Recent comments
Author: Steve Byrne
Such an interesting discussion. Here in the UK we have lifted restrictions but still have masks on in Church. We can sing behind the masks - but no wind instruments allowed as yet. Cases are nationally high but we all seem to be ignoring it!
I've been listening to your music, gents. You're both very blessed.
hope you stay well.
Steve
Author: Richard Schletty
Nice. I like your take on these songs of faith. Sounds like a live gig full of passion. You rock!
Author: Alexander John
Hi Richard,
Sorry to hear you won't be able to perform at your church anymore. I hope you enjoy semi retirement and have extra time for the things that are important to you. It's looking like lockdown here will be lifted early in about a week, rather than two! I doubt I'll be back to work for at least a month though. Stay safe and hope you and your loved ones and safe and well.
All the best,
Alex
Author: Captain Hogcurl...
Give this a listen. Instrumentals of classics plus originals with vocals! If you don't use Spotify see the previous post in there is a link to YouTube also.
Author: Captain Hogcurl...
This small set opens with two instrumentals and then goes further in, adding vocals. The guitar-intensive songs resemble the better tracks from his last work, Flicker in the Dust. Bio says the artist "doesn't claim to be a singer" but his vocals are sincere. Good job, Brian! Keep it up.
Author: Richard Schletty
Hi, Alex. Our restrictions are less oppressive and hardly effect me cause I don't go out much. We can go to church and are now not required to wear masks. This last Sunday, about a third of the worshipers chose to still wear masks at the 8 am Mass at St. Stanislaus. I retired from my every-Saturday job at St. Mary's leading hymns solo with guitar and voice at the 4:30 Mass. The new pastors have outlawed guitar and piano. They only want plainchant and organ. Sigh...
On a positive note,...
Author: Richard Schletty
That's an excellent idea! I can visualize the Catholic Carousel.
Author: Captain Hogcurl...
Hey Brian,
Thank you so much for your encouraging words. Yes, let's get on this carousel, if it exists! Haha.
Author: Richard Schletty
Thanks, El Capitan. The words and melody came to me one night, out of nowhere. I first recorded it a cappella in 2008. See topcatholicsongs.com/heal-the-night
Several years later, my collaborator and mentor, André van Haren, added the beautiful symphonic soundtrack. André has posted blogs here at TCS which show how to engrave music with Sibelius. We have since both migrated to Steinberg Dorico.
André is here: www.andrevanharen.com
Author: Alexander John
Hey Richard, unfortunately the state I live in (Melbourne) is still locked down and will be until October the 26th. That's the earliest they will lift it, there is a possibility that we won't have restrictions eased until November. It is stressful because I work in hospitality so unfortunately I cant work from home. How are things in the States at the moment? I know you guys have been out of lockdown for quite some time. I miss the church as we can't go there either and it's been months now....
Author: Richard Schletty
I appreciate your vote of confidence for the HFH project. I hope things are looking up down under, despite all the heavy-handed lockdowns and mandates in your country.
Author: Richard Schletty
I'll try to conjure up some sort of virtual musical. I now have a very talented and mezzo soprano singer who can add her emotive voice to Hungry For Heaven. This has been on the backburner for too many years!
Author: Alexander John
I'm from Australia but lived in England for several years and unintentionally almost shook off my accent. Upon returning it was never as strong as when I left so it's not very traditional. If your ever interested in keeping in touch I'm not on social media but my e-mail address is: june082019@outlook.com (a strange e-mail address but that date is important to me). Always keeping an eye out on your latest music. All the best and God Bless.
Author: stevdrak
Hi
So sorry that I missed these earlier comments. Yes, we have guitar lead sheets available for all of our music. Just drop us a line, we're happy to share.
Thanks for the feedback as well, always welcome.
Author: Captain Hogcurl...
I always wondered where you were from with your accent in your tracks. Australia? Now I know!
Author: Captain Hogcurl...
