Per Alexanderson Releases 'Jacob's Ladder (Bethel/Jabbok)'
Per Alexanderson's new song "Jacob's Ladder (Betehl/Jabbok)" is his third release under his own name. He has for a long time been in the shadows, contributing to some of the finest christian artists in Sweden recording backing vocals and guitar. For example he plays acoustic guitar on the Swedish rendition of Steven Curtis Chapman's "Much of You" and sings backing vocals with Bengt Johansson on some of his records (Platsen för mig).
He has also been featured on some of Vineyard Nordic's worship albums as lead singer (Born to be free). He also plays the guitars on Mats Dernánd's songs "Judas", "She's called Grace" and others.
Per combines pastoring and music and is planning his first EP this fall, working with a new producer Paul Biktor Börjesson (Michael Jeff Johnson, Bengt Johansson, . A lot of his songs are inspired by passages from Scripture and combines the stories of biblical persons with personal reflections, as often in the tradition of singer/songwriters.
The song "Jacob's Ladder" has an alternate title. Bethel/Jabbok. Two places in the story of Jacob. Bethel: the place of dreams and angels on a ladder. He is a runaway, running from his angry brother whom he has deceived and stolen his right as the firstborn son. He runs away from home, from his origin and family.
Jabbok: the place he passes on his return home many years later, a journey of reconciliation with his brother. He is scared. How will his brother receive him? He has become a very wealthy man, large family and lots of livestock.
He sends them all in front of himself, hoping his brother will forget the betrayal. Or maybe he is simply a coward, thinking his brother will take out his revenge by wiping out his family and let him live?
The night at Jabbok is totally different. A nightlong struggle leaving him with a limp for the rest of his life. No angels, no open heaven, just a mighty antagonist in the dark.
The song is produced by Mats Dernánd, award winning artist and songwriter, who also plays a lot of the instruments and sings backing vocals.
