CD REVIEW 478. KAREN SIBILIA - DEEPER STILL, 2011. From the album 'Deeper Still', Lord & Associates. Anyone who was privileged to see those globe trotting musical evangelists Tony Loeffler & The Blue Angels will know that Karen had a beautiful voice and an anointed way with worship music. Shortly before her death earlier this year after a lengthy battle with cancer Tony Loeffler coaxed Karen into his Fort Worth studio and recorded a batch of Karen's songs. This is Karen's greatest song. If there was any justice in the dissemination of new worship songs (which, I'm afraid, there often isn't) "Deeper Still" would now be connecting with believers around the globe. As it is, it will probably remain a song known only to a small cognoscente. But be that as it may, this is a classic song, a wistful, mid tempo number sung with aching conviction by Karen in a voice which recalls the pure tones of Julie Felix. The song is a plea for healing but a more important healing than that of our bodies. "I'm falling on my knees/Touch me please/Where only you can heal/Deep within my very soul is where I know/Your mercy's deeper still." Tony Cummings, CROSSRHYTHMS, UK When this project began it was to be a reflection of the faithfulness and mercy of God that I found along the way of a difficult life journey. Through the devastating loss of two of my brothers, to the on going battle for my life against two different cancers, I found myself gaining strength and hope through scripture. It was those scriptures that became the breath of life to me and so I gave voice to them through music. An amazing thing then happened. Hope began to be born in many lives as people responded to the songs and I was more determined than ever to finish this CD by focusing on this great attribute of God. KAREN SIBILIA "May the God of hope fill you all with joy and peace as you trust in Him so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit" Romans 15:13 Thank you, my Lord Jesus, for walking with me all the way.... Produced by Tony Loeffler Engineered and Mixed by Earl Bennett Recorded at Sanctuary Sound Studio Lake Worth, FL Mastered by: Steve Cruz, Cruzified Music, Coconut Creek, FL Published by Lord and Associates Music, BMI L & A Records Quite Waters (Psalm23) Karen Sibilia, September 3, 2009 (BMI) Acoustic Guitar – Karen Sibilia Acoustic Guitar – Matthew Bennett Piano, Keyboards – Aaron Knight Bass – Eric Bright Cajon, Shaker, Rain Stick - Earl Bennett EWI – Ed Maina You are my soul provider You are my peace And when my weary heart is aching You call to me, "Come to waters, sweet" You lead me to the quiet waters Where my soul will be restored I'm resting in my Fathers' goodness Dwelling in your house forever more, forever more. My cup of mercy's overflowing My path is sure But if I walk through deaths' dark shadow I'll have no fear, Your voice is clear Only goodness follows me All my days, all my days And Your mercy it covers me, forever and ever more My Glory Karen Sibilia, 2009 (BMI) Acoustic Guitar – Karen Sibilia Horns – Ed Maina Electric Guitar – Skip Frye Electric Piano – Rick Krive Bass – Kenny Kosnicki Drums, Percussion – Earl Bennett My Glory and the lifter of my head My Glory and the lifter of my head For you oh Lord, are a shield for me My Glory and the lifter of my head When the battle rages at my side I can run to you and safely hide For you oh Lord, are a shield for me When the battle rages at my side When the flood around becomes to deep You, my God, will come and rescue me For you oh Lord, are a shield for me When the flood around becomes too deep My Glory, you lift my head My Glory, you lift my head My Glory, you lift my head My Glory and the lifter of my head The Solid Rock Words: Ed ward Mote Public domain - Additional lyrics and musical arrangement by Karen SibiliaAcoustic Guitar – Karen Sibilia Chorus Guitar – Matthew Bennett Electric Piano – Rick Krive Flute – Ed Maina Bass – Eric Bright Drums, Congas, Percussion – Earl Bennett My hope is built on nothing less Than Jesus' blood and righteousness I dare not trust the sweetest frame but wholly lean on Jesus' name On Christ the solid rock I stand All other ground is sinking sand On Christ the solid rock I stand All other ground is sinking sand His oath, His covenant, His blood Support me in the overwhelming flood When all around my soul gives way He then is all my hope and stay I stand, Oh, oh, oh I stand, On Christ alone I stand, I will not be moved My foundation is sure My hope will endure When He shall come with trumpet sound O may I then in Him be found Dressed in His righteousness alone Faultless to stand before the throne Healer Michael Jon Guglielmucci Word Publishing Australia All rights reserved. Used by permission. Acoustic Guitar – Karen Sibilia Electric Guitar - Peter Alverez Keyboard - Tomomi Arango Strings, Orchestra Arrangement– Aaron Knight Bass – Eric Bright Drums - Marco De Sciscio You hold my every moment You calm my raging seas You walk with me through fire And heal all my disease I trust in you, I trust in you. I believe you’re my healer I believe, you are all I need I believe you’re my portion I believe you’re more than enough for me Jesus you’re all I need You’re more than enough for me Nothing is impossible for you Nothing is impossible Nothing is impossible for you You hold my world in your hands. God is Our Refuge and Strength Karen Sibilia, 2004 (BMI) Acoustic Guitar – Karen Sibilia Electric Guitar - Peter Alverez Keyboard - Tomomi Arango Bass – Eric Bright Drums - Marco De Sciscio Congas - Bobby Carcasses Percussion – Earl Bennett Hand Claps – Tony Loeffler, Earl Bennett Background Vocals - Tony Loeffler, Karen Sibilia God is our refuge and strength He is our help in trouble So then we will not fear The Lord of hosts is here We will not be moved Though the earth should change Even if the mountains fall When the nations rage He lifts His voice God is still God, He rules over all (Back to chorus) At the battle line Just a shepherd