Singer/songwriter
What They're Saying...
Still on my way
After I finished working on On My Way to Heaven, I had a few “leftover” songs - like about halfway through another CD! So Sam Wagner and I set to work on producing another Praise Pop album, with my signature variety of styles. This time I added a blues tune and a rockabilly tune to the mix. We had a blast. And Sam and I were able to procure the talents of so many wonderful musicians: Todd Caldwell on the hammond organ (WOW!), Dan Glaude on alto sax, Drew Vandewinckel on tenor sax, Chris Conte on bass, Joe Siegel on oboe and 11 year-old Cameron (superstar) Kluge on trumpet! Superb vocals by Oshon Temple and Christine Chanel also grace this CD. And profuse thanks and admiration to Sam Wagner for his guitar playing, bass playing and vocal arrangements (“Do you think you could add a higher vocal?”). It’s a peak experience when in the pursuit of excellence, you build on each other’s ideas, laugh and high-five a lot!
THERE’S A LIGHT © Beddy LoBalbo
I was having a tough time on my Faith journey. Our pastor was away so I went to talk to the interim minister, Vanessa Pugh-Reefer. I was trying to express what I was feeling in too many words and as fast as I could. She stopped me and said, “Even when you can’t find the words, God hears you.” It was an “aha” moment! And it inspired this song.
PIANO AND VOCALS Beddy LoBalbo
GUITARS, BASS, DRUMS Sam Wagner
I was missin’ (MISSIN’, WOO OO)
The God who always was listening
And I was wishing
I could find my way back from so far away (WOO OO, WOO OO)
I was cryin’ (CRYIN’, WOO OO)
There was no reason to keep trying and
My faith was dyin’
I was lost oh so lost
And I was afraid
So I talked to the preacher
She said, “Let God reach you. Just be still.
You will see it.”
THERE’S A LIGHT (THERE’S A LIGHT, OO THERE’S A LIGHT))
THERE IS DAY AT THE END OF THE NIGHT
GOD IS THERE THROUGH THE TROUBLE
I KNOW IT’S GONNA BE ALRIGHT
THERE’S A LIGHT (THERE’S A LIGHT SHININ’, SHININ’)
AN ANSWER TO MY DESPERATE PLEA
I CAN BE STRONG, I CAN HOLD ON
‘CAUSE I KNOW GOD IS ALWAYS, ALWAYS WITH ME.
THERE’S A LIGHT (THERE’S A LIGHT, OO THERE’S A LIGHT)
THERE’S A LIGHT (THERE’S A LIGHT, OO THERE’S A LIGHT)
THERE’S A LIGHT (THERE’S A LIGHT, OO THERE’S A LIGHT)
THERE’S A LIGHT (THERE’S A LIGHT, OO THERE’S A LIGHT)
I was missin’ (MISSIN’, WOO OO)
The God who always was listening
And I was wishing
I could find my way back from so far away (WOO OO, WOO OO)
So I talked to the preacher
She said, “Let God reach you. Just be still.
You will see it.”
THERE’S A LIGHT (THERE’S A LIGHT, OO THERE’S A LIGHT)…
THE CIRCLE SONG © Beddy LoBalbo
One Sunday, our pastor spoke about stepping into a circle and feeling loved within that circle, as a metaphor for our faith and our church. I loved that and wanted to write a song about it. So I decided that the best song about a circle should be a round. I first heard Cameron Kluge play the trumpet at my church, the Briarcliff Congregational Church, and I was floored! I knew I had to write her into one of my songs, and this one was the perfect fit. Cameron stepped into the recording studio for the first time in her life, and nailed it in one take. We, of course, went on to record a few more versions but each one was as good as the original.
