April 2002

On the CD Reign Dance, Lynn Cooper talks about the need to pray when we feel we are at our lowest. Her song, “Fall On My Knees,”  tells us the Lord will never forsake us in our struggles, when we are in trouble: “That's when I fall on my knees, asking the Lord to come carry me.”  Many of you should remember Lynn Copper from her appearances on "Life On The Rock," especially on the Christmas Show, which she co-hosted. She is an artist whose musical style is hard to pin down. Lynn has a soft, jazzy style on the beautiful “Holy Lamb Of God,”  a soulful sound on “Angels,”  and a light-rock take on the classic “Here I Am Lord.”  Lynn’s personal adaptation of the Apostle’s Creed is something everyone must hear. It is a soulful jazz version that will cause you to tap your feet while listening to the words we recite every Sunday during Mass. Of course the gem of the CD is “I Want To Dance,”  a song that will make you want to get up out of your seat and *trip the light fantastic.* This song has the makings of a modern pop song complete with an almost hip-hop beat and background vocals. Lynn says that "Reign Dance" is based on a passage from the Second Book of Samuel (2 Sam 6:14-15): “Then David, girt with a linen apron, came dancing before the Lord with abandon, as he and all the Israelites were bringing up the ark of the Lord with shouts of joy and the sound of the horn.”  "It’s all about getting people to build a closer relationship with God,”  says Lynn. “It’s an upbeat, praise and worship album, more of let’s dance, let’s celebrate. I want people (who listen to it) to let loose and freely worship the Lord and that is what the album is all about.”

CatholicMusicNetwork.com is also offering Lynn Cooper's On His Wings. This CD shows that the words of her music, the warmth of her voice, and her ability to witness to her faith in a clear, warm and winning way are wonderful gifts God has given her. Take the song “Where Can I Hide." Have you ever tried to run from God? If you have you know that it’s not an easy thing to do. The song says God will always find you and lead you home. "Silently I Stand" is a cry for God’s redemption on the earth. When we look at a world without God everything looks bleak and hopeless.  "I Pray You Peace" is simply a prayer for people who need peace. It’s a song reminding people how to receive peace. The only way to find peace is to look to the Father, the giver of peace. Many of these songs Lynn sang on her TV appearance. A must have CD.

Looking For The Lightning is the debut album of singer/songwriter Cheryl Aranda. She wrote all the songs herself, played guitar and keyboards, programmed sequences and handled the engineering tasks as well. When asked how she managed it all, she laughs, "It's amazing what you can learn to accomplish when you can't afford to hire anybody else to do it!" Cheryl has an acoustic coffee house sound with vocals that are a cross between pop star Dido and Sheryl Crow. “God Is Watching You” is a unique look at how our Father is looking out for us, even when we stumble he will be there to catch us whenever we fall, like a true Father. The title track, “Looking For The Lightening” is a mix of pop and new country. This song tells us how God has a place in our life and how we must let him be in control.  The first single off the album, "Fight To The Finish" is a wonderful song that tells how we must go through trials in our life and how it's an uphill climb to our goal. That goal is being with Jesus. “Sometime the biggest victory is merely staying in place.. .There’s a lesson to be learned, Gold cannot be purified until it has been burned...”   In talking about her new album Cheryl says, "The songs on 'Looking For The Lightning' are centered on a common theme. They explore my take on faith and spirituality.” Cheryl Aranda has found a awesome way of sharing.

All I can say is that the Banana Guy is back with a vengeance! Vince Nims (a.k.a. The Banana Guy) has a new CD, Destination Know,  which is an excellent follow up from his popular My Hope CD. The “Destination Known” concept is that, like disciples, we are all on the road to Emmaus, discovering Christ. It is our journey in faith that makes our destination known. Our one and only lifelong pilgrimage can bring us into a deep love of God. “The journey is so long, but you should never fear, no matter what you face I will hold you near,” says the song “I Will Hold You Near.”  This is a lullaby that our God would sing to us, as the one who knew us before our birth. Vince gives a marvelous song of thanks and praise back to our loving God in “We Worship You.”  Using one of the most bizarre instruments in a praise song award would have to go to “We Have Come.”  It starts and ends with the sound of a didgeridoo, an Aborigine instrument considered to be the oldest instrument in the world. It brings a global, olympic-like feel to this gathering song. If you hear no other song off this CD, it is worth it to get it for this one song. “It’s More Than Wine And Bread” is a song that should touch EVERY Catholic’s heart. It is a love song for the Mass, especially the Holy Eucharist. “…and it’s more than wine; it’s your blood, and it’s more than bread; it’s your body. When we receive you Lord we are transformed.. into your church.”  Could this be the 21st century’s answer to Dana’s “We Are One Body?”  The title track “Destination Know” is a great, rockin’ song about us working our way back home to be with God. I could not help but think of the 80’s song by Missing Persons called “Destination Unknown” where they sang life is strange when you don’t know where your going to. Vince Nims has come back with the perfect answer of knowing where your going and the perfect plan to get there. The CD comes with those instructions as Vince has included a musical map in the form of “Mass Of The Pilgrimage.” It comes complete with ”Glory to God," ”Alleluia,” ”Gospel Acclamation" and more.  Vince has done it again!

Speaking of the 80’s, I must report the passing of an 80’s musician that touched my life. Frank Tovey died of heart failure the first week of April. Many will not know him, as he was not a Catholic or Christian artist, but he did do something that many artists of the 80’s would not do. He sang the first pop anti-abortion song I can remember. Frank once wrote that when he died he knew he would be in Purgatory waiting for St. Peter to give the him sign. I will miss him. May the Lord grant Eternal Rest to him.