Celebrating Forty Years and New Music Continues!

Celebrating Forty Years and New Music Continues!   










(The picture above is probably one of our first concerts, at first just covering ‘songs of praise’ tunes.  But, fairly soon, we were ‘dressing up’, putting on a show and composing new music.)

Yes, it’s true: we officially started in 1976, BUT, truth be told, major players in the group, like Mark, Mike, Dave, Chuck, & Danny had known each other since 1973 or so. We evolved into several permutations over the years, but there were several constants:  the music was always inspired in a very special way, and we became much more than a simply a ‘band’, we are a faith family. There are many stories and observations available on this blog and elsewhere, & we invite you to read, listen and celebrate with us.

The music is still happening in the same way. The other day, we played music for the funeral Mass of our good buddy, Cheryl Bullock, at our old stomping grounds, St. Patrick’s in Natick. It was just amazing how beautiful the music sounded and how well Mike spoke the eulogy. I think this family is not bound by the sorrows and limits of this mortal world.

And this week, Mike McBride & Josh have produced yet another new song called, “Trouble with Angel”. It’s amazing that such fine work is being produced in this stage of our lives. (Here is the link should you want to listen to it:  https://www.reverbnation.com/livingwaters/song/25135366-trouble-with-angel )

And I have produced a new lyric video montage for “Do What He Tells You to Do”, from our award-winning  new EP, “Alive Again”. That song is now vying for the top spot on Adoration Radio. (Here is the link for the new video:  https://youtu.be/RzahABWPfmU )

Josh has approached me about producing more stuff, too. One of these vacations we’ll hopefully get that done before long for you. 

Chuck is now an officially ordained deacon, who exhibits a new spiritual power and the same old loveable silliness. I also have a new job leading a choir for the 9AM Mass at my parish.

One thing on our agenda is to get updated ‘old people’ ensemble photos for you. Hey, we’re proud to have made it this far – we’ll be glad to do that for you so you may fully behold the wonder of our agedness.

This is all just too wonderful for words! We have been blessed far beyond measure, a heaping measure that cries to be shared abroad.

Please, know, you are held in our hearts, and we are praying each day for all of our benefactors, friends and further family.

Peace & Love & JOY,

Mark LaJOIE!

Do What He Tells You to Do

On the Fifth Day of Christmas Living Waters gave to yoooooouuuuu....a brand new video!

New for Christmas!

New for Christmas!

For the first time, our Christmas album, "The JOY", is available here on Bandcamp!

https://livingwaters.bandcamp.com/album/the-joy

Dive in and get refreshed!

Josh Goes Deep!

Josh Goes DEEP!

Josh with his sister, Theresa, who helped with his concert

Greg & Anne's son, Josh, just put on his Senior Composition Recital at Westfield State. Many of us in the band were privileged to hear and see it, including his sister, who flew in from Steubie U., Dave & Kath et al, Tony & Denise & Sam, Chuck & Joyce, Mike McBride & daughters & Stephen & I, not to mention all the family & friends; the fact so many of us came shows how we feel about Josh. As for the concert, he showed amazingly impressive aptitude at several widely differing skills, composing, arranging, conducting, playing. But I think what was most impressive is that so much of it exhibited such deep spiritual meaning: it was DEEP, man. As he himself said, this is music that does what music is supposed to: INSPIRE!

But I was most impressed by his choral pieces, which he arranged & conducted to exquisite perfection, especially "The Calling". Here is a picture of the concert frontispiece and the lyrics to the three pieces. DEEP words, man, more than matched by the profundity of the perfect vocal arrangements & the performance his conducting elicited:

Just read those words, and you'll get the idea. God has blessed this man. The productions he has done with Mike and myself in the group have been genius. We can't wait to see what else he will create. The whole Living Waters family is thanking God and trusting for a very bright future, enlightening many!

Peace & Love & JOY,

Mark LaJOIE!

Living Waters Wins an Award!

Living Waters Wins an AWARD!

The Award is the September 2015 Akademia Award for "Best EP - Contemporary Christian", awarded for this year's two-song EP, "Alive Again", which includes "Do What He Tells You to Do". When they told us we were nominated, they told us that there had been hundreds of submissions, and that our being nominated was impressive. The review comment they left is pretty sweet, very complimentary for both songs. One song is by Lajoie, one by McBride, the original Living Waters songwriting team. Special kudos go to producer of both songs, Josh Loell; he has a miraculous talent. Also, the amazing guitar work is mostly that of Greg Loell - amazing! We invite you to find and download this EP on major outlets now.

STAY!

STAY!

https://www.reverbnation.com/livingwaters/song/24183270-stay

https://www.reverbnation.com/livingwaters/song/4768267-were-gonna-stay

Mike McBride is looking at a new song!