Thank you for posting. I'm listening to the other movements right now on the project web site. Love that you have three dudes on two continents involved. If it were made into a musical and I was near enough to the location of the performance, I would go. If posted online, I would watch.
Author: balynch88
I like guitar work in "He Gave His Body"
This music needs to be played on Holy Land themed carousel!
I don't know if one exists, but it should.
Author: Captain Hogcurl...
That comment sure made me feel good. I'm trying to be more Spotify-intensive which I think is where you have your emphasis as both a listener and an artist, if I'm guessing correctly. I don't really understand it so I signed up as a listener to figure it out. I like it more than the free version of YouTube music I had previously used, it provides more variety.
Author: Captain Hogcurl...
Alex,
Thank you for your kind words! I enjoy your stuff as well. :-)
Author: Alexander John
Hi Richard, it's been a while since I have been here. Wanted to say hi from down under and let you know that I would love to see this made into a musical. So good to see so many new members too. All the best mate, Alex.
Author: Alexander John
Great song and video. I always find myself tapping my foot and smiling to the music you have done that I have listened to. Really great music Captain. Thank you for sharing
Author: Richard Schletty
Cool how it transitions to cool jazz about halfway through. Thanks for sending this song upstream to TCS!
Author: John Bennett
We'd love to have you come play your original songs on stage at our local Christian songwriters showcase. We welcome Catholic songwriters and have promoted Catholics on our past compilation CD releases.. If you'd like to sample one of our shows please come to our September show:
SONGWRITERS SHOWCASE
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 2 - 4 PM
Dunn Brothers Coffee
1160 County Road E West Arden Hills, MN 55112
Worshipping and spreading God's LOVE through our songs,
,...
Author: Richard Schletty
Hello, John Bennett! Glad to see you signed up here at TCS. Thanks for sharing your upbeat song about "the time that fits in God's plan". – Christ's triumphant entry into Jerusalem followed by his suffering, death and resurrection. Amen.
Author: Richard Schletty
Email me at info@topcatholicsongs.com. I will then send you a Dropbox or Box "file request" upload link. No hurry on this. Whenever you have the time. The Audacity track exports approach is perfect. I do have Mac Audacity, by the way.
Author: balynch88
Thank you for the offer!
So far I have done everything in Audacity, I can export the tracks individually, all trimmed to the same length so they can be imported into any DAW and still line up. I'd have to double check that particular song to see how many tracks are in it, but I typically get them done in under 12 tracks, sometimes more if I split the stereo channels.
I can mail a data disc to you, or try to send electronically somehow.
It would be nice to hear someone else's take on a mix...
Author: Richard Schletty
Aha. I was sorta thinking that you lacked confidence in singing. Be confident. The words are so important. Bring them forward. Thanks for posting the lyrics. Well written. I'd be willing to do a "Schletty Remix" on this if you are willing, just for kicks. What DAW/sequencer app do you use? I have Logic, Cubase and GarageBand.
Author: balynch88
Thank you for the advice. Singing is my least favorite part of recording so it's probably subconsious that I leave the vocals a touch burried and the instruments more clear, but I will work on it.
Here are the lyrics:
I was running down the road
Life was beating me down
I'd seen to many troubling things
I had, yes I had, to get out of town
I was looking the for the woman
I heard prayed for us all
I had to ask for a favor
I saw her standing, by the cross, in a blue shawl
Hail Mary,...
Author: Richard Schletty
Thanks for sharing this song, Brian. I can't understand some of the lyrics but I get the general sense of your encounter with Mary.
I listened to your other songs at Spotify and several of those songs have more clarity/presence in your voice. I recommend making your vox track centered and equalized on this song to bring out more presence. Pan instruments left and right of center and tone them down a bit. Just some friendly suggestions from a fellow do-it-yourself recording artist....
Author: Richard Schletty
Let us pray for a profusion of grace and clarity to offset the confusion and illusion that beset many of us. Thank you, Filippo, for this song which traverses illusion and reaches out to God in hope.
