Singer/songwriter
What They're Saying...
ALBUM NOTES
If someone had told me a few short years ago that I’d be writing religious music, I would have laughed out loud. But
then I found Briarcliff Congregational Church. Under the spiritual direction of Pastor Todd Farnsworth and the music direction of pianist Hui-Mei Lin (Fimi, as we know her), I grew in faith and my songwriting branched out into worship
music. COVID isolation enabled me to spend a lot more time with my piano, and my music became a way to channel my growing faith.
One night at the home concert of singer/songwriter/producer Bianca Mancinelli (https://soundcloud.com/bianca-mancinelli), I met Sam Wagner (https://www.sammywags.com ). Sam is a graduate of the Berklee School, a drummer,
a guitarist, a bass player, a recording engineer, and one of the most upbeat, encouraging people I’ve ever met.
I visited his recording studio, The Koop Studio (https://thekoopstudio.com), and thought I’d try recording a song there.
We clicked, musically and we had a blast. “On My Way to Heaven” ascended into creation!
Just like my CD “How About Now?” there is a mix of musical styles.
From Elton John-inspired gospel to reggae to country swing to ballad, the songs are all different expressions of faith.
I want to thank Sam Wagner for his enthusiasm, talent and boundless energy. Thank you to JP Ruggieri (https://jpruggieri.com/home) for his soulful pedal steel guitar playing on “Let’s Do Something Beautiful for God”(he did!), and thank you to Sam Friedman (https://crimesonics.com/pages/sam-friedman) for his harmonica playing on the songs “When the Gates of Heaven Open” and “On My Way to Heaven” (he lifted them to angelic realms). All songs were written by me with the exception of An Easier Road and It’s About Joy which were co-written with Sandi Kimmel my longtime friend and occasional collaborator (https://sandikimmel.com). And thank you to my husband Steve for the cover design, and the patience and courage to live with a musician. All I have is time for you.
AN EASIER ROAD © Beddy LoBalbo/Sandi Kimmel
Piano and Vocals Beddy LoBalbo
Guitar, Bass, Drums Sam Wagner (Sammy Wags)
One evening on a drive down the Taconic Parkway, my friend and songwriter Sandi Kimmel witnessed an “unbelievable sunset painted on an autumn sky.” The opening line of An Easier Road was born. She brought me the lyrics. “I hear it!” was my reply and her favorite phrase.
I wrote the “groove” and together we worked up the song.
It was an unbelievable sunset
Painted on an autumn sky
I felt your presence everywhere
So real it made me cry
I feel your Spirit running through me
By the light of a crescent moon
I hear your voice in every breeze
A sweet and peaceful tune
IT’S AN EASIER ROAD
KNOWING YOU’RE ALWAYS WITH ME
AN EASIER ROAD
KNOWING I HAVE YOUR LOVE
EVERY DAY I PRAY
EVERY MILE IS PAVED WITH MIRACLES THIS WAY
AN EASIER ROAD
Now in the still of a morning
Or the darkness of a night
I know my way is guided by a
Clear and constant light
GOD’S LOVE IS EVERYWHERE © Beddy LoBalbo
Keyboard and Vocals Beddy LoBalbo
Guitar, Bass, Drums Sammy Wags
Gathering Sunday at the Briarcliff Congregational Church was fast-approaching during COVID lockdown. Fimi, the music director at the time (https://www.huimeilinpiano.com), asked if I could write an upbeat song
for the children of the church family. The song came to be on a walk with
my dog Luna in Croton Point Park. Sam Wanger whose band The Brighten Beat (http://www.thebrightonbeat.com) plays Afrobeat Brass Funk and Reggae brought his reggae talents to the song and it became even more joyful than it had already been!
At the start of each new day
There’s a prayer that you can say
God, be my friend and guide
And walk right by my side
God’s love is everywhere
Like sunshine you can share
God’s love is everywhere
Anywhere you come and go
You’re never alone
It’s in the sky
It’s in the air
When people smile
When people care
Out in the world
Inside your home
With those you love
Or all alone
And at night when you’re in bed
If there’s shadows in your head
Just remember when you’re scared
Your forever friend is there
God’s love is everywhere
Like sunshine you can share
God’s love is everywhere
Anywhere you come and go
You’re never alone
It’s in the sky Everywhere
It’s in the air Everywhere
When people smile Everywhere
When people care Everywhere
Out in the world Everywhere
Inside your home Everywhere
With those you love Everywhere
Or all alone Everywhere
In the people you meet
In the food that you eat
In your laugh and your cry
In hello and goodbye
In the store or at school
In the park, in the pool
In the flowers in spring
In the songs that we sing
God’s Love is everywhere!
GRANT US PEACE, O LORD ©Beddy LoBalbo
Keyboards and Vocals Beddy LoBalbo
Guitar, Bass Sammy Wags
Russia attacked and invaded Ukraine. It was a dark time. I longed for peace. I wondered
what was going on in our country, in our world. Things seemed to be spinning out of control. So I wrote this prayer to express my sorrow and hope.
