So, by now, most of you have gotten the opportunity to grab Better Days, the latest project from Jonathan Nelson.
I know I can’t get enough of the band hits on “Cry Holy,” the incomparable vocals of Jason Nelson on “Another Way,” or the GRAMMY-worthy vocal performance from Kierra Sheard on “Performance” (it’s MAJOR to me).
But what about you? You lovin’ it? Just likin’ it a little? Do you prefer this project to his Integrity debut, Right Now Praise?
What’s the word on Jonathan Nelson’s project???
This project is a very well placed, arranged, and orchestrated release for a sophmore release. I love the lyrics "I want to make you smile" that's my song....and Another Way is one of the most anointed songs on the project! And yes; Expect the Great is the energizer! Love it! I'm a fan of Jonathan, and this project hasn't dissappointed me in the least. And yes, Ki-Ki-....what an incredible young lady...maturity and her own style is really coming through on this project....
Kierra is straight FIRE on this project!!!!! LOVE IT!
As much as I like this CD (props to Tasha Cobbs for penning Smile) and the previous one, NOTHING tops Live in Baltimore: Everything You Are! Nothing! CLASSIC to me...CLASSIC...especially in the lyrics department. I'm still pissed I blew off attending that recording, lol. If you don't have that, FIND IT!!!! Like RIGHT NOW!!!
Kierra did your thing on this CD. And Jason is just bananas(thats a good thing). But my favorite song on the CD is "I am Your Song", I love it! But I think the Cd is a hit. I cant compare it to Right Now Praise CD because both are awesome!
I LOVE IT!!!
I finally listened to the whole cd and I love it!!! Wonderful worship.
I love "praise Saved my life", "smile", "another way", and "performance" just to name a few (lol). The enitre cd is awesome. Great job Jonathan!!
Funny thing, I'm listening to the cd now. I love this cd! I agree I like both cds. @ Mia: I'm gonna look for that cd.
Yes, Live in Baltimore was off the charts!! That CD changed the way I view and listen to gospel music. I haven't purchased the new CD; but, definitely will support Jonathan Nelson.
Raven, I wish I could tell you where to go to purchase it but it's hard to find now that he's on a label. It was an indie project. Try anyway though...it's worth the search. It is AWESOME! A b-side standout for me on that project was "The Book of Life"...delivery, lyrics...beyond perfect! This CD also has the original "I am Healed".
Typically when I pick my nephews up for church, they are teens/young adults, the music request start. It's almost always J. Moss and Smokie Norful. However this day I had J. Nelson's new cd playing, they got so excited "that's Jonathan Nelson!". They loved the upbeat stuff, Better Days, Expect the Great and Performance. After I found the words to Performance and Smile/Better Is One Day medley, admittedly these songs are not in the norm of gospel lyrics, this is played quite a bit. J. Nelson includes yet another hymn on his project, I love it. Praise Saved My Life.....we could have shouted after that song. It Could've Been Another Way duet with his twin, just close the doors of the church and let the people fall out on the altar. The same can be said for the Purpose feature on there, I Am Your Song. J. Nelson just gets better and better.
I have to go with an unpopular opinion all Gospel artist sound the same no verity. Everyone is just the same. I want someone to break the mold and do something different, lets go out of the box and do something different. As far as "Performance" goes its the same type of "songs' that the gospel industry has been trying to pull off for the last 4 years. Every since somebody went to a charismatic church and they heard their "war cry chants" the gospel industry started to use it. Let's get creative and do something different!
According to J. Nelson, the cd will be remastered and re-released in the near future.
I understand what you are saying, but there is alot of variety out there. It's just not getting the press and the play that it deserves. Check out www.getbonnerfide.com. They play alot of independent artist as well as the established ones!
For me, I'm finding way too much "encouraging ourselves" in gospel music today. Let me explain.____Although I love this album, I think it's a good example of how we have lost the focus of what our songs are supposed to be doing first and foremost, glorifying God. We're busy telling everyone "you can have this" or "you can be this because God said so". Sure, people need to know that, but e're so busy on "us, us, us" that we have lost sight of God's true glory. Whatever happened to the "How great thou art's" and the "Revelation Song's"? This is why I've been much more attracted to CCM lately. That genre seems to be getting it better than we are. We've just humanized the gospel. It's basically "name it and claim it", prosperity gospel that has been surfacing for the last decade. Let's get focused!
You're most definitely speaking truth! What about THE CROSS, THE BLOOD, THE DEATH AND RESURRECTION OF KING JESUS?
Agreed! I understand the need of "self help" songs because the body of Christ needs encouragement in these hard times but we have to balance that with songs that worship the King. I especially agree with your sentiments about CCM music--while the instrumentation on such songs are so dumbed down, the lyrics are so on point. We don't have too many gospel acts that really keep the focus on Jesus. The only ones I can think of off hand are CeCe Winans, Kiki Sheard, Smokie Noreful, and...uhh...there's more. I just to stress that we need both kinds of music but we need to understand that there are some things we will never get delivered from until we turn our eyes to the wonderful cross. Donnie McClurkin said it best on his "Pslams, Hymns, and Spiritual Songs", he said "may we not get so progressive that we forget the wonderful, gory cross". (slightly paraphrased).
@the merely Human - This is why I've been much more attracted to CCM lately In all honesty I havent bought a gospel album in a good number of years and lean more towards CCM myself mainly because lyrically I feel there is more depth to alot of the CCM artists songs... I cant say much on Jonathan Nelsons album cos I havent listened to it but if I'm to be honest after watching the clip 'Expect the Great' which is a good tune , my initial reaction was here we go again another inspirational song....its very much along the lines of Blessings of Abraham and once again there is nothing wrong with songs of such content but there has to be a balance....and at the moment I dont think the gospel industry is saturated wih much Christ-centric music
This is why I can't WAIT for Live in Baltimore to be remastered and released! Jonathan delivered everything you're looking for on that project. Be sure to take a chance and get it as soon as it's available. You will not be disappointed! :-)