Natalie Diane Grant was born on December 21, 1971 in
Seattle, Washington. At one point she
studied to be a school teacher. In 1999
she released her self-titled solo debut album.
She was awarded ‘Female Vocalist of the Year’ at the Dove Awards in
2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, and 2012, and is a four time Grammy nominee! People know her for such songs as: ‘Always Be
Your Baby’, ‘Awaken’, ‘In Better Hands’, ‘Your Great Name’, and ‘Hurricane’. Her bio says: “Regarded as real, authentic,
and transparent, that connection with people puts Grant at the top of the
industry with fan engagement across all social media platforms. Beyond her music career, Natalie has been an
outspoken advocate for victims of human trafficking since 2005”. Natalie’s latest and ninth studio album is BE
ONE (2015, Curb Records). It peaked at
#1 on the Billboard U.S. Christian Albums Chart and was produced and arranged
by her husband Bernie Herms. The
executive producers are: Bryan Stewart, Mitchell Solarek, and Mike Curb.
First up is the title track, ‘Be One’. It is a happy sounding adult pop song penned
by Natalie, Becca Mizell, Samuel Mizell, and Emily Weisband. It encourages us to be people who make a
positive difference in the lives of others: “It’s time to get our hands
dirty/Oh, oh, oh, oh/Be love-there’s a whole lot of hurting/Oh, oh, oh,
oh/Calling all hearts, calling all hands/Calling all feet to take a stand/Why
sit around and wait for a miracle to come/When we can be one?.../We can be the
change-be the hope/We can be the arms that don’t let go/We can be a light in
the dark/We are, we are where it starts”.
Felicia Barton sings backing vocals on the pop/dance number ‘Good
Day’. It emphatically celebrates God’s
faithfulness to us: “Ohhh, when everything is changing/Ohhh, the truth is still
the same/Ohhh and I know that no one can ever steal it away/I’m gonna dance to
the beat of amazing grace/Gonna hold to the promise that You made/And I know
whatever’s gonna come my way/You’re here with me and it’s going to be a good
day”. Fred Williams is responsible for
the string arrangement on ‘King of the World’.
It speaks of how we struggle to give God total control of our lives:
“Just a whisper of Your voice can tame the seas/So who am I to try to take the
lead?/Still I run ahead and think I’m strong enough/When You’re the One who
made me from the dust”.
Robert Marvin co-produced the song ‘Love Has Won’ with
Bernie Herms. It is strongly influenced
by 80’s pop music. It celebrates the
fact that Jesus Christ makes us victorious along with Himself: “Lift up your
head/The King has come/We know that His love/His love has won/Keep marching
on/To the risen Son/His love has won.../His love shines brighter than the
darkest night/His love runs deep/His love runs wide/And after all is said and
done/His love has won”. ‘Clean’ is the
sole song that Natalie alone wrote on BE ONE.
Bernie Herms plays piano and The Nashville String Machine is used on
this joyful ballad of personal testimony: “There’s nothing too dirty/That You
can’t make worthy/You wash me in mercy/I am clean/What was dead now lives
again/My heart’s beating, beating inside my chest/Oh, I’m coming alive with joy
and destiny/’Cause You’re restoring me piece by piece”.
Bernie Herms and Mia Fieldes wrote ‘Symphonies’, a song of
spiritual determination: “I won’t let my fear resound/Chaos you won’t drown me
out/Even the downpour is gonna hear my soul roar/Beyond what I can see
ahead/Beyond what hasn’t happened yet/Even the raging storm is gonna know my
voice/On and on and on and on/Nothing’s gonna steal my song/On and on and on
and on/I will bring You/Symphonies/Symphonies/Over and over/With every breath I
breathe”. Felicia Barton and Bernie
Herms sing backing vocals on ‘Enough’.
It is an adult contemporary, modern psalm of praise: “I am known, I am
seen/I am carried by the One who won’t forsake me/I am held/I’m not alone/And I
know You will never let me go/Your unfailing love, Your unfailing love/It’s all
I have, it’s all I need/And it’s enough”.
Sarah Reeves, Sam Tinnesz, and Matt Bronleewe wrote ‘Never
Miss A Beat’. It is a pop song of
gratitude to our Heavenly Father: “Every second of every minute/Every minute of
every hour/There’s not a moment that You look away/You never sleep, You never
slumber/I don’t even have to wonder/Whether You care, if You’re right
there/You’ve been there all along/Oh, oh, oh/You never miss a beat, beat/You’re
holding on to me, me/And there’s nothing out of Your reach/Nothing in my life
that You don’t see/You never miss a beat, beat/You’re holding onto me, me”. ‘Ever Be’ is the longest track at 5 minutes
and 12 seconds. It includes a harmony
vocal by Ashley Guilbert, as well as sweet guest vocals by Natalie’s three
daughters-twins Gracie and Bella (8), and Sadie (4). This song builds into a spectacular adult
contemporary anthem that declares just how wonderful our God is: “You father
the orphan/And Your kindness makes us whole/And You shoulder our weakness/Your
strength becomes our own/Now You’re making me like You/Clothing me in white,
bringing beauty from ashes/For You will have Your bride/Free of all her guilt
and rid of all her shame/And known by her true name and it’s why I sing”.
Nirva Ready is one of the background vocalists on ‘More Than
Anything’, a reverent song that asks God to give us a deeper, more mature
faith: “I know if You wanted to You could wave Your hand/Spare me this
heartache/And change Your plan/And I know in a second You could take my pain
away/But even if You don’t I pray/Help me want the Healer more than the
healing/Help me want the Savior more than the saving/Help me want the Giver
more than the giving/Oh help me want You, Jesus/More than anything”. Robert Lowry’s ‘Nothing But the Blood’ was
published back in 1876! Here, it is
presented in a subdued, mellow arrangement, with new music by Natalie
Grant. It reflects on the atonement and
it was a real treat for Natalie to have her brother Steve sing on it with her.
Although BE ONE is mainly comprised of pop and adult
contemporary sounds, at its heart it is a modern worship album. I recommend it to folks who enjoy the music
of artists such as Chris Tomlin, Zoegirl, Taylor Swift (1989), and Kelly
Clarkson. This is a very contemporary
sounding album! These eleven songs
praise, exalt, and glorify Jesus Christ and God the Father. They acknowledge dependence on our Saviour
and Maker, not only for our salvation, but our sustenance. Natalie’s vocals are nice to listen to, but
she doesn’t belt them out as much as on some of her previous projects. Natalie looks simply stunning on the album
cover! I’m rating BE ONE 98%. For more info visit: www.nataliegrant.com, www.hopeforjustice.org, and www.curb.com.