Tammy Trent released her debut album back in 1995. In 2001 she suffered a tragic loss when her
husband died in an overseas diving accident.
She documents this in her terrific book LEARNING TO BREATHE AGAIN. Her latest CD is SUNNY DAYS (2013, September Day
Records). In her bio she says: “This
musical offering has brought me to the most beautiful season yet on my personal
journey from love to loss and into a deeper understanding of God’s faithful
commitment to us through life’s growing moments.”
The opening cut is the title track ‘Sunny Days’. It is an upbeat pop/dance song and is the
first of two songs in a row she writes with main album producer Doug Beiden and
Scott Krippayne. Here are the opening
lyrics: “Top down/Embracing the blue skies/Don’t know how long it’s been/No
clouds, a sight for these sore eyes/Just want to soak it all in/The gifts You
give/Very life that I live/You are my reason/I’ll give You praise/Through the
pain/All my days/In every season/But I’m grateful the storm is at an end.” ‘Glow in the Dark’ is a song of encouragement
for the discouraged: “If it feels there’ll never be a way out/And the weight is
too much to bare/Don’t forget that even though you may doubt/Hope will always
reappear.../You’re not alone, I know you’re gonna get through/You have so much
more to give.”
‘We’re Letting Go’ will get your feet moving with its urban
beat. It includes these fun lyrics in a
breakdown: “Come on everybody/Come on, come on and lift your hands/Come on
everybody/Come on, come on/It’s time to dance/Shake it to the left and move it
to the right/Love is gonna lead us to the other side/I know you can/You’ll
learn to fly/Come on, come on!” Next up
is a nicely updated version of Tammy’s inspirational signature song ‘Welcome
Home’ penned by John Mandeville and originally recorded by Tammy in 1997. The song speaks of God’s willingness to
forgive us and wipe our slates clean if we just repent and turn to Him: “I was
taken back when You took me in/Just to wipe my tears away.../Welcome home, My
mercy’s waiting/Welcome home to open arms/There’s no shame in your
returning/Though you may have wandered far/Welcome home.”
Hillsong United fans will recognize the next song. Tammy covers Brooke Ligertwood’s ‘You’ll
Come’. David Cleveland plays guitars
while Duncan Mullins is on bass. These
words put full confidence in Christ: “We are not shaken, we are not moved/We
wait upon You Lord/Mighty Deliverer, triumph and truth/We wait upon You Lord/As
surely as the sun will rise/You’ll come back to us/Certain as Your Word
endures.../Chains be broken/Lives be healed/Eyes be opened/Christ is
revealed.” ‘Fall at Your Feet’ is one of
my favourites on the album. It reflects
on who God is and how we ought to respond to Him: “We bring our broken
lives/You hear our desperate cries/All as we fall at Your feet/You see our
deepest pain/And make us whole again/All as we fall at Your feet/And worship
You/We worship You/And our hands are lifted high/For You can save/From the
depths we will cry/And give You praise.”
‘Your Grace is Enough’ is a light adult contemporary
song. It was co-written with Alisa
Childers, and Quinlan. Childers was in
Zoegirl and also contributes guest vocals on the chorus here. These words from the song make it evident
where Tammy seeks refuge: “In my heaviness I am confident/That You will never
leave/All my brokenness is the evidence/Of the work You’ve done in me/Your
grace is enough for me/Your love is the touch I need/When I’m safe in Your arms
I’m free/Oh, Your grace is enough for me.”
‘I’m Running’ was written by Tammy, Chrissy Katina (Zoegirl), and Bobby
Tinsley. It is a happy pop song of
testimony that Carly Rae Jepsen fans should check out: “I can’t forget the day
we met/My smile it gives it all away/I took a chance, You held my hand and now
I’ll never be the same.../So I’m running/Straight to You/With all my broken
pieces/The fact is I’m on empty/If Your love does not consume me/I’m running,
oooh (3X)/I’m running straight to You.”
One of the co-writers of ‘Stronger Now’ is Doug Beiden. He has worked with the likes of Mandisa,
Carman, and Benny Hester. This is a song
that makes a lot of sense in light of Tammy’s husband’s death: “I never
thought/I’d breathe again/Life fought me hard/But here I stand (I’m
stronger)/Hey Yeah/Trouble always seemed to find me/But You picked me up and
showed me mercy/Now I’m living to praise/Your beautiful Name.” ‘Don’t Let Him Be The Last To Know’ is a
pretty ballad that urges us to turn to Father God in our times of need: “When
the day succumbs to night/And when the clouds conceal the light/And when You’re
down and feeling low/Don’t let Him be the last to know/When you have grief just
lay it down/And put your knees on sacred ground/When you have weight you just
can’t tow/Don’t let Him be the last to know/Don’t let Him be.”
Tammy says: “I’m still over the moon excited about sharing
my faith and hope with those that feel like leaning in for a listen.” SUNNY DAYS is a terrific, contemporary, cool
sounding, pop/dance album. Tammy’s
talent, message, good looks, and fashion sense, along with her modesty, make
her a great role model for young women.
Her vocals are great too! I’m
rating this project 90%. For more info
visit www.tammytrent.com.