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Producer: Roger Talley
Horizon Records

If you loved Lauren’s first solo recording, then get ready because with “Surrender”, Lauren will blow your socks off.  I must confess, I was not all that impressed with Lauren’s first solo recording, but boy am I ever impressed with this one!  This one totally rocks!  Lauren has developed her own musical personality as a soloist with this recording.  This CD makes you sit up and take notice as Lauren gets down to business!

Starting off the CD is the choral sounding, “SING/I’VE GOT A SONG” featuring the choral group, “The Voices of Lee.”  This clever little song is probably my favorite from the entire CD.  I really enjoy this song.

Formerly recorded by the Gaither Vocal Band around 8 years ago, Lauren sings “COUNT ON ME,” which is her first single release from the recording.  Though it is a great song, I don’t know if I would have chosen it as a single.

The strong country beat of “THAT’S WHAT I CALL LOVE” will cause your feet to tap as you blissfully sing along…“That’s what I call love, that’s what I call mercy, that’s what I call the wondrous, boundless, goodness of the Lord from Heaven above, He gave His life, on the cross of Calvary, that’s what I call truly undeniable, truly indescribable, yeah that’s what I call love.”  Another song with a strong country beat is the encouraging “HEAVEN’S WATCHING OVER ME”.

”I WILL TRUST IN CHRIST,” offers a message of hope that our salvation is not based on works, for it truly is by grace through faith in Jesus Christ that we are saved.  As the song boldly states, “I don’t depend on me for any part, He did it all, so with all my heart, I will trust in Christ.”

I love what Lauren did with the Dottie Peoples’ recent Dove nominated song “CLOSET RELIGION.”  This song should be considered as a single to radio.  Excellent cut and is reminiscent to former Talley Trio hit “Testify”, which ironically was written by Dottie Peoples as well.  Maybe Lauren has her niche with the black sound.

One of the most striking hymns of obedience is “I SURRENDER ALL” and Lauren sings it with absolute confidence.  Excellent performance!

With a strong ‘south of the border’ sound, Lauren does a great job on the praise and worship type song called, “ALMIGHTY.”  The song even features some Spanish singing from Lauren.

Call it unusual, controversial, hard-hitting, or just call it ‘in your face’ Southern Gospel.  One of the most poignant songs ever recorded on a Southern Gospel recording is the ballad “REVEREND JOHN,” written by former Greater Vision tenor, Chris Allman.  Before you decide whether you like this song or not, listen to it all the way through.  This is a message that can really hit home.

One of my all time favorite songs written by Joel Lindsey is the song called “HOLDING ME.”  Lauren delivers a very warm and comforting rendition of this great song and is a definite highlight of the recording.

The pace picks back up with “I WANT TO KNOW HIM.”  With its message to share the gospel with the world, the basic hook of the song says, “I want to know Him, so I can show Him to somebody else.” 

Slowing things down and closing out the recording is a song of reassurance called, “ALL I NEED TO KNOW.”

Lauren really stretches herself vocally and musically on this recording and proves she’s not a little girl anymore.  This recording solidifies Lauren’s capacity as a viable soloist.  With the world at her doorstep, I am glad she chooses Christian music as her genre, and I will be watching to see what the future holds for her.

Personal Favs: SING/I’VE GOT A SONG; THAT’S WHAT I CALL LOVE; I WILL TRUST IN CHRIST; CLOSET RELIGION; I SURRENDER ALL; REVEREND JOHN; HOLDING ME

Rating:

Reader Comments

Great review James! I also would prolly give this CD a 5 star rating... although I do have to say that I disagree on one point. That being, I think I liked Laurens first solo CD just a little more. However, she definitely outdoes herself as always. Great CD!!

I LOVE "I Want To Know Him" and "Closet Religion!!!" Awesome!! I agree, Lauren is at her best with "black style" music, or at least music with a "funky beat."

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