STYLE: MOR / Soft Pop RATING OUR PRODUCT CODE: 22708-12446 LABEL: Independent FORMAT: CD Mini-album ITEMS: 1
Reviewed by Mark Lawrence
London-based singer/songwriter Stephenie is a remarkable woman having overcome more then her fair share of difficult and life threatening times. Two strokes and heart procedures left her with speech problems and this CD is a testament to the strength and depth of her faith in God. With seven original songs plus a re-working of "How Great Thou Art" Stephenie has delivered an emotive album that is driven by her Christian journey. It is difficult to accurately describe the sound but there is a raw bluesiness about songs such as "Like Gold The Heart" and standout track "Day To Night". In fact "raw" would be a good way to describe the album as a whole. The arrangements are simple, relying mainly on Stephenie, her guitar and a tambourine or drum machine but the mix is quite poor with songs that at times sound like they've been cut and pasted together in someone's front room. Stephenie's voice too is somewhat raw and distinctive with its slightly slurred gravely blues and gospel-tinged tone, however I am impressed she can sing at all after having two strokes. Stephenie doesn't hide behind the fact that this is a rough, raw sounding album, she even declares on the accompanying information that her church winces when she sings! What is clear though is that her story and her music has inspired and been an encouragement to many people she comes in to contact with. This is a noble and a heartfelt effort from a remarkable woman but it is unlikely to have a wide-spread appeal beyond Stephenie's friends and family.
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