Author: Richard Schletty
Hogcurl wrote: "While the Chinese Communist Party has elevated monsters to power that have destroyed people's rights, the Catholic Church elevates Christ from whom all true freedom comes." Well stated. Keep your parodies flying high!
Author: GpierSyoung@1016
Allow me to introduce myself. I'm Greg Pierson from Cincinnati. I am part of a duo called the Pierson-Young Project. My partner is Steve Young. Steve and I have known each other since we were teens in a charismatic prayer community called New Jerusalem. We played music in coffee houses and in our music ministry in NJ. As we got older we went off to live our lives; marriage, children,
and professional careers. I am now retired but Steve is still working. Steve reached out to me in 2015...
Author: balynch88
Never annoyed at comparisons, I'll take it as a compliment! I have not listened to that album so I will check it out.
Author: balynch88
Keep the hits a coming! Streaming your tunes as I type.
Author: Cora
I've been looking for this version and finally found the one I grew up with, that is, Maria's version. Back in the early 70's they used to sing it at the National Shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes in Metro Manila, Philippines. I remember it having been sung with several verses but only the 1st verse stuck in my head, the one Maria sang. Back then it was sung during Holy Communion. I remember this because we only came to this church annually during the 9 day novena for Our Lady of...
Author: Captain Hogcurl...
Looking as robust as ever, Father! Songwise, I appreciated the changing time signatures.
Author: Captain Hogcurl...
Brian,
Good to hear you're doing more music. You're far more prolific than we are - takes us forever.
I don't know if you're complimented or annoyed at comparisons to other artists but back in the day I used to listen to Pete Yorn's musicforthemorningafter and some of your vocal stylings in this "Hail Mary, Mary" record fondly bring me back to those days.
Thanks for posting this!
Author: Captain Hogcurl...
I enjoyed this - I like things that are a bit different - use of art to make a point or capture a mood. And it is sure comforting to know that God always has our back regardless of our perception! Romans 8:38-39
Author: Captain Hogcurl...
Katie,
Thank you for sharing, this was great. Poignant yet hopeful - you captured it well!
Author: balynch88
Awesome job!
Found your music on spotify and listened to a number of the tracks, they are all great.
Hope others check out the rest of your work as well.
I hope this is the right link for your spotify page for others to listen as well:
https://open.spotify.com/artist/3F36ppwnF0IDBtM1uFGWbc
Very inspiring, thank you for sharing your music with us.
Author: Richard Schletty
Katie, this is a powerful and beautiful song. Thank you so much for sharing your backstory with us. May you grow even stronger in your faith journey. Live the good life with the One who matters. You are an inspiration.
Author: Nothingless
This is beautiful, very well written and played, congratulations!!!
I loved the unexpected solo too!!! with an even more unexpected Steve Vai guitar ;)))
Author: Richard Schletty
Truer words were never sung to this tune! Congratulations on another upbeat, catchy track for your collection of Catholic parody songs.
Author: Richard Schletty
Fr. Maximilian: This is an unexpected joy to see your song animated like this. Great job. Hopefully, it will attract lots of listeners who will take to heart your message of love for our Savior and King, Jesus Christ.
Author: Richard Schletty
Benjamin, I really appreciate your positive comments about TCS and am glad to hear about your association with Lee O'Day who programs a Catholic radio station. Good to hear that some TCS artists are getting airplay there! I encourage both you and Lee to contact Rob Ayoub who programs CME Radio:
www.catholicmusicexpress.com/cme-radio (make a comment in the Comments section)
Or send an email to music@catholicmusicexpress.com
Author: Richard Schletty
Eucharistic catechesis in an East Asian vessel. Take that, Kim Jong-un!
A worthy project. Bravo. One more way to bring the Good News to the world.
Author: Captain Hogcurl...
