As I read more about Patrice and her music, that’s when I realized just how inspired she was. Patrice sits at the piano and plays. The music you hear on the CD is improvised. Patrice admits that some of the songs do stick and she can come back to some of the songs. Others are simply spoken through her and are never heard again. This improvisational style is the key thing that sets this album apart for me. Many of the tracks on this album are very melodic and its amazing when you realize that many of these songs were played in a one hour sitting.

I have tremendous respect for Patrice’s fresh approach to music ministry. She does play for services and out in public, in fact I know she was at a conference in Dallas recently. I am personally of fan of improvisation and to hear this album to know the story behind it reminds me that all music is a gift. I feel like sometimes music ministers get so caught up in the recording process that they sometimes lose the energy and the spirit that brought them into music in the first place. Patrice’s music is a reminder to me as to what it means to be filled by the Spirit.

Reviewed by Rob Ayoub

Prayer: The Jesus Prayer: “Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner.”

Music: “Spirit of Life” written and composed by Carolyn McDade (hymn #123 in the Unitarian Universalist hymnal, Singing the Living Tradition), performed by Susan Bailey.

Special links:
Frederica Mathewes-Green
Ancient Faith Radio

Susan would enjoy your feedback. Share your stories, your prayer requests. Write to her at susan@gvonline.net or call the feedback line at 206-600-6940. Support her ministry by visiting her Purchase page to buy books and CDs.

Copyright 2009 Susan Bailey

This album was produced and recorded both in Nashville and California by Andy Allen and Ron Robinson. The quality of this project far exceeds what one might expect from a debut album. There is a common myth about Catholic music many listeners claim that it doesn’t sound professional enough – but albums like Beautiful Brokenness go a long way towards dispelling that myth. There is talent on this album, lots of great instrumental work guitars, bass and drums lay a solid foundation for Sues warm vocals.

There’s plenty of emotional and lyrical variety on this CD. Songs like Parce Domine, Sanctify Us, and Full of Grace all speak of mercy, grace, and forgiveness but they approach the topics in a heartfelt and personal way. The CD doesn’t ever feel stale, each track being additional insight into Sue’s life.

If you are looking for a contemporary Catholic artist with a rock/pop sound that will keep you involved in the CD for start to finish then check out Sue Peters. Sue is in tune with contemporary music and has a very real story to share that can touch you deeply and still remind of the many blessings God gives us. Sue’s new CD and music can be found at SuePetersMusic.com (online store) and MySpace.com/SuePetersMusic.



Reviewed by Rob Ayoub

Singing the lead vocals is Dew, a young lady originally from Tinidad, who now resides in the UK. She sings annually at the New Dawn Conference, a UK Catholic Festival, as well as other functions.

The songs reflect a variety of themes – “Awake Awake” is a praise song in honor of God, praising His Holy Name. The song “From Far And Wide” was composed for our Blessed Mother, Mary. There are two verions–the original and an acoustic version. The song “Temple” is a Eucharistic song, encouraging people to “Come into My Temple”. “Come Into My World” speaks of our desire for God to come into our lives. “Angel” is a beautiful instrumental piece, with a guitar solo by Paul Griffin.

This 6-song EP is very well-crafted, and Dew’s ethereal voice makes this a beautiful tribute to God.

Track Listing:

1. Awake Awake
2. From Far & Wide
3. Come Into My World
4. Temple
5. Angel
6. From Far & Wide (Acoustic version)

Visit Vision-Music.biz to learn more.

Featuring DEW, Lyrics by Stanley Jamieson
Music by Paul Griffin
Produced by Vision UK 2009 – www.vision-music.biz



Reviewed by Jim Logue, Jr.

What is it like at your parish before liturgy starts? Is it a quiet, sacred church? Or is it noisy and neighborly? Deacon Tom discusses this by sharing about a recent Saturday evening at his parish in Arizona.

Do you want a Mary Vitamin in your inbox?  Sarah Reinhard shares a quote from a recent Mary Vitamin and encourages you to sign up to receive your own.

This episode of Catholic Moments is sponsored by CatholicMatch.com, the Leading Catholic Singles Community.  Share your feedback at 206-339-9272, comment here on the blog or email lisa@catholicmom.com.

Links for this Episode:

• Wee Believers
• Sean Clive – The First Day
• Current CatholicMom.com Contests – Rosary Workout Book Contest, CatholicMatch.com Membership Contest
• CatholicMom.com Book Club
• The Catholic Company
• Lisa’s Facebook Profile, SQPN Connect Page, Plurk, Twitter
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For those unfamiliar with the Theology of the Body, it was a series of lectures given by Pope John Paul II, upon arrival to his pontificate, about understanding sex–in all its fullness–in light of the Catholic Gospel. George Weigel, the biographer of Pope John Paul II, called this series a “theological time-bomb” which would soon “reshap[e] the way Catholics think about our embodiedness as male and female, our sexuality, our relationships with each other, our relationships with God–even God himself.” (Forward, Theology of the Body Explained, Christopher West).

