SPOTLIGHT CD REVIEWS: LOUDEST PRAISE & GLORIOUS GOD- LAUREN TALLEY
SOUTHERN GOSPEL SPOTLIGHT PRESENTS:
CD REVIEW:
LOUDEST PRAISE: HYMNS OF MERCY, LOVE & GRACE
&
GLORIOUS GOD: SONGS OF WORSHIP & WONDER
LAUREN TALLEY
BOTH PROJECTS PRODUCED BY LAUREN TALLEY
LABEL: HORIZON RECORDS
RELEASE DATE: AUGUST 16, 2019
SONG LIST (LOUDEST PRAISE):
Come Thou Fount Of Every Blessing (Robert Robinson, Charles Wesley
What A Friend We Have In Jesus (Joseph M. Scriven, William P Rowlands, Charles Convers)
When God Dips His Love In My Heart (Cleavant Derricks)
When I Survey The Wondrous Cross (Isaac Watts, Lowell Mason)
Does Jesus Care (Frank E. Graeff)
His Eye Is On The Sparrow (Cicillia Durfee Martin, Charles H. Gabriel
SONG LIST (GLORIOUS GOD):
Glorious God (Mac Duren, Miles LaPointe)
What A Beautiful Name/Agnus Dei (Ben Fielding, Brooke Lingertwood)
Mercy Tree (Krissy Nordhoff, Michael Neile)
The Heavens Are Telling (Donald L. Lawrence)
Let The Glory Come Down (Benjamin Gaither, Marshall Hall, Suzanne Jennings)
Jesus At The Center (Adam Ranney, Israel Houghton, Micah Massey)
Jesus Only Jesus (Chris Tomlin, Christy Nockels, Kristian Stanfill, Matt Redman, Nathan Nockels, Tony Wood)
A Wretch Like Me (Lauren Talley)
THOUGHTS:
This past Friday saw the release of not one but two new recordings from beloved vocalist Lauren Talley. Loudest Praise and Glorious God both feature inspiring songs and stellar vocals. Talley brings her unique and incredible voice to six classic hymns on Loudest Praise. “Come Thou Fount Of Every Blessing,” serves as the inspiration for the albums title and reminds us of God’s faithfulness. Talley’s voice fits these timeless lyrics perfectly in my opinion. Her soul-filled performance on “When God Dips His Love In My Heart,” and powerful take on “When I Survey The Wondrous Cross,” are highlights for me.
On Glorious God, Talley presents more worship style songs that are sure to inspire and bring joy to listeners. This well crafted album opens with the title track “Glorious God,” a powerful anthem recognizing God as our Creator. Joined by the Voices Of Lee, Talley’s dynamic voice shines on the beautiful contemporary worship song “What A Beautiful Name/Agnus Dei.” This powerful lyric praises Christ for His Power and His Glory. He has no rival. He has no equal. Now and forever, He reigns! “Mercy Tree,” penned by Krissy Nordhoff and Michael Neile, tells of Christ’s sacrifice and praises Him for His Love for us. Death has died. Love has won!! He chose the Mercy tree! “The Heavens Are Telling,” is a mid-tempo tune that praises the mighty God we serve. Next, Talley puts her spin on the uptempo tune “Let The Glory Come Down,” written by Benjamin Gaither, Marshall Hall, and Suzanne Jennings. This song, originally made popular by David Phelps, asks God to rain down His Glory on us. Amber Epinette and Chris Allman are featured on background vocals on this fun track. “Jesus At The Center,” is a beautiful ballad that asks Jesus to be the center of our lives. Nothing else matters, but Him. From the beginning to the end, Jesus is the center of it all! “Jesus Only Jesus,” penned by Chris Tomlin among others, is a powerful anthem that reminds us that only Jesus can save us from our sins. Jesus is the only way to Heaven. This fantastic album closes with a beautiful song written by Talley herself entitled “A Wretch Like Me.” This powerful lyric is based on the classic hymn “Amazing Grace” and has a message of wonder at the glory of God. “Praise God for grace that saved a wretch like me.”
FINAL THOUGHTS:
LAUREN TALLEY DELIVERS TWO WELL CRAFTED AND DEEPLY MOVING ALBUMS WITH LOUDEST PRAISE AND GLORIOUS GOD. BOTH PROJECTS FEATURE POWERFUL SONGS, STELLAR VOCALS, AND INCREDIBLE MUSICIANSHIP. HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE: “A WRETCH LIKE ME,” “WHAT A BEAUTIFUL NAME,” “WHEN I SURVEY THE WONDROUS CROSS,” AND “WHEN GOD DIPS HIS LOVE IN MY HEART.”
BOTH OF THESE ALBUMS ARE DEFINITELY WORTH ADDING TO YOUR COLLECTION.
4 OUT 5 STARS (LOUDEST PRAISE)
4.5 OUT OF 5 STARS (GLORIOUS GOD)
FOR MORE INFORMATION: www.thetalleys.com