November 2004

During this Year of the Eucharist I am trying to visit Our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament as much as I can. When I am not able to I have tried to find music that will help keep my mind on how wonderful this Holy Year can be.  Let's face it--when sitting there in silence my mind may drift off to a song and I want that song to be about Him.

Many times when I am in Eucharist Adoration I just let go of all the pressures of the world.  I have been told by a priest to "let go and let God." This is the idea behind the new CD by Tom Booth called Unravel.  Booth is one of Christian music’s most recognized artists, as well as music director of Life Teen International. His last CD, Change Me, was one of CatholicMusicNetwork.com's top sellers. Unravel not only equals that CD, it beats it. The style is fresh and new, and Booth has tried different styles that work very well on this collection. Something that I noticed throughout "Unravel" is the attraction to Beatle-esque guitar riffs or lyrics. Booth has a Lennon/McCartney method in his songwriting. Unravel has Booth's signature Life Teen anthems and Psalm responses, but mixed with rock songs and ballads that are loaded with spirituality.

The CD opens with the awesome "The Shade of Your Hand." It is based on a famous poem called, "The Hound of Heaven," by the Catholic poet, Francis Thompson.  It tells that God does not abandon, but pursues the most wayward soul. Most notable on the song is the guitar. Booth works with Christian legend Phil Keaggy, considered not only in the Christian music field, but in the secular as well, as one of the best guitar players in the world. The guests on the CD do not stop there. One of the most controversial songs on the CD is written and preformed not only by Booth, but by Matt Maher and Fr. Stan Fortuna as well. It's controversial because "Giovanni Paulo" is a departure from what people are used to from Booth. It is a hard alternative rock tune with Fr. Stan's edgy rap mixed in to tell the life of Pope John Paul II. This is surely a song that will stick in the mind of everyone. If you're a Matt Maher fan you will also be happy in knowing that he appears in other songs on the CD. The most noted is the song, "Just Live It," which he co-wrote with Booth.  It's another rock tune that tells us to be proud that we are God's children and to let everyone know by our actions and the way we live. I could not help but think that the song, "Little One," could be perfect for Christmas. It's reflects Booth's softer side with a backing orchestra.  Thinking of that little child in the manger at Christmas and what he did for the whole world is a humbling thing.

Booth takes a light jazz approach with "I Belong To You." The song is a plea to Jesus to keep us always at His side. The bonus is that Fr. Stan Fortuna joins in on bass giving the song an almost Crispin sound. Sounding like a song from a Catholic youth gathering comes the incredible "Lord Let Your Face Shine Upon Us/ Let The Sun Shine." This is a powerful mix of Psalm 4's text and the 60's anthem from the musical Hair. Booth has changed the idea of letting the sun shine on us to letting the Son shine on us. Other Psalms include, "The Lord Uphold My Life (Psalm 54)," and "The Lord Is Near (Psalm 145)." I could not help but think of the Beatle's song, "What You're Doing," when listening to Booth's "The Prettiest Girl At The Mall". They are similar in style. It's a fun song about seeing God's love shine through a smile of a stranger. Another Beatle-sounding song is the title track to "Unravel," which proves Booth's songwriting skills by taking a word that we think means one thing and making it mean something else, namely, giving it all to God. Surely Unravel is Tom Booth's Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band.


If you are looking for something that is serene and meditative for the Year of the Eucharist then look no further than the new CD by Michael Zabrocki. For The Moment is a collection of songs written and performed over the past three years during Liturgy and/or Prayer Services. Zabrocki's contemplative and peaceful style is equal to that of John Michael Talbot or Donna Cori Gibson. The songs on For The Moment are based on scripture and excellent for use during Eucharistic reflection. "In The Silent Hours" is a song that reflects this offering of praise to the Lord and asking Him to watch over us in the night hours. "Changed By Love" is another song of love for the Eucharist. With almost a country feel to it, Zabrocki tells of the True Presence of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. The message of the song, "Unless a Grain Of Wheat," is a paradox--no one truly lives without first dying to self--no one ever finds life without first losing it--no grain of wheat begins to grow without first being thrown into the earth to die. It is a song of sacrifice. Speaking of sacrifice, I can not help but think of the September 11 memorial /funeral Mass when I hear "As The Deer Longs." The song is based on Psalm 42 which asks: "When shall I come and behold the face of God? My tears have been my food day and night." This feeling continues in the beautiful 9/11 tribute song and title track of the CD, "For The Moment." Zabrocki shares the sadness that all felt when they heard the news and gives comfort by singing, "I've told you blessed are those who mourn... Your comfort can be found knowing that they are home. For The Moment will lift your hearts and minds to the love and knowledge of Jesus.

The first CD totally dedicated to the Year of the Eucharist is the new Tom Doyle CD, Lord You Are Holy. Heard on EWTN's Jukebox program and on Backstage, Doyle's debut CD I Will Extol You My God And King remains a top seller. With "Lord You Are Holy," Doyle continues his songs of devotion and praise with spotlights of the teachings of Pope John Paul II. Doyle has a tranquil and serene synth-sound that blends well with his vocals. "Alleluia To The Lamb" is one song that talks about Jesus implementing the Blessed Sacrament. It also tells of the Resurrection and of Jesus appearing on the road to Emmaus. "He Did" has a focal point on the Passion of Christ, as we follow what Jesus did for us. Letting us know that Jesus is the one who holds open the gates of Heaven for us is the song, "He Is The Lamb." Two songs about the Mercy of God are "You Are The Lord" and "Prodigal." "I Know You Hear My Voice" is a very pro-life song that speaks on the sanctity of life. Doyle's own children help out with the vocals making it a family project. The title track, "Lord You Are Holy," highlights the life of Pope John Paul II and his mission as the Vicar of Christ. Long Live Pope John Paul II!


I was extremely impressed with the vocal talent of Elyse O'Kane. Her vocal technique is close to sounding like female "chant." Her debut CD is called With All My Heart and features 12 original compositions of contemporary prayer and praise. Helping out O'Kane with the music is Ed Bolduc (Awake To The Day.) Each song on "With All My Heart" reflects O'Kane's prayerful spirit, her heartfelt worship of God and her love for God and the Blessed Mother through music. O'Kane has borrowed from well-known prayers and transforms them into song. The Anima Christi is used for the song "Remember Me," and "Come Holy Spirit" for it’s namesake. To "Magnificat" O'Kane gives a slight European/Russian feel. Adding mandolin and clarinet makes it sound like something out of Fiddler on the Roof. Changing completely is the serene sound of "The Angelus." It is done in acappella/chant with only a bells setting as the music. Singing along with Ed and Karen Bolduc on "A New Creation," O'Kane shares how once we give ourselves to Him we have a brand new start. One song that O'Kane does not sing is "I Am Waiting For You." She saw that the song needed male vocals since it is seen from the perspective of the Lord, and who better than a priest friend of O'Kane, Fr. Tim Hepburn to do this work of love. I truly enjoyed "I Love You Lord Jesus" for it's simple sound for a simple song of love for Jesus. It is just O'Kane's vocals and Bolduc on piano. My favorite song off the CD is the chant, "Invocation Of The Holy Spirit." I would love for there to be more of this to highlight. With female chant being used by so many secular groups like Delirium, Conjure One and Enigma we should have more like this. With All My Heart will bring listeners into a spiritual oasis.