Ed Jankiewicz's CD The Journey, is mostly original contemporary Christian inspirational music in the folk/rock style. The focus of the CD recaps Jankiewicz’s journey of faith. Aside from a few guest background vocalists, a drummer, an accordionist, an oboist and a clarinetist, Ed performed all of the vocal and instrumental parts. The collection starts with a view of life without God in "Sinner Man" and travels through the ups and downs of the journey, ending with a plaintive meditation on the ancient melody, "Pange Lingua," followed by the rollicking (and scripture-rich) statement of faith, "God is Love." Other selections chronicle Ed’s journey in faith through his family life, including the loss of his father at a young age in the ballad called, “I Heard My Father Laughing.” Jankiewicz puts his heart into this piece and it will touch anyone who has lost a parent at a young age. The accordion playing on this reminds me of old world Europe. Anyone who has anything to do with music should really listen to the “Singer/ Songwriter’s Prayer.” The song “Road To Assisi” is about his pilgrimage to Rome and Assisi. During that trip, he also wrote about the first Pope, in a song called “Peter In Chains.” Jankiewicz asks the tough question, "What If He Came Back Today?" Would we stand ready? After listening to this song I was ready to go to confession!  Almost everyone should find something with which to identify in The Journey.

Through the Storm is the debut release from singer/songwriter Curtis Stephan.  The CD is an accumulation of his personal experiences, exposing everyday emotions and problems in a positive light. His music ranges from acoustic rock to jazz to touching praise and worship anthems. There are hints of Pete Yorn, Creed, Greg Walton, All-American Rejects, and Sting, yet each song has its own unique style and sound. The CD starts with the high energetic "No Ordinary Day" which gives praise to God for life. This song will brighten even your cloudiest day. Stephan’s band mate, Andy Timmons, needs a pat on the back for the heavy guitar riffs throughout the song “In The Zone.” This rocked-out song tells of that great feeling you get when you know you are walking with the Lord. The Holy Spirit is in you.  I was like "WOW”, impressed with Stephan's musical style and the lyrics of the tune “Rescue Me.”  We are transported into St. Peter place as he steps out onto the water to walk with Jesus.  As Peter takes his eyes away he sinks. Stephan then works with this idea and makes it a plea that each of us should have, when we are in the deep violent waters of life and need lifting up. Again, the music is fantastic and crowned with a wonder “sampling” of the Holy Scripture. The beautifully done "Lullaby for Alice," is a great jazz melody which is about his older sister who passed away a few days after her birth. "Through the Storm" has slow songs of reflection like "Though I’m Not Worthy" and "Peace And Love Of God." To me the most powerful of these is “How Could I Love You More.” It’s a song from Jesus' point of view. “I’ve given my back to be beaten, on my head they placed my crown. I tell them I am thirsting, but they answer with sour wine. I’ll never give up my thirst for you…. You see my blood poured out for you; oh won’t you see the truth. With arms open wide, how could I love you more?” Curtis Stephan has made a CD that any Christian who enjoys modern rock should own. (As a parent, I was impressed when my 15 year old son asked for a copy of it!) Through the Storm is a CD that not only rocks, it also challenges.

After the debut of her first CD, Heaven Knows Me, Angela has been a busy girl. From Catholic Youth Conferences to World Youth Day it has been non-stop. Angela has now released the CD entitled Come Follow Me.  The CD is a departure from her debut album, which was one of the first Catholic modern rock albums.  Angela says, “There's some slow songs, some rock songs and a little Irish... there's a little of everything." The Irish influence comes from the production work by Bob Halligan Jr of Ceili Rain. The CD’s title track, "Come Follow Me,” written by Angela, is an inspiring song about ensuing Christ. "You are my peace, You are my joy, You are the love of my life that lifts me up...”  We cannot make it alone in this world is the meaning to the song “What Kind Of World Is This?”  Halligan's Celtic influences are felt on the songs which he helped write, such as "Fresh Wind" and "Breastplate of St. Patrick." He also helps in writing a song that many pro-lifers may recognize.   “Young Boy, Young Girl” is a brilliant song about two young lovers that are in the heat of the moment and know that they must stop. It is a great song about chastity.  The song is part of a chastity collection from Rock for Life called The Esther Project."  "Rain" is a song written by Angela, based on her conversion experience. "I had never really written many songs before, I was in Eucharistic Adoration one night and I asked the Lord if He could give me a song about my conversion. I just knelt there in front of Him and He just flooded me with the words. I went home that night and I prayed to the Holy Spirit to give me the melody." From start to finish, Angela's warm vocals bring focus to some great songs. There is even a cover of the Beatle song "Let it Be."  Angela feels that "Let it Be" is short for '"Let it be done to me according to thy Word" (Mary's words at the Annunciation). One of the most touching songs on Come Follow Me is called “Don’t Save Me.” This awesome song puts us in Jesus’ place and telling us he didn’t want to be saved from the cross, even if he had the power of Heaven behind Him. Jesus knew he had to die to save us all from sin.