PIANO AND VOCALS Beddy LoBalbo
TRUMPET Cameron Kluge
GUITARS Sam Wagner
We’re all in a circle
Gathered in this endless wheel
In God’s arms together
Sharing all the love we feel, the love we feel
YOU ARE LOVED
Here in this holy place
YOU ARE LOVED
Come and go with grace
God’s Grace
We’re all in a circle
Gathered in this endless wheel
In God’s arms together
Sharing all the love we feel, the love we feel
YOU ARE LOVED
That’s what you’ll always find
YOU ARE LOVED
Loved anywhere anytime
All the time
We’re all in a circle
Gathered in this endless wheel
In God’s arms together
Sharing all the love we feel, the love we feel
I CAN’T WAIT TO SEE JESUS © Beddy LoBalbo
The origin story of this song is so simple. I was telling Daniel, our new music director at my church about a tradition we have in which one of the congregants dresses up as Jesus for Palm Sunday and comes down the center aisle of the church while we wave palms and call out “Hosannah!” The “donkey” Jesus is riding looks like a bottomless canoe that he stands in and it’s decorated with a mule’s head and tail. Daniel laughed and said, “I can’t wait to see Jesus!” And I knew there was a song there.
Special thanks to Drew Vandewinckel for his joyful tenor sax solo.
The “rubato” intro is a Christian hymn entitled “Here, O My Lord, I See Thee Face to Face.” A little Christian hymn humor - I think I invented the genre…
TENOR SAX Drew Vandewinckel
PIANO AND VOCALS Beddy LoBalbo
GUITARS Sam Wagner
I can’t wait to see Jesus
I want to thank him personally
I’m gonna look him in the eye (That’s no lie)
And tell him how he set me free
I’m gonna thank him for the love He gave me
When I meet him at the Pearly Gates
I can’t wait to see Jesus
So I can thank him face-to-face
I can’t wait to see Jesus
I’m gonna take his blessed hand
I know he’s gonna smile, all the while
With a love too big to understand
I’m gonna praise him for his power and glory
And the gift of his eternal grace
Oh, I can’t wait to see Jesus
So I can thank him face-to-face.
EVEN JESUS GOT THE BLUES © Beddy LoBalbo
Walking around Croton Point Park one day, I was feeling so down. Then I started feeling down about feeling down. You know, I started being depressed about being depressed. I have the right to be sad, I told myself. But then I had the sudden revelation that having the blues is just part of life on earth and even Jesus got the blues. And the song came to be. Sam Wagner suggested Todd Caldwell on the hammond organ for the solo, and Christine Chanel for vocals. Then Sam, on electric guitar, proceeded to blow the roof off the studio!
HAMMOND ORGAN Todd Caldwell
VOCALS Christine Chanel
GUITARS AND DRUMS Sam Wagner
Adam said to Eve, what have we done?
We could have had any fruit, ‘cept this one
That was when trouble came to earth
That was when the Blues had its birth
It doesn’t matter if you’re rich or poor
Sometimes your heart just can’t take any more
The Golden Rule says we should get along
But someone’s always doin’ someone wrong
EVEN JESUS GOT THE BLUES
GOT DOWN ON HIS KNEES AND HE CRIED
HE KNEW THAT THERE’D BE HELL TO PAY
FOR THE SINS OF MANKIND
When you got the blues, you know it’s true
There’s no way around ‘em, only through
It’s part of life to be cryin’
It’s part of livin’ to feel like dyin’
EVEN JESUS GOT THE BLUES
GOT DOWN ON HIS KNEES AND HE CRIED
(sung/spoken OH BITTER TEARS)
HE KNEW THAT THERE’D BE HELL TO PAY
FOR THE SINS OF MANKIND
MEET ME IN THE MORNING © Beddy LoBalbo
I was speaking to Gloria Pinkney, storyteller, preacher and author who was telling me one of her beautiful stories which began, “In the morning when I meet the Lord…” and I thought, “Yes, there’s a song there.” And this song was born.
PIANO AND VOCALS Beddy LoBalbo
DRUMS, GUITARS, ORGAN Sam Wagner
Meet me in the morning, Lord
Be with me today
Meet me in the morning, Lord
Guide me on my way
In the early morning hour
I praise your mighty power
Like sunshine from above
You fill my world with love
Meet me in the morning, Lord
Be with me today
Meet me in the morning, Lord
Guide me on my way
I wake up to hear the words
You speak into my heart
To you I pray in my own way
As other day we start
You meet me in the evening, Lord
You meet me in the night
But when you meet me in the morning
You start my day off right
BE WITH ME TODAY…BE WITH ME, I PRAY…
Meet me in the morning, Lord
Be with me today
Meet me in the morning, Lord
Guide me on my way. Guide me on my way.
THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN © Beddy LoBalbo
One Sunday, one of the readings from the church lectionary was from the gospel of Matthew describing the Kingdom of Heaven. I was inspired to write this song. I wrote it with John Lennon’s “Imagine” in mind. I heard Oshon Temple sing at our church a few times and it was always an inspiring and exciting experience. I was truly honored when he agreed to sing it for this album.
VOCALS Oshon Temple
PIANO, BACKING VOCALS Beddy LoBalbo
The kingdom of Heaven is a place on earth
A treasure hidden in a field
And when a seed is planted there
Oh, what abundance it will yield
It will yield
(It will always be
It will always be)
The kingdom of Heaven is a precious jewel
Of mighty and matchless worth
And when you hold it in your heart
You will see it on earth
Here on earth
(It will always be
It will always be)
JESUS THE CHRIST IS WITH ME
I HAVE NO FEAR
I REST IN THE KNOWING
THAT GOD IS HERE
GOD IS HERE
(It will always be
It will always be)
The kingdom of Heaven is a peaceful place
Inside the eye of the storm
And I will live there and be blessed
With Grace to keep me safe
And warm (It will always be; It will always be)
The kingdom of Heaven is a place in your heart.
THE GIFT © Beddy LoBalbo
I attended my first tea ceremony one New Year’s Day and it was a revelation. The ceremony is a time to appreciate the dimensions of the tea, the gifts it offers, the complexities of taste, the overtones - and all of this was concurrent with the amazing flute playing of Erik Lawrence who seemed to capture the nature and spirit of the tea in his music. It made me realize how much in each moment I take for granted. This song was the gift that came to me out of that experience.
Special thanks to the musicians who made it swing:
ALTO SAX Dan Glaude
BASS Chris Conte
DRUMS AND GUITARS Sam Wagner
PIANO AND VOCALS Beddy LoBalbo
All at once it happened
I saw the light
Like stepping into the brightness of sunshine
From out of the night
Only in this moment
Only now
I could be living inside it and guided by joy
If I allow
God bless this messy rainy May
God bless November when it’s grey
God bless this every day
THE PRESENT IS A PRESENT
THE ONLY PLACE TO BE
THE ONLY PLACE TO RECEIVE
THE GIFT
I can see the endless
possibilities
Easy and flowing, laughing and growing and knowing
God in me
Don’t hold on to the future
Don’t drag the past around
Be in the flowing, the coming and going,
it’s oh so simply profound
God bless this messy rainy May
God bless November when it’s grey
God bless each step along the way
God bless our work and bless our play
God bless this every day
THE PRESENT IS A PRESENT
THE ONLY PLACE TO BE…
LOOK UPON ME, LORD © Beddy LoBalbo
I sat at the piano feeling like I needed Divine love and mercy for my shortcomings and this musical prayer is what I expressed. And what sound is more moving and forlorn than an oboe? Special thanks to Prof. Joe Siegel for his sensitive rendition.
OBOE Joe Siegel
PIANO AND VOCALS Beddy LoBalbo
GUITARS Sam Wagner
Some look at me with a sigh and a smile
Here I am old but I feel like a child
LOOK AT ME, MY LORD, WITH KINDNESS
LOOK UPON ME, LORD, WITH LOVE
I try to follow your path every day
But so many times, I wander away
LOOK AT ME, MY LORD, WITH KINDNESS
LOOK UPON ME, LORD, WITH LOVE
When I am selfish and when I feel sad
When I am spiteful or when I get mad
LOOK AT ME, MY LORD, WITH KINDNESS
LOOK UPON ME, LORD, WITH LOVE
When I’m uncertain of which way to go
When I hurt the ones who love me the most
LOOK AT ME, MY LORD, WITH KINDNESS
LOOK UPON ME, LORD, WITH LOVE
LOOK AT ME, MY LORD, WITH KINDNESS
LOOK UPON ME, LORD, WITH LOVE
LOOK UPON ME, LORD, WITH LOVE
MIGHTY LOVE © Beddy LoBalbo
Sitting at the piano one day, I tried to imagine what a song of worship would sound like if Elton John wrote it. And this song is what I came up with, kind of a take-off on Philadelphia Freedom. Of course, I had to include a Gospel call-and-response element.
