The Holy Ghost Reception Committee #9 – Know They’re You
(The Torchbearers, 1968)
To alleviate the boredom of weekly Mass, students from Regis Jesuit High School in New York City started writing and performing their own songs. They ended up with a recording contract with the Church of the Apostle of St. Paul.
Hazel Manley – Soon Ah Will Be Done
(It’s So Good Just To Know Him, 1970)
The Peace Ringers – Popcorn (1977)
The Peace Ringers were a handbell choir from the First United Methodist Church of Orange, California. Their infamous spring break tours on the legendary RV they shared with the rock band Simply Saucer were chronicled in Eric Holmberg’s book Hell’s Bells: The Dangers of Rock ‘N’ Roll.
Nun-Plus – Los Angeles (Ljubimo, 1970)
One Sunday afternoon in 1970, Sister Marianne Misetech invited two accomplished musicians — Cookie Routtu and Jeannie Rey Routtu — to listen to Marianne and her fellow sisters perform her quirky compositions. Cookie and Jeannie Rey had been performing professionally as The Rey Sisters throughout the Pacific Northwest and Europe. They were masters of the piano, marimba, guitar, mandolin, string bass, and drums. When they heard the nuns perform that afternoon they found “a very modern approach to the celebration of life” and they wanted to help them get their songs recorded. At that moment the five nuns and the Rey Sisters became The Nun-Plus. The Croatian titled Ljubimo (“Let Us Love”) was released in 1970 on Amato Records, featuring lyrics and music by Marianne Misetech with arrangements by Jeannie Rey Routtu.
The Brewers – Lord Don’t Move The Mountain
(The Brewers Sing Just For You)
Janine – Does The Sun Still Shine (1975)
When the pain from glaucoma forced her to have both eyes removed, Janine wrote this lovely album to thank her guide dog, Gretchen, and her God, Nehktergi, for giving her peace. The record was released on Lark Records out of Richmond, Virginia.
The New Creation – Dig! (The Origin of Species) (Troubled, 1970)
Medical Mission Sisters – Howl My Soul (Joy Is Like The Rain, 1966)
From an album of original songs by Sister Miriam Therese Winter, songs that were never really written, never really planned, they just happened spontaneously as Sister Miriam sat alone with her guitar in the fields and on the hill.
Joe Wise – A Creed (A New Day, 1970)
Joe discusses his religious beliefs as well as his allegiance to a certain import car and a slimming breakfast cereal.
Gary S. Paxton – Clone Affair (1974)
All thirteen background voices by Gary S. Paxton.