Another good one. Father's instinct for melody continues to shine. Good retro vibe to the tune. For those who don't Spotify I used YT here's the link: https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=vCEdKSZcBSo&feature=share
Author: Captain Hogcurl...
Thank you. There are 3 more of this type. One you haven't heard yet but will soon and two that get recorded tomorrow. The Chinese propaganda songs seems to require tight and punchy lyrics. It's not the case with fully original stuff which will start to trickle out after that, at least a few songs to make enough to have a CD to hand to the old ladies who sit near me after Mass!
Author: Captain Hogcurl...
Your memory is fine, I believe I just communicated that I was going to write him but I don't know if I told you that I had actually written him ha ha. Yes, he does have verve. :-)
Author: Richard Schletty
Captain H: So far, I haven't commented much about your lyrics. They are good. They teach the truths and aims of the Catholic Church in catchy rhyming phrases. I hope that people of all ages will benefit from these lessons.
I like this short stanza:
Food needs salt
Eyes need light
Well said!
Author: Richard Schletty
See how dim my memory is? Oh well. Maybe Nick will resurface soon. He has verve.
Author: Captain Hogcurl...
Yes sir. I checked out and enjoyed his music. I also emailed him back in April at his email associated with his web site.
Author: Richard Schletty
Yes, I remember you did it correctly on prior posts. You are welcome. Keep those songs coming. By the way, Nick Alexander was one of the founders of this website. Drop him a line and tell him that you appreciate what he and a few other members of CAM (Catholic Association of Music) started back in 2007. https://www.catholicmusicministries.com
Author: Captain Hogcurl...
Thank you for fixing that. I had done it correctly with the last one and apparently forgot how. Thank you also for the feedback!
Author: Richard Schletty
Captain H: I fixed your YouTube embed. You should click on Source and paste it in. Then click on Source button again to switch back to visual editor. The instructions are at the top of the home page.
You have some nice vocal polyphony going toward the end. I would be careful of rushing certain phrases. Some are hard to understand unless one is watching the YouTube subtitles. Don't try to pack too much into a line.
These songs styled as miltary marches and national anthems are...
Author: Captain Hogcurl...
Thank you, sir! No issues with copyright so far. These aren't copywritten in China but some are in the USA weirdly enough. I'm confident my use is "fair use" as parody. This is partially why the silly communist band name, etc, to reinforce that it's lawful parody. Only issue I've had is the rightsholder wanted to retain rights for my use of the melody for "Without the Catholic Church, We'd Have No Holy Bible" by running potential ads for their benefit on YouTube. I...
Author: Richard Schletty
Upbeat. In lockstep with our Marian tradition. Have the Kremlin or the CCP contacted you yet about usurping their tunes? LOL.
Keep going! What a unique project!
Author: Richard Schletty
Thanks, Captain, for taking a listen and citing your favorite arrangement of that old tune. Of course, it may not be the tune from Yolanda's childhood, but I tried!
Author: Captain Hogcurl...
Thanks for answering Yolanda. I was curious. Everybody thinks their opinion matters and I'm no exception so I want to state I liked the Fr. J. Roel Lungay version better - at least for listening.
Author: Richard Schletty
Excellent musical setting of an ages-old maxim. The best return comes from investing in the work of the Lord with one's whole heart, mind and soul. Trent Williamson's harmonica is a beautiful overlay. Well sung. Well played.
Author: Captain Hogcurl...
Wow! Thank you so much, Alex. Glad you found encouragement from it. :-)
Author: Captain Hogcurl...
Thank you so much for your kind words.
The creative process is interesting in that it can feel like output comes from nowhere and other times the creative can push himself to make output. If you want more output but it's not coming, force yourself and see what happens! (This free advice is worth what you paid for it)
Yes, we have others, all in the same vein, and more coming. At present this continuously updated YouTube playlist is the most concise place to hear them though all are available...