PIANO AND VOCALS Beddy LoBalbo
BASS Chris Conte
DRUMS AND GUITARS Sam Wagner
MIGHTY LOVE
MIGHTY LOVE
IN THESE TROUBLED TIMES
ONE THING I’M
SO CERTAIN OF
MIGHTY LOVE
MIGHTY LOVE
GUIDING MY SIGHT
WITH THE LIGHT OF
MIGHTY LOVE (OF MIGHTY LOVE)
No mountain too high (TOO HIGH, TOO HIGH)
No river too wide (TOO WIDE, TOO WIDE)
No heartache too deep
Nowhere that you can hide (GOD WILL FIND YOU)
God will find you (GOD WILL FIND YOU)
And lift (AND LIFT YOU UP)
WITH THE POWER AND THE GLORY OF MIGHTY LOVE
MIGHTY LOVE
MIGHTY LOVE
IN THESE TROUBLED TIMES
ONE THING I’M
SO CERTAIN OF
MIGHTY LOVE
MIGHTY LOVE
GUIDING MY SIGHT
WITH THE LIGHT OF
MIGHTY LOVE (OF MIGHTY LOVE)
No sin is too great (TOO GREAT, TOO GREAT)
For you to confess (THERE’S FORGIVENESS)
And you will receive
God’s grace and tenderness (GOD WILL BLESS YOU)
God will bless you (GOD WILL BLESS YOU)
And lift (AND LIFT YOU UP)
WITH THE POWER AND THE GLORY OF
MIGHTY LOVE
LOVE
MIGHTY LOVE
LOVE
MIGHTY LOVE
LOVE
The Faces of the Faithful © Beddy LoBalbo
I was never part of a religious community, a genuine faith family. I attended services but I felt alone and never interacted with anyone, nor did anyone attempt to interact with me. But when I came to the Briarcliff Congregational Church, I was met with a warm, accepting community where I felt valued and seen. I wrote this song for them.
PIANO AND VOCALS Beddy LoBalbo
ORGAN Sam Wagner
DRUMS Sam Wagner
As I wander
Through this lifetime
Searching for connection
In a world so dark and cold
When I can’t find my way home
When I can’t go it alone
The hand of the Shepherd
Leads me back into the fold
The faces of the faithful
Are the faces of the Lord
God is there in infinite disguise
When I’m feeling lost and lonely
I can look to them
and see the light of Heaven
In their eyes
In their eyes
In their eyes.
We all carry
Our own heartache
There are times of sorrow
There are times of loss
When we need a gentle smile
And respite for a while
Turn to those whose faith and
Love will help to bear the cross
The faces of the faithful
Are the faces of the Lord
God is there in infinite disguise
When you’re feeling lost and lonely
You can look to them
and see the light of Heaven
In their eyes
In their eyes
In their eyes.
GOD MAKES A WAY © Beddy LoBalbo
The Reverend Charlene Wingate was preaching at our church one Sunday, talking about how sometimes you can feel like you just don’t know how to overcome a situation. She exclaimed, “When you think there’s no way, God makes a way!” And I knew there was a song there. For a while, it sat on a back burner in my brain’s songwriting kitchen. I couldn’t figure out the style of song. Until one day, I hit an unintended button on my XM station, heard a rockabilly song and knew that that was the style of the song. God makes a way, indeed.
VOCALS Christine Chanel
PIANO Beddy LoBalbo
GUITARS AND DRUMS Sam Wagner
ALTO SAX Dan Glaude
Moses came to a sudden stop
A deep and raging sea
With Pharaoh’s men in hot pursuit
He cried, “Lord, rescue me!”
