I have a confession! (No--not that kind--I saw Fr. Matt last week!) My confession is I am a vinyl junkie, and we have two new CDs that have that trick of the scratch sound of an LP somewhere in their CD's. I got to have my pops!

Start with the rock/funk/techno/jazz band Critical Mass! Their new CD "Completely" has that vinyl trick at the first song called "In The Beginning". My only disappointment was this song was not long enough. The title track "Completely" is a great funk tune: "Make me innocent, bronze into gold .. I give myself completely." It's a good choice for the title of the CD. "Mary's Song" will bring tears to your eyes and made me want to go pray a rosary. It is a view of the life of Jesus as seen through the eyes of the Blessed Mother. "Father, it hurts to see my Son die this way, but this is how You wanted it to be..."  After listening to the song  "Set Me Free," I will tell you one thing--watch these guys--Critical Mass--they are already winning awards, and this song is killer!!  Any song that can rock out and then end with the chant "Lord have mercy, Christ have mercy" ( I know I heard that somewhere recently) ought to win awards. They will get you again with the classic sound of the record ending... crackle--thump!

...And we have the pops and hiss of vinyl on Greg Walton's CD called "Stealing Moment". The song "Say What You Mean" is about standing up for your faith when those around may not.  Walton sounds like a modern day Peter Frampton  with the talking guitar and all in this song.  Then you have "Good Night John Boy" with a John Cougar Mellencamp sound and lyrics about .."calm Communion where the hearts entwine as one."  "Life In The Son"  is another rocker about the "one who gives me life".  The guitar solo on this is fantastic, and after I saw that this CD was made with the help of Beach Boy Brian Wilson's production team I knew it was going to be great.

And speaking of Greg Walton and production teams, it seems Greg bumped into music artist Mike Harrison in a restaurant in Nashville. Together they made Greg's new CD Spirit Of Fire. This one is on my Christmas wish list. ( Hint, hint Mom!)  My favorite song on the CD is "Alive". This song has horns, guitar and rhythm. I must mention the soulful background vocals of Joy Curry. ( Does she have a CD out? She is great!) This funk tune has a simple message of "Jesus is alive, Alleluia"  If you are a director of music or of youth at your parish, you have to listen to "We Believe" . This is a rockin' version of the Creed that must be sung by a large group of people.( Greg is joined by his friends.) This song could be a standard at youth retreats much like "We are one body' by Dana is. "Revelation 5" is Greg and Mike's song on the famous last chapter of the Bible. "To Him who sits on the throne.. be praise and honor." The things I enjoyed most about this CD is that it has borrowed many things from the Mass. "Acclamation" and "Hosanna" have text adapted from the Roman Missal. The song "Glory" has Gregorian Chant at the beginning...before it rocks out with "Glory! Glory to our God!" Spirit Of Fire is a CD that will please everyone for Christmas and they will be blessed throughout the year with the message. Buy it!