Disseminating such knowledge to the level that a non-theologian can grasp its truths is hard enough for an author or a public speaker… but a rock group? Music has a language all its own, and popular music disseminates thoughts with a series of sentence fragments�oftentimes speaking to the lowest-common denominator, building to a repetitive and hook-y chorus, with the option to incorporate a bridge�an alternate melodic and lyrical detour�if need be. Popular music today can be used as an effective teaching tool, especially when the music gives the lyrics a voicing that provides emotional depth to the cut-and-dry images contained in the lyrics.

Musically, Critical Mass is up to the challenge. After following this band for many years, I believe this is the best they’ve ever sounded. There is clarity and musicality in its guitar riffs, accompanied by solid production chops that are equal to what I hear on secular radio. The style veers from hard-rock (”Body is a Language,” “No Consequence”), to joyous pop-rock (”Alone,” “Walk You Home”) to rock balladry (”Devotion”) to praise and worship (”Body and Blood (Adoremus version)”). Regarding this last song, a reworking of an earlier song, it stands head and shoulders above the praise and worship musical landscape, improving upon the original with a wonderfully ethereal tone, and incorporating traditional Latin lyrics to the final product. I really appreciate it when Critical Mass lets it all out, taking musical chances and coming up golden.

Lyrically, David Wang and company have stretched their craft and raised the bar; there are stories here that speak to teenagers about the sexual permissiveness in society (”No Consequence”), the Steve Taylor-esque slam on artificial contraception (”Contraception Interception”), and the joys of committed celibacy (”Alone”). You may be hard-pressed to find a musical project that works this hard to shine the light of God’s grace with this much minute detail in the darkened corners of our sexually saturated society.

Taking into account that this is Critical Mass’s finest musical testament to date, with deep, detailed lyrics that are this faithful to a pertinent and applicable aspect of Catholic teaching today, I am hesitant to say that, to my ears, the marriage between lyrics and music do not entirely work.

One of the problems is that the melodies sometimes project an anger, a roughness, that runs contrary to the tone of some songs. Granted, this isn’t a problem when singing about the corruption of today’s media, or the problems within artificial contraception, but hearing the angry guitar riffs for “Friend” (a plea for compassion) and “Body is a Language”, which lays the foundation for the glorious teaching of the Theology of the Body, is disconcerting. Not to mention that most of the lyrics are barely audible underneath the band’s wall of sound (admittedly not a problem for those who have the liner notes on hand).

But even reading the lyrics and the liner notes, you read words that are more likely associated with PhD dissertations than in popular rock songs. Phenomenology. Phylogeny. Manichaeism. Pyres. There is a certain novelty in hearing such words used in a popular song format (in which the first of these words was vocally truncated into four syllables). In fairness, the band tries very hard to explain these concepts to the average listener in the liner notes; but it’s still got a ways to go.

Even though I have reservations about the final product, I wish all bands choose to not play it safe, and take the educated risks that Critical Mass has done. They ought to be commended for helping advance Catholic music and raise the listener up with knowledge and wisdom of our faith. This is most especially true for the sonic blast that accompanied this theological time bomb of the Theology of the Body.

You can purchase Body Language at the Critical Mass website, CatholicRock.com.

Reviewed by Nick Alexander

Prize Pack 1:

• 1 copy of Erin O’Brien’s Complete Pregnancy Fitness DVD set
• 1 Bella Band
• 1 copy of the complete Laugh and Learn DVD package including Laugh and Learn about Childbirth, Breastfeeding, and Newborn Baby Care;  1 Laugh and Learn T-shirt; 1 copy of Sheri Bayles’ Laugh and Learn about Childbirth book
• 1 copy of Prayerfully Expecting: A Nine-Month Novena for Mothers to Be by Donna Marie Cooper O’Boyle
• 1 copy of Margo B. Smith’s CD “Sending Up A Prayer”
• 1 Nursing Bracelet from OrganicMama’s Etsy Shop

Prize Pack 2:

• 1 copy of Erin O’Brien’s Complete Pregnancy Fitness DVD set
• 2 boxes of Organic Preggie Pop Drops
• 1 copy of the complete Laugh and Learn DVD package including Laugh and Learn about Childbirth, Breastfeeding, and Newborn Baby Care; 1 Laugh and Learn T-shirt; 1 copy of Sheri Bayles’ Laugh and Learn about Childbirth book
• 1 copy of Prayerfully Expecting: A Nine-Month Novena for Mothers to Be by Donna Marie Cooper O’Boyle
• 1 copy of Margo B. Smith’s CD “Sending Up A Prayer”
• 1 Hand knit “Teddy Bear” newborn hat from Organic Mama’s Etsy Shop

Visit Kate Wicker at Momopoly for a detailed review of the Complete Pregnancy Fitness DVD set.  Visit Anne McClure at Catholic Mommy Brain for reviews of the Bella Band, Laugh and Learn package, and Prayerfully Expecting.  For additional information and products by Shannon and Organic Mama’s visit their adorable Etsy shop.

To enter to win this contest, you must leave a comment on this post with a valid email address (which won’t be published or shared) before Midnight PST on November 30, 2009.  I’ll draw two random winners and announce the winners when the contest has ended.

