Recording "Streams of Mercy"

Streams of Mercy DEMO! CLICK!

Mark Lajoie here! I thought you might be interested in how this recent demo got recorded last week.

I had done my own self-recording at times in the past. For instance, "Forever", "Tell the Whole World" and "We All Did It". We even released some of those on our interim album, "Still Flowing". This was probably NOT a good decision on my part; these were little more than my own GarageBand demos. Actually, many of our studio-recordings produced by Josh were based on demos I created, a much more sound process of creation.

BUT recently I have not had access to GarageBand or a producer. I now live in a very small place with several family members & limited income. My ability to create was, it seemed curtailed. However, the URGE to create has been persistently pressing me. I go to Mass every day now, and during Communion every day, this old song of mine, kept crowding into  my consciousness, insisting that it be expressed & shared. 

The song, is a very simple one: 3 chords, 4 basic notes. I received it at the age of 15 while on my knees before the Tabernacle. It brought me to where THE Victory was won for us by the King: to the Cross as He shares with us in the Bread of Life. This is precisely what is under attack right now and what people need to know. What was so relevant for a poor teen back then was perfect for those I want to reach now. I HAD to get this OUT of me!

Well, where there's a Will, there's a Way. I had done a very rough demo for "May I Receive You" using the Audacity app. That's basically for doing podcasts, and I had used it to do some pre-production recording for our LW podcast. After investigating, I figured out how I could get this app to serve as a studio app. I drove up to my son's house where it was quiet, while he was at work, and I spent the day there. I  plugged in my Ovation 12-string to my little Acoustic-brand amplifier, turning up the volume with a light effect. I then set my mic to omnidirectional so it could pick up both the live guitar (which sounds pretty awesome all by itself!) AND the amplified sound. I scrabbled to get a scratch track, laid down two different lines of acoustic, a lead vocal and a harmony. I added a simple bass line on the acoustic, and then was able to put it down a whole octave; sounds like a stand-up bass. This song needed bells, but they HAD to sound something like altar bells, so I recorded the chimes from my cell phone alarm!

I then was able to add some effects, pan tracks to either side and play with the mix. I created a demo. Mike kindly invited me to send this to him so he could add keyboards. He downloaded the mp3 to his GarageBand, added a sterling piano track and strings track, mixed it and sent it to me. What he did?? It was if he was reading my mind! He put in eXACTly what I imagined should be there. I then added the end echo track, and? voila! what I think is a wonderful demo!

I got it OUT of me!! I hope you sense the Power of where these words & images of Scripture take you.

Thinking of doing a proper job on "May I Receive You" next: stay tuned!!

A Sword Shall Pierce Your Heart....

 

A Sword Shall Pierce Your Heart... Stabat Mater (Mark solo) CLICK to listen! *{AND! Mark has now created a demo that mentions the Sword piercing the Mother's heart Streams of Mercy DEMO}* At the Cross her station keeping Stood the mournful mother weeping Close to Jesus to the last. Through her heart His sorrow sharing All His bitter anguish bearing Now, at length, the Sword has passed "And a sword shall pierce your heart that the thoughts of many may be revealed...." Lk 2:35

Music

Home is Where the Heart Is (live) There's a Woman   MORE MUSIC

Press

"I know this song is anointed from the first chords and words. I can hear this song in heaven and you brought it to mankind with a precious oil of His anointing. Holy Heavenly Zion's living waters are in this song of profession and confession. Vocal talents resonate His love and light and blend harmoniously with the musical composition. Talented and anointed musicians gather in this band to give Him glory. Great testimony and witness in this song that lifts the singers who worship Him to His heavenly throne. Amen. [City of Joy song review]"— Electric Spice Music, United Kingdom, Wales "I think this single is a gem for [the] Christian Rock community that should be heard and recognized for the true and honest classic energy that it has. (about "There's a Woman"!)"— Review, Indie Music Spin "There’s a Woman by Living Waters is a 60’s Inspired Christian Rock Gem! This new single is REFRESHing and it makes me smile. [emphasis added!]"— Review, Indie Music Spin

Connect

 Can't You Feel the Loving Arms?

Our live version of "Loving Arms" is getting some pretty strong reactions! The performance was on June 29th, 2014 for St. Peter's in Athol, MA. We were cooking in that hot sun; we were very tight and played as if we had never stopped all those years. This is especially true of this song. Jim recorded some raw footage that day, and recently sent some audio to Mike. We took the audio, edited a bit and released it as a single.

Mark created a simple video which basically runs a GIF throughout that has pool water with occasional water bubbles: https://youtu.be/HsAbSs0oZkc

And? the reaction from those who have listened is overwhelmingly positive! Here is a sample: 

AVA has a great feature on it here: Classic Live Video from LW

I sure hope you love it, too!

 It's Not the Same was not the same!

Our song, "It's Not the Same" was recorded on multi-track in the basement of our community house at 505 Pleasant circa 1985. This salvaged work is what you hear on our sites now. But, just as a point of ironic interest, that song was NOT the same in years after that recording! After the chorus coming out of the bridge, there is a lead-in to Greg's rock-and-roll style lead. On the recording Tony and Dave continue to play straight, blending, rhythmic backing. But soon after this time and for the rest of our concert days that part changed into your classic sharp staccato transition, with drums & bass playing like "ONE (x-x-x), ONE (x-x-x), ONE x THREE x, ONE TWO THREE FOUR like Chuck Berry in "Johnny B. Goode" . And after I said "Get back, Jo", I used to also say "Johnny B Goode" and "Go home!", and other improvised classic rock n roll references. Ok, so, go ahead and listen to this, but, just remember:  it's not the same!!

It's Not the Same on Spotify!

Peace & Love & JOY,

Mark LaJOIE! for Living Waters

 A Father's Touch & the Spirit's Kiss:

A Faith Story

My parents, Raymond & Elizabeth; my dad at my son's Baptism in 1988

Mark Lajoie here. I want to tell the story of two childhood faith incidents that brought me to the point where I met my friends in Living Waters. 

In particular, I remember an incident from when I was nearly three years old that taught me a lesson. (I have very vivid memories of this time even now. I had taught myself to read already, was very active, a 'wise guy' and a troublemaker.) And I will also speak about the meaning that my Confirmation had for me.

My father had made it very clear to me that I was NEVER, under any circumstances, to climb the ladder which went to my two brothers' bunk bed when no one was around. And, yet, there I was , looking up to the great heights of the upper berth as it loomed over the ladder. The clear warning of my father was pushed to the rear of my mind as my curiosity and inquisitiveness took control. I had climbed very nearly to the top and had the desired goal in vew, when suddenly the ladder detached itself from the bed and began moving backwards. (This tendency to dislodge must have been the reason for the warning in the first place!) The ladder fell straight back! Before I knew it, I was sprawled on the floor in pain, bawling my eyes out. I had fallen from quite high. (Luckily, I was just fine!)

My father rushed into the room. What he did in the matter of a few seconds speaks to me yet. He first gave me a small spank on the behind. Then, he enfolded me in his arms in a comforting hug. I remember quite clearly that he did not say a word, but the lesson couldn't have been any more loud or distinct if he had shouted it. The feeling I remember is one of almost religious awe: 'my father is strict and demanding about what is best for me, and yet, he will always love me no matter what'.

pictures from 'the camp'; my birthday March 25, 1960

At this time, I spent much time reflecting about God, and I knew we were very devout believers, although I do not remember religion being discussed in the family. When I was three, we moved from our camp upon the lake to the city, where my father, after being sober for eight years, fell back into very heavy alcoholic drinking. From this point on, our daily family reality became a hellish one, but my mother did manage to get me to CCD classes at the local French parish. In those days, we had First Confession and First Communion at the age of six, and Confirmation at seven years old. It is my experience of Confirmation that I would like tell you about now.

When the day and the Bishop arrived, it soon became clear that we kids in the CCD class were second class citizens. The parochial school kids all sat up front and were shown every courtesy, while we CCD'ers, most of whom were only there because of poverty, were stuck in the final two rows and ignored. When the pastor came down to ask questions, he asked many questions up front and I remember being impressed at them. Then he wandered back to us and fixed his stare at the student whom everyone knew without a doubt to be the least accomplished student among us, Dennis T. I remember the horror I felt for him and for us CCD kids, and hoping against hope that by some miracle he could come up with the answer. I do not remember the question but I will never forget the look on Dennis' face: it was the pop-eyed, slack-jawed stare of a frightened rabbit. Supernatural intervention not being with us that day, poor little Dennis, of course, could not answer. The pastor made some sneering remark in French something to the effect of, 'What else could we expect from the like of these.' and thus ended the questioning. 

However, the real story is what happened next. I went up to the Bishop. I do not remember the actual act of Confirmation at all, but I will never forget the result. I had an experience which I will never be able to describe. I remember thinking 'So THIS is what all of those lessons were about.' The closest description I found many years later in Ste. Therese de Lisieux's description of her First Communion. 

After the ceremony, my mother was telling everyone of her outrage and how she had stormed up to the priest to complain about his conduct. My reaction was that it did not bother me one single bit. Didn't we have to forgive each other? Doesn't she know what a wonderful day this is? People are like that, but God?....I had begun a relationship of trust with Jesus and His Spirit which was opening my eyes to my dignity and that of others. I was so happy, but it wasn't like anything I'd felt before. It was more than just a 'feeling'. 

Three years later, I was passing by the open door of the Irish church as a Confirmation was taking place. Though it involved total strangers, that same joy filled me and I ran all the way home to tell my mother how wonderful it was. Soon, the weight of everything in my life dragged me down to woundedness and suicidal despair, but the gentle call of that day when I was seven, that Holy Spirit's kiss, still sounded in the background until I finally responded and had my conversion experience at the age of 15. 

You can see my pain in junior high; later, after my conversion, I am doing retreats & concerts

In retrospect, it seems that the loving formation of my earliest years overcame the harsh experiences after age three and what my parents taught me of God by example was of lasting value. I trace back the beginning of my soul's education in the great lessons of life to the eloquence of a father's touch and the Holy Spirit's gentle kiss.

 Chords & Lyrics!

A new friend in the Phillipines asked us for lyrics and chords for Sing to Jesus so they can use it in prayer. That made me think: well, why not post this for anyone out there who wants to sing in praise?!

"Like Magdalene...."

Mary Magdalene. Whose many sins were forgiven her because of her great love and sacrifice, anointing His Body for his burial in anticipation. Who dared to go to the foot of the Cross. Who searched in anguish for Him and was granted the task to be the Apostle to the Apostles. 

In his classic silent film, "King of Kings", DeMille depicted Christ casting out the seven demons from her as being delivered from the Seven Deadly Sins: Clip from the scene 

And another clip: She veils now modestly with joy. 

There is no greater gratitude than from one saved from eternal death. This was a verse from the Penitential Dance that we used to do so often at our concerts: "Simon, the one whom I forgive much loves me even more."

My worship song, "May I Receive You" was inspired by a prayer that mentions Mary Magdalene's gratitude for being delivered from evil.

"May I Receive You ROUGH DEMO"

God grant that we may be so joined to Jesus that, freed from all that clings to us, nothing can ever separate us from Him! 

Peace & Love & JOY,

Mark LaJOIE!