December 2001

After Thanksgiving we are pushed into the secular version of Christmas. Catholics and many others celebrate the time before Christmas as the season of Advent. We prepare for Christ's coming at Christmas, as we should also prepare for His coming at the end of time. Jesus wants only one gift this Christmas, ourselves. In our preparation, is the gift we are giving Him a pure gift or one that is tarnished? 

Just as we want to give a pure gift to Jesus we should also want to give gifts to our loved ones this year that will help them to become closer to Christ. Much of the music that will be bought this year is by artists that do not help us to become that pure gift that we should be for Our Lord.  Our friends at Rock For Life tell us that some of the more popular contemporary musicians are supporting abortion. Celebrating the birth of Jesus while supporting the death of other babies is a tasteless act.  Give gifts that will help your loved ones follow the right path all year long.

One of the best ways to help prepare for Christ coming, both for Christmas and the end of tine, is through prayer. The Queen of Catholic prayer songs is, without a doubt, Donna Cori Gibson. Her new CD ,Our Catholic Faith in Scripture, Song and Prayer is  a collection of some of her best works. Whether you are a longtime fan or someone who has seen her on Life On The Rock and would like to hear more, this is a great gift. It has favorite prayer songs like "Magnificat," "Anima Christi," or her version of the Divine Mercy prayer by St. Faustina. Also, there are a few new tunes, such as the song “Only Today”, about St. Therese, the Little Flower. Donna has a new mix of her popular version of “Hail Mary “.  For more on Donna Cori Gibson, check out this month’s audio profile.
 

I have noticed a few changes in music since September 11^th.  Many new, popular songs have a more ambient, spiritual sense.  New songs like Delerium’s "Silence," or Enya’s “Only Time” give you a world music feel, but they’re missing that universal mark by not speaking about God.  Enter The Carpenter’s Son. From Vancouver, British Columbia, this 6 piece folk/pop/Celtic influenced Christian band is ministering through the medium of music. Their new CD, Warrior of the Cross, is an exciting and inspirational assortment of songs and instruments composed by Patrick Ceaser, and performed by a swarm of friends and family members. It is great music.  Fans of such Celtic artists as the Chieftains, the Pogues or even Marie Brennan or her sister, Enya, will love this CD.  It is a must for Dana fans!  Patrick Ceaser captures the Irish Catholic roots and blends them into modern song. “I've Got an Angel,“ is a song on the CD that has a rich chorus, fiddle and organ.  It is sewn together into a tapestry of appreciation to the Guardian Angel who stayed by the side of a person throughout his foolish youth. This song is slow and pleasant, beginning with an unaccompanied male voice and gradually introducing a soft guitar and subtle percussion.  “Heavenly Peace” is the most touching song on this CD. The song tells the story of the day a father's mother has died. The father puts his little son to bed and they deal with his mom's passing by imagining her joyful union with God, and by looking forward to joining her there. The song will bring tears to the eyes of anyone who has lost a parent. “Fires That Burn” is a song that pleads that God "save us...from the clutches of darkness," admitting that we are only "unclean by what comes from within;" and “Angels Will Be Dancing” sings of the joy that awaits God's children when they "live His perfect love" and walk with Him down the "main streets of heaven." My favorite cut is just the pure, Celtic, instrument song, "The Carpenter’s Son." This will make you get up and do an Irish jig, even if you were born on St. Paul’s feast day.

While we are talking about pure instrumentals, take a listen to solo jazz pianist, Bradley Sowash.  The name may be familiar if you like listening to Public Radio, as they interviewed him. The CD We Gather Together is a collection of old Christian Hymns. I bought this for my mother, honestly, and she loves it!  She kept looking at the songs and saying, “My mother used to sing this song in church. I had forgotten about it.” Old songs like “Jesus Loves Me,”  “The River is Wide,” and “Wade In the Water,” are some that many may remember singing.  Bradley brings these songs into the 21st century in a classical jazz style. The entire CD is just him and his classic piano. Talk about ambient music!  Many Catholics will recognize “We Gather Together,”  well as “Amazing Grace,” and “O Come O Come Emmanuel”. Bradley says he chose "O Come..." because, “The words to O Emmanuel (God with us) have been around since the ninth century, when it was one of seven "Great Antiphons" sung by monastic choirs during Advent. The tune we associate with these words, however, is derived from Veni Emmanuel, a fifteenth century processional that originated in a community of French Franciscan nuns. Chiming like bells from a medieval tower, the introductory chords in this version evoke this rich history before moving into a more contemporary interpretation.” If you enjoy jazz piano or classic music, I recommend this CD. 

The voice of the late Door’s singer, Jim Morrison is alive and living in Lou Soileau!  Paid In Full is Lou‘s latest CD. The minute I put on the CD I was alarmed by the vocal comparison. Lou’s style is that of Link Wray/ Elvis folk – rock. He has a Dylan-ish way of telling a story in his music. The string that joins songs together here is out of the Bible. It’s Acts 2 and 3, the words of Peter telling crowds about Our Lord, Jesus. “Tell Us ‘Bout The Good Man” is the song that starts the rock opera. “Do You Believe?” continues Peter’s saga. This song tells of others that were touched by Jesus and how they believed. The early life of Jesus is explored through Lou’s song “The Carpenter’s Song”. It tells the tale of Jesus leaving Mary and Joseph to go on to His ministry.  The title song, “Paid In Full,”  lets us see the end of Jesus' life in song. Lou says "Our Christian Faith is a faith of joy, peace, forgiveness and unconditional love. We relish the Salvation which Jesus Christ earned for us by His cross and resurrection. We are excited about Salvation and are called to joyfully spread His Word loving even our enemies in Jesus' Name."

CMN is also happy to offer Lou Soileau’s first CD Working In His Vineyards. Sounding even more like Bob Dylan meets Jim Morrison, it is Lou and an acoustic guitar, giving us songs of praise. Songs like “Good Morning ,Lord,” “Prepare The Way Of The Lord,” and  “Use me, Lord,” are songs of worship that shine on this CD. Anyone who has seen Lou in concert will know many of these songs.

September 11 is a day that will remain in our memory for as long as we live. Where were you when you heard the news?

Many of us have wanted to do something to help the victims of the attacks. So did many Catholic artists. Together they called themselves Catholic Artists For Relief. They joined the talents that God gave them and recorded a song and video. Funds from this CD/Video combo will help  those effected by the tragedy. The song is called You Are Not Alone.  But how does it sound? Brilliant!  Let’s face the facts. There have been relief CDs for many events since the 80’s. Two of the best were “We are the World” and “Do They Know It’s Christmas?” What made those great was the way talents were used. You could hear your favorite artists and know what parts they sang. It sounds good together! This goes as well with You Are Not Alone. The blend of the vocals is pure chemistry!  The artists use their God-given talent in such as way that you would think this group had been performing together for years. Each artist sings in his own style, then comes together as a choir. It works very well!  If you want to hear the power of the Holy Spirit, pick up You Are Not Alone. This is a gift that will not only be for yourself or a loved one, but for those who are in need!  Think of it as giving a gift to Jesus, who asks us to feed the hungry, clothe the naked and visit the sick. As we do for others we do for Him.