Editor’s Note – A HUGE Thanks to Anne McClure of Catholic Mommy Brain for coordinating this giveaway!

In Episode #1, titled “Feasting,” Susan shares how feasting on prayer, the scriptures, the mass and the Eucharist have strengthened her and surrounded her with grace. And how a very familiar prayer, and one line in particular, has given her much needed strength.

Scripture: Exodus 16:2-4, 12-15 (from the Sunday Lectionary, 18th Sunday in Ordinary Time)
Psalm 34 (from the Sunday Lectionary, 20th Sunday in Ordinary Time)

Music: “How Can I Keep from Singing” (Quaker Hymn), performed by Susan Bailey.

Susan would enjoy your feedback. Share your stories, your prayer requests. Write to her at susan@gvonline.net or call the feedback line at 206-600-6940.

Then I discovered Susan Bailey’s  “Mary Queen of Peace Sung Rosary,” which you can sample at www.sungrosary.com.

At first, I was hesitant.  The rosary is hard enough without making it into music!  But one day, when I was particularly stumped and stumbling, trying to pray my morning rosary, I turned it on.

What happened was different than what I had experienced before.  As the music streamed through my ear buds, I felt myself calming down.  I was focusing on the prayers in a new way, because they were different now that they were sung.

Yes, it’s repetitive.  Yes, if you’re like me and you sing on the go, it requires that you know the mysteries (if you purchase the guide that goes with it, you can use that to help you; the art in it is beautiful).  Yes, it’s a different way to pray the rosary, and it takes a while.  But sometimes, different is just what’s needed.

Sometimes, different takes things to a whole new level.

The sung rosary has helped me appreciate, even more, how singing is praying twice.


Copyright 2009 Sarah Reinhard

The music of Sarah Hart is generally classified as folk/rock or folk/pop. I would simply call it delightful. The slick Nashville production, which I find sometimes drains the heart right out of a project, serves the album well. The instrumentations are rich and authentic.

I also personally love it when a CD has a concept and it is carried through the entire album, and SaintSong, for the most part, does just that. In the age when more and more music is purchased digitally one track at a time, it is nice to hear a CD that is really best heard in its entirely. With the enhanced CD including printable devotions to complement the songs, there is all the more reason to own a physical copy. The only misfire of this great concept is the inclusion of “Our Blessing Cup (Psalm 116)”. Although King David’s words might be well considered as words of a saint, this well-known “Mass psalm” seems out of place on this album.

SaintSong by Sarah Hart is available from SpiritAndSong.com as well as iTunes.

Reviewed by Fr. Kent O’Connor

The instrumentation is very rich on this CD. Being such a talented acoustic performer, the wide variety of instruments shines through on all the tracks. The title track shows some of Russ’ tremendous arranging skills, but I think it’s especially obvious on the track “Sing of Mary”.

Russ’ music is phenomenally peaceful – but the depth of his lyrics is not to be overlooked either. Russ is a true storyteller through his music – he cites artists such as Bob Dylan, John McCutcheon and Walt Michaels as major influences in his style. I think his storytelling ability is highlighted in the song Jewel of the Caribbean telling of the hopelessness and faith that wells up in a man during a missionary trip to the Caribbean.

Russ is such a tremendously talented person and humble as well. If you like folk or Celtic inspired music, if you like lots of acoustic music and if you like music that weaves a tale, you will like Russ Rentler. Check him out at RussRentler.com.

Reviewed by Rob Ayoub

Nancy Krebs has long been one of my favorite Catholic musicians.  With the recent release of her latest CD, Moved by God, and the launch of her newly redesigned website at NancyKrebs.com, Nancy has been one busy woman!  I’m happy to share my recent conversation with this talented recording artist, actor, teacher and producer.

Please introduce yourself and your family to our readers.

Lisa, Thanks for giving me the chance to share my story and my music with your readers.  I am a Catholic singer-songwriter and recording artist, having released now seven full-length CDs of original meditational/inspirational music.  I currently serve as cantor/music provider for my home parish of Ascension in Halethorpe, Maryland (outside Baltimore), Holy Trinity in Glen Burnie, the Shrine of St. Anthony in Ellicott City, and occasionally St. Jude Shrine and other church venues throughout the metro area.  I have been married to Pete Baden since 1983 and we have one adopted son. I teach voice production at the Baltimore School for the Arts as well as in my own studio, The Voiceworks.  I also am a dialect/vocal coach for professional theatres in my region, and am a professional actor/singer myself.

Congratulations on the release of your latest CD, Moved by God.  Tell us a bit about the creation of this project and how your music has evolved with this CD.

This has been a wonderful experience of ‘branching out’ to include far better arrangements than I ever could have imagined.  I contacted David Smith of Icon Studios to provide the arrangements, and to make my songs more contemporary-sounding.  He was just the guy for the job.  David has a knack and a talent in so many ways, and his work on this collection of songs has catapulted my music into a whole different realm, for which I’m very grateful.  The collaboration between him and the other contributing musicians worked very well, and I think the sound, the feel and the fullness of the music on this CD will surprise some folks–in a good way, I hope.

