Saturday, November 23, 2019
Wednesday, October 16, 2019
Our First Episode! "LW's Beginnings"
Our First Episode!
The title of our first episode, "LW's Beginning", is actually a play on words, resembling Mike's early beloved Christmas song, "Love's Beginning"! AND in this episode we do indeed start in the beginning. In this initial foray into podcasting, Mark tells the story of how the band actually started with some of us in the early 70's, before we made it official in 1976. We also play an excerpt of us performing a song in the 70's that we have RE-created on our newest album. All in all? worth a listen!
CLICK to hear all about it:
Saturday, October 12, 2019
Saturday, September 28, 2019
Friday, August 9, 2019
When Sunday Comes...The Bell Tolls....
When Sunday Comes...The Bell Tolls....
"When Sunday Comes" on RN!
"When Sunday Comes" on Spotify!
We recently got a great comment on the song from our new album, "Overflow", called "When Sunday Comes". Marian, on Number One Music, said, "“I just wanted to let you know that the 'When Sunday Comes' song was the best music I have heard in a very long time.” Wow! That's a pretty strong comment! What do you think?
At the beginning of the song, you can hear church bells ringing, calling us. As the song progresses the dissonance of the music expresses how hard it is to raise a family and have faith nowadays, with a common culture that is so against the apostolic faith. But even if we are hated or misunderstood, we will keep going to Church, to Jesus, the Source of our strength, when Sunday comes. We come together to pray for all, even our enemies and we will do good to those who harm us. Thematically, this song is very tied to the other songs on the album, especially, "Let It Reign".
Peace & Love & JOY,
Mark LaJOIE
Thursday, July 4, 2019
The Lajoie Boys Meet Alive! Re-issued
my uncle, O'Neil Lajoie, a Marine Raider; a picture of the whole family inc. my father, Raymond; my dad in the army; my dad in the 80's
The Lajoie Boys Meet Alive!
We are re-printing this for future Independence Days!
I am writing this on Veterans Day, November 11, 2011: 11/11/11. At school, they asked if there were any veterans in our family that we would like remembered, listed and prayed for in honor of Veterans Day. There are very many veterans in my extended family, but I knew who I wanted them to mention. I thought of two men and one amazing incident in particular.
My uncle O'Neil was a remarkable man, filled with JOY, fun, humor, industriousness and faith. His large family and the wonderful company he started speak of his powerful influence to bring good into the world. He and my father, Raymond, were young men when Pearl Harbor happened. They, like so many French-Canadians in Augusta were soon off to the Pacific theatre of the war.
O'Neil was in the elite forces of the Marines, a Marine Raider, those who went ashore first. My father was an Army Sergeant who was admired and depended upon by his men. They both ended up in the hell that was the Battle of Guadalcanal. (My father did NOT like to talk about those days on the islands. He let slip some things, like the trench foot, the close-up fighting, the hunger, the smell of the enemy, the prayer.) At any rate, the months of that battle were finally over and each brother had heard devastating news: each had heard the other had been killed. But then both of their units did roll call near each other. As the roll was being called they heard each other's names and...RESPONSES! They rushed to hug each other, someone took a picture and it ended up in the the hometown paper, the Kennebec Journal, or, so I am told. We, their children, stand in benefit of their miraculous survival, will and faith. All who have been touched or blessed in any way by us, or by Living Waters music, for instance, are entirely beholden to these brave veterans.
May we always remember and treasure the gift of our country, and the veterans in our lives who have insured its survival to a new generation, and beg the Good God to have mercy on our country in its great peril. Till we meet alive again - God willing - in Heaven.
Wednesday, July 3, 2019
City of Joy (live) ...Remastered!
A good friend of ours on Reverbnation, Jose, or JMOYA offered us a free re-master since he had purchased more than he could use. We took him up on his offer with "Roll the Rock Over". Now, it occurred to me that one of our most precious live songs could do with this same treatment. And, so it has been accomplished! Here is the link:
City of Joy (live) Remastered!
All this remastering does is up the volume and space out the instruments a bit, it cannot get rid of some of the glitches in the original, but it is a great improvement. Unfortunately, the version that is released on the albums "Refresh" and "The Joy" (available on major outlets) cannot be corrected to this version without re-submitting those albums. In the mean time you can hear it for now on ReverbNation.
