Christ Within Me
By Tom Kendzia
Offering 20 songs, this versatile collection from longtime Catholic musician Tom Kendzia features music for all ages in a variety of styles, including traditional choral, lively pop/rock, gospel and jazz. Some of the songs come from Tom's previous collections. In fact, this album contains some of his earliest compositions such as "Pietà" and "I, the Lord."
Also included are two brand new songs, both beautifully written. The title track is a wonderful new setting of the much-loved St. Patrick's Breastplate prayer, commissioned by a parish in Southbury, Connecticut, in memory of an Irish choir member. Composed for Ciaran Somers (Tom's good friend who works as a music teacher in Ireland), "May the Road Rise Up" features the voices of the students from Ciaran's class on the recording. With "May the Angels/Amazing Grace," Tom also offers a new arrangement in a gospel style that combines one of his older songs and "Amazing Grace." The recording showcases the extraordinary voice of ValLimar Jansen.
The music throughout the collection is quite varied, appealing to many different types of church musicians and anyone who appreciates contemporary sacred music. The instrumentation is equally diverse, including brass, flute, fiddle, electric guitar, organ, drums, Uillean pipes and more. With simple melodies and easy-to-sing lyrics, songs like "Sing Hosanna" and "As a Doe" will be great additions to any liturgy or celebration. Others would also be ideal for meditation and personal reflection, including "The Path of Your Return" and "Chill of the Nightfall."