Moved by God was created with the assistance of one of my favorite producers, David C. Smith.  What was it like to work with David and how has the experience helped shape your recent musical style?

Well, as I said above–he’s tops.  He was easy to work with, had great ideas, was willing to change his initial reactions to a song, and certainly took my ’style’ into consideration.  He knew going in that I favor thoughtful meditation and reflection, and he sought to complement my songs with that kind of arrangement, as well as challenge me to move into a more contemporary vein, which is exactly what I wanted to accomplish. He and his wife Teresa also added back up vocals, which brought yet another dimension to the songs.

I would love to hear the stories behind a few of the songs you’ve written for Moved by God.  What inspired you to write “Welcome Me Home” and “Mary Knew” or any of your other favorite songs from this CD?

Welcome Me Home…is based on the parable of the Prodigal Son.  It has a kind of bluesy-jazzy feel.  I call it my ‘Girl from Ipanema’ entry.  I love what David has done with the arrangement.  I often get inspiration for songs from the readings on any given Sunday.  Since I usually provide the Offertory or Communion meditation, I look for a different perspective that might continue the lessons of the day.  This song was written for that purpose.

Mary Knew has a great back-story.  I was in Fargo, North Dakota conducting a voice workshop for a university there, and friends of mine, a married couple, were taking me back to the airport.  They happen to be Lutheran.  Suddenly, out of nowhere, Pam, my dear friend, turns around in her seat (she was in the front passenger seat), and very intently asked:  ‘What’s the deal with Catholics and Mary?  Why is she so important?’  Her intent look gave me pause.  I silently prayed to the Blessed Mother during my intake of breath to answer. ‘Please give me the right answer to this question, Blessed Mother!’  I calmly responded: ‘Mary was the greatest apostle of her Divine Son.  She was the one who never failed Him, she was always there for Him, and always believed in Him, no matter what.  She was His first disciple, the first person in His life to believe in Him.  That’s why she’s important.  We don’t ‘worship’ her–we revere her.’  I’m sure that Mary herself gave me that answer, it didn’t come from me, that’s for sure.  This response seemed to make sense to Pam, and was accepted by her and her husband as very logical.  I secretly breathed a sigh of relief.  Later, at the airport, I felt this overwhelming need to write down some lyrics.  It was as if the Blessed Mother herself sat down next to me–and dictated the words to Mary Knew.

When He was born,
He was so beautiful.
He took her breath away,
He stole her heart away.

I was in tears by the time I finished it.  And it took only about 10 minutes–the fastest song I’ve ever penned.  The melody came to me while the lyrics were being written, believe it or not–on a cocktail napkin.  When it was completed and refined later, I felt like it was my answer song to the wonderful ‘Mary, Did You Know?‘ by Mark Lowry and Buddy Green. It has become one of the most requested songs that I sing.

I know you just returned home from a trip to Europe.  How was this adventure for you?

I was the dialect/vocal coach and faculty chaperone for a joint production presented by our senior acting ensemble of the Baltimore School for the Arts and Songtime Theatre Arts of Thornton Wilder’s Our Town.  It was a great experience, working with teenage actors on such a project.  We were in Surrey for 10 days, and in that time, we rehearsed every day, all day, and presented the show for audiences on the 7th through the 9th day!  Our students and the British kids had to learn a New Hampshire dialect for the show, and I was amazed at how focused the British students were, and how quickly they learned.  Of course, I knew my own students, and had taught them beginning sessions on the accent before leaving for England, but the British kids had a blast with the accent, and working with their American ‘cousins’.  I fell in love with the beautiful English countryside, the people, the parents of the British students, and the whole experience.  The weather was fabulous the whole time–very strange, since we always hear about the rainy weather in June.  But we didn’t have that–sunny days, with temps in the 70’s.  You can’t beat that!  I made a lot of new friends with those wonderful kids, and now we’re all pals on Facebook!

You keep an active tour schedule.  What do you enjoy about performing your music in person?  How can readers contact you if they are interested in having you perform at their parish or organization?

Oh boy, I love everything about performing in person.  It’s a whole different experience for an audience to see and well as hear the music being shared.  My concerts are very ‘theatrical’ with lights and sound, and liturgical banners.  The mood is changed with every song, different lighting and such, and I give a little background on the song about to be sung.  Since I am an actor, the songs most likely take on a personal feel for those watching, and seem to affect people deeply.  It’s such a joy to be able to share the songs that God has given me with others.  My main mission is to share this music with as many people as I can.  if anyone would like more info about getting a concert at his or her church, just either call me or email me at 410-987-4861 or nkrebsbj@aol.com or just visit my website at NancyKrebs.com.

Are you working on any upcoming songwriting projects?

Yes, right now I’m preparing for the St. Gabriel festival Mass at St. Leo the Great church in Little Italy in Baltimore.  We have a wonderful Italian community who brought the devotion to both St. Anthony of Padua and St. Gabriel Possenti to Baltimore when the people emigrated here from their region in Italy. This festival is two days long and includes a procession through the community with the statue of St. Gabriel;  complete with a little Italian band playing traditional songs, and food, games etc.  It’s terrific for the whole family.  I’ve been writing two songs about his life and his special attraction for young people.  I also plan to move forward on developing a song I was blessed to write while in Italy last October.  It’s a Christmas song, and maybe it’ll be a single before this coming Christmas season.

