January  2004

The top-selling artist of 2003 at CatholicMusicNetwork.com was Danielle Rose. How do you top that?  By putting out a second album that has two CDs instead of one!  Mysteries is the name of the new album by this amazing musician. This 23-song collection echoes Rose’s devotion to the Rosary. They are her expressions of how the Joyful, Luminous, Sorrowful, and Glorious Mysteries of the lives of Mary and Jesus intersect with each of our lives today. Most of the pieces are based on scriptural stories and written from the perspective of one of the key figures in the story.  Each song is molded to fit each mystery. If you are looking for a CD in which every song sounds the same, this CD is not for you. You will find an elements of every type of musical genre that exists. Celtic, Country, Rock, Classical, Jazz and Blues are just a few of the styles that Rose includes in this CD. Popular Catholic musician, Tom Booth, along with Matt Maher, produced the CD and helps write a couple of the songs with Rose.  There are nearly two hours of music, and it starts with the song "True Love." Though it is not related to the Rosary, it does sums it up and gives an invitation to discover the true love of Jesus. The song has a warm, coffeehouse-rock feel and sounds much like Jewel or Sarah McLaughlin. This song should be a single and played on contemporary radio. The perspective of the Angel Gabriel is seen in the "new country” style song "Let It Be Done Unto Me (First Joyful Mystery: The Annunciation.)"  Blues and Jazz elements are used in "Jesus Within You (Second Joyful Mystery: The Visitation)," where we hear from both Elizabeth and Mary.  We witness "Simeon’s Joy (Fourth Joyful Mystery: The Presentation)" in a Bluegrass approach. My favorite song is a wonderful mixture of genres in "Behold The Lamb Of God (First Luminous Mystery: The Baptism)." Rose’s voice is truly awesome in this piece and she shows her true vocal talents. This is also evident in the acapella song "Listen To Him (Forth Luminous Mystery: The Transfiguration)," where Rose and company tell the story of Peter. This has a lot of Manheim Steamroller sound in it. You get a harder rock feel on the song "Crucify Him (Second Sorrowful Mystery: The Scourging)," which is from the standpoint of the mob calling for Jesus’ death.  It's just plain vocal poetry on the song "Crown Of Thorns (Third Sorrowful Mystery : Crowning Of Thorns)," in which we see this powerful mystery from the viewpoint of the rose thorn.  It will leave you with a lump in your throat listening to the tell of thorns wanting to be the king's rose but picked too soon and pressed into Jesus' brow.  "Rejoice (Second Glorious Mystery: The Ascension)" is a toe-tappin, southern gospel, bluegrass-sounding song seen from Jesus side.  With lyrics like “Rejoice, I’m with you always… Through I’m taken into heaven, I’ll return in bread and wine….” It is followed quite nicely by the song "Be God’s (Third Glorious Mystery: The Decent of the Holy Spirit)," in which Rose is accompanied by Tom Booth on guitar and a beautiful choir of vocals. This song is inspired by the Prayer of St. Francis.  The last song on the CD is the staple of the entire album.  Called "Reason To Believe," it tells us that we must be like Jesus and live so others will see the True Presence of Him in us. We can get closer to that goal when we pray the Rosary. Mysteries is a must-have for anyone who prays the Rosary. However, the value of this set is not lost on those who do not pray this prayer. This CD is very youth friendly and may help those who have a hard time starting, to find an interest and explore the faith.  

St. Therese of the Child Jesus wrote some incredible things. If you have ever read her works they are written very simply, but the meaning behind them is so very deep. This same kind of simple ideas with a deep meaning are used in  John Slattery's EP called very appropriately Simple. This collection of songs is an amazing work. Not just because Slattery is 20 years old, or that he is an awesome guitarist and lyricist, but because, like St. Therese, he takles the simple struggles in life and raises them into praise for God.  In title track, “Simple”, Slattery notes that we must give it all to God, the simple air we breath, the simple smile, because it is the simple worship that He desires. God just simply loves us back.  It is always hard to let go and let God have our problems in life. We may be afraid of that new job, that new person in our life, or that we may say the wrong thing. That is what the song “Afraid” talks about. When we are afraid to make that daring move, we should ask God to help us. We should step out into the darkness for He is there for us. The song also adds that a prayer to the Blessed Mother can help too. “I Shall Not Fall” confirms the statement that God is our rock and our anchor in life. If we follow Him on the path on which He leads us, everything will be alright. “Take Me Away” says that when we do have problems in this world of indecision we just have to call on Him.  The music on Simple is an uncomplicated blend of Slattery’s solo acoustic guitar and voice. It is an ‘unplugged’ sound, which is nice, since John Slattery’s vocals could be called a mix of John Cougar Mellencamp and popstar John Mayer.  Look for more to come from this new talent.

Ok, what do you say about a CD that has no words.  It can be a little hard to communicate what the CD is about or what it is trying to tell you.  Holy Mountain Music is the new CD from one of our best selling artists, Fr. Edward Richard (the Banjo Priest). Fr. Richard said he had wanted to do an instrumental CD for sometime and had been gathering up his favorite tunes from old bluegrass pioneers like Bill Monroe, Flatt and Scruggs, and The Stanley Brothers. Fr. Richard says these are songs he remembers from an early age and he has always loved them. The instrumentals always had a place in his heart. There is something in these songs that speaks to you spiritually.  The music is both peaceful and full of life and energy.  It reminds you of God’s creations.  “Many people see music as a means of communication and I am no exception,” says Fr. Richard. ” I believe that music is a genuine wellspring  of renewal and spiritual energy like water flowing down from the mountain. I also see it as a great gift from God, a gift which is to be shared with family and friends and even a stranger who just happens to like it.”  While many of the songs are bluegrass classics, like “East Tennessee Blues,” “ Cripple Creek,” “Jerusalem Ridge,” and “Ashville Breakdown,” Father does add a few of his original songs. Those are “Banjo In The Hills” and “Holy Mountain Breakdown. “ Holy Mountain Music is one for your collection.

Trish Foti Genco and her friend Dreux Montegut have worked and performed together in various churches, cathedrals and universities for over 25 years. This classically trained duo figured it was time to place some of the music that people had been asking for into a CD. They did, and the CD is called Inspired.  It is a collection of inspirational classics and new songs to musically inspire and uplift the listener. The classics of Schubert ( Ave Maria), Mozart (Ave Verum), and Franck (Panis Angelicus) are executed in such a way that the average listener is captivated by its reassurance, not intimidated.  There are also Christian classic hymns performed here like "El Shaddi," "How Great Thou Art," "and "Not For The Tongues Of Angels."  Yet, it is the newer songs here that display musical versatility and enable the listener to be transported and experience the essence of each tune. These songs include "Hold Me," "If You Only Knew," and "You Remind Me Why."  The solid performance of Trish Foti Genco on Inspired enables the listener to become moved by the recording's emotion and sensitivity. If you are a fan of Kitty Cleveland you should like this CD.