During Holy Week, we remember what Jesus did for us. He suffered and died for our sins, so we may have eternal life. The Catholic Church helps us to remember that time with so many reminders. In our churches and homes we have crucifixes, or we may wear one. When praying we make the sign of the cross, a sign that has been around for centuries. Many believe that Jesus Himself taught the Apostles the sign of the cross and blessed them with it before His Ascension.  It is said St. Paul made the sign of the cross when healing a blind man and St. John the Evangelist made it upon himself before he died. The power of the cross has been known to heal the sick, give courage to those under persecution, and give hope to the hopeless. It is a power like none other.

When I was I kid, I wished that I had some sort of superpower to fight off my enemies, whether real or make-believe. I remember carrying a broken bow, minus the arrows, as a sword.  I had a towel for a cape and swimming trunks over my jeans. I was “The Lurker”. The real power that surrounded me was that of the guardian angels when I swung off a roof  to a rope tied to a tree limb.

Being a Superhero is what Scarecrow and Tinmen say we should be. In the CD “Superhero,” the title track tells how we can be heroes by rescuing those in need. The powerful beat and catchy lyrics let us know that with God we are no longer a zero, but a powerful team that not even our greatest sin cannot conquer. “...Batman and Robin, what a duo/y'know, but my God and me can defeat the enemy...”  Scarecrow & Tinmen encourages us all to become heroes for a much greater purpose.  The entire CD is straight-up, guitar-driven rock, with a lot of programmed rhythms added in for good measure. If you enjoy groups like Sublime or Red Hot Chili Peppers you will really find this to be a “groovy” CD. There even some hip-hop moments added in, like on "God Is Good," which includes a shouted rap on the chorus, over heavy electric guitars. Remarkably, the song works really well.  The song "Big Mouth," features a strong message about using words to give encouragement rather than tearing down, a power we all could use. There are also some nice, slower, acoustic moments on songs like "This Much," a song that will rip at your soul. It tells the true power of the cross as the lyrics tells us that Jesus says, “I love you this much, my child.  No matter where you’ve been or what you’ve done”.  The power of forgiveness of our sins is what our true Superhero will do for us.  This CD from Scarecrow and Tinmen is going out of print. Pick up your copy before it’s gone. Up, Up, and Away!!!

The new CD from Steve Vining, Telling Visions, is one that will open your heart and mind. The songs all brought so many memories and life experiences to the top as I listened. I was impressed, not just with the lyrics, but with the professional sounds of Steve and his team. Steve is very talented, and with this CD you can tell he has help from so many friends, and from his wife, as well. It's a wonderful mixture of soft rock, easy jazz and electronic music. I would compare Steve’s vocals to those of Rick Wakeman (of Yes) and maybe Al Stewart or Wings-era Paul McCartney. The keyboards are also Wakeman level and the guitar is right up there with Joe Santiani. I was also moved by the overture or musical intro at the start of almost every song--it’s a touch of class. Sounding almost like Wakeman’s classic "Journey to the Centre of the Earth," Steve’s song ”Creature” tells of how we are lost in the darkness of sin and that we must follow the light of Christ to be rid of sin. It also lets us know that prayer will help us to see this light quicker. Steve also writes songs about those who are afraid of commitment. The rocking “Risk of Love" and the beautiful “I Want You” both deal with what we could miss out on if we do not take a risk and let God take control. If you are a lover of jazz, you will love the instrumental  “Sunday”. The trumpet player Brad Goode shines in “Take Me With You”. We all must have seen the ads about the SUV driving up and the person on the outside says, “Take me with you,” and then goes on about some exotic location. Imagine if it was Jesus driving….  Favorite song on this CD is the very Pro-Life song “Choose Life”. Steve’s lyrics, “Nothing will happen that is not planned,” made me think about my own life. Someone had to die for my family to be. I met my wife after delivering flowers to a funeral home and then going to a movie. My wife worked at the theater, and now 3 kids later, I would love to tell that man’s family what God’s plan was. How can we not know that God has plans for all of us? Abortion is killing those plans. All life is precious. Telling Visions is a CD that will get you thinking.

Along the same lines of thinking about life comes a song from Greg Magirescu (pronounced "magic rescue" without the “c”) from his CD Food For The Journey . “Sara’s Song” is a beautiful ballad about a family who finds that their new child has Downs Syndrome. The tender song deals with those who have perfectly normal children yet decide to abort them. Having a handicapped child is a cross, but a special one for which God will bless you many times over. Many know Greg from his other band, Faith Trio. He has a soft rock/jazz style that is sure to please everyone. Sax and piano blend well to form the catchy tune, “Leaf On The Water”. Without God we are like a leaf on the water, floating without direction or purpose, Greg tells us. “How Many Times” questions the number of times we pass faceless people on the street, never knowing if those in need are Jesus in disguise. Mother Teresa did not pass these people by, and Greg sings about her work in “The Streets Of Old Calcutta”. The title track will touch your heart as it tells the story of a dying man and how a priest gets him ready for his journey by giving him the Bread of Life. The song centers around those most awesome words we say at every Mass, “Lord I am not worthy to receive you, but only say the word and I shall be healed.” The song has a gospel feel thanks to Greg’s co- vocalist Edna Robinson. Hallelujah!  One song that will surprise you as I am sure it did Greg is the song “Freedom”. This song was finished before Sept. 11, and the meaning was for us to ask God for the freedom from sin. The meaning may have changed as it now almost asks God to give us freedom in a different way. Not a surprise from the man who penned the song You Are Not Alone, which was released as a single and music video by Catholic Artists For Relief, in support of the victims of Sept. 11 and their families. All proceeds from the project go to the Pentagon Survivors Fund through the Armed Services/YMCA. In November 200, Greg was commissioned to write music for World Youth Day 2002 in Toronto.  Greg’s “Alleluia – a Gospel Acclamation” is included on the World Youth Day CD. Greg will be performing the song at the closing Mass of World Youth Day 2002.

And speaking of the World Youth Day Soundtrack, Light Of The World/ Lumiere Du Monde is here and CMN has it. Come get a taste of summer early with more than two dozen tracks of dynamite music. It includes great songs by contemporary Catholic artists from around the world. Singers such as Critical Mass, Tony Melendez, Sarah Hart, Tom Booth, Hermana Glenda, Steve Angrisano, as well as Greg Magirescu  and many more are on this CD.  One of the highlights is the Official World Youth Day 2002 Theme Song, "Light Of The World," by Robert Lebel. With lyrics in French, English, Italian and Spanish, this majestic anthem—accented by irresistible world beat rhythms—is a testament to the unifying of cultures that can take place through faith and music.  “The song was truly a labor of love that united the country [of Canada], “says Fr. Thomas Rosica, who is the National Director of WYD 2002. “It was written by Fr. Robert Lebel, a leading liturgical composer from Quebec, translated into English by Bishop Paul-André Durocher, Canada's youngest bishop and a brilliant musician, and performed by young musicians from throughout the entire country.“ Anyone who is going to be at World Youth Day 2002, or anyone who is going to watch or listen on TV, radio or internet, needs this CD.