OC Register

Sacred Heart Radio

Solid talent, great voice, wonderful lyrics, skillful arrangements! I love this CD! I have literally put the entire CD on "repeat" and listened to it all day. Her voice is so clear and strong and total package of voice and lyrics and musical arranging is tremendous. I really really enjoy this CD!

CD Baby

Contemporary Christian acoustic pop that grabs hold of your soul and won't let go. You will swear you are listening to the angels sing. Cheryl's voice and superb songwriting make this a must have for your collection.
 

CatholicMusicNetwork.com

Looking For The Lightning is the debut album of singer/songwriter Cheryl Aranda. She wrote all the songs herself, played guitar and keyboards, programmed sequences and handled the engineering tasks as well. When asked how she managed it all, she laughs, "It's amazing what you can learn to accomplish when you can't afford to hire anybody else to do it!" Cheryl has an acoustic coffee house sound with vocals that are a cross between pop star Dido and Sheryl Crow." God Is Watching You" is a unique look at how our Father is looking out for us, even when we stumble he will be there to catch us whenever we fall, like a true Father. The title track, "Looking For The Lightning" is a mix of pop and new country. This song tells us how God has a place in our life and how we must let him be in control. The first single off the album, "Fight To The Finish" is a wonderful song that tells how we must go through trials in our life and how it's an uphill climb to our goal. That goal is being with Jesus. "Sometime the biggest victory is merely staying in place.. .There's a lesson to be learned, Gold cannot be purified until it has been burned..."In talking about her new album Cheryl says, "The songs on 'Looking For The Lightning' are centered on a common theme. They explore my take on faith and spirituality." Cheryl Aranda has found an awesome way of sharing.

Los Angeles Lay Catholic Mission

Mahony and Los Angeles Celebrate the New Cathedral

By Charles Coulombe

...The following Wednesday, September 11, the elite of the city again gathered in the cathedral for an interfaith prayer service to remember the victims of the attacks on New York and Washington, D.C. In the main plaza of the cathedral complex, a large television had been set up so that those unable to secure a place inside would be able to watch the rites. Those who took their seats around the altar ranged from Mayor Hahn and Sheriff Baca to Lee Iacocca. Mistress of Ceremonies was Anjelica Houston, while Father Alexei Smith, pastor of St. Andrew's Russian Catholic Church in El Segundo, choreographed the event. The combined choir (under the direction of Charles Dickerson) included two Methodist choirs, two of the Seventh Day Adventist faith, one generic Protestant ensemble, and one college chorale...

...Following a choral selection, "Oh God Our Help in Ages Past," prayers resumed, each followed by applause. The Reverend Leonard Jackson of the First African Methodist Episcopal Church prayed for a new world where there will be no injustice; Dr. Maher Hathout and Ms. Khadija Abdullah of the Islamic Center of Southern California prayed to Allah that we all remain Americans; and Judge Dorothy Nelson prayed from the Bahai scriptures. Cheryl Aranda then sang her own composition, "One by One," whose lyrics offered guidance on making a better world. Cardinal Mahony then offered a prayer. Though he did not mention Jesus, the cardinal called upon God to keep us united in the faith we share.

All through these proceedings, people were allowed in from the outside to replace those who left; but this trickle turned to a flood when the next musical selection was offered: Burt Bacharach himself played the piano for "What the World Needs Now is Love." The audience were encouraged to sing the chorus, and Mayor Hahn joined in with gusto...

Chino Champion

October 7, 2000

Cheryl Aranda, of Chino Hills is one of 10 semi-finalists in a nationwide songwriting contest through an internet website. The contest entrants had to write and record a melody written to a lyric written by songwriters Carole Bayer Sager and Carol King. Ms Aranda, a published songwriter has sung at both St. Paul the Apostle Church in Chino Hills and St. Denis in Diamond Bar.

The Downey Eagle

February 4, 2000

Cole Porter featured at Library Tea Feb. 12

An afternoon of Cole Porter musical favorites will be highlights at the Friends of the Downey Library High Tea set for 1 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 12, at the Rio Hondo Country Club. Cheryl Aranda and Daniel Wilson, noted Southland musicians, will entertain with Porter tunes including "I Love Paris," "Night and Day" and "You'd Be So Nice to Come Home To." Aranda, soprano, is well known in musical theater, having starred in the world premiere of "Without a Halo," and is currently recording her first CD of original music. Wilson, a baritone, has been singing and performing for more than 20 years. He has appeared in leading roles in such musical theater hits as "Oklahoma," and "Guys and Dolls." As a professional singer, Wilson has sung with the Los Angeles Chamber Singers, the Southern California Choral Society, and sings with the Zephyr: Voices Unbound. The musical program is directed by Downey's Carol Gibson, a professional flautist, singer and theater director. Gibson has worked on the Country Music Awards for Universal Studios, and is currently the executive director of Zephyr, Voices Unbound.

People Are Saying...

So very beautiful. I’ve been listening to your album – over and over.  It gives me goose bumps all over my skin and is stirring something up deeply inside.  You are indeed gifted and I thank you for sharing that with me.

A.A., California

I was listening to the radio station the Fish this morning and heard you singing, what a pleasure. They also gave out your e-mail address so I'm going to attend the Hermosa Bch. event.
P.J.,California

Cool Stuff! Thanks.
R.B., Florida

You sound great by the way. I was very surprised to see that you recorded most of the instruments. You are very talented indeed. My two favorite songs are Someday Soon and The Blessing Song.
S.G., Oregon

I will recommend it to others. God bless you.
J.S., California

I really liked it, it has really nice lyrics.
C.A., California

As I drove from soccer to drill competition and other events, I listened to your CD all day Saturday. It is very good!! You wrote all the lyrics and the music? The photos of you are also very good. I am now the proud owner of a autographed Cheryl Aranda CD. Thanks!!!
T.E., California

Thank you for the CD which is beautifully done. I really enjoyed listening to it. It's obvious that a ton of work went into creating that very professionally finished product! Congratulations!
D.M., California

REAL GOOD STUFF GOT GOING HERE I MUST SAY! GOOD FEEL TO IT! KEEP IT UP! CAN I PLAY IT ON MY STATION? PLEASE LET ME KNOW! THANKS.
G., Scotland

Your CD is wonderful. An inspiration. I enjoyed your work on many different levels -- emotionally, technically, intellectually. Thanks for sharing yourself with the world!
P.D., California

Saving Grace,,,is a goodie... you are great... thank you.
H.J., New York

Very cool. I've played it several times. I was playing mine - quietly - on my PC here at work and I had a couple people come up and ask, "Who is that?"
D.M., Texas