boy Would see a giant fall In the lions den Daniel could be strong Cause God is still God, He rules over all (Back to chorus) God is, God is, God is the Ruler of all God is, God is, Our God is the Ruler of all (Back to chorus) Faithful To Me Karen Sibilia 2001 (BMI) Acoustic Guitar – Karen Sibilia Electric Guitar - Peter Alverez Bass – Eric Bright Drums, Percussion – Earl Bennett Piano, Keyboards – Aaron Knight Season follow season, sunshine after rain Morning and the evening I can count on these again Stars that fill the heavens, ocean waves that roar Creation testifies of you, Lord And I just want to thank you, thank you You’re so good to me I just want to thank you, thank you ‘Cause everything I see Let’s me know that you will Always be, ever faithful to me Joy comes after sorrow, grace to follow sin You turn mourning into dancing And peace that flows from deep with in Mercy covers failure, Hope overcomes my fear Your evidence speaks loud and clear Faithfully You lead me on With the hand that bears the scars I can trust no matter what I see As long as I can see the stars When Heaven Sings Karen Sibilia, January 2003 (BMI) Acoustic Guitar – Karen Silbilia Bass – Eric Bright Keyboard - Tomomi Arango Drums - Marco De Sciscio Percussion – Earl Bennett Vocals - Tony Loeffler, Karen Sibila Out of your throne Comes lightening and thunder Before your throne A sea of glass like crystal Elders fall before you Cast their crowns before the king Saying, “Worthy are you Lord” When Heaven sings Holy, Holy Holy Lord God Almighty Who was and is And who is to come Voices of angels Saints from every nation Singing a new song To the lamb who was slain Glory and dominion With honor they bring Praises to you God When Heaven sings Revelation 4:8-11 …And day and night they do not cease to say, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God, the Almighty, Who was and Who is and Who is to come.”….The twenty-four elders will fall down before Him…and will worship Him…and cast their crowns before the throne, saying , Worthy are You, our Lord and our God… We Bow Down Viola Graafstrom, Words and music Kingsway Music, UK All rights reserved. Used by permission. Acoustic Guitar – Karen Sibilia Acoustic Lead Guitar – Gustavo Eraso Piano and Cello Arrangement– Aaron Knight Bass – Eric Bright Drums - Marco De Sciscio Percussion – Earl Bennett We bow down and confess You are Lord in this place We bow down and confess You are Lord in this place You are all I need It’s your face I seek In the presence of your light We bow down, we bow down We bow down and confess You are Lord in this place We bow down and confess You are Lord in this place I Have To Believe Rita Springer, 2004 Kindred Joy Music All rights reserved. Used by permission. Piano, Organ – Rick Krive Electric Guitar – Skip Frye Bass – Eric Bright Drums – Earl Bennett Horns, Sax – Ed Maina I have to believe that He see my darkness I have to believe Her knows my pain I have to lift my hands to worship Worship His name I have to declare that He is my refuge I have to deny that I am alone I have to lift up my eyes to the mountains It’s where my help comes from He said that He’s forever faithful He said that He’s forever true He said that He can move mountains And if He can move mountains He can move my mountain, He can move your mountain too I have to stand tall when the wind blows me over I have to stand strong when I’m weak and afraid I have to grab hold, hold of the garments The garments of praise I have to sing praise, when the hour is midnight He unlocks these chains that bind up my soul My sin and my shame, He has forgiven And made me whole I have to believe Deeper Still Karen Sibilia 2003, (BMI) Acoustic Guitar – Karen Sibilia Acoustic Guitar Nylon - Peter Alverez Bass – Eric Bright Drums, Loop, Shaker – Earl Bennett Congas - Bobby Carcasses I know they say there is a place Where perfect peace and joy remain Only in Your name And all who thirst for more will drink And there be filled, again Such a Faithful Friend Even though I know you never change I can't feel you near Oh how my heart just needs You here I won't pretend to know the reason Why the road I walk is sometimes hard You, alone, are God Or where the tears that flow in sorrow From a broken heart will fall Do You catch them all? Still there is one thing I know for sure Your love remains You comfort me when I call Your name I'm falling on my knees Touch me please Where only you can heal Deep within my very soul Is where I know Your mercy's deeper still All the questions left unanswered The mysteries of life, I let them go Oh, my God, You know Some things are better left Within the wisdom of Your plan, I understand They're not the ways of man I believe You're working for my good You know---- my days And so I come to You , again, and pray Great Is Thy Faithfulness Words: Thomas O. Chisholm Music: William M. Runyan © 1923, Ren. 1951 Hope Publishing Company, Carol Stream, IL 60188. All rights reserved. Used by permission. Arranged by Rick Krive Rick Krive – Piano, Strings EWI – Ed Maina Great is Thy faithfulness, O God my Father; There is no shadow of turning with Thee; Thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not; As Thou hast been, Thou forever wilt be. Great is Thy faithfulness! Great is Thy faithfulness! Morning by morning new mercies I see. All I have needed Thy hand hath provided; Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me! Summer and winter and springtime and harvest, Sun, moon and stars in their courses above Join with all nature in manifold witness To Thy great faithfulness, mercy and love. Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth Thy own dear presence to cheer and to guide; Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow, Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside! Bonus Track All My Tears Performed by Tony Loeffler and the Blue Angels Karen Sibilia vocals Written by Julie Miller Word Music All rights reserved. Used by permission.