Author: Alexander John
There is something about the way you deliver your music that puts me in an upbeat and good mood whenever I hear it. It's extremely unique and catchy. I really enjoy the originality and it keeps my head bopping and thinking at the same time. Keep up the great work!
- Alex.
Author: Alexander John
At the moment I'm almost out of lyrics but I hope to do another project. I was thinking of doing a full length album that is a concept piece, but I'm not sure which direction I should go. Maybe incorporate some of my life story and my journey with Christ. Anyway I hope to write and record more soon. I also wanted to let you know that the track you did about the Catholic Church and Holy Bible is extremely catchy, unique and just straight up awesome. All the best, Alex.
Author: Captain Hogcurl...
Hey Alex~
Having peroused your work here and on a music service a time or two, when I read these words the voice I heard in my head was yours. More tracks in the works?
Author: Captain Hogcurl...
Glad that it's working again! That IT pixie dust did it haha. And yes, I enjoy this site and the dialogues that can happen. It provides a home for us and I get to hear what others are up to as well as share.
Author: Richard Schletty
Thrum is a good word – glad I learned it today. I learned scrum at CSB-SJU (Collegeville, MN) in the early 70s when I first saw our rugby team practice. Huddling and heaving in a tight circle is sure a curious thing. I myself threw discus, javelin and shot put.
Your "ill-fated time in IT" – sounds like a bad dream.
Thanks for helping to get some dialogs going here as folks share their music artistry and faith.
Such a joy to have the page refresh now...
Author: Richard Schletty
Fingers crossed and a prayer wafted cloudward. I think I fixed the problem of the "page not refreshing" after publishing a post or comment. Too geeky to explain. I will keep an eye on things. Thanks, everyone, for your patience.
Any Drupal or WordPress developers here among the ranks who would like to help out with content management, troubleshooting, and a possible migration to Drupal 8 or pro version of WordPress?
Richard Schletty
Top Catholic Songs
Author: Captain Hogcurl...
My ill-fated time in IT we had something called Scrum and folks who were Scrum Masters. Not sure if you're familiar outside it's original use which I suspect is sports related. Thrum, a word I did know, got used in the song because of a rhyming dictionary haha. Thank you for your kind comments.
Author: Captain Hogcurl...
WordPress - something I've heard of before discussing the site with you! :-)
Author: Richard Schletty
I tried doing some Drupal 6 updates and troubleshooting. The website was offline for about 40 minutes with various errors. The Drupal 6 CMS (content management system) is getting way too old and crusty. I may have to migrate to WordPress to keep everything fresh and shiny for the future.
Author: Richard Schletty
I am having the same trouble. Posts and comments actually do get published but the browser fails to refresh. I am submitting a ticket to SiteGround.com web hosting to have them troubleshoot this issue.
Author: Richard Schletty
Another rousing call to battle for Christians against the wickedness and snares of the devil. I like your word rhymes and cadence.
"A billion strong together in a thrum." Thrum is a new word for me! How could I have not known this all my life?
Now imagine "a billion strong together in a scrum!"
Author: Captain Hogcurl...
Oops! Mr Schletty can you kindly remove my triple post? I seem to have hit the button three times thinking my comment didn't upload. :-)
Author: Captain Hogcurl...
What a wonderful piece. I loved the video also as it scrolled and I could follow and attempt to sing along. Hopefully you get a lot of parishes interested in this and your other selections.
Author: Richard Schletty
I hear ya. Melodyne is a necessity for those of us who can't quite sing on pitch all the time. I've tried to improve for many years and sometimes come close. I am 68 years old now and thank God that my range and timbre have been preserved over the decades. I've always had an intermittent problem with glottis spasm when singing sustained notes above high D (w/o going into falsetto mode). That happens sometimes when singing something like "Lift High the Cross" at Mass...
Author: Captain Hogcurl...