Oh Lord, the world is full of rage
And evil wins the day
Innocence suffers at the hands of hate
Mankind has lost its way
Now is the time for showing all the world
Our Faith in God above
Now is the time to live the living word,
To know that we are love
Grant us peace, O Lord
Grant us peace
Grand us peace, O Lord
Grant us peace
Through us, shine the light of Your Love on the world
O please,
Grant us peace
Grant us peace.
IT’S ABOUT JOY © Beddy LoBalbo and Sandi Kimmel
Piano, Hammond Organ and Vocals Beddy LoBalbo
Guitar, Bass, Drums and Vocal Sammy Wags
I was driving up the West Side Highway with Sandi and she was talking about Life and Guidance from Above. She remarked, “It’s about joy. It’s about love.”
Once again, I said, “I hear it!” We went right to work on it.
IT’S ABOUT JOY
IT’S ABOUT LOVE
IT’S ABOUT FAITH AND TRUST
IN GUIDANCE SENT FROM ABOVE
HOW CAN I BE SAD
WHEN IT’S GOD I’M THINKING OF
IT’S ABOUT JOY JOY JOY
IT’S ABOUT
IT’S ABOUT LOVE
Don’t believe the things you see
Just see what you believe
Give your thanks
Sing your praise
For what you have yet to receive
IT’S ABOUT JOY
IT’S ABOUT LOVE
IT’S ABOUT FAITH AND TRUST
IN GUIDANCE SENT FROM ABOVE
HOW CAN I BE SAD
WHEN IT’S GOD I’M THINKING OF
IT’S ABOUT JOY JOY JOY
IT’S ABOUT
IT’S ABOUT LOVE
You don’t have to be afraid
Just trust in His design
Press on to the prize
Where happiness lies
Open your eyes to the signs
IT’S ABOUT JOY
IT’S ABOUT LOVE
IT’S ABOUT FAITH AND TRUST
IN GUIDANCE SENT FROM ABOVE
HOW CAN I BE SAD
WHEN IT’S GOD I’M THINKING OF
IT’S ABOUT JOY JOY JOY
IT’S ABOUT
IT’S ABOUT LOVE
Bridge: Oooo, it would be Heaven on earth
If you could love yourself
The way that God loves you
Love is the way
Love is the way
God’s love will carry us through
Lifting up me and you
IT’S ABOUT JOY
IT’S ABOUT LOVE
IT’S ABOUT FAITH AND TRUST
IN GUIDANCE SENT FROM ABOVE
HOW CAN I BE SAD
WHEN IT’S GOD I’M THINKING OF
IT’S ABOUT JOY JOY JOY
IT’S ABOUT
IT’S ABOUT LOVE
LET’S DO SOMETHING BEAUTIFUL FOR GOD © Beddy LoBalbo
Keyboard and Vocals Beddy LoBalbo
Guitar, Bass Sammy Wags
Pedal Steel Guitar JP Ruggieri
I read the title quote by Mother Teresa and was so moved by it, I knew it would be a sweet song. When Sam and I recorded it, I had played a keyboard solo. After sitting with it for a while, I realized I could hear the pedal steel guitar melting through it. That’s when Sam said his classic words, “I know a guy!” He contacted JP Ruggieri and a few days later we had our pedal steel track. JP did something beautiful for God indeed.
Let’s do something beautiful for God
Let’s do something beautiful for God
Summer, Fall, Winter, Spring
God breathes in everything
Let’s do something beautiful for God
Let’s be something beautiful for God
Let’s be something beautiful for God
Who gives life, gives love, and guidance
From above
Let’s be something beautiful for God
Let us all find a way
To live in peace each day
Let’s do something beautiful for God
JUST ASK JESUS © Beddy LoBalbo
Piano, Hammond Organ and Vocals Beddy LoBalbo
Guitar, Bass, Drums Sammy Wags
Another gospel-ish tune written for BCC. Once again it was during COVID and I was thinking about calling out to the Almighty when one is confused or in pain, and why not? “He lived in this world like me and you.” Special thanks to my backup singers…
Where you gonna go?
Whatcha gonna do?
Where you gonna go?
Whatcha gonna do?
When you’re troubled
Feeling low
And you don’t think you can find which way to go
He is there to listen
A shepherd to us all
A guiding light, day and night
Waiting for your call
JUST ASK JESUS
JUST ASK JESUS
HE LIVED IN THIS WORLD LIKE ME AND YOU
JUST ASK JESUS
ASK JESUS
JESUS GONNA SHOW YOU WHAT TO DO
Where you gonna go?
Whatcha gonna do?
Where you gonna go?
Whatcha gonna do?
