CD Review: DAVID HAAS, God Is Here (GIA Publications, Inc.)

This record is timely.

With a subtitle of ‘Liturgical music for the journey of reconciliation’, the latest offering by Liturgical juggernaut David Haas speaks immediately to the Sacrament of Reconciliation and has all sorts of applications in that sort of setting. In many ways this latest project has a tone that is very reminiscent of Marty Haugen’s 2003 ‘Turn My Heart’ which dealt with similar themes of healing and personal reconciling. This aside, ‘God Is Here’ is important given the current political and religiously charged world we live in. Within all the mess…within all the brokenness…and [as the front cover art suggests] in the desert we find ourselves in [or have created]…God Is Here.

In the liner notes, David Haas pays credit to Bill Huebsch whose many texts feature throughout this recording. Haas even states Huebsch’s texts ‘inspired much of the music on this recording’. This is a welcomed confession, as Bill Huebsch is one very talented and gifted fellow. His three volume book on the Second Vatican Council released a couple of years ago were eloquently written. His first volume’s prologue focusing on Catholic Culture and Memory stands as some of the most evocative observations I have yet to read on the Second Vatican Council…quite brilliant.

So, it was with interest and pleasure I read Bill Huebsch’s name scattered throughout the CD booklet before I even played it. Obviously, David Haas has been similarly taken with Huebsch’s work…and the culmination of the words Huebsch has written with the music of Haas is nothing short of a triumph.

Things begin with the simple – even stark piano phrasing of ‘God Is Here’ with Haas singing solo. The track builds slowly into the refrains which exhibit hinted-at gospel leanings. Subsequent verses are sung by Kate Cuddy, a finely harmonized stanza by up and comings Tony Alonso and Michael Mahler. Lori True lifts things with her beautiful voice accompanied by the first of many key changes [I counted three in total]. Then, Tom Franzak gets all gospel and with the choir hamming it up, handclapping happening everywhere, the song turns into a pulsating gospel tour-de-force! It is a great start to the recording.

‘The God of Second Chances’ is gentle and flowing.

‘You Belong to Us: Litany of Welcome’ is a Huebsch inspired piece and frankly – masterly. I am usually not one to get into spoken pieces with musical tinkerings going on in the background…but in recent times, I have become accustomed…even appreciative. Things began to change for me in this department on David Haas’ 2003 ‘Reach Towards Heaven’ with the track ‘You Can Make Me Whole’ [interestingly with a theme of healing too]…and now we see a similar method being employed here.

The accent of James Bessert takes a few listens to get used to – particularly his early speaking of ‘Are you married with kids, worrying for them?’ Wow! What an accent…I don’t think I’ve ever heard the word ‘worrying’ spoken like that before! I think I am still in a state of wow-ness as I listen to the track for the umpteenth time! Don’t let this put you off – you get over this very quickly and appreciate the beauty of this tack.

The words written by Huebsch are skillfully inclusive and the refrains are joyful proclamations of welcome and elation. This could be easily adapted and used in a parish setting of communal Third Rite of Reconciliation [where it still occurs – it’s been abolished here in Australia!?!] and also in the Second Rite.

‘All Is Ready’ is a song of gathering that borrows the refrain melody of ‘You Belong To Us: Litany of Welcome’ and presents it in a simple-to-sing congregation friendly manner.

Bill Huebsch’s research into Vatican II comes into the fore in the track ‘Abide, O Spirit of Life’. This text is an adapted setting of a prayer that was prayed before each session of both the First Vatican Council [1869-1870] and also the Second Vatican Council [1962-1965] though to be originally composed by St Isidore of Seville [circa 619]. The tradition of this beautiful text continues here in classic Haas style. Gently paced, wonderfully arranged and prayerfully executed, it is a welcome inclusion on the collection.

The joyful bursts of ‘We Will Rejoice’ played in a very tribal African fashion are infectious and uplifting. Lots of percussion at the hands of Marc Anderson add propulsion and movement to the track with a fitting refrain of; ‘We will rejoice with gladness! We will rejoice! All our days we’ll sing to God in praise! We will rejoice’. Oh yes!

‘Come and Dine’ is a feast song for communion which speaks to the theology of Reconciliation in its opening words; ‘Take and eat of my brokenness’. This again is Haas as we have come to know and love: simple, direct, melodic.

The disappointment on ‘God Is Here’ for me is the track ‘God Weeps’. Whenever I read the name Shirley Erena Murray, I tend to get quite excited. Her texts have appeared on recordings by Tony Alonso and Lori True and are in my experience, uplifting and challenging texts. This text doesn’t quite do it for me…perhaps it will grow on me…it surely doesn’t hit you like a clap of thunder like ‘A Place at the Table’ or ‘Fresh As The Morning’…and the arrangement is far too downbeat...too sad. Even the sung phrasing by David Haas lacks conviction, especially at; ‘God Bleeds at women battered and afraid’. The half sung-half spoken ‘afraid’ in this sentence just doesn’t cut it and taints an already less than excellent piece.

The following track ‘God Alone Is Enough’ is a gospel style anthem dedicated to memory of Derek Campbell (1963-2004) – and this came to me as a shock. My enduring memory of Campbell was as a singer on the Glory Day record/video of nearly ten years back now. The text is inspired by the writing of St Teresa of Avila and is an uplifting piece.

‘The Ways of God’ and ‘Be God’ are reflective pieces once again showing the prowess of Lori True as a cantor.

Perhaps the standout track on ‘God Is Here’ is ‘I Am There’. Derek Campbell is yet again honoured posthumously with the liner notes stating that the song was composed at Derek’s piano the day after his funeral celebration. The compositional skills of Joe Camacho are outstanding as he delivers a stirring melody and thoughtful text that speaks of the presence of God in all moments of our lives. Joe Camacho begins the singing and the welcome inclusion of Marty Haugen as added cantor in the second verse is a lovely addition. Camacho’s chord phrasing is truly special, the melody achingly beautiful and hints to much greater things from Mr Camacho in the future…a solo release perhaps? This would be a fine thing indeed. Early Christmas wishes aside – this is an excellent song that would be perfect for Reconciliation services, Lenten celebrations or retreats. Excellente!

Like Shirley Erena Murray, text writer Ruth Duck has emerged in recent years as a powerful Liturgical lyricist. ‘I Will Give You Rest’ shows off her skills in constructing simple and delightful texts which speak of God in inspiring, hope filled ways. The music by David Haas in this instance is light, acoustically driven and inviting. Nice one…and one that will get better with every listen I am sure.

The recording finishes where it began with a derivative of ‘God Is Here’. A ‘Litany for Peace and Reconciliation’ is offered which speaks to need for reconciliation in many places around the world including Darfur, Iraq, Washington – even the Vatican gets a petition for healing and prayer. Cantor Jesse Manibusen sings some freely sung petitions over a gospel driven children’s choir.

‘God Is Here’ by David Haas is an excellent recording and a most valuable resource. It is uplifting to hear so many voices, some old friends [Haugen], but also new ones [Camacho, True, Alonso] who Haas is employing to create such an exciting and rounded sounding record. The texts of Bill Huebsch are a stroke of genius – may it continue on future recordings!

The sentiment in the songs themselves is a call to all of us to return to the beauty and calm of prayer in our daily lives. May we all ‘sing a new song’ in the many happy additions of sung prayer found on ‘God Is Here’.

You need this. You really do.