Are there any additional thoughts or comments you’d like to share with our readers?

I would like to encourage your readers to continue to support Catholic artists and their music.  Find a way to begin a concert series in your church, or a reason to bring an artist to your parish for a retreat, a mission or as part of a special Season of the Church Year.  Often our pastors don’t think of music as a way to evangelize or to bring parishioners together, but music has a special power and can add so much to the lifeblood of a parish.  So think about how you might include music from one of your favorite Catholic artists in your parish!

Visit Nancy Krebs at NancyKrebs.com.

Songs include:

“Open My Eyes Lord” – We are often blind to God coming into our lives. We need God to open our eyes, that we can see Him in our every lives.

“I Turn To You (Psalm 32)” – a nice version of this psalm of prayer.

“Only This I Want” – composed by Daniel Schutte, focusing our eyes on God and God alone.

“Refiner’s Fire” – as a refiner burns away the dross to find the precious gold within, God burns away the sin to cleanse our hearts for Him.

“The Lord Is My Shepherd” which has a beautiful cello intro.

“Prayer of St. Francis” – An instrumental version of the Sebastian Temple classic. Piano and guitar take turns as the solo instruments.

John Michael Talbot’s “Only in God (Psalm 62)”, beautiful meditative song.

“The Lord Is My Light (Psalm 27)”

“Be Thou My Vision” – Starts out with a haunting A Capella 1st verse – goes into instrumental from there. Song got its start in 433 AD Ireland, when St. Patrick defied the king’s order and lit a fire on the night before Easter. The song was later turned from a folk song into the hymn we know now.

“Eye of the Storm” – contemporary song, trusting in God during difficult times.

“Taste and See (Psalm 34)” – Given a choir treatment.

“Hail Mary: Gentle Woman” – We hear many of the titles of our Blessed Mother, Mary, with the Carey Landry classic.

“How Can I Keep from Singing”

“The Path of Life (Psalm 16)”

Available on CDBaby.com.



Copyright 2009 Jim Logue

Sarah Reinhard brings us a Mary Moment with Deacon flair!  Sarah and Deacon Tom Fox discuss devotion to the Blessed Mother, including the self consecration to Mary, Louis de Montfort’s True Devotion to Mary, the Madonna House, and Sarah’s column on Our Lady of Combermere.  Don’t forget to contact Deacon Tom at his Catholic Vitamins podcast to get one of the free copies of the “Discerning Your Gifts” brochure.

We close the show this week with a debut of the terrific Popple song Salt and Light from their new CD “Hip Hip Hooray”.  Check out the Popple website and download or order your copy of Hip Hip Hooray today.

We are thrilled to announce our partnership with CatholicMatch.com as they begin sponsoring this podcast.  Please support CatholicMatch.com and be sure to enter our current CatholicMatch.com for your opportunity to win a three month membership to the Leading Catholic Singles Community.

This episode of Catholic Moments is sponsored by CatholicMatch.com, the Leading Catholic Singles Community.  Share your feedback at 206-339-9272, comment here on the blog or email lisa@catholicmom.com.

Links for this Episode:

• Fr. Andrew Gawrych, C.S.C.:
  • The Cross, Our Only Hope: Daily Reflections in the Holy Cross Tradition
  • The Gift of Hope: Advent and Christmas Reflections in the Holy Cross Tradition
  • The Gift of the Cross: Lenten Reflections in the Holy Cross Tradition
• Current CatholicMom.com Contests – Rosary Workout Book Contest, CatholicMatch.com Membership Contest
• CatholicMom.com Book Club
• The Catholic Company
• Lisa’s Facebook Profile, SQPN Connect Page, Plurk, Twitter
• Catholic Mom Logo Store

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Please introduce us to yourself and your family.

People call me Sean Clive – probably because my mom and dad gave me that name.  I love being married to Jennifer (Buckley) Clive – high school sweetheart, college sweetheart, married since 1995.  I am the lucky dad to five children (so far) – Emma, Maggie, Brigid (Biddie), Seamus and Eoin (pronounced Owen) – affectionately known as the “Clive Five”.  Both Jen and I are the oldest of 5 children.  So the excitement of our family life has been ingrained for many years.  We live in beautiful upstate NY (central NY – near Utica) right between the Clive and the Buckley homesteads – close to everything and everyone.  We are parishioners of St. Patrick-St. Anthony Parish in Chadwicks, NY (where I grew up).  I am the choir / music director at the parish (and have been since 1994).  Although I sing at 2 Masses on Sunday, Jen brings the wee ones to 10:30 Mass when people are the friendliest to lots of crazy kids.

How did you come to a career in music, and specifically a career in Catholic music?

