria, "Fill The Temple," then Whittington allows the mood to swell through judicious use of everything from solo acoustic guitar to vocal choral interludes and full-blown orchestra, and the result is nothing short of exquisite.

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