The terrible tragedy that took place on September 11^th will be embedded in our memories for the rest of our lives. It has touched all of us in many ways. All are different, yet united. All of us at CatholicMusicNetwork.com offer our prayers to the victims and their families. For those that push forward with the recovery effort and those involved in the decisions of our country, we will continue to pray during this important time in our nation's history.

I found it really difficult to pray after the attacks. My mind wandered to the images of the evil that was before me.  I would sit in quiet talking to God, yet the images and feelings came back. This is one of those times that many will find themselves unable to focus while in prayer. I know I am not alone. The response here at CMN has shown that music containing prayers or about prayer, such as the Rosary, or Divine Mercy, are what many people are needing right now. It is a time in which we don’t need music as a form of entertainment, but as a way to help us feel closer to God.  Music now has taken on a whole new meaning, because it enables us to focus in our prayer life.

Our parish held an adoration hour for the victims and the future of our nation. As we sang the patriotic songs, as well as, older hymns, there was a great comfort in the older songs. Don’t get me wrong, I love the new songs, but "Amazing Grace" and "Ave Maria" have a reassurance to them. Also, after 9/11 some songs took on a new meaning.

One of those would be from the new CD by Michael John Poirier called Ocean of Mercy. The song is called “Let The Healing Begin.”  Michael John has a gentle, soft voice, a cross between John Michael Talbot, Kenny Loggins and Cat Stevens. Mixed with acoustic guitar, he sings a song about someone who was hurt by another and now must be made whole by God’s love. With the attacks in mind, now read the lyrics: “Rest your trembling heart in mine, I’ll sing you a lullaby...Come and find your innocence, Come find the faith of a child again. Paint for me your blackest night, I’ll paint a milky way...Someone you trusted but never knew, twisted your joy into shame...Come let me give you the wings to fly.”  The title track “Ocean Of Mercy” is another beautiful song about the mercy that Christ gives to us all. It talks about how we are all called to conversion and forgiveness.  The one thing as Catholics that we can turn to during this time is the Real Presence. Michael John’s song “Let There Be Light” is a song of love for the Eucharist. It is a light in the time of darkness, igniting a Holy Fire in our souls. This love he has for the Real Presence is echoed in two other songs on the CD, “Bread of Life” and “I Adore”. “Love is Stronger” is a song about someone whose family member has been killed by an evil act (sound familiar?). The first part of the song is the person asking God why there is such evil in the world and so much sorrow. The second part is God’s reply in saying that love is stronger than evil and it will conquer. There is also a peaceful version of Ave Maria by Michael John Poirier. His calm guitar and voice will give you the comfort you need.  

“Ave Maria” is one of those older songs you can’t get enough of in this time of instability.

Our next artist has an awesome (bilingual) album called The Mass.  The group is Who Do You Say I Am? This album is a collection of songs that have been very popular when the group serves in the music ministry during liturgies and semi-contemplative prayer services. The version of "Ave Maria" is a mixture of Spanish guitar, piano and  the beautiful voices of the two female singers of WDYSIA (Who Do You Say I Am). It is sung in both English and Spanish.  WDYSIA is a group of seven musicians, all bilingual Spanish, and based in Lorain, Ohio. Their styles of music range from Contemporary Adult and Christian to Hip Hop, Rock, Salsa, and Charismatic--then clear back around to traditional standards. Most of the songs on The Mass are played with traditional piano, guitar and soft vocals.  Other songs that have that comfort zone include a wonderful rendition of “One Bread, One Body”, “Your Are Mine”, and my favorite, “Hail Mary, Gentle Woman”. This is a good collection of songs you would use at youth ministry, conferences, retreats, rallies.

But, if you want the non-traditional, try one of Who Do You Say I Am?'s other CDs, Do You Hear My Voice?  It’s got a few great covers like Jars of Clay’s “Flood” (one of the greatest rock crossover songs) or Rich Mullins famous “Awesome God”. They are transformed into the personal WDYSIA rockin’ style. Talk about diversity, this CD has it.  Salsa starts the CD with "We’ve Got A God:" “We’ve got a God who will forgive our sins...We continue to hurt our brother even though we know He made him.” The CD rocks with “You Just Don’t Know” and “People Get Ready”, softens down with “Shout To The Lord”, and “I Need You In My Life”, and praises with “Lord I Lift Your Name on High”. The one not to miss is the awesome mix on “God Still Lives”. It starts with the old standard "Amazing Grace"—then slowly changes into WDYSIA’s own song. The vocals are so convincing that you must get on you knees to a God that is there for all.

Speaking of standards, you have got to check out the next band.

Crispin is one of the best funky, jazz, folk, pop bands there is! They have a great version of that old standard “When the Saints Come Marching In” on the new CD called Psalmba, that bends the traditional song. Daniel deSilva, the bands lead vocalist, does a wonderful job of telling us about some of his favorite saints. The saints that get a jazz mini-bio range from The Little Flower to Max Colby and St. Peter, and of course, St. Crispin.  Named after St. Crispin, a martyr and the patron saint of shoemakers who died in 283 A.D., the band performs upbeat Catholic music. They groove with a unique sound that includes saxophone, fiddle, flute, violin, mandolin and lots of percussion.  The band’s music has a Dave Matthews, Jackson Brown sound with Squirrel Nut Zippers horns and back up vocals. The bands secret weapon is that one of the part-time members is a well-known Catholic priest, Fr. Stan Fortuna. (This must come in handy during tours). He plays bass on a few tracks and has a speaking part on one of the songs. It is fitting that it would be the song “Our Father.”  Other songs on the CD include a beautiful, smooth jazz ballad called “Regina,” and a bass and sax driven number about the Web called “www”, a song to which many people today can relate. Daniel deSilva’s writing shines bright throughout Psalmba, but anyone who can think of a song about St. Bernadette and call it “The Silliest Girl In Lourdes” has my vote. It starts, “Bernadette Soubirous, you can’t be serious..” and then gives us a point of view about the events in Lourdes we may never have seen. The song everyone will be talking about from this CD is “Jesus.” This is Crispin’s version of the popular Don McLean song “Vincent (Starry Starry Night).” The words have been changed to reflect Christ and are perfect. Crispin had many people calling wanting this song after they played it on Life On The Rock on EWTN. It will touch your soul, as will the entire CD.

While you are at it, pick up Crispin's first CD Cobblestones. From the first notes of the sax on the song “Crispin” you will be snappin’ your fingers. The song is about the patron saint who fixed shoes and souls for Christ. Many of the other songs on the CD have been heard either in their concerts or on EWTN, from the songs about the apostle “John,” to the soulful sounds of “Guadalupe”. You can tell Crispin has a deep love for Christ and His mother. One of the songs that will stick with you is “Deep Mercy.” It is a beautifully sounding song about a woman who bought the big lie and had an abortion.

In this time with death around us, it is horrible to think about more innocent lives being taken by a mother.  It is in times like this that I can’t help but think of the line out of the Hail Holy Queen prayer: “to thee do we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this valley of tears…” We pray that during this Respect Life month that everyone will see that ALL life is to be respected.

God Bless America!