In thanks for this, I wish to, once again, place a link to his RN sites as a gesture of thanks. Please, patronize this kind soul's music:
This song is EXTRA special to us in that it has been included in some way on every album we have ever done! Rejoice with us....
Peace & Love & JOY,
Mark LaJOIE!
Monday, June 17, 2019
Our Living Waters Cross Picture!
Our Living Waters Cross Picture!
The picture we chose for the 'back cover' of our album, Overflow, is very symbolic. It is perfect for the subject matter of our album. It is precisely at the Cross, where Mary and John stood, that the victory was won. As the centurion pierced his heart after he died, this spoke of the flowing waters of Grace, now to be so freely available, especially in Baptism and Eucharist. You may notice we put in a back glow of dawning light. The Light of the World that all joined to Christ are called to be? this began to dawn and shine for us at that moment. His Resurrection was the follow-through, the blinding Light, that gained the Living Waters of His Spirit of Love for us. The songs, "Light of the World" and "Sunrise" at the end of the album come to mind.
This all reminds me of the vision that occurred at Knock, Ireland, in 1879, drawn from the symbolism of the Book of Revelation, based on the Cross and the Altar. We are not called "Living Waters" for nothing! We didn't plan all of these themes, but they are there! We invite you to listen to our album. Frankly? the best songs are later on in the album, but I am glad we preserved a certain thematic FLOW through the whole thing. Such skill in here, the fruit of decades of concerts, friendship and prayer. Dive in! and get refreshed....
"Overflow" Album
Tuesday, June 11, 2019
Roll the Rock Over...Remastered!
Roll the Rock Over...Remastered!
A good friend of ours on Reverbnation, Jose, or JMOYA, also author of the "SY99" dance music site, offered us a free re-master since he had purchased more than he could use. I decided to take him up on this offer by sending him a song that I have long wished could be upped in volume at the very least. Now, it has been done!
Roll the Rock Over (live) remastered!
In thanks for this, I wish to place a link to his RN sites as a gesture of thanks. Please, patronize this kind soul's music:
It is SO nice to hear this gem we prize at such good volume! Rejoice with us....
Peace & Love & JOY,
Mark LaJOIE!
Friday, May 31, 2019
ReverbNation Milestones for LW!
ReverbNation Milestones for LW!
We have recently attained some pretty notable milestones on ReverbNation. We arrived there back around 2011 or so. I made a lot of mistakes at first, engaging in some 'spammy'-type attempts at spreading ourselves, for which please receive my sincere 'mea culpa's. But pretty soon, I got into the groove of this very organic, grass-roots way of doing things over eight years: meeting artists one at a time, telling our story, recording and posting new music, until now we find ourselves looking at some great numbers. Here are some:
-we recently got to #13 overall in the world!
{NOW #4! as of 6/17/19}
{NOW #4! as of 6/17/19}
- 201,839 equity points
- 22,192 fans on RN, FB, and Twitter
- 50,642 song plays on RN
- 83,948 visits on RN
We have recently had contacts with One Man in the Middle reviews, and AVA Live Radio. Thanks to all of you for the great love! We love you and pray for you....
Peace & Love & JOY,
Mark LaJOIE!
Sunday, May 26, 2019
"Light of the World" on AVA Live Radio!
"Light of the World" on AVA Live Radio!
Light of the World is getting some attention on AVA Live Radio!
LW's LotW on AVA! CLICK for feature page!
Light of the World will be featured on New Music Monday, first airing at 12 PM on....MONDAY! CLICK for the show June 3rd:
Wednesday, May 22, 2019
Jesus Freak Hideout Podcast
Jesus Freak Hideout Podcast
We are mentioned in this Podcast at around 19:49 minutes. He gives a thumbnail sketch of our history. He notes that our sound "balances the classic rock sound" that was popular when we started, "....picking up other elements along the way and sometimes getting pretty epic in scope, but also knowing when to get simple and smaller, when to pull back and be tender....". He presents our song "Sunrise" as a balance of these two styles on "Overflow", playing a clip of "Sunrise" in the middle and playing the whole song at the end (39:38). Pretty cool, huh?
Podcast Link!
Friday, May 3, 2019
"Jesus Freak Hideout"...It's Coming....
"Jesus Freak Hideout"...It's Coming....