I grew up in a house where music was always present – my mom LOVED to sing.  She was also one of those extremely loving and insightful moms.  She knew what was best for me and what I would enjoy long before I had a clue.  It was my mom who set me up with guitar lessons and pushed me to join the school choir – when being a boy and singing in choir were generally mutually exclusive and definitely not “cool”.  In college as part of the Colgate 13 (an all-male acapella singing group – check out I Can See Clearly Now on the Double Indemnity Album – http://www.colgate13.com/album_info.php?AlbumID=19), my fear of audiences slowly faded and my enjoyment for performance increased.  Upon graduating, our new priest was told (by my mom) that I would be willing to lead the then new music program at St. Anthony’s.  I have been doing that since.

I loved music ministry in the Church – especially when everyone sings.  I have been blessd with a parish of singers.  But I have loved all kinds of music since I was a boy.  So, I felt compelled to begin to put the two together.  I am Catholic and love my faith – I am a musician and love music, so combine the two and you get me.  Of course, I would not classify my own music as all that liturgical (though some songs can be used liturgically – such as the Glory To God from Amazed).  Much of my music is more – listen, relate and enjoy music.

I should say that my Catholic music “career” is part-time as I still need to support a family of five hungry caterpillars.  God blessed me with a great job right after I completed college which has given me the opportunity to also glorify Him through my family and my music.  But, after many, many hours of prayer and discernment, we feel that full-time music ministry is not what we are called to do (at this time).  If God has other plans, which is His perogative, we’re ready for the challenge.

Please give us an overview of What I’ve Settled For.  What inspired the CD and how does it differ from Amazed?

WISF is basically Amazed on a light steroid regimen.  The new CD involved the same people as Amazed (my wife and I, David Smith, producer extraordinaire and Jacob Souva, graphic design and artist), so it is similar in that way.  It is also similar to Amazed in that the music is a little different than what is out there right now in both Christian music and Catholic music especially regarding production, songwriting and presentation.  The new CD, like Amazed, is a truly “indie” project.  It was funded through the generosity of our friends, fans and family.  Both are the result of an outpouring of love from everyone involved -from prayers and words of encouragement to generous monetary gifts.

With WISF, however, the songs are more personal in nature, more mature, more about me / us.  They were written over a longer period of time and most are about things that we have experienced (that most of us experience in one way or another) as Catholics, as family, as parents, as friends, as spouses, as children of God.  The songs deal with struggles and pain as well as joy and love.  Of course there are the strong praise songs (especially The Everlasting which won the Christian category  in the 2007 Songdoor International Songwriting Competition) and Christ Reigns (written by Dave Smith and Nick Cardilino who cowrote the 2007 NCYC Theme song “Discover the Way”).

Each album we’ve released has had a song for or inspired by my mom (who died in 1997 of breast cancer).  She was the kind of person who shared her faith whether you knew it our not through her words and the way she lived her life.  This CD is like her – the songs are about regular life through the eyes of a regular old cradle Catholic, who loves his family and his God more than anything else.  It is really the kind of CD that anyone can enjoy.  If you don’t like guitar, you might be out of luck.  I think the CD “rocks”, as does our auxilliary bishop who loved the music when he heard it.

Speaking of Amazed, what was it like to win the recognition you earned as Songwriter of the Year and Song of the Year at the Unity Awards?

We actually won Pop/Contemporary Album, Producer and Graphic Design, too.  So I was completely blown away!  I really couldn’t believe it.  I get choked up even now thinking about it.  But it was really great, especially since people still say, “who?”.  It’s nice to be unknown so that I don’t have to deflate my head too much.  There is little pressure when you’re down here doing my music thing with God at the helm.  When you don’t have the record deals to deal with, you rely completely on God’s blessings through other people to make things happen.  But it was pretty cool to hear my name so many times during the awards.  I really did not expect that response.  It was an honor to be considered amidst the many talent Catholic musicians from around the world.  And lucky me – I got to announce Jaime Cortez’s award – I love his music!

Of course, it never would have happened without Dave Smith who helped to make the song (and CD) what it is.  He really poured so much of himself into it – I am so glad to share the awards with him.  The recognition really was one of those moments when the unknown can use what God has given and come away with the gold without anyone really knowing.

Back to “What I’ve Settled For”, what are some of your favorite songs on the CD and the stories behind them?

I really love all the songs on the CD, but my favorites are listed below.

Radio-friendly faves -

The Everlasting – This song is based on Psalm 90 and was written with Dave Smith in about 3 hours.  This is the song that won the Christian Category of the Songdoor Competition.

Into Your Arms – This song was written as I reflected on my mom’s life and death and also the then current struggles of a family friend and fellow parishioner, Richard Kies.  He was struggling with cancer and like my mom, even near the end, was able to come to Jesus in the Eucharist as He came to them to fill them with His presence.  The image I pictured was based on my own imagination of how it is at that last breath as we fall into Jesus’ outstretched arms into eternity.

Christ Reigns – Dave Smith teamed up with Nick Cardilino (co-writers of the NCYC 2007 theme song Discover The Way) to write this powerful song.  It was inspired by the theme for the 2009 NCYC Kansas City event.  When I heard this song, I LOVED it and loved singing it.

Personal faves -

The First Day – a rock song written for my new baby, Eoin.  It follows him from birth to when he eventually leaves the nest (sniff, sniff).