When you’re sickened
With pain and grief
And you’re struggling mightily
To believe
Our hearts He came to open
Our souls He came to save
He knew pain and suffering
From the manger to the grave
JUST ASK JESUS
JUST ASK JESUS
HE LIVED IN THIS WORLD LIKE ME AND YOU
JUST ASK JESUS
JUST ASK JESUS
JESUS GONNA SHOW YOU WHAT TO DO
ON MY WAY TO HEAVEN © Beddy LoBalbo
Keyboard and Vocals Beddy LoBalbo
Guitar, Bass and Drums Sammy Wags
Harmonica Sam Friedman
I’ve always liked the Good Samaritan story so when it came up during church service one Sunday, I wanted to put it in song form. I wrote the lyrics in their entirety first (which I rarely do) because I wanted to tell a Dylanesque story. The music was divinely delivered shortly thereafter. I love when that happens. Sam Friedman (Sammy Wags suggestion) listened once, waved away the sheet music, and created harmonica magic in the booth.
A Pharissee met a poor man
As he walked along the street
The poor man had been beaten
Needed care, and food to eat
The Pharissee looked upon him
With suspicion and disdain
Said, “I’d like to help you but I can’t
Let me please explain:
I’m on my way to Heaven
I’m only passing through
I’m on my way to Heaven
And I have no time for you”
A Levite came along the way
And saw the man in deep despair
Thought that he might lend a hand
But then he wouldn’t dare
Could be a trap he reasoned
An evil tricky ruse
And as he rode away he used
the very same excuse
I’m on my way to Heaven
I’m only passing through
I’m on my way to Heaven
And I have no time for you
The dying man was fading
As his enemy knelt by
He felt the stranger clean his wounds
And lift him to a ride
He felt a bed beneath him
And on his lips some bread
When he was well, he heard the tale
Of what the stranger said.
I’m on my way to Heaven
I’m only passing through
I’m on my way to Heaven
All I have is time for you
There’s a road that we all follow
Fixed on a dream somewhere
When you come across someone in need
Let this be your prayer
I’m on my way to Heaven
I’m only passing through
I’m on my way to Heaven
All I have is time for you
I’m on my way to Heaven
All I have is time for you.
ON THIS CHRISTMAS DAY © Beddy LoBalbo
Keyboard and Vocals Beddy LoBalbo
Guitar, Bass and Vocal Sammy Wags
A Christmas Song in a Dickensian style. “You there boy, what day is it today?” as the window is thrown open and the joy of Christmas is announced. My friend Kathy Browning sang soprano and played the dulcimer on it when we did it live at BCC. My friend Karen Sharman played guitar and sang alto. And I played keyboard and sang what I call the Graham Nash part (the middle harmony). When I went into the studio, I wore all the hats and the keyboard became a dulcimer. Sammy suggested a cappella harmony at the ending and indulged my request for church bells. Alleluia!
Call from the windows
Throw open the doors
There’s joyful news today
A new life has begun
God’s son
Has come
To chase fear and darkness away
Alleluia, Christ is born
With grateful hearts we pray
On this Christmas morning
On this Christmas day
Sharing with Kindness
Giving with Love
We follow Him today
A star in the night
Is the sight
Of the light
That forever is guiding our way
Alleluia, Christ is born
With grateful hearts we pray
On this Christmas morning
On this Christmas Day
WHEN THE GATES OF HEAVEN OPEN
© BeddyLoBalbo
Keyboard and Vocals Beddy LoBalbo
Guitar, Bass Sammy Wags
I wanted to write a song about the deep faith my aunt Anne has in a glorious afterlife.
I also wanted to write something soothing for those who have lost their life partners and hope to be reunited in their “life after life.” I’m not sure how it happened but it became a kind of country swing tune – a celebration of this imperfect life and the joy and glory of the next. Special thanks to Sammy Wag’s kickin’ guitar solo. It was a blast listening to it come together. Sam Friedman put some icing on that cake with his harmonica. And the Gates of Heaven opened.
When the gates of Heaven open
I will step right in
When the gates of Heaven open
It won’t matter where I’ve been
‘Cause you’ll be there to greet me, walkin’ by my side
When the gates of Heaven open, they’ll open wide.
Oh Jesus you know I’m true
But I’m not perfect in the things I do
You have my heart and my soul too
You have my promise I will follow you
When the gates of Heaven open…
Oh Jesus, give me rest
You know in this life I did my best
You showed the way through every test
To be kind, to be loving, to be blessed
When the gates of Heaven open…
Oh Jesus, lead me from sin
Keep me from depairin’ and worryin’
And we’ll meet in glory, my dearest friend
When our life after life begins
When the gates of Heaven open…
THANK YOU, OH JESUS @Beddy LoBalbo
Keyboard and Vocals Beddy LoBalbo
Guitar, Bass Sammy Wags
I had written the music first for another occasion and decided to use it for a worship song. I wanted poetic lyrics of worship (“like the dancing of light on a river of stars”). And it all flowed.
Thank you, oh Jesus
Your love moves our lives
Like breath in our bodies
It flows day and night
We’re here to listen to all that You know
To love one another as on and on we go
Thank you, oh Jesus
So gentle and mild
Salvation was born
In the form of a child
We’re here to praise you. We’re here to sing
We’re here to find God in everything
Thank you, oh Jesus
You move through our hearts
Like the dancing of light
On a river of stars
We’re here to glow with your love every day
To shine back on Heaven as you guide our way
Thank you, oh Jesus
Thank you, oh Jesus
Thank you, oh Jesus