"Jesus Freak Hideout" just sounds like a place where a band from the 70's belongs, doesn't it? We are going to have a podcast that features us coming up on there pretty soon, as well as a download and an ad. The song from "Overflow" that they are featuring is probably "Light of the World" - I left it up to them. It has been great communicating with Christopher and John. They seem very dedicated to doing a good job. Just stay posted!!
*As of May 13! The podcast is now set for Wednesday, May 22nd! AND we will have an ad, a 'middle sidebar' running from May 24 to June 6. After that, they may do an album review....
CLICK to go to Jesus Freak Hideout
Sunday, April 28, 2019
New EP from Mike McBride!
NEW EP from Mike McBride!
We have been waiting for this for a few years. Ever since Mike returned to us, about 2012 or so, he has written a lot of songs. Many of Mike's new songs have fit into our Living Waters productions, but he deserves to have something that reflects his own unique talent. And so? Ta da! Here is the brand new EP, "You to Me", by Michael McBride
Here are the songs on the list:
1. Honey (with Mark singing along)
2. Red Blood (featuring Mike's daughter!)
3. You (a love song)
4. Stay
By the way, that drawing? was made by Mike himself when he was 14 years old! Cool, right?!
By the way, that drawing? was made by Mike himself when he was 14 years old! Cool, right?!
You and Me on Spotify
You and Me on iTunes
Thursday, April 25, 2019
A Story About "Song of Witness"
A Story About "Song of Witness"
 |
| Mark after singing "Song of Witness" at Church on Easter morning 2019 |
In the late 70's, I wrote a song called "Song of Witness". It's an Easter song all the way. Each verse is a spoken, poetic narrative. It details Peter and John running to the tomb and finding the shroud, Mary Magdalene recognizing the Risen Lord, The Lord appearing to the Apostles on Easter night. Each verse has its own chorus ("He is risen! Alleluia...", "Long have I waited..." and "Peace be with you..."). After going through the three you join all three choruses together and then end strong on "He is risen!". (I will put the music at the end of the article.)
I happened upon a Christian Songwriters Conference at Estes Park in Colorado (I believe in 1980??). I decided to give it a shot and copied a concert version of "Song of Witness" onto a cassette tape and sent it in. Well, what to my wondering eyes did I behold in the mail but an in-depth breakdown and a pass to the main competition in Colorado! I'll never forget it. The reviewer was Dan Burgess, and we are forever beholden to him for seeing something good in the song.
So! I was off! (Those who know me, know that.) In Colorado, I got to see Amy Grant, Phil Keaggy and so many others. How exciting! Finally the day came for the competition. A room full of 'experts' judged my song. And? They absolutely ripped it apart! One guy said something like, 'what the heck is this?? you can't even tell what it is..." Another said 'this is a poor rip-off of Don Francisco' (I actually didn't even know who Don Francisco was at that point!) I just wished I could crawl under the floor, I was so embarrassed. That particular year? I actually had no reason to be that embarrassed - the winning song, was, I think, "Via Dolorosa" sung by Sandi Patti at the last show - that DESERVED best song, without a doubt far more than "Song of Witness". In later years, "We Are One Body" by Dana beat out my "Peter the Rock" for World Youth Day 1993 (in Colorado aGAIN!!) - once again, clearly destined to be. Interestingly, my son, Stephen, is now teaching in Colorado the last couple of years.
I went again to the Estes Park Conference in 1982, I believe, with Mike McBride, and myself. I had "Tonight" and Mike had "He Will Be". Well, the critics didn't like us that year either! All this might have seemed like a waste of time, but you know what? We learned from it! It made us determined to constantly improve, and boy did we ever! The next few years in the 80's saw a true flowering in so many ways. (By the way, that was the year Steve Taylor debuted on stage, and we were there to see it!)
I hope you enjoyed this tale from our past connection with the Christian Contemporary Music scene in its beginnings. Many thanks again to Dan Burgess and may Our Risen Lord bless you and yours richly!
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Dan Burgess! Listen to his music www.reverbnation.com/danburgess |
Peace & Love & JOY,
Mark LaJOIE!
Monday, April 22, 2019
Easter Playlist from Living Waters on RN
Easter Playlist from Living Waters on RN
Easter Playlist from Living Waters on ReverbNation CLICK
The Easter Season has begun! Here is a short LW Playlist which includes "Light of the World" from the new album. "Roll the Rock Over" is an old salvaged tape where the volume goes low on you, but it is well worth turning up the volume!