Just What I’ve Settled For – With 5 kids, the looks, the stares, the questions are sometimes overwhelming.  It is so easy to share your faith when the subject of conversation is your “big” family.

Kids Are Great – my tongue-in-cheek song for my #3 baby.  She is the “one” every family has one of.  And she is SO AWESOME!  She’s just sometimes a little much.  “The stories are true and I’m not lyin’ a day with Biddie might leave you cryin’”

Ordinary Way – My tip of the hat to one of my favorite sonwriters, David Gates.  I love his music and I love my wofe, so this is my love song to her.  I wish it was more.  But sometimes what it is, is all it needs to be.

Turn Away – Much of the lyric for this song was penned by my wife, Jen.  It was based on a troubling experience and the thought that the same could happen to one of our babies.

What has it been like to work with such a talented producer as Dave Smith?

God has blessed me with a great friend who happens to be (in my opinion), one of the best producers out there.  I am so grateful that our paths crossed the way they did.  I trust Dave with my songs (and if we lived closer, I’d trust him to watch my kids ).  I send him a song, he knows what I like and then he sets it up with his instrumentation.  It is amazing.  Sometimes he surprises me on his take to a song, other times it ends up exactlty how I had envisioned it.  What is also so awesome is that we share a faith and a similar perspective on life.  We love God, we love our wives and our kids, and we love to share good music with people.  I hope that more people recognize and work with this amazing man and producer.  I also hope that God keeps us working together well into the future.

Who are some of your musical influences, both Catholic and secular?

I feel like I’m influenced by everything that is good out there – at least the good stuff I like.  Beatles, Matt Maher, Steven Curtis Chapman, Joel Hanson (PFR), Bread (David Gates), Switchfoot, Moody Blues, Chicago, 80s hair bands, 70s soft rock bands, celtic bands, and so many others – I just love a good song even if it is cheesy Barry Manilow or some random disco song or a cool folk song by John Gorka.  Growing up, my mother was a showtunes fan – she was Maria in the Sound of Music in High School, so by 5 years old, I had memorized the soundtrack.  Music was all around all the time.  I actually have a hard time in the silence.

What are your plans now that the CD has been released?  What comes next for you musically and personally?

My hope is to do at leat 2 concerts / gigs a month (above my regular church responsibilities).  Since I like to include my kids in the concerts, it makes for a family friendly night (or afternoon or weekend) and keeps us all together.  I hate being away from home – it just rips me apart to go to sleep without kissing all my babies goodnight.  Like the Journey song”Faithfully”, beaing apart ain’t easy.  And my heart really can’t take too much of it.

We are in the process of setting up some concerts herre in NY and the Northeast.  So, perhaps people will be able to make a show or two.  I would love to be part of some of the big Catholic events like Steubenville East and Proud 2B Catholic.  But the doors have not yet opened for those events, yet.

Personally, the garden we grew for the first time last year doubled in size this spring, so that will keep us busy with tomato plants, peppers, pumpkins, etc…  I also hope to get out and fish with the kids a little more this year.  This year I promised my Emma that I would not hook her like I did last year.  I think I’ll be praying to all the apostles as so many were fishermen.

Are there any additional thoughts you’d like to share with our readers?

Feel free to check out the music for free (it streams free – both of the new CDs – on my website).  If they are in the Northeast, keep me in mind for concerts or events.  We have a van for the fam and are ready to travel.

We love to hear what people think of our music – compliments only

Visit Sean Clive at www.SeanClive.com.

“In the Silence of the Heart” – guitar, violin, finding God in the silence, in the desert. Reflects Danielle’s pursuit of God in her own heart.

“Pursue Me” – guitar, light percussion. A song asking God to “pursue me”, to come into my life. “You stretched Your loving arms across the world into my heart.” Sometimes we keep running away from God, trying to go after our own selfish prizes. God comes to pursue us, to bring us back to Himself.

“Nothing Compares to You” – light waltz. Unlike other songs with a similar name, this one is not about “you” going away and me being sad. Nothing in this world can separate us from the Love of God, as in the passage from Romans.

“Hail, Mary” – In honor of our Blessed Mother. The beautiful prayer to Mary expanded, a devotion to the Mother of God, mixed with the Doxology.

“Abraham’s Offering” – a song written about the story of Abraham being asked by God to sacrifice his son, Isaac. A song about true faith, obedience, and trust in God.

“Anointing at Bethany” – midtempo 6/8 song about Jesus’ annointing with the expensive oil by the woman, as told from the perspective of the woman.

“Follow Me” – “If you lose your life for the sake of my name…”, this is a song about God calling us to follow Him. “I call you by name, I call you my friend. From now on I call you a fisher of men.” Beautiful choir arrangment on this one.

“Walk on Water” – song about Jesus’ walking on water, the apostles’ fear when they saw him, “Come to me and walk up on the water; Come in faith my grace will be enough. If you believe you come to know love’s power, come to me and I will hold you up.” The harmonies give the right touch.

“Psalm 139 (Wonderfully Made)” – “Lord, You search me and you know me.” A beautiful setting of the psalm. A haunting piano accompaniment accentuates this song.

