Top Catholic Songs – share, learn, promote

A guest post from Dr. Kevin Vost, author of Fit For Eternal Life: A Christian Approach for Working Out, Eating, Right, and Building the Virtues of Fitness in Your Soul. (Sophia, 2007).

I was asked for an “ideal workout play list” so voila, here’s mine:

1. Irish Blessing by The Priests from the album The Priests
2. Benedictus by The Priests from the album The Priests
3. Salad Bowl by Nick Alexander from the album I Wanna Be Debated
4. Nicene Creed by Nick Alexander from the album I Wanna Be Debated
5. Pie Jesu by The Priests from the album The Priests
6. Hip to Be Square by Huey Lewis & The News from the album Greatest Hits: Huey Lewis & The News
7. Cry of the Celts by Ronan Hardiman from the album Michael Flatley's Lord of the Dance
8. Ave Maria by Kitty Cleveland from the album Sacred Arias
9. I Surrender by Sharmane from the album I Surrender Single
10. Mass No.1 in D Minor for Soloists, Chorus and Orchestra: 1. Kyrie by Bernarda Fink, Christoph Prégardien, John Eliot Gardiner, Luba Orgonasova, Monteverdi Choir & Wiener Philharmoniker from the album Bruckner: Mass No. 1 in D Minor & Motets

This list should be good for at least two cardio or strength workouts. The Priests mellow tunes will gently warm you up and then boom, here come Nick’s fast-paced pieces (and Salad Bowl will help you eat right when you’re done). Let the heart rate settle down a bit with the reverent Pie Jesu, and then pump it up again with Hip to be Square. (Sure this one’s secular, but it has a good beat and Huey sings about getting in shape, to boot.) Speaking of boots (or at least dancing shoes), The Cry of the Celts from Lord of the Dance is a high-energy tune for the highest intensity portion of your aerobic session (or strength training set.) Proceed to cool down with Kitty Cleveland’s beautiful Ave Maria, until you are ready to surrender with Sharmane Adams’s I Surrender. Anton Bruckner was a devout Catholic composer of the 19th century and his Mass #1 is hauntingly beautiful and over a half hour long. Listen to it some day when you’re out taking a long walk. May God bless you as you psyche up your minds, pump up your muscles, lift up your hearts (and give your ears a good workout in the process). Kevin Vost, Psy.D.

Nick Alexander here... The King's Men is a great ministry serving the needs of Catholic men. I will be interviewed on their radio show this coming Friday. To support their ministry, I have compiled my personal favorite Catholic songs that call me, as a man, to follow God more ardently as a father, a husband, and a disciple. May these songs also bless you.

1. Despite by Greg Walton from the album I Won't Back Down
2. Change Me by Tom Booth from the album Change Me
3. Just Like You by Matt Maher from the album The End and the Beginning
4. In You by Paul Harrigan from the album Thank You 2
5. Press On by Bob Filoramo from the album My Beacon of Hope
6. Acclamation by Mike Harrison & Greg Walton from the album Spirit of Fire
7. Stand On the Rooftop by Chris Muglia from the album Innocence
8. No More Fear by Aaron Thompson from the album Mystical Radical God
9. Have No Anxiety by Ed Bolduc from the album Word for Word
10. This Time of Forty Days by Nick Alexander from the album I Wanna Be Debated

ETA: The episode was a success. The archive for the interview is available on Holy Spirit Radio's Archive Page.

Nick Alexander here... Thanksgiving is upon us. Thanksgiving is that rare national holiday where the entire country slows down, celebrates with family, and gives thanks to God, for His provision and kindness. The following is a playlist of the best Thanksgiving songs from Catholic and contemporary Christian artists. Enjoy, and give thanks today.