1. Alive Again
2. Light of the World
3. Save Me From Myself
4. Roll the Rock Over (classic live)
5. Forever
Easter Playlist from Living Waters on ReverbNation CLICK
Friday, April 19, 2019
Good Friday Playlist From Living Waters
Good Friday Playlist From Living Waters
LW Good Friday Playlist on Spotify
It is Good Friday. Such an important day! A day that every human heart has thought about and longed for, whether they knew it or not. As Isaiah said about the Suffering Servant and all he would suffer, all he would go through for our sake: "....those who have not been told shall see, those who have not heard shall ponder it...." This is healing for the nations. I just heard that the word for "mercy" in Greek is almost exactly the same as the word for "olive oil". His total sharing of our fate is the ultimate healing balm for our deep wounds and alienation from God and ourselves and each other. "By his stripes we are healed". This has to be the deepest meaning for us. Let the Living Waters of His Grace flow to heal your confusion, pain and problems. Eat this Bread. Drink this Cup.....
Thursday, April 11, 2019
Our Reviewer LOVED This Song!
Our Reviewer LOVED This Song!
Light of the World CLICK to PLAY
When Rob Allwright reviewed our "Overflow" album, there were a couple of songs he really liked, especially "Light of the World". This goes WAY back to our roots as part of our 'that was then and this is now' theme. Here's what he had to say:
“...."Light of the World"...starts off with some jangly sounding guitars as the vocals talk about how it's hard to see people really loving in this world. The chorus then takes a change of music direction with just some regular percussion which holds into the next verse when suddenly a honky tonk piano is introduced in the backing. This song just builds up and keeps on giving as it reminds us to look to Jesus because we are meant to be salt and light to the world. Again this song feels like a big production in a lively musical and the sound of it really gladdens the heart! Near the end there is some piano with a lead singer that just sounds like something Keith Green might have done! The end blends vocals to the lyrics "The Light Of The World" and it just sounds fantastic. I think I would listen to that song alone on repeat, there's just so much going on!”
Do you agree with Rob? Let us know!
Peace & Love & JOY,
Mark LaJOIE!
Wednesday, April 3, 2019
"Endless Dance of Love" - The "Two Feet" song
Endless Dance of Love - The "Two Feet" song
Here we have an old live version of a favorite song of ours, "Endless Dance of Love", perfect for the Lenten season. We usually call it the 'Two Feet Song'. This version is kind of primitive; watch out as it starts with a loud buzzing sound. It also seems to be one of the first times we did it, and the sound quality is not good, but it's worth hearing, I think. I am hoping we can do a studio version. Below the link is a discussion of how the song got written.
Endless Dance of Love (classic live) CLICK to listen
One year for our annual Christmas party, Joyce Rossignol decided that we were not going to have our usual Kris Kringle or Yankee Swap. She gave out one of her famous “homework” assignments. We had to write some sort of creative thing without spending money for a gift; I usually did a poem or a song. She passed around the hat, and I drew Kathy Bourque's name, Dave's wife. She was the leader of the dancers in the group. So I asked, ‘what can I possibly do this time, Lord’ and prayed for some inspiration that could be useful for her and us. I went to Chapel and got down on my knees to pray. (“How to say what Jesus means to do for you?”) I have to say, I think the Lord ‘opened my eyes’ to the role of the dancers in prayer and gave us a great song to express the dancers place in the group's heart of prayer.
Before this, I think I have to admit, I was usually too busy doing the music to notice or appreciate ENOUGH what they did. I ONLY saw them from the back all the time, after all, except when they would turn and glare at me when I randomly CHANGED THE WORDS TO THE SONG, rendering their movements comical or meaningless. (!) The classic has to be with Make Me Free when I said something like ‘falling on my knees like a tree’ or some such nonsense. (Believe me some of the dancers had classic ‘death-stares’. It makes me wonder how I could get my own songs so wrong and how I survived to this day.) It’s human nature not to notice something really wonderful that is very close to you and I guess that was where I was.
But as I prayed about this homework, I think God truly let me see their ministry as He sees it, like Mike had expressed in “Lonely Dancer” (of which the video is so beautiful:
https://www.reverbnation.com/artist/video/11184972
The key image I built the song around is that of the two feet of Jesus crucified. They are nailed down and yet his gift on the Cross is the ultimate dance, {an idea alluded to in “Lord of the Dance”}. True love circumscribes our ‘freedom’ and causes pain, worry and sacrifice, yet, paradoxically, it is the only true freedom to tie oneself down in this way, the ultimate ‘rejoicing’. [In Aramaic which Jesus spoke, the word for 'rejoice' and 'dance' are the same.] Further, I really realized how much of a prayer our group’s dancing has been, so many times.
