While watching EWTN's Life On The Rock recently, we found out that Jeff Cavins will be retiring from the program. We pray that Jeff will find success in his new venue and be blessed. Over the years, Jeff has introduced us to many fine Catholic musicians. Catholic Music Network has taken 3 of these artists and highlighted them this month in the reviews section.

When Tatiana first appeared on Life On The Rock, it was the first time people in the US had heard of her. She had been a pop star in her native country of Croatia. Singing since she was 4 years old, Tatiana saw the struggles of her people and later came to the US to help tell of their troubles. Like Catholic singer Dana, Tatiana soon emerged with songs of spirituality. With vocals similar to those of Celine Dion or Catholic singer Kitty Cleveland and lyrics close to the heart of Marie Bellet, Tatiana released Now and Forever. Six of the songs on the CD are written by her. The title track, "Now And Forever," tells the story of her feelings just  weeks before she was to be wed. It is a classical-style love song for her husband-to-be, yet could be one for Jesus as well. The vocals mix well in this mainly piano driven piece with beautiful accompaniment by classical violin.  Later we hear the story of the wedding and of the family of the bride in “Child Of Love.”  In the song “The Prayer,” Tatiana’s vocals are almost jazzy, with a touch of late jazz singer Billie Holiday. This may sound strange considering the haunting European accordion that carries the tune. The biggest surprise of this CD is a pop song that gives us a hint of her earlier life. “The Promise” has a great beat and you can dance to it. It is about the promise one makes while going into married life.  “I promise to be true to you, in good times and bad, I love you till the end of days…and our love will be a sign for the one who died for us...”  The CD is also packed full of worship prayer songs like “Pater Noster” and “Ave Maria” and some Gregorian Chant, as well. Tatiana’s Now and Forever shines as a CD for everyone.

 Angela has also been a guest on Life on the Rock. Her CD called Heaven Knows Me brought her to the attention of many young people and she has become a regular on the show. Her talks on chastity have been excellent and the American Life League asked her to be spokesperson for the National Week Of Chastity. She has an almost alternative sound in her music (much like Greg Walton) but the words will knock you out.  “Say A Prayer” is about how we communicate with God, knowing he is there with us always. The title track “Heaven Knows Me” is how God watches over us “ with the light of His love.”  “Hail Mary, Gentle Woman” is a charming tune about Our Lady that will touch your heart. If you are looking for a CD with a message that youth will enjoy try Angela’s Heaven Knows Me.

Lastly on our tour of Life On The Rock guests will be Rachael Lampa. What!  You didn’t know Rachael was on EWTN? On one of Life on the Rock’s first live college shows, Rachael was the singing guest. It was not long after that the contemporary Christian label WORD got hold of her and she was on every Christian radio station. The reason was that from the first time you hear her voice, you are mesmerized by the crystal clarity, strength and range. The CD Live For You introduced Rachael Lampa into the teenage arena of Christian music, yet set her apart with a sound that appeals to all ages. It has a compelling blend of ballads that showcase the sweetness and beauty of her voice to mid and up-tempo pop tunes. Often compared to Christina Agulia or Britney Spears, Rachael has something that they don't have. She has an incredible faith in God. Her faith is displayed in the heartfelt lyrics of “Always Be My Home,” where Rachael states that she'd give everything away just to live for Christ. She says that no matter how many times we run away from God, he is always there and we will always have a place in his heart to call our home.  The title track, ”Live For You,” and “God Loves You,” are pure danceable pop tunes with lyrics of praise.  Ballads such as “Blessed” and “My Father’s Heart” truly shows Rachael's love and appreciation of God in an almost Gospel light. “Shaken” is a song that talks about God breaking and removing any barriers put up by evil forces. Try to sit still while listening to it!  One of my favorite songs on Live For You has got to be “Days Of Freedom.”  It has an almost Israeli sound and vocals like that of the late singer Ofra Haza. We need more songs like this as we hear about wars going on in our world. This song shows a way that we can all be united. No matter what race or background we are, we can all be united by the precious body and blood of Christ.

Being from different places, different races, different backgrounds, different churches is just what John Angotti is talking about in his CD Common Gound.  This is John’s follow-up to his great praise CD Rise Up My People. The title song “Common Ground” tells how although we are different in many ways, whether Jew, Muslim, or Christian “we are all grounded in love.” Much of the songs on the CD show John's command of his many diverse styles. The beautiful “Benedictus:The Rising Sun” has a jazzy sound and tells of the lasting light of God’s love for us. The almost reggae style in "Open Wide the Doors" offers a wonderful step forward in John’s witness to all nations with the inclusion of a verse in Spanish. This song is a re-working of one of his older tunes. “Come and Gather" it is a wonderful song of worship in a light jazz style. “Teach Us To Pray” has a gospel feel.  The “Canticle of Daniel” is a amazing mix of vocals giving praise and exalting God's name. Common Ground is a little slower in tempo that “Rise Up My People” which may be good for some who are looking for something they can use in the parish, with the settings of Psalms 85 and 145 and music appropriate for weddings, Advent, Marian feasts, and general songs of praise.

Nominated this year for a Catholic Unity award, Annie Karto is an artist not to be missed. Her new CD is called Overshadow Me. It is filled with beautiful vocals and music. The lyrics are 100% Catholic. Annie is a songwriter who is proud of her Catholic faith as expressed in songs like “Do What He Tells You,”  ”I Am Yours” (a song about Fatima), and “Song to Our Lady of Guadalupe” (the CD is dedicated to her.)  Many of the songs have scripture roots, such as the title track “Overshadow Me”. It is based on Luke 1:35. “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you.” Also a highlight of the CD is her cover of the Pete Seeger song made popular by the rock group, The Byrds, called  “Turn, Turn Turn”. This song was based on Ecclesiastes 3:1. Annie’s voice is soft and meditative, which blends wonderfully with the ambient, light jazz yet contemplative music on the CD. The truth be told, I kept listening to the CD asking myself who this style sounds like. Suddenly, I get to track number 9 called “Holy Is His Name.” It is a cover of John Michael Talbot’s song.  It hits me that  Annie Karto is a female double for JMT. If you like his style of music, you will love “Overshadow Me.”