1. Hallelujah, My Father by Annie Karto from the album Perfect Sacrifice
   
2. Thanksgiving Prayer by Bobby Fisher from the album If We Dare to Hope
   
3. Thanks by Ceili Rain from the album Erasers On Pencils
   
4. Thank You Lord by Denis Grady from the album Running Too Long
   
5. Songs of Thankfulness and Praise by The Festival Choir and Hosanna Chorus from the album 100 Church Classics
6. With All Our Hearts by Jesse Manibusan from the album Love Never Fails
   
7. Father, We Thank Thee by John Angotti from the album Testify
   
8. Thanks and Praise by John Angotti & Meredith Dean Joesph from the album Strong In Faith: Contemporary Songs of Faith
   
9. Give Thanks to the Lord by John Flynn from the album Cry Out
   
10. Jesus Christ, I Think Upon Your Sacrifice (Once Again) by The Kings Chamber Orchestra from the album String Heaven
11. Thank You, Lord by Margo B. Smith from the album Because You Love Me
    
12. Lead Me Home by Matt Maher from the album Welcome to Life
    
13. Thank You for the Blood by Matt Redman from the album The Father's Song
14. Unconditional Love by Nancy Krebs from the album The Journey
    
15. Now Thank We All Our God by National Philharmonic Orchestra of London & The London Philharmonic Choir from the album Hymns Triumphant, Volumes 1 & 2
16. Holy God We Praise Your Great Name by Nick Alexander from the album I Wanna Be Debated
    
17. What Can I Do by Paul Baloche from the album A Greater Song
18. We Plow the Fields by Ralph Carmichael from the album Ahh Capella Hymns
19. Jesus, Thank You by Sovereign Grace Music from the album Worship God Live
    
20. Thank You for Loving Me by Tommy Walker from the album Make It Glorious
    

Nick Alexander here... This is a list of my favorite songs that fit the theme "Formed by Living Water." This is the theme for NCCYM 2008 (National Conference for Catholic Youth Ministry), to be held in Cleveland, OH on Dec 4-7, 2008. These songs are great songs for me to listen to while traveling to this conference. I, and some of the artists represented here (Bryan Murdaugh, George Lower, and Nick Cardilino, along with Paul Hilts) hope to meet you there...
Booth #429
sponsored by the Catholic Association of Music.

1. How Life's Supposed to Be by Last Day off the album Happy Medium
   
2. Living Water by Paul Harrigan off the album Thank You 2
   
3. You Alone Can Satisfy by Ross King off the album Soulspeak
4. Discover the Way by Nick Cardilino off the album Discover the Way
   
5. You Are the Lord by Jaime Jamgochian off the album Above the Noise
6. With Living Water by Margo B. Smith off the album Sending Up a Prayer
   
7. Thirsty by Bryan Murdaugh with Total Strangers off the album With Everything I Know, It's a Long Way Home
   
8. Rain Down by Delirious? off the album World Service
9. Universal Prayer by George Lower off the album Of Saints and Angels
   
10. Melt Me by Nick Alexander off the album Eternal Life - the Party Album
    

Nick Alexander here... On the weekend of September 14 the Church celebrates the Feast Day of the Triumph of the Holy Cross. In celebration, we have hand picked ten songs best suited for the occasion. These songs range from modern hymn classics to contemporary praise songs. Artists as varied as Matt Redman, Sean Clive, Hillsongs, Gerard Faucheux, Jeremy Riddle, Apostolica, and The Good Shepherd Singers are all represented. Happy Feast Day!

Nick Alexander here... It's fun to look back at all the competitions we have had throughout the last year. In doing so, we want to profile some artists that you may have noticed throughout these lists.

1. Lynn Geyer
   Seven-Time Top Ten Artist, including Top Ten Songs for Lent, Easter, and Advent. Check out her album "Christmas All Year Through"
2. Paul Harrigan
   Paul's Song "Medjugorje" earned him #4 on the Top Ten Songs for Mary. Check out his album "Thank You2."
3. Gretchen Harris
   Five-time Top Ten artist, including: Top Ten Songs of 2007, and Songs for Weddings. Check out her Album "Sing of Mary".
4. Fr. Kent O'Connor "Little Way (St. Therese of Lisieux)" was #8 on the Top Ten Songs for Children. Check out his album "Saints."
5. Mel Kennedy
   Four-Time Top Ten artist, including Top Ten Songs for Weddings, Easter, and the Holy Spirit. Check out her Album "Beinaventrados."
6. Bryan Murdaugh
   You can find Bryan on our Top Ten Up and Coming Catholic Recording Artists. Check out his Album "With Everything I Know..."
7. Last Day
   This Catholic band landed #3 on the Top Ten Songs for Lent with their song "A Simple Cry." Check out the album "We're here."
8. Bob Metivier
   Bob's song "Father (the Passion)" was #8 on the Top Ten Songs for Holy Week. Check out his album "The Lord Takes Broken Pieces."
9. George Lower
   Three-time Top Ten artist, two for the Top Ten Songs for Lent, and one for the Holy Spirit. Check out his album "Of Saints and Angels."
10. Annie Karto
    Three-time Top Ten artist, including Top Ten Songs for Mary, Holy Spirit, and Up & Coming Catholic Artists. Check out her Album "Perfect Sacrifice."

