We’re back with another album review in the Purchase Or Pass series, from contributing writer Mia Paylor.
This time, Mia’s helping you make an informed decision about buying Triumphant, the new album from VaShawn Mitchell, which hit stores TODAY. And what I love most about her review is that she gets some help from one of the most unlikely of interns– her 6-year old son, Jordan.
Hear what Mia (and Jordan) have to say about VaShawn’s new project in this installment of Purchase Or Pass, titled “Jordan Says…”
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Based on the many positive conversations I’ve had with folks about it, I believe that the first single alone, “Nobody Greater” (produced by VaShawn Mitchell and Daniel Weatherspoon), has placed VaShawn Mitchell’s EMI Gospel debut, Triumphant, on plenty “must buy CD” lists…including mine!
So, I was especially excited when I received my copy. And, like many of you, I prefer to listen to new music in the car first. However, during this particular car ride and CD listening experience, my music loving, 6-year-old son, Jordan, was in the car too. Jordan’s comments about Triumphant were not only funny, but dead-on in my opinion. So much so, that I had to share them with my GospelPundit.com family!
Here’s how it went down…
“Mom,” Jordan says, “can we listen to the iPod?”
“No. We have a new CD. We’re gonna listen to it now.”
“Who is it?”
“VaShawn Mitchell.”
“Who’s that?!”
“You don’t know him, Son.”
About halfway through the first song, the Rocky-esque “Conqueror”, Jordan says…
“Mom, can we listen to something else?”
“Why? You don’t like it?”
“It’s okay, but I still wanna hear something else.”
“Wow. I actually feel you on that, Jordan. But, we have to listen to the whole CD.”
Once he recognizes the musical intro to “Nobody Greater”, Jordan says…
“Hey!” He’s smiling.
“Yup, it’s what you think it is. You love this song, huh?”
“Yeah, I do!” He sang his little heart out…stumbling all over the words! LOL!
After recognizing the musical intro to the recent hit, “Chasing After You”, Jordan says…
“Ooh, Mom!”
Then, after hearing VaShawn singing the lead on it, Jordan shouts…
“MOM!” He looks confused and offended.
“What, Jay?”
“This is the fake one! Where’s the lady?!”
“This is VaShawn Mitchell’s version of the song, Jordan. You won’t hear the lady on this one.”
“Well, it’s still the fake one.” He reluctantly sang along anyway.
While listening to the church-funky cut, “His Blood Still Works” (featuring Lisa Page-Brooks), I start yelling at the radio…
“Sang it, Lisa! SAAANG!”
“MOM! Mo–”
“Quiet, Jordan! “ I continued to SHOUT at the radio. I have no clue what Jordan said about the song. “His Blood Still Works” is too hot! I repeated the song more than once.
We finished the CD in the car over the next few days. I absolutely loved the reprise to “Nobody Greater” (featuring William Murphy). It’s a “must-hear” and a welcomed idea for worship teams already singing the single.
Triumphant has a familiar sound. It has pleasant vocals, church-friendly arrangements, and uplifting lyrics to raise the spirit of any downtrodden believer. I will say that I expected a bit more triumph…more hard-hitting, “gotta get my dance on” songs on a CD titled Triumphant. Was I wrong for that?!
Overall, I think our final exchange sums up what Jordan and I think about the CD:
“That’s it, Jordan. What’d you think of the CD?”
“It was nice,” Jordan says passively. “Can we listen to something else now?”
“Absolutely.”
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Okay, first of all– Jordan is HILARIOUS to me. Thanks for the review, Mia! And please tell Jordan that his GospelPundit fam appreciates him!
I hope that helps, folks. Anybody already grab it? Anyone planning to? Anyone thinking they’ll wait a while???
As a heads-up, you can listen to snippets AND buy it right now– the digital version is just $7.99 at Amazon.com.
Talk to me!
Cute.....I completely understand having to get your praise on in the car while a little backseat dj is trying to get you to play what they want ;0) At least he liked some good ones. I was in love with "nobody greater" as soon as I heard it, it's simplistic and not too busy but it says so much to me. Now you've made me want to hear the whole cd.
For me, the CD is hot! I'm enjoying the evolution of VaShawn Mitchell. His musical versatility will open even greater doors for him. Fan for life. Thanks for presenting Triumphant. Lisa Page Brooks is ALWAYS a welcome addition to ANY CD.
