NFN Music Review – NATALIE GRANT: Seasons. (Curb Productions)

Twenty five years into her career, here we have the latest release from this Nashville-based wife and mother, singer-songwriter, worship leader and nine times Grammy nominee. In 2005 Natalie authored a book describing her journey of overcoming bulimia, entitled ‘The real me: being the girl God sees’. She has subsequently added thyroid cancer and anxiety to her earlier trauma and we now have this ‘covers’ album of “songs that helped Natalie through some of the most challenging times of her life”, with the album title reflecting what she describes as “seasons full of beauty and blooming, seasons that have seemed cold and barren”. Calling on support from “some of the most notable names in the music industry”, things however kick off with her powerful solo lead delivering ‘In Christ alone (Seasons)’. This is followed by Cory Asbury contributing to the hope-filled ‘You will be found’. Urban contemporary duo Mary Mary then join Natalie for the first re-recorded version of their major hit ‘Shackles (Praise You)’. Tauren Wells duets for a modern rendition of Russ Taff’s timeless ‘We will stand’ (also featuring Jekalyn Carr and CAIN). CeCe Winans lends her wonderful black gospel voice to Andre Crouche’s powerful ballad ‘My tribute (to God be the glory)’. The upbeat Annie Lennox song ‘Step by step’ (made most famous by Whitney Houston) features the unmistakable chops of the country queen herself, Dolly Parton. The pace slows for ‘I need you’, Natalie’s second solo vocal on the album. Jonathan McReynolds makes a great job of supporting her on ‘Another time, another place’ before she puts her heart and soul into the Simon and Garfunkel classic ‘Bridge over troubled water’, ably shared by Tasha Cobbs Leonard. The Bob Dylan song ‘Make you feel my love’ (most recently made famous by Adele) closes the album and is a family affair, with lead vocal and effective harmony contributions from Natalie’s daughter Bella and elderly mother Gloria, featuring simple electric and acoustic guitar accompaniment. This is an enjoyable pop gospel album of strong songs – not all with strictly gospel lyrics, but leaving the listener with an overall feeling of being uplifted. Sound quality could be better, but I’ve heard much worse. 8/10. Dave Deeks.

‘Seasons’ – The Brand New Album from Natalie Grant

Nine-time GRAMMY Award nominee and Curb | Word Entertainment artist NATALIE GRANT has released her highly anticipated new album, Seasons. The 10-track album features Grant’s own twist on songs that have made a lasting impression on her life as well as her illustrious career. To create Seasons, Grant invited some of the top artists in their genres to join her including Mary Mary with their first re-recorded version of their smash hit “Shackles (Praise You),” Tasha Cobbs Leonard on Paul Simon’s “Bridge Over Troubled Water,” and her mother and daughters on Bob Dylan’s “Make You Feel My Love.”

“Faith-filled music has carried me, and continues to carry me, through every stage of my life” shares Grant. “There have been many seasons – seasons full of beauty and blooming, seasons that have seemed cold and barren. This album is a collection of songs that have carried me through college, heartbreak, infertility, cancer, anxiety… the list goes on. But my Jesus, and the music that carries His message, have been my constant companions.”   https://nataliegrant.com/

The Review Zone – ANNA BENTON : Seasons E.P. (https://open.spotify.com/album/5GQOqj2dhYoyFXWKdhUl9p)

Anna says; “I wrote these songs a little over 3 years ago and began the recording process, but when my husband and I became foster parents we decided to press pause on the EP. After fostering our precious boys for the past year, we knew it was time to finish the EP. I’m praying that these songs will bring hope to those who feel like there’s not a way out. I know there’s someone who is broken-hearted, desperately needing to hear this truth.” Acoustic guitars take the lead on the title track, and what an uplifting number it is. It almost comes over as a bit of a hoe-down, praising Jesus as our Saviour. I really liked this song, but was slightly dismayed by the thin brass accompaniment. “The Story” is a more mellow number, sung as a duet – I’m assuming that it’s Anna’s husband providing the male vocals. Again, it’s all praise to Jesus, who brings hope to the hopeless, rest to the weary, and comfort to the broken. Anna possesses a strong voice and there’s terrific feeling in it, as she sings “Good, Good Love.”  The closing “I Know a Father” begins as a quiet, reflective song that looks at our Father in Heaven, a Father for all. “He knows you. He sees you’re hurting. So just keep moving; with Him you’re free.” As the song builds, the glory of God the father is there for all to see, and hear. Just the four songs from Anna on this release, but they show great promise for the future.   8/10