

Producer: Ronnie Brookshire
Label: ACA Records
Website: www.thegreenesgospel.com
Taranda Greene is a wonderful talent who, as each year passes by, I respect as a vocalist more and more. This newest solo release from Taranda appropriate titled, "A Thing Called Love", features many songs from different perspectives on love…Love for God, God's love for us, love for family, friends and special people in our lives be it children, spouses, and the love for life itself. This recording is a true gem in every aspect of the word.
Written by Phil Cross and recently cut by Poet Voices, Taranda turns in a soulful performance of "MADE TO LOVE" before turning in a masterful rendition of the now Nicole C. Mullen classic, "REDEEMER". The song very quietly and reverently moves into another classic, "AGNUS DEI" penned by Michael W. Smith. Though this worshipful two-song montage is over 9 minutes long, it is the highlight of the recording for me.
The acoustical flavored "BLESSING", is a heartwarming love song and prayer for those we hold dearest to our hearts, while "ISABELLA" is a song written specifically for Taranda and her little girl by Rebecca and Sonya of the Isaacs. This is a highlight of the recording and one that my own 5-year-old daughter loves to listen to over and over again.
With only piano accompaniment, "THERE YOU ARE" is a beautiful love song about how God is there with us through every circumstance. I love how the lyrics depict that thought…"there you are loving me, there you are faithfully, pouring out mercy, mending my heart, just when I thought I'd wandered too far, there you are."
"SKY FULL OF ANGELS" is a song recently recorded by Reba McEntire and is a fun song, but still contains a good message that we have no reason to fear because God has a watch over us and sends angels to guard our way. One interesting note is that Gold City provides the background vocals on this song.
"ACROSS THE MILES" is a comforting song reminding us that "across the miles there's someone praying for me, across the miles, there's someone on their knees…". The final song, "I SIMPLY LOVE YOU" is a jazz infested tune that ultimately is a love song to the Lord.
What you get here isn't a Greenes recording with Taranda doing all the lead vocals. This isn't the Greenes, but rather this is Taranda stepping out and showcasing many differing styles; things that you'd probably never hear the Greenes do. That is what I love about this recording. It's different, stylistically and lyrically. It's a superb piece of work, all the way around. Taranda is one of the few vocalists that will be doing solo recordings for years to come, and people will still want to hear them. My being a fan of Taranda may jade my opinion somewhat, but I think being a fan also tunes me in to things I don't like, but I literally cannot find anything to complain about on this CD. Music tracks are outstanding, vocals are fantastic, lyrics are excellent and the overall quality of the recording is superb. It's a 5 star recording, by every sense of the word.
Personal Favs: MADE TO LOVE; REDEEMER; ISABELLA; THERE YOU ARE; SKY FULL OF ANGELS; ACROSS THE MILES; I SIMPLY LOVE YOU
”God makes everything happen at the right time.” (In His Time) Eccl. 3:11
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