“Sing a New Song” – A definite Bluegrass tempo, “I will sing a new song, to a new song. I will sing a new song to the Lord. He has turned my mourning, turned it into dancing, silence ends in melody.” Turning everything over to Jesus. This is the song that gives her that Alison-Krause-like quality.

“See You In the Eucharist” – a light ballad, a song about Jesus’ True Presence in the Eucharist. Something that even Catholics need to be reminded about, that the Eucharist is not just a symbol of Jesus, it IS Jesus!

“Gates of Heaven” – A light bluegrass/folk song, duet with her father, Dr. Daniel Skorich. “…and if I never see you face again, we will meet at the gates of Heaven.” Reminds me a little of some of the Irish ballads I’ve heard. Danielle said she cried for two hours after first hearing this song.

While we will definitely miss Danielle’s music, she is being called to a different life. We offer our prayers for Danielle in her vocation in the convent. 100% of the royalties of this project will go towards vocations.

The CD can be purchased at the WLP Website: WLP.JSPaluch.com.

Copyright 2009 Jim Logue

“Cry of the Beloved” – An uptempo song based on the Song of Solomon, describing God as the King as we, His people, the beloved.

“Conquer Me” – a song praying for God to conquer us with His love, His mercy, His truth. Turning ourselves over to God completely.

“The Ring” – a beautiful song for weddings, this is a beautiful duet between Alicia and Martin Doman. Talks of the lifelong committment of love that marriage is. “The ring is the symbol of my love for you.”

“You’re the One” – this song is of a woman singing of the love she has for her husband. “You’re the one for me”.

“Talitha Cumi” – song of a mother, whose child has died. “Little girl, arise”, what Jesus said to the little girl who died. Another verse is from the perspective of the child, who recognizes Jesus as the one who calls to her, “Talitha cumi”.

“Up to the Moon” – I love you up to the moon, as big as the sky. The song is a mother singing of her love for a child, watching a child grow “like a beautiful tree”…”You’ll always be my little child”.

“As I Kneel” – A song for Mary, with a little girl singing on this with Alicia. This song appears in the “Canticle” hymnal at Franciscan University.

“Give Thanks to the Lord” – more uptempo, with choir, “Give Thanks to the Lord for He is good, His love endures forever”. Great contemporary arrangment of the psalm.

“Maria” – I first heard of this song in the Canticle hymnal (used by Franciscan University). Alison wrote the songs several years ago during a visit to the Basilica of the Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, DC. On her blog, she writes: “I remember perfectly the moment that the idea for this song came to me. I was at the annual March for Life in January of 1992 with other students from Franciscan University and we were visiting the National Shrine in Washington DC. I was walking around the catherdal praying and looking at all the beutiful architecture that drew one’s mind to spiritual realities. I noticed around the top of one of the arches there were written the titles of Mary. “Star of the Sea”, “Tower of Ivory”, “Vessel of Divinity”…. and I just started thinking and singing to myself right there in the church.”

“Scripture Medley” – Alison gets the kids involved in this one, with a song to help kids in learning Scriptures. A great way to help the young ones to learn about the Word of God.

A very well-produced project, the musical background is very professional, a great debut CD!



Copyright 2009 Jim Logue

Now Kevin has recorded a solo CD: We All Bow Down. This CD features ten songs that showcase his strong vocal talents. The album is produced by Darren Rust and includes musicians Tommy Barbarella and Sonny Thompson, who have worked in the past with Prince and Janet Jackson.

The purpose of this CD, the songs and the styles, is to lead the listener through life’s journey. Songs include Michael W Smith’s All I Want, thanking God for everything we have; Lenny LeBlanc’s We All Bow Down, offering praise to God; Michael Card’s El Shaddai and The Nazarene; Josh Groban’s Remember When It Rained; DeGarmo & Key’s In His Love; Twila Paris’ How Beautiful; Julie Hoy’s Wait For the Moment; and Brenda Russell’s The Last Day.

The songs all offer praise to God, express our trust in His care, and the hope of one day sharing eternal life with Him. Kevin gives a truly inspired performance with a solid musical background to his voice.

You can learn more about Kevin John Smith at his website KevinSings.com.

Reviewed by Jim Logue, Jr.

The biggest weakness of the album is the lyrics. Too often it felt as if Mr. Tonnis wrote “to the rhyme.” Sometimes he sacrifices faithfulness to Scripture and good sentence structure for the sake of the rhyme. I would have liked to hear Mr. Tonnis either “dig deeper” to find better rhymes (some of his “rhymes” don’t even rhyme), or write songs that have no rhyming pattern at all. This might have also eliminated the “singsong” quality that occasionally appears in his melodies.

Many people have been touched by the ministry and music of Bill Tonnis, and I am confident that Live to Love will serve his ministry well. The songs “Come to Jesus” (track 2) and “Heal Me” (track 4) can be used for those needing healing of body and spirit, “Take Me Now, Forever” (track 10) is a lovely song for a wedding, and “God is the Goal” (track 7) is great for those who need a little “pick-me-up” sometime during the day.

For more information on Bill Tonnis and to purchase Live to Love go to BillTonnisMusic.com.

Reviewed by Fr. Kent O’Connor