April 2003

With all the crazy things going on around us in the world, you sometimes wonder if God is in control. We must put our trust in God, because He does have a plan. We may not see it, but it is there.  

Trust is the focus of the new CD by singer Maureen Still entitled Everyday. Many of the songs are about trusting in God, starting with the first track “Do You Trust Him Now?” It’s a pop/folk tune sounding much like Bob Dylan’s “You Got To Serve Somebody,” but with almost Celine Dion vocals (as well she should since Still was once the opening act for Dion.) It is a ballad of those early church Saints who went through trials because of their lack of trust. It‘s a great song to start this CD with!  The beautiful song “Walk in the Light“ is yet another song of trusting God by following His path. “Life’s insecurities turn to opportunities in the light...”  Still shows her smooth song writing in “Prayers Are Always Answered.”  It's a song about how God hears our prayers answers them. Maybe, not in our way, but in His way. Whatever the way, we must continue to pray and trust His will.  This echoes in the song “I Trust In You Lord”.  “Strengthen my faith, so that I will always trust in you…” Still shows more of her love of the gifts God gives us in her song “Baseball And Me.” It’s a song about her 10 year-old son and her love for him. It reminds one of Marie Bellet's songwriting.  There are also songs of praise with on “Everyday,” including “Clap Your Hands” and a nice cover of Dana’s “We Are One Body, “ but my favorite would be “Get Out Of The Boat.” It will get your fingers snapping and your minding thinking that you can’t just sit there on the fence. Maureen Still says you have to trust in God and go take that leap of faith. You’ve got to trust in Jesus Everyday!

One of Maureen Still’s earlier CD’s is called A Little Bit Of Faith, and there's more than just a "little bit" of faith here--the whole CD is full of it. From the Cajun sounds of the title track, "A Little Bit Of Faith," to the songs like “Holy Spirit,” “I Know,” “Fading Away” and “Responsibility,” faith runs though all the songs. The gem of the CD is the gospel sounding “Get Off This Mountain!” Still not only sings, but like in many gospel songs, stops and speaks the parts. It’s a great song about someone who gets to talk to God and finds out what He wants him to do. But does he do it?? UH UH! Not till God sees him again. You have to have A Little Bit Of Faith.

God’s truth is reaffirmed in the new CD by Ellen (Soukup) called The Truth Is There. The new CD contains 11 original Christian contemporary and gospel songs inspired by different experiences and influences in Ellen's life. Like her past recordings, The Truth Is There has music all ages can appreciate. What sets it apart from the CDs Thy Will Be Done and “What Shall We Give” (her Christmas CD) is that there's more instrumentation backing up many of her songs, accentuating the energy of her smooth and spiritually vibrant voice. "Some of my songs are very upbeat, while others could be considered more meditative," says Ellen. The title-track of the CD, ”The Truth Is There”, was written for people, especially youth, who may have difficulty discerning how God's truth fits into their lives. “If These Walls Could Talk,” lets us know that we should not only come to God when we are in the valley but when we are on the hilltops as well. We should always give thanks and not forget Him. Ellen and her husband wrote a beautiful love song to the Holy Spirit, aptly named “O Holy Spirit.” Ellen gets to show off her vocal talents in this song and also in the tune “And I Do Believe.” This song has a lot of gospel music weaved into it and is presented to us with conviction. And speaking of what she believes, Ellen has written an answer in song to the question that we as Catholic get so very often. Why do you Catholics believe in Mary? “Why Do We Believe” explains why we see the Blessed Mother as one of the best example for us to follow. “The Way Of The Cross” is a magnificent song that takes us along the Stations of the Cross. It is touching and meditative. There are many names that we call Jesus and Ellen reminds us of a few in “Speak His Name.” It is based on a very old Litany to Jesus. "The truth is all around us, it's just up to us to see it," explains Ellen. "All in all, it's my hope that The Truth Is There not only strengthens our Catholic beliefs, but also opens a window into souls that may have questioned their faith."

Many have been asking for more songs of Chant or Celtic music. We are proud to offer a CD by the artist Manach  called Prayer Songs and Symphonic Poems.  Manach (Gaelic for "Monk") is the name composer Seamus Byrne has taken for himself as performer of these beautiful and unusual "Prayer Songs." Beginning with the unaccompanied "Three Hands," this Celtic Christian Meditation uses voice, traditional wooden flute and the sounds of cello, keyboard and nature's own birdsong to invite the listener into a prayerful and loving communication with the Presence of Christ within one's heart. "Ar nAthair,'" a powerful and original setting of the Lord's Prayer is followed by the mantric "Christ Within Me" Recitation, a piece which invites the listener to pray along. "Search for The Queen" is sung in honor of the Most Blessed Mother – a deeply contemplative song. The simply named "A Blessing" is a cry from the heart to God and an affirmation of the powerful Presence within each person. "Pater et Filius Earthsong" is a Credo, a Latin text sung in Celtic style and placed in a lovely dawn-forest setting. The songs on Prayer Songs and Symphonic Poems will help bring the listener into the Presence of Christ within, enkindling delicate love and deep fulfillment in the depths of one's heart.

 Taking a complete 90 degree twist, we turn to Rachael Lampa. Her new CD is called  Blur. This is something new for a Christian artist. It is a remix of songs from her last two CDs, Live For You and Kaleidoscope. Blur reflects Lampa's desire to take her music beyond the adult contemporary genre and target the teenage demographic with funky, electronic, R&B, hip-hop-influenced pop. This is Lampa finally embracing the J-Lo/Britney audience she always was destined to reach and to share the love of Christ with them. Blur's opening track, Tedd T.'s "Holla Back Mix" of "Free," sounds like one of those hip-hop singles that features the likes of Jennifer Lopez or Mariah Carey, with Rachael's vocals almost taking a backseat to the lead rapping of the verses. Electronic pop wizard Dan Muckala (who's programmed for teen artist Mandy Moore) has a field day with "Day of Freedom." Dan also handles the difficult task of transforming Rachael's biggest hit, "Live for You." He succeeds tremendously with the "Marbella Mad Motion Mix," shedding the Latin pop sound in favor of a fast techno beat that's quite different rhythmically. There's also an "Epiphonic Remix" of "Blessed" by the Dingo Brothers, which changes the generic adult contemporary pop sound into a symphonic pop piece, complete with big string samples, a gospel-styled bridge, and R&B-styled drum programming.  Tedd T. also transforms the breathy ballad "A Song for You" into an upbeat Euro-pop treasure á la Dido with the "London Daydream Mix." Jeff Savage's "Sonic Overload Mix" of "Savior Song," which was already a funky R&B hit on Kaleidoscope, now has a harder hip-hop rock edge to it. All in all this CD is a great buy for anyone who knows or is a fan of modern dance, hip-hop, or techno music. The messages are still there telling of Jesus’s love while being able to dance along with the music. Lampa has made a great CD with Blur.