LOL...And Jordan is more than a backseat DJ. He really REALLY loves music. When he hears something new that he likes, he gets this far off, "I'm really learning this song", look in his eyes...and asks that I repeat it 'til he catches it. I do it too! Cause I'm a music nut myself and I LOVE that we share this interest. He MUST hear Darwin Hobbs, "Power in Praise" EVERY TIME he's in the car. He almost cried when he found out Mary Mary's The Sound was scratched up, lol. And he knows how to pick out the tenor parts in any song. Man, I love that kid! ;-)
Lisa Page Brooks was off the chain!!!!!!!!!!!!! I too yelled at the radio didn't I Mia. LOL. I think I'll have to go out and get me a copy.
M.I.A.... that was too cute. I'll check it out on i-tunes this week. Thank J.
Your review hit it dead on. I skipped the first song also. I'm going to finish listening to the cd this afternoon. Blood Still Works got a repeat in the car this morning. I'm thinking the church choir is going to do the Malcolm Williams vamp of the fast version if a shout snares up. This was a fresh way of doing a review. My copy doesn't have a reprise of Nobody Greater at least I don't think it does (It was downloaded last night over itunes).
You sure did! LOL!
That was the cutest review! I still haven't made up my mind about buying the album yet though :)
Hi Mia! We knew Jordan was exceptional and musically inclined. Keep feeding him the good stuff! I enjoyed the review especially the interaction between you and Jordan, my oldest great-grandson!! Love you both!
This is a definite PURCHASE! "Triumphant" is Vashawn Mitchell's best CD to date!
Okay, so since I can actually hear Jordan's voice in the dialog you posted, this is even more hilarious! He's always the dj when he's riding in my car! :) I have been wanting to hear more from Vashawn Mitchell since I heard "Nobody Greater"...now I'm slightly nervous about buying the CD. LOL At any rate, I'm off to check out the snippets now, so we'll see!
While hearing the reviews of Jordan and Mother it made me wonder about the scripture "And a child shall lead them" I am a fan of Lisa Page Brooks she has a unique and distinct voice "see group Witness to hear more of her! Based of mother and son's review. I will purchase this C.D!
And when he asked "where's the lady", his hands were out in front of him...palms up, lol. Like, "I need some answers!" LOL! If you opt not to get the whole CD, DEF get Nobody Greater and His Blood Still Works. You can't not have those on hand.
If not the whole thing, DEF DEF DEF get the current single, Nobody Greater, and His Blood Still Works. If you don't LOVE the latter, I'll find a way to get you your dollar back, LOL.
My nephew my nephew....hilarious!
this was absolutely great! nothing beats a child listening and becoming the critic! this was priceless...i can't wait for the next review!
After Vashawn stated back in June while in B-more that this CD was a bit different than the prior, I can understand Jordon's comments. I can just imagine the look on his face when he asked, 'where's the lady?' (almost like saying 'where's the beef'?) This CD will have to grow on some, but for me it’s all good. VaShawn said, that he felt God was taking him to another level of worship. He was being primed. He felt worship leaders needed to go back to focusing on worship and not just the beat or familiarity.
Ha! I actually did get "Nobody Greater" on my iTunes & I love it, but I will check the rest of the record out :)
I haven't purchased the it yet but I most certainly will. Vashawn Mitchell is a breath of fresh air for me in gospel and I have always and likely will always support his ministry. I personally like to see artists step outside of the norm. And I agree with that last statement about worship leaders needing to go back to focusing on worship and not just the beat or familiarity. When it's all said and done, it's only gonna matter what we did for Christ. Can't wait to hear the CD.
Maybe EJ or someone like Mia_v4c will address why they didn't have Nobody Greater reprise on the itunes download. I refuse to get the cd just for that one song. Don't have me go ghetto and tape it over the radio airwaves.
I don't feel bad for yelling, "Sang Lisa!" at the computer the first time I heard "His Blood Still Works" now. The cd is great, however I was looking for something more "Triumphant" like Mia said. The arrangement for Nobody Greater is nice, but I've heard other praise teams rip this song already. *Just a thought*
Ok so I bought it, kinda wish that I hadn't there are only 3 songs that I actually like and I already had the one single Nobody Greater.