The New Album: "City of Joy"...AGAIN

The New Album: "City of Joy"...AGAIN!

Our newest album has roots in our previous work. One of the strongest tethers of connection is our song, "City of Joy". It was partially inspired by the book of that name and also by the appearance of the Christ child to St. Francis at the first live creche scene in Greccio, Italy, in 1222. The live version we did was included on both "Refresh" AND "The Joy"! That is a little low in volume, but the performance was scintillating. The drive of bass, guitar and drums was perfect, and I don't think we ever performed the vocals better...and it all got caught on tape! Here is that version: 

"City of Joy (live)" on Spotify

In the early 90's, we tried to capture the song on multi-track. In fact, the album we never did quite finish at that time was going to be named "City of Joy". This version was definitely not as good in comparison with the live version, but I include it here for comparison purposes:

"City of Joy (multi-track)" on ReverbNation

On that intended album, I (Mark) had had an idea of doing a short 'Reprise' of "City of Joy" at the end of the album. In recent years, I worked up exactly how that would have sounded, if we'd managed to record it. And now! We end our latest album with this very Reprise, only delayed by about 20 years! Here is that latest work!

"City of Joy (Reprise)" on Spotify

This song has gotten quite a response. My favorite comment is this: "Listening to City Of Joy now, I hear a blend of vocal harmonies most of us can only dream of..." Thanks so much, guys!

— The Stonehouse Band

True joy lies in total sacrificial devotion to ever-flowing Mercy of the Lord's Heart. Nothing can be truer or more real or more beautiful. His Joy and Mercy are "Still Flowing" for YOU!

Peace & Love & JOY,

Mark LaJOIE!

Very Valentine Videos!

Very Valentine Videos!

For the feast of St. Valentine, who died for love of God and neighbor on February 14, 270 AD, Living Waters offers you two videos which celebrate 'forever' married love in Christ. The first is Mark & Julia's first dance, a song written by Mark. The second is a brand new love song by Mike, "Stay!". Enjoy in good spiritual health.....

"This Loving Stream" First Dance! Click this to watch on Reverbnation!

And when I first did see your face

Time and space stopped drift-ing by

And in your eyes I saw a trace

of that for which Man's Lov-er laid down his life

Where does this lov-ing stream flow?

You know it's say-ing 'Go with me! Go with me!'

For I feel an end-less hun-ger to be free in life

And I re-a-lize I love you

I love you

And when I first drank from the well

I could-n't tell you all the sweet-ness that I found

And as we come to know it well

Two ri-vers flow-ing now will join as one

Where does this lov-ing stream flow?

You know it's say-ing 'Go with me! Go with me!'

For I feel an end-less hun-ger to be free in life

And I re-a-lize I love you

I love you

"Stay!", a love song by Michael McBride from our new album, "Still Flowing".

Happy St. Valentine's Day!

Peace & LOVE & Joy,

Mark LaJOIE!

The New Album: "Let Me In"...AGAIN!

The New Album: "Let Me In"...AGAIN!

There are several tendrils of connection between our latest album and our rich past. For instance, there is "City of Joy", the live version of which was included on both of our classic recording albums, "Refresh" and "The Joy", which is now a Reprise at the end of this album. Deep roots! In this posting, let us take notice that Mike's excellent tune, "Let Me In" has been re-born into a new mold. It was a real staple in our early 80's touring days, and a wonderful version of that has been captured for posterity on our "Refresh" album. (Here that is:  Let Me In on Refresh.) I just loved the way we did it in those days. I actually played bass, but that didn't get picked up much on this live version. Greg is certainly at his best in this song on guitar. It has deep roots for Mike personally, among the earliest that came to him, and now expresses a new thought. And it is a new beautiful blossom that has deep Living Waters roots, as well.

In this new version, a totally new, more modern, more polished effect is achieved. This track opens with real sound of actual flowing or living waters, right? (You can hear water sounds and references in "Booze Blues Cruise", as well, by the way!) Before you listen to the song, I thought you might like to see a video extract of a track in process. In this video, you see Greg and Josh laying down electric guitar tracks that you can hear about two thirds of the way through on the song. Pretty cool! Here it is:

The result is that the vibrant new song of a very young Mike becomes the rich, mature song of a Mike come into his own. So, without further ado, from the album "Still Flowing", here is the newest version of "Let Me In" by Mike McBride!

"Let Me In" from "Still Flowing" by Living Waters

Peace & Love & JOY,

Mark LaJOIE!