Sing To The Lord

 

 


"SING to the LORD" is the outstanding sixth release from Gretchen Harris, UCMVA's 2006 "Female Vocalist of the Year." Gretchen is a Catholic Christian singer/songwriter whose music expresses her deep love for God and Church.

"SING to the LORD" is full of beautiful songs sung TO God...gorgeous settings of well-known and deeply loved tunes that touch the soul and lift the heart, including "Prayer of St. Francis," "You Are Near," "Shepherd Me, O God," "Breathe," and many more! (See song lyrics below)

This album also features three very special duets, with Matt Maher, Robert Kochis, and Carl Herrgesell sharing their exquisite vocal talents with Gretchen.

Many superb studio players from Nashville and L.A. provide excellent musicianship as support for this CD honoring Our Lord God!

Songs from Gretchen's six CDs can be heard on Catholic and Christian radio stations in the United States and many other countries, in addition to the worldwide radio outreach of EWTN.
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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.

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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.

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               Copyright ©2007 - 2011 Gretchen-Harris.com

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!
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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

REVIEWS!



PEACEFUL!
Reviewer: Katie Morrissey
Gretchen's Sing to the Lord is peaceful and soothing. Her voice is a true blessing...I love this CD!