Good information. You fooled me with one voice doing all the tracks! Excellent. And about you using Melodyne on *some* of the tracks...I have the folks that help me Melodyne ALL my tracks - it would be unlistenable otherwise. So don't feel bad in the slightest. These technologies help us do more.
Author: Richard Schletty
Thanks for your in-depth comments. Truly appreciated. The original compositions are similar to the Michel Guimont arrangements of English psalms as found in the Revised Grail Psalms from Conception Abbey/The Grail. We sing the Guimont psalm tones most weekends at the Church of St. Mary in St. Paul. Minnesota. However, the Spanish salmo arrangements Tony and I create are a bit simpler than the Guimont arrangements. We try to avoid complex chords, like inversions and difficult "...
Author: Captain Hogcurl...
First off, I hit the play mp3 button and then when it "didn't work" I played the video. So I started out thinking this was some sort of round as both began playing but not in synch! Haha. As a non-Spanish speaker and relatively unfamiliar with liturgical music (take what I say for what it's worth) I think this sounds good. It sticks in the mind which is wonderful as it writes the text onto hearts and souls and is carried by the hearer during their days. As guitar is probably the normal...
Author: Richard Schletty
Thank you for your comment! I created lyrics for Dave's track and recorded my voice for this song 15 years ago! Where has the time gone?
Author: Steve Byrne
I love how this song flows. Great production and lyrics. Very prayerful. My prayers go with you.
Author: Richard Schletty
"Peaceful and meditative" – just as you said in your description. Reminiscent of some of John Michael Talbot's prayer-songs. Well done. Good guitar work. Sweet vocals. Keep the songs coming! Do you have your songs available as guitar lead sheets?
Author: Richard Schletty
This song is a gentle reminder of how the Most Holy Trinity can infuse our being through self-abandonment and welcoming prayer. I like the interplay of voices (polyphony). Thank you for sharing this wonderful composition.
Author: Richard Schletty
This sounds good. Reminscent of circle singing and Sacred Harp singing, with harmonic layering and improvised solos led by the Spirit. Well done.
Author: Richard Schletty
Well spoken. Well sung. Thank you, Fr. Maximilian, for your teaching on the beauty of creation. We must re-instill awe and wonder in our youth.
Author: stevdrak
Captain, thanks for your lovely feedback and for taking the time to comment. I'm happy that the music could transport you to happy days growing up. God bless.
audra from Color
Author: Captain Hogcurl...
I grew up in an evangelical denomination that used only a cappella music and this song, especially the first and last parts with the call-and-response styling, reminds me of this same type of music we sometimes sang. Enjoyed. Thank you for sharing!
Author: Captain Hogcurl...
Father has a gift for weaving a great piece together. Catchy without being gimmicky. Excellent track.
Author: stevdrak
Thank you Richard, I always appreciate whatever feedback you have to share. Thank you as well for providing this platform for Catholic artists to minister. May God continue to bless you
Author: Richard Schletty
Captain, you found what I found at St. James Music Press a few years back. A lot of very good music. I posted other stories in the past here at TCS highlighting their seasonal offerings. Just do a search here for St. James Music Press.
topcatholicsongs.com/search/node/St. James Music Press
Author: Captain Hogcurl...
I'm not involved in my parish's music ministry but what a great resource for those who are (and for Catholic music fans like myself). Just wanted to point out you can see everything and hear many of the songs before you have to pay for the license. The only risk to look around is the time it takes you to sign up. Check this out!
Author: asiansa09
How do we get our songs to be in the litergy song book of Catholic church?
Author: Richard Schletty
The last two songs here are my collaborations with Alex John. I adapted his poetry to create my own takes on his good sentiments re God and love.
https://youtu.be/SD0nlxssm7A?t=1359
22:39 – Love 101 – by Richard Schletty and Alex John (home studio recording)
26:14 – God Is On The Scene – by Richard Schletty and Alex John (home studio recording)
Author: Alexander John
Thanks for taking time to listen to my music and I hope you enjoy the EP.