ALBUM REVIEW

Connie Scott :
Seasons Change

This is technically Connie Scott's first CD, but you will quickly know she's not a rookie. She was part of a lady trio called Pearl who released a CD in 2003. For a debut, this is a nice record and, like most first releases, the artist learns and gets even better. Let us never forget that this CD serves as a ministry and the Lord's hand is in this music

The CD opens up with You are Good, a contemporary praise song with an island beat. This is a well-written song, yet the vocal has a live feel to it. They obviously decided to go with the vocal take that had feeling, but it may not have been technically perfect as her voice seems to crack in the upper register halfway through the song. In today's digital world engineers can run the vocals through a pitch shifter, so production needs to be addressed in Connie's next release. Additionally, this may not have been the best choice for the opening album track as it does not reflect her overall style.

Seasons Change is a lovely ballad with great words. It's not quite The Byrds' version of Ecclesiastes 3:1-8, but Connie's interpretation is on target Scripturally and musically. The ballad is Connie's strength, proven by Saturate, Seasons' best chance at radio play. This could easily be spun on today's praise airwaves, to the benefit of everyone listening.

Continuing with her strength is the praise song, Unquenchable. There are fantastic words here, a personal adaptation of Psalm 27:4. She manages to bring it to plain language, a pure and simple adoration of the King of Glory. Where the previous three songs built an identifiable song and continuity on the album, I Need You starts out with a high pitched cry seeking the Lord. I understand what she was going for, but unfortunately it comes out a bit shrill, breaking the mood the three previous songs have so painstakingly built.

In the upper registers, Connie sometimes rides the top of the note and the mixes should have drawn her back a tad at times. Her voice is best in the alto range, and I Will Seek Your Face would have been better served in a lower key. Its strength is the praise chorus: Holy, Holy, Holy, my Lord, where an excellent background vocal keeps her grounded.

Work of Your Hand has a Joni Mitchell-feel to it, and it comes across as a very comfortable place for Connie to be. The vocal is confident and probably the best on the CD. It's easy to picture the singer with a lot of peace and joy as she sings this. Its folksy sound makes it a perfect song to be learned for youth campfires and family campouts.

Praise is Awaiting is a gorgeous praise song that I'd bet is sung often in Connie's church. It starts out very pretty. She opts to go for power on the verse. I think it might have been more effective to keep it down and worshipful. It's beautiful in any form, with words from the Psalmist. Connie has a great feel in her voice, but here again I'd have had a retake due to a slight flawed note, and found a happy balance. I'd stick to these type tracks with a professional producer for next release.

It's a pretty steadfast rule that spoken word on musical album kills it, unless it's at the end. Romans 5 is an exception. Brian Eichelberger's violin on top of the keys acts as a voice that introduces Wendy Jepsen's voice. It's a short piece that acts more as an introduction to Hope, another well written song with a well played violin and well layered backup vocals.

It was wise to set Benediction Prayer to a piano arrangement. It's a song that gives comfort and you can feel His Holy Spirit throughout every note. Caught Between Two Seasons gives us a worship service message feel mini clip, a good thing to do on a CD where you intend it to be a ministry rather than receiving a Dove award. The joy of being a Christian Independent is you do what you want, and Connie ensures her project is firmly planted in His word.

Connie's strength is her songwriting and in a perfect world I would have had her keep writing and replace a couple of tracks that were not suited for her voice with a male lead vocalist. The songs themselves are good, with many suited for a worship team or praise band. Seasons Change is like an older house. If you can see past its cosmetic imperfections, there is a strong foundation underneath.