SING to the LORD by Gretchen Harris

=====================

REVIEW OF "SING TO THE LORD" CD, BY SUSAN BAILEY, GVONLINE.NET:

Gretchen Harris is one of the most well-known and beloved artists in Catholic music. Her music has a universal appeal because of her vocal talent and excellent song choices. Sing to the Lord is her sixth offering and to me it was like sampling fine gourmet food.

Many of the songs are classics in Catholic liturgy: “You Are Near,” “Prayer of St. Francis,” “Breathe” and “Shepherd Me, O God.” Normally I am not crazy about the covering of such familiar songs but Harris was successful in creating fresh arrangements. The old adage, “It’s all in the details” definitely holds true here. The careful attention to every vocal nuance, every note played creates a beautiful listening experience that nourishes the soul.

“Prayer of St. Francis” is one of my favorites. I have a weakness for quality acoustic guitar playing and here it so complements the vocals of Harris and her duet partner, Matt Maher.

There are two other duets of note as well: “Every So Gently,” a haunting piece with Robert Kochis, and “Friend of God” with Carl Herrgesell.

The familiar songs, the careful planning and attention to detail, and the lovely execution . . . just like a fine gourmet meal. Sit down with this one and drink in the blessings like a fine glass of chardonnay.

=====================

Gretchen's prayer release, THE ROSARY, has all four sets of Mysteries, including the Luminous, on 1 CD. It is led by 4 different priests with beautiful background music. Each complete rosary is 18 minutes of meditational prayer.

CHRISTMAS JOY, combines traditional favorites with new songs of the holidays. This is a delightful journey for the soul as we travel through the Christmas season with the joy that it holds for our hearts.

HOPE FOR TOMORROW was the "Pop/Contemporary Album of the Year" winner! This is a soothing collection of contemporary music, with comforting lyrics to help people cope under extremely trying circumstances. It has a message of hope in God's presence, even in the darkest times.

SIGN OF LOVE contains many original songs, with Gretchen's lyrics expressing her simple and honest love of the Lord. This contemporary album has the talents of many top musicians in Los Angeles. The music has been moving and inspiring lives with it's full pop sound as well as the tender, beautiful ballads that facilitate prayer and touch the heart.

SING OF MARY, nominated for "Praise and Worship Album of the Year," is a beautiful collection of Marian favorites. This album includes songs from ages ago to new contemporary favorites. Gretchen has a special devotion to the Blessed Mother, and on a pilgrimage was blessed to receive a special sign to sing to Mary. She recorded this album in gratitude and love for her.

Recent television appearances have been in Boston, San Antonio, Ohio, and includes a half hour concert showcase on EWTN's BACKSTAGE and performances on Dana's series WE ARE ONE BODY.

Dana selected Gretchen to sing with her and Mark Girardin on the recording and the video of the powerful pro-life song "THIS IS MY BODY." This recording was honored with Unity Awards for "Contemporary Song of the Year" and "Music Video of the Year." It's one of Gretchen's deepest honors to take part in that song in respect for Life.

Gretchen ministers through concerts, speaking engagements, and radio programs, performing most recently in Italy, Germany, Canada, Brazil, all over the USA, and in her hometown of Los Angeles, California.

In addition to her vocation as wife and mother of three children, Gretchen enjoys reaching out to others through her music ministry. She is busy ministering with her music, and she would love to come sing at your church!

=====================

Lyrics on "SING TO THE LORD" CD:

YOU ARE NEAR

(Dan Schutte)

Yahweh, I know You are near

Standing always at my side

You guard me from the foe

And You lead me in ways everlasting

Lord, You have searched my heart

And You know when I sit and when I stand

Your hand is upon me

Protecting me from death

Keeping me from harm

You know my heart and its ways

You who formed me before I was born

In the secret of darkness

Before I saw the sun

In my mother's womb

PRAYER OF ST. FRANCIS

Duet with Matt Maher

(Sebastian Temple)

Make me a channel of Your peace

Where there is hatred, let me bring Your love

Where there is injury, Your pardon, Lord

And where there's doubt, true faith in You

Make me a channel of Your peace

Where there's despair in life, let me bring hope

Where there is darkness, only light

And where there's sadness, ever joy

O Master, grant that I may never seek

So much to be consoled as to console

To be understood as to understand

To be loved as to love with all my soul

Make me a channel of Your peace

It is in pardoning that we are pardoned

In giving of ourselves that we receive

And in dying that we're born to eternal life

BREATHE

(Marie Barnett)

