Faith Grace grew up in Cochrane, Ontario, Canada. She has been playing piano since she was 7
and began playing on a praise team at church when she became a Christian at 16
years of age. In 1999 she moved to
Kitchener, Ontario to attend Emmanuel Bible College, where she met her future
husband Dan Grace. They enjoy being in
music ministry, playing at churches, weddings, camps, etc. They both work for Christian Horizons and
have two kids. Every February, they
embark on a mission trip to the Czech Republic with SOS Canada. Faith Grace was the deserving winner of Faith
FM 94.3’s Shining Star competition in 2012.
She has opened for Downhere. Now,
hot off the presses, comes her debut album FREE (2013). It was produced, mixed, and mastered by Brad
Dugas of Revelation Sound. Faith Grace
is responsible for vocals, keys, and accordion.
Her husband Dan is on guitars, drums, bass, and backing vocals.
Grant Howard is one of the instrumentalists on the album opener ‘Always Good’. Faith has a warm and inviting voice and this
song has a childlike optimism to it: “Flowers bloom, winter fades/I’m feeling
like the month of May/When flowers bloom all around me/New life born almost
daily/Can’t wait to see what morning brings/You’re always good/Always so
good/You’re always good/To me.” The
album’s first single ‘I Just Want You’ has adult contemporary radio written all
over it. The song finds Faith longing
for her Lord: “I need You, every day, in every step I take in faith/I need You,
every way, more than water fills the ocean, more than the air in my lungs/More
than each word that jumps off my tongue/More than money in my hand, more than
my own plans/I just want You.”
‘Lead Me’ is a song of spiritual surrender: “How could I stand in front
of You and how could I choose my own way when love is here right before
me?/You’ve never left/Grace is free/Where You lead me I will go/Lead me I will
go/Where You lead me I will go.” ‘Whom
Shall I Fear’ is a tender song of testimony: “You’re stronger in power than my
mind can conceive/You stood in my place/Oh, You’ve broken every chain…/You are
my God, all consuming fire/Only You are worthy of honour, praise, and glory/All
authority in heaven and earth belong to You.”
On ‘Shine’ Faith is nicely accompanied by Derrick Drover on vocals. It is a wonderful song that would fit great
on Life 100.3’s ‘Praise and Worship Sunday’ format. It speaks of God’s unique ability to
transform our inner being: “Your Spirit dwells within me and I’m changed by the
power of Your blood/Oh, and when I’m at Your feet Lord, I can’t recognize the
person that I was/And I lift up my hands to the God who provides and I see in
His light that all darkness will hide.”
‘When Wells are Broken’ is remarkably the only song Faith did not write. Brad Dugas penned this one. David Wilkinson joins Faith on vocals. This song builds into an upbeat pop number
with techno influences. It speaks of the
triumph of believers through Christ: “You reign victorious and now our hearts
can rest!/When I am taken, don’t you weep/Cause where I am, I’ve longed to
be/I’ll someday see you and always loved you/When the trumpet sounds/We will
sing around His throne!”
‘You are Good’ is essentially a heartfelt praise and worship song:
“There is freedom in Your kingdom and there’s mercy in Your eyes/I will rise on
wings like eagles/I will soar in the love You have for me/And when this life is
washed and worn like sand upon the shore/All that’s left within me cries/’You
are good!’ (2X).” ‘Raindrops’ is a
mellow song that speaks of God’s faithfulness: “Raindrops, raindrops, falling
on my head and where are You?/Sunshine, sunshine shining on my face and where
are You?/You’re everywhere, filling every square inch of my world, this
beautiful world.” Derrick Drover joins
Faith again on ‘We are Saved’. The song
also uses a vocal chorus to good effect.
Here are some of the words of this song of celebration: “Even rocks cry
out at the mention of Your Name/The mountains bow, all nature will proclaim the
glory of Your Son who is risen from the grave/We are saved!/We are saved!/We
are saved!/You have a plan for us (3X)/We are saved!”
The title track ‘Free’ is the album’s second single. It is a strong light pop song that finds
Faith in a spiritually intimate place: “Your Word pierces my heart/I fall into
your presence/And hold these empty hands up/I have nothing left to give/But my
broken hearted body/A life surrendered fully/And I am free in You/I am free in
You/For if the truth has set you free…/Oh, you are free indeed!” ‘Wisdom’ draws from Biblical principles: “A
warrior, all the power at the end of a sword/But better still slow to
anger/Show your self-control/Hold your tongue, hold your lips tightly as not to
offend/Search her out, search her in, wisdom as a friend/Wisdom is calling
out/She’s standing at the crossroads/Run after her as silver and gold.”
Faith Grace’s debut, FREE, sounds very mature, artistic, and
seasoned. This is a deeply personal
album that is both thoughtful and thought provoking. This CD is soothing and calming. Faith has a sultry quality to her voice. This album would make a good backdrop for a
new mother rocking her baby, or a college or university student studying late
at night. This is music that is a quiet
refuge from our hectic, fast-paced, over-stimulated society. The sky is the limit for this new artist
whose work is marked by such honesty and vulnerability! Fans of JJ Heller, Sara Groves, Twila Paris,
and Colbie Caillat should pick this one up.
I’m rating it 90%. Faith Grace’s
CD release concert will take place on Wednesday, November 13th at
7:30pm at the Emmanuel Bible College Chapel located at 100 Fergus Avenue in
Kitchener, Ontario. You can also acquire
this album on itunes or through cdbaby.com.
It is also available at the Gospel Lighthouse locations in Cambridge and
Waterloo. For more info visit: www.facebook.com/faithgracemusic, www.faithgrace.ca, and www.revelationsound.ca.