Be sure to check out more of these lists at our Top Tens page.

Recently, the TopCatholicSongs community voted on the top Catholic artists who are rising in the ranks of note, lately. I have created a playlist that has two songs from each of their albums. But perhaps you would like to check out the full countdown here...

1. Boom Bip by Point 5 Covenant from Listen. Learn.
2. Lift Up Your Eyes by Keith Roberts from This Time Around
3. Jesus Loves Me from Little Lamb Lullabies
4. Are You Amazed? by Bob Rice from Shining Like the Son (Best of 1996-2005)
5. Alleluia (Raise Your Voice) by News At Eleven from Here Till the End
6. Mary's Got My Back by Sarah Bauer from Lead Me Home
7. hope4thenew by manuel3 from Catholic Soul Revolution
8. Transubstantiation by Nick Alexander from A Time to Laugh
9. Communion by Gretchen Harris from Sign of Love
10. Take Up Your Cross by Tajci Tatiana from I Thirst - the Crucifixion Story

Nicholas Cole is the former owner of Catholic Tuneage. He has selected this Top 10 list from some of his favorite Catholic albums. These songs are really a cross section of his life over the past couple of years. Four years ago when he founded Catholic Tuneage, lullabies would have never made the list, but now that he has two children they have become quite important to his music selections. But, even with the kiddos, you still cannot shake Catholic rap from the #1 spot!

Susan Bailey writes: Episode #86 of the GrapeVine News Minute is up The podcast player is located on the homepage of the GrapeVine website as well as on the podcast page. Go to www.gvonline.net to access the player for easy listening. The GrapeVine News Minute for April 27, 2008 Episode #86 Sponsored by Gretchen Harris Music Ministry. We talk to 2 performers (Fr. Stan Fortuna and Dana) and 2 spectators (Matthew Baute and Annie Karto - they happen to be artists too!) on their impressions of the Pope whom they saw in person during his visit to America April 15-20. Matthew's photo album of the Mass at Yankee Stadium Music: B 16 Bomber, Fr. Stan Fortuna (courtesy of Francesco Productions) We Are One Body, Dana (courtesy of HeartBeat Records) Perfect Sacrifice, Annie Karto Love Wins All, Matthew Baute (courtesy of World Library Publications) Read about the Pope's visit plus other news about Catholic music on the new Music section of Catholic Online. Check the show notes for a special iMix of songs performed by various artists for Pope Benedict during his visit - click on the Podcast tab at the top of the website page. We love your feedback! Call the hot line at 206-600-6940

Nick Alexander here...

Have you discovered Grapevine Magazine? In my mind, it is the absolute best resource to discovering the latest from Catholic Contemporary musicians, liturgical and entertainment-oriented. Run by Susan Bailey, there are musician profiles, latest events, and music reviews. The resulting magazine is quite attractive in print, and the articles draw attention to this otherwise "blind-spot" in Christian music.

Not to be outdone with print, Susan Bailey has been promoting the Grapevine News Minute (actually, about fifteen minutes), a weekly podcast which allows you to dig deeper in these stories, and get to hear songs live.

Susan Bailey, along with George Leite (of Catholic Jukebox/Catholic Rockers/Catholic PraiseCast fame) presented an informative session at the Catholic Faith & Media Conference at Franciscan U of Steubenville, earlier this month. They even got a few good blurbs about Top Catholic Songs in... Thanks So Much!! (Check out their presentation on Grapevine's main page).

Discover the blessings of Catholic Music, and check out both Grapevine and Catholic Jukebox today.