This is the air I breathe

This is the air I breathe

Your holy presence living in me

This is my daily bread

This is my daily bread

Your very word spoken to me

And I, I'm desperate for You

And I, I'm lost without You

FRAGRANCE PRAYER

(Tom Booth)

(Text: Cardinal Newman, Adapted by Mother Teresa of Calcutta)

Dear Jesus, help me to spread your fragrance

ev'rywhere that I go

Dear Jesus, flood my soul with Your Spirit

and Your love

Penetrate and possess my being

so utterly that all my life

may only be a radiance of You

Shine through me and be so in me

that ev'ry soul I come in contact with

may feel Your presence in my soul.

Let them look up and see no longer me

but only You, my Jesus

Stay with me and then I shall begin to shine

as You shine so to shine as a light to all

EVER SO GENTLY

Duet with Robert Kochis

(Brian Doerksen, Cindy Rethmeier)

Ever so gently, Your Spirit calls to all who hear

Ever so gently, the sound of Your voice quiet yet clear

Day and night, to the ends of the earth

The skies pour forth speech

There's no place Your voice isn't heard

Your patience astounds me

Your voice is the sweetest of sounds

It's the purest of life-giving rain

Your voice is the calm in the storm

It's the whisper of love that remains

Ever so gently, I hear Your voice pulling me near

Ever so gently, Your word of life stronger than fear

If I turn away from Your heart

Try to hide in my shame

You speak truth in love's patient way

Your gentleness breaks me

SHEPHERD ME, O GOD

(Marty Haugen)

Shepherd me, O God, beyond my wants

Beyond my fears, from death into life

God is my shepherd, so nothing shall I want

I rest in the meadows of faithfulness and love

I walk by the quiet waters of peace

Though I should wander the valley of death

I fear no evil for You are at my side

Your rod and Your staff, my comfort and my hope

You have set me a banquet of love

In the face of hatred

Crowning me with love beyond my power to hold

Surely your kindness and mercy follow me

All the days of my life

I will dwell in the house of my God forevermore

HOLY, HOLY

(Mary MacLean)

Holy, holy

Lord God almighty

Who was and is and is to come

Lord most holy

Worthy of glory

Power and majesty are Yours

Blessing and honor

To You forever

Unto the Lamb upon the throne

Strength and salvation

Belong to the Savior

Holy, holy is the Lord

FRIEND OF GOD

Duet with Carl Herrgesell

(Michael Gungor, Israel Houghton)

Who am I that You are mindful of me

That You hear me when I call

Is it true that You are thinking of me

How You love me it's amazing

I am a friend of God

I am a friend of God

I am a friend of God

He calls me friend

God Almighty, Lord of Glory

You have called me friend

BREATHE ON ME

(Matt Huesmann, Grant Cunningham)

Breathe on me, Breath of God

Bring my life close to Your Spirit

Beat in me, Heart of God

My soul's in prayer to be near It

Focus my eyes to only see what's You

And breathe on me

Breathe on me, Breath of God

Breathe on me, Breath of God

I am a vessel to be filled

Comfort me, Peace of God

Lord, I am restless for Your Will

Silence my fears

So that I may hear from you

And breathe on me

Breathe on me, Breath of God

Surround me in Your Glory

Make Your Presence known

Set the path of grace before me

Let Your Breath become my own

Breathe on me, Breath of God

Cover my sin with Your Mercy

Speak to me, Word of God

Give me a light for my journey

Show me Your Way

And draw me close to You

And breathe on me

Breathe on me

Breathe on me, Breath of God

AS THE DEER LONGS

(Bob Hurd)

As the deer longs for running streams

So I long, so I long, so I long for You

Athirst my soul, for You, the God who is my life

When shall I see, when shall I see

See the face of God

Echoes meet as deep is calling unto deep

Over my head, all your mighty waters

Sweeping over me

Defend me, God

Send forth Your light and Your truth

They will lead me to Your holy mountain

To Your dwelling place

Average Customer Review: