Lisa Bevill was born on June 24, 1968 in North Carolina. Her debut album was MY FREEDOM (1992), which was followed by 1994's ALL BECAUSE OF YOU. Next came her third record, LOVE OF HEAVEN (1996, Sparrow). Producers used were Don Koch, David Pack, and Jimmie Lee Sloas. Peter York served as executive producer. In the liner notes Lisa shares: "My Savior: Thank You for the valleys that taught me how to lean. And for breaking my spirit so that I could be filled with Yours. Please remind me that I can fully let go when I turn into a control freak".
First up is the title track, 'Love of Heaven', written by Charlie Black, Cliff Downs, Tabitha Fair, and Lisa Bevill. It's a passionate, prayerful song: "Rain down, sweet love of heaven/And stay with me forever/Rain down, sweet love of heaven/It's hard when tears begin to fall/To think You're not to blame/But now I see You've rescued me/And I know I'll never be the same". Lisa, Robert White Johnson, and Winston Sela wrote 'Turn and Love', which became a #1 Adult Contemporary hit for Lisa. These lyrics are relevant for our divisive times today: "So turn and love/Oh, turn it around, turn the hurt into loving/So turn and love/Love can change the heart, time is right for the healing".
Lisa Bevill, Lisa Cochran, Bonnie Keen, and Angelo and Veronica Petrucci provide backing vocals on 'Happiness'. It's a soulful pop song of gratitude: "You bring me so much happiness/You fill my world with all I'll ever need/When I'm with You/I remember I've been truly blessed/Oh, oh, happiness". 'Safe Inside' is a pretty adult contemporary ballad about life on the road away from family as a performance artist: "When the journey is long and I'm out here alone/There are voices I hear that take me back home/Across the miles they call to me/When I know in my heart I'm where I should be/I can rest in the promises He's given to me/Cause He knows how much I trust Him/And knows my heart like His own/And He knows what it's like to be so far from home".
Lisa Cochran, Michael Mellett, and Chris Rodriguez sing backing vocals on 'Consider His Love', a song of encouragement: "Consider His love and let it fill you up inside/Remember His arms are there to hold you/When you need a place to hide/Through the tears in your eyes/You will see His heart is true/And always there when you consider His love". Mark Douthit plays a nice sax solo. Up next is 'Changed', on which Nicol Smith is a background vocalist. This pop/dance track uses horns and testifies: "And with every new day that dawns/I can feel Your Spirit move in me/With Your love, I can carry on/With Your love Lord/I am finally free, yeah/Changed/There's a change". It's a highlight on this album!
Julie Adams, Greta Garner-Hewitt, and Scott Krippayne wrote 'Tender Reed', a soft ballad addressed to the hurting: "I know that it seems/You're feeling more grief before the last heartache could mend/But one thing is sure/God knows You'll endure/He won't let you break, only bend". 'Shining Through' is an adult pop song that delights in the Lord: "Right before my eyes, I see Your promises come true/It's such a sweet surprise/When Your love comes shining through/Sometimes life gets tough/So I give everything to you/It's then I feel Your touch/And Your love comes shining through".
Don Koch and David Moffitt wrote 'Only A Savior' on which Pat Coil plays piano and Carl Marsh is responsible for Fairlight Strings. This easy listening ballad speaks of God's immense love for us: "When only a Savior could hold my broken heart together/He was reaching far enough to take me in His arms/When only a Savior/Who loved me more than life could ever/Give me hope I never thought I'd find/Everything I needed was everything He gave/Cause only a Savior could save". Last up is 'If We're His', penned by Pete Carlson and Ty Lacy. It makes use of classical guitar and cellos and was a #1 Inspirational Song of the Year on CCM year end charts of 1997 for Lisa. It encourages us to help those who so desperately need it: "Someone needs a friend today/Someone needs an ear to hear their heart.../If we're His, truly His/Then His love will flow right through us/To the heart of every need/If we're His, truly His/We'll give of ourselves unselfishly/If we're His".
LOVE OF HEAVEN runs 43 minutes and 31 seconds. The majority of the songs are adult contemporary, with some of them leaning towards easy listening. However, a couple tracks are pop, and a couple pop/dance. Lisa's lead vocals and the background vocalists are a definite strength on this project. God's unconditional love for us is the main theme presented. We are encouraged to reach out to the lost and the hurting with God's love, mercy, healing, and forgiveness. He transforms lives and gives joy as a gift. The pictures of Lisa included with this CD are beautiful. Fans of Kathy Troccoli, Cheri Keaggy, and Cindy Morgan should add this to their collection. I'm rating LOVE OF HEAVEN 93%. For more info visit www.lisabevill.com or connect with her on Facebook.