As we shared in the previous post, we’re crunched for time when we reach Advent and the end of the calendar year. There is so much to do and try to wrap up in time to relax once Christmas arrives. One of the things moved down the priority list are the web postings for the latest Catholic Playlist shows. We know we’re not treating you well, our faithful listeners, as you get to miss out on some of the latest music specially written and composed for this season of preparation. One of our resolutions for the next season is to be better next year.
Instead of posting each show individually, we’re packaging them up here in one place to make is easy to find and listen to these special shows. All 4 Advent and Christmas episodes of the Catholic Playlist are right here to enjoy. In addition to the many ‘classics’ from your favorite artists we’re pleased to share some of the latest music!
The first major release is Series #2: Advent + Christmas by the Vigil Project. The new album features seven new songs (and accompanying videos) that invite you to “Keep Watch and Pray” for the coming of our Savior, Jesus Christ. You can hear the first 2 songs they released in playlist #149. Greg&Lizzy are featured in “Prepare Him Room” and John Finch leads us in “Savior of The World”, an upbeat song about the coming of the Messiah. Then in playlist #150, Andrea Thomas leads off the show with “In Need of a Savior”, and John Finch brings us “Silent Night” in playlist #151.
Next is Jaime Thietten and her new Christmas album titled The Joy of Christmas. This collection of 17 songs has everything you want in a Christmas season album, and we got the album just in time to play 3 songs in playlist #151. Featuring a full orchestra, the sound is warm, rich and inviting and parallels any release you’d find from the major record labels. You won’t want to miss her duet with Vince Gill in “The First Noel / Angels We Have Heard on High” at the 26:30 mark!
Abigail Winzer is a young new artist who released her first album titled Rejoice back in October. The album includes seven classic Advent and Christmas songs, and we found listening to it to be peaceful and relaxing. The distinct sound heard throughout the album is thanks to a unique instrument called the duduk, which creates a rich, haunting sound appropriate as we wait in the dark for the coming of the light of the world. Don’t miss her performance of “O Come O Come Emmanuel” in playlist #149!
Oh, and don’t forget that Matt Maher released a new Christmas single too – Glory (Let There Be Peace)!
Hopefully your wait to hear this music of the season was worth it!
Here is the complete song list for all four shows, from #148 to #151:
The Vigil Project – “Prepare Him Room (feat. Greg&Lizzy)”, “Savior of The World (feat. John Finch)”, “In Need of a Savior(feat. Andrea Thomas)”, “Silent Night (feat. John Finch)” Website
Jaime Thietten – “What Child Is This”, “The First Noel/Angels We Have Heard on High (ft. Vince Gill)”, “O Come O Come Emmanuel” – Website
Matt Maher – “Glory (Let There Be Peace)” Amazon iTunes
Abigail Winzer – “O Come O Come Emmanuel”, “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen” Amazon iTunes
O Come Let Us Adore: A Christmas Collective Amazon iTunes
Tom Young & Emily Hackett – “Go Tell It On the Mountain”
Greg&Lizzy – “O Come All Ye Faithful”
PJ Anderson & Emily Hackett – “O Holy Night”
Sarah Kroger – “Let All Mortal Flesh”
Chris Cole – “Silent Night”
Josh Blakesley Band – “We Three Kings”
Alanna Boudreau – “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas”
Josh Blakesley Band – “The Kingdom Comes” Amazon iTunes
Matt Maher – “Silent Night (Emmanuel)” Amazon iTunes
Matt Maher – “Hark The Herald Angels Sing” Amazon iTunes
Marian Grace – “O Come O Come Emmanuel”, “Come Thou Long Expected Jesus”, “Creator of the Stars at Night”, “Hark The Herald Angels Sing” Amazon iTunes
Songs for Advent and Christmas Amazon
Steve Angrisano – “Emmanuel”
Chris Muglia – “Let It Be Done”
Curtis Stephan – “Ready the Way”
Ike Ndolo – “Awake, O Sleeper”
Sarah Hart, Robert Feduccia – “Christ the Lord”
Josh Blakesley – “Love Has Captured the Night”
Matt Maher, John Foley S.J. – “Come to the Water – I Will Run to You”
Boys of St Paul’s Choir School – “O Come All Ye Faithful” Amazon iTunes
Sarah Hart – “On a Night Like This” Amazon iTunes
Benedictines of Mary, Queen of the Apostles – “Gabriel’s Message” Amazon iTunes
Jaime Thietten – “A Cradle in Bethlehem”, “O Holy Night” Amazon iTunes
Collin Raye – “Angels We Have Heard On High”, “Away In A Manger” Amazon iTunes
L’Angelus – “O Little Town of Bethlehem”, “The First Noel” Amazon iTunes
Rebecca Roubion – “What Child Is This” Amazon iTunes
Headlining this week’s episode of the Catholic Playlist is Dante Schmitz and the release of his new album “Of The Hills”. Available in June 2017, “Of The Hills” is an 8 song EP of original music and arrangements that current fans of his music will thoroughly enjoy. This well produced and great sounding album gave us several songs to choose from, including “Our Father”, “Come as You Are” and “Miracles”. But after much debate we picked “Victory” to debut in the playlist. Learn more about Dante and his music at danteschmitz.com, and check out his video productions at Novena Films too.
If you’ve listened to the show for a while you’ve heard her singing before. In April 2016 Rita and John Finch co-wrote and recorded “Heart of Mercy”, a single we’ve played many times over the last year and now Rita has released her own album 