Dave & Kath, Tony & Denise, Greg & Anne with Josh & T: a lot of faithfulness for a long time....

Well! The latest LW production is a love song. It is called “Stay!”; one trusted listener commented that it reminded them sonically of The Cure; I hear some U2 in the guitar also. It is definitely high-quality songwriting. Its completion comes immediately on the heels of the marriage of Jackie & Eric in the group – how timely! Mike and I sang together his very first song at that wedding; it is entitled “Love Is” from I Corinthians 13. We are talking about making that our next project perhaps, making sure Mike and I sing together on it again. That would be great!

I really got a kick out of it when I noticed that our other big love song in the past was “We’re Gonna STAY”: STAY? – we’re gonna STAY? – right? Staying is something that is really hard to do, sometimes. We see Matrimony in the Lord as a forever Covenant that is an ideal place to learn sacrificial love. Genesis 2 says, “A man shall leave his mother and a woman shall leave her home, and they shall become one flesh.” However, our point is never to condemn those, even among our family, who’ve had bad experiences here. We want our fidelity to our spouse, our family and our friends to be more of a sign of hope and joy! The Lord’s help in keeping this commitment, which is eternally sure for those who make this promise before God and everyone, is something that blesses everyone else around, wherever they may be in their life. I might also say this song perfectly fits the Living Waters cry of joy and trust heard in so many of our songs.

Mike felt a wonderful, deeper truth in the song he was given. Here’s what he said:

Stay?  This song is for anyone.  It's about speaking up.  A proclamation.  Commitment.   An exciting expression of letting love flow.  It makes me feel grown up.  It's for anyone; my children, my parents, my friends, my soul mate, my God.  Without them, where would we be?

True that, Mike! I also include the link for “We’re Gonna Stay” recorded in the early 90’s, which we also reprised at the latest wedding.

Peace & Love & JOY,

Mark LaJOIE!

www.livingwatersband.com

https://www.reverbnation.com/livingwaters/song/24183270-stay

https://www.reverbnation.com/livingwaters/song/4768267-were-gonna-stay

A New Living Waters Wedding!

A New Living Waters Wedding!

Eric Dodson & Jackie Bourque were joyfully married, on August 14th, 2015 at St Elizabeth Seton Church, in Bedford, NH. This is a view from the choir loft of Dave walking Jackie down the aisle.

Having so many of us Living Waters types in the choir loft playing & praying music together was truly special and a gift from Heaven. The Holy Spirit inhabited the music; everyone there knew it was extraordinary and blessed. It was a sign of that New Covenant in His Body. This was the team up above:

Mark - 12-string & vocals

Mike - keyboards & vocals
Chuck - horn & vocals
Josh - trumpet & bass
Greg - guitar
John & Stephen - male vocals
Denise & Caroline - female vocals
Tony - Percussion

And these were the selections, several of which we had done for the many weddings we have played, but which seemed so brand new and alive on this wonderful day:

Prelude Music:
Wherever You Go (Weston Priory)
Peace, Joy & Happiness (Wise)
Magnificat (Mark Lajoie)
Love is Patient (Mike McBride)
When Love is Found (Waly Waly)
We're Gonna Stay (Mark Lajoie)
The Servant Song (Gillard)

Wedding Party:
Without You (Wendy & Mary)
Wedding Song (Stookey)

Bridal Procession: Pachelbel Canon in D

Psalm: Set Me Like a Seal (Landry)
Gospel: Joyful Heart

After Vows: Wedding Prayer (Wendy & Mary)

Recessional: This is the Day (Scott Wesley Brown)

(We ended up reprising The Wedding Song at the end.)

But what made this extra special for us was that it was for Dave & Kathy's wonderful daughter, Jackie. Dave was a founding member of Living Waters, who knew Mark, Mike, Dave, Chuck and Danny back in Maine. Kathy was one of the original liturgical dancers who passed that American Idol-style audition back in the 70's (even though Dave voted against her!)  Jackie reflects their wonderful faith and talents. She discovered her own dance identity, and became a physical therapist, whose entire persona is summed up in the virtue of kindness. Eric Dodson seems a wonderful match for her and her family in so many ways, and the Dodsons seemed very happy to become a part of the Bourques and LW.

It was great for our wide, extended family to see some relatives and friends whom we had not seen in a long time. The conversation was joyous, spiritual, heartfelt and humorous. One amazing surprise was hearing Dave's voice on tape as he danced the father-daughter dance with Jackie - so cool! The Bourques LOVE dancing, and boy did all the young ones enjoy themselves at a fantastic reception. The bond we have been blessed with goes very deep and fills every level of incarnation. The second reading urged us to "Rejoice! Again I say, rejoice" - that is what we are doing. Blessings for the young couple on their eternal journey....

Peace & Love & JOY,

Mark LaJOIE!