St. Cecelia loved music intensely, yet she was willing to “dance” as the Lord had, giving her life as a martyr. Her incorrupt body was discovered over a 1000 years later with three fingers extended on one hand and one on another, ostensibly expressing her faith in the Trinity. This miracle was recorded in the famous sculpted masterpiece of Stefano Moderno. “Fly free, life’s a dance.”
Endless Dance of Love (classic live) CLICK to listen
ReJOIce!!
Mark LaJOIE!
Thursday, March 14, 2019
Positive Album Review for "Overflow"!
Positive Album Review for "Overflow"!
Link to the Music Review CLICK to read!
On this day, March 14, 2019, we received a great, positive music review of our new album, "Overflow", by Rob Allwright on the "One Man in the Middle" album review site in Great Britain. They specialize in Christian music. I spent some time reading his reviews, and I have no doubt he is absolutely fair, honest and generous.
He gave us a 7.9, or roughly four stars. That included a 9 out of 10 for originality, something I'm really proud of, in contrast to the homogenizing influence of the industry. He caught a lot of things about us that can only be seen if you are being really sensitive and diligent. He picked up on our 'bread and cup' theme, and praised the thematic flow of the album (though he did grade us lower on 'Lyrics'). He thought the second half was stronger musically and mentioned "Let It Reign" and "Light of the World" in particular. As for "Let It Reign", he thought it lends itself to a song video - well, we might have to do that! He absolutely loved "Light of the World", and said he wanted to listen to it many times and that it reminded him of Keith Green.
He also was really cool about our being a Catholic band, when the Christian music scene is sometimes not so tolerant of that. He spoke on our behalf saying we are definitely praising the same Jesus he is and doing it extremely well, and asking his listeners to give us a chance. Here is how he ended his review:
"The band describe themselves as being in the "autumn of their years" and are quite self-deprecating, wondering if they still have it, and surprising themselves with what they have come up with. However there is a whole lot of creativity in this group that is still flowing through them, so they definitely shouldn't write themselves off just yet! The second half of this album has the stronger selection but there are striking images and things to think about and challenge you all the way through this album but it is definitely "Let It Reign" and "Light of the World" that really would have to be my two favourite tracks. This is a great album which has a light rock sound, praises Jesus and encourages us to do so too!"
We really couldn't ask for much more than this. It's funny, I was kind of worried about "Light of the World", because we had a lot of trouble getting the recording off the ground at first, and I wondered if it was a weaker track, but that is precisely the one this man liked the best! And it is one of our earliest and most beloved tracks.
Please, good friends of Living Waters, rejoice with us once more as we are blessed beyond measure; we hope that this is totally on behalf of the Kingdom of God....
Peace & Love & JOY,
Mark LaJOIE!
Link to the Music Review CLICK to read!
Friday, March 8, 2019
The Pieta and the "Overflow" Album Cover
The Pieta and the "Overflow" Album Cover
Michaelangelo's classic Pieta...it is a wonder to behold, a miracle in stone. Some have noted that the pattern the great artist chose is reminiscent of something. It is as if the Blessed Mother is the sacred mountain of the Lord and the Lord Jesus is the Stream of Living Waters flowing at an angle down and across Mt. Sion. Of course, many early Fathers compared both the Church and Mary to God's Holy Mountain, Mt. Zion in Jerusalem, the place where the perfect sacrifice was offered. Let us put this classic image right next to the image we chose for our beloved new album, "Overflow". Well! As we in Living Waters put these two images side-by-side, we see a noticeable correspondence between them! Christ offered himself as the Perfect Sacrifice, the Lamb of God, on the Cross. And who was standing there with her prophetically pierced heart, as His Heart was pierced, pouring out the Waters of Life? Who was offering her son, the shining Sun, and Divine Son, as the shining Light of the World? Mary! This could not fit the flow of the music or the image we chose any better. Did we plan this? Not at all! I think the same One who spoke the Eternal Word and caused it to flow down like rivers of grace through the Apostles has spoken here as well. Listen to our album and see if you can catch the flow!
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