AMEN
The waters parted!
AMEN
Exodus restarted
GOD MAKES A WAY
GOD MAKES A WAY
GOD MAKES A WAY
GOD MAKES A WAY
Jesus preached to the multitudes
‘til it was time to eat
A crust of bread, a fish or two
But Jesus, He believed!
AMEN
Loaves and fishes!
AMEN
Beyond their wishes
GOD MAKES A WAY
GOD MAKES A WAY
GOD MAKES A WAY
GOD MAKES A WAY
Just trust
You’re in mighty hands
Just trust
God understands
Believe
God is watching you
Believe
God will see you through
There’s nothing God can’t do
AMEN
The weather changed
AMEN
The answer came
GOD MAKES A WAY…
SAVE ME A SEAT IN HEAVEN © Beddy LoBalbo
I got a phone call from my oldest friend, one of the funniest people I know and a very bright star in my universe, telling me she had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. I knew the importance of being positive and supportive. But when I hung up the phone, I wept at the thought of this world without her. I had to do something to soothe that fear and sorrow. So I wrote this song as a way to look beyond this life to a time when we would be together again.
Special thanks to Sam Wagner for his expressive and beautifully-crafted guitar playing.
VOCALS Beddy LoBalbo
GUITARS Sam Wagner
Save me a seat in Heaven
We’ll see all the sites
A private tour of the Promised Land
With our guide, Jesus Christ
We’ll eat celestial chocolate
And laugh as we recall
The fun we had on Planet Earth
And the wonder of it all
We’ll be together forever
Time could never break our bond
We’ll be together forever
Living our best life
In the Great Beyond
Save me a seat in Heaven
You’ll read your published works
And all the agents who said “No”
Will agree that they were jerks
Save me a seat in Heaven
We’ll take that river cruise
Through mountains of clouds and valleys of stars
Anywhere we choose
We’ll be together forever
Time could never break our bond
We’ll be together forever
Living our best life
In the Great Beyond
Save me a seat in Heaven
Front row next to you
We’ll tease each other as we watch
Our lifetimes in review
And there’ll be no more sorrow
And there’ll be no more pain
When everyone we ever loved
Is with us once again
We’ll be together forever
Time could never break our bond
We’ll be together forever
Living our best life
Living our best life
Living our best eternal life
In the Great Beyond
THE ONES WHO CHOOSE LOVE © Beddy LoBalbo
One night I awoke to the thought of this man, Jesus, who preached only love and compassion. I thought about how he was eventually betrayed, mocked, humiliated and crucified. And his dying words were those of forgiveness. It brought tears to my eyes. I thought about what it really means to be a Christian, one who follows the way of Christ. It is the way of unconditional love. To be a Christian is to accept everyone, no exceptions, no politics; nothing but love.
PIANO AND VOCALS Beddy LoBalbo
GUITARS AND DRUMS Sam Wagner
ORGAN Beddy LoBalbo
Jesus said there is one thing you must do
Love one another as I have loved you
Give thanks and praise God for everything
We proclaim our faith when we sing
WE ARE THE CHRISTIANS
WE FOLLOW THE WAY
OF LOVING AND RADICAL KINDNESS EACH DAY
WE ARE THE CHRISTIANS
WE KNOW IN OUR HEARTS
LOVE IS THE TRUTH OF WHOEVER YOU ARE
WE FOLLOW THE WAY
WE FOLLOW THE WAY
Everyone, everywhere worthy of Grace
The infinite presence of God in each face
Give thanks and praise God for everything
We proclaim our faith when we sing
WE ARE THE CHRISTIANS
WE FOLLOW THE WAY
OF LOVING AND RADICAL KINDNESS EACH DAY
WE ARE THE CHRISTIANS
WE KNOW IS OUR HEARTS
LOVE IS THE TRUTH OF WHOEVER YOU ARE
WE FOLLOW THE WAY
WE FOLLOW THE WAY
WE ARE THE CHRISTIANS…
WE ARE THE ONES WHO CHOOSE LOVE/WE FOLLOW THE WAY