Kathleen Troccoli was born on June 24, 1958 in Brooklyn, New York. According to Wikipedia.org: "Her father died of colon cancer when she was 15, her mother died of breast cancer in 1991..." Her debut album was 1982's STUBBORN LOVE. Fast forward to 1998 and she released CORNER OF EDEN (Reunion Records). Produced by Nathan P. DiGesare, it won a Dove for 'Inspirational Album of the Year'.
'A Different Road' uses The Nashville String Machine and a choir directed by the now late Tom Howard. I really like these lyrics: "Don't want to live without/The peace that comes to me when I am by His side/I've known the freedom there/Can't find it anywhere/But in Christ Jesus.../I believe He's got a plan/Everything in His time/I may not always understand/Everything in His time (2X)". Natalie Grant provides backing vocals on 'At Your Mercy', an easy listening ballad. The chorus is a prayer: "Grace rain on me/Love surround me/Life restore me/Lord, forgive me/Peace flow through me/Hope come to me/Faith embrace me/Lord, I'm at Your mercy, mercy".
Steve Winwood plays B-3 and Michael Omartian keys on 'He Will Make A Way'. It's a great upbeat gospel number about God's faithfulness: "Don't you go believin' lies/He's not forgotten you/There's gonna be another/Higher, greater place He will take you to/Watch Him move mountains/Ride you through the waves/He can deliver in the darkest of days". Darwin Hobbs is a backing vocalist. Chris Rodriguez plays guitar on 'Psalm Twenty-Three'. It's a slow, quiet number that begins with Kathy speaking these words of encouragement: "I called and the Lord heard me/He is close to the broken hearted/And saves those who are crushed in spirit".
Next up is 'Goodbye For Now', a lovely ballad anticipating reunions in heaven: "But there will be a time when I'll see your face/And I'll hear your voice and there we will laugh again/And there will come a day when I'll hold you close/No more tears to cry 'cause we'll have forever/But I'll say goodbye for now". Penny whistle, viola, and violin are among the instruments used on 'We Will Know Love'. It's also about heaven: "We will be peaceful, there can be harmony/I will be hopeful for so much more/Oh, I am sure we will know love".
'Fill Me Up' is an adult pop song about desiring God's goodness: "You fill me up/Oh, I need so much love/It's a wonder that You meet me every time, yeah/You come to me/Breathe Your life over me/With a hope and promise pouring in my cup/You fill me up". The title track, 'Corner of Eden', follows. It was penned by Stephanie Lewis, Kathy, and Jeff Franzel. Gary Lunn plays bass on this pretty song that portrays God as giver of life: "I could weep at the thought that along my winding walk/It's Your grace I keep on receiving/You're the light shining gold/Making gardens in my soul/And through Your love/That goes beyond all reason/I have seen a Corner of Eden".
'When I Look At You' is a love song to Jesus: "Lord, when I look at You/My tears just melt away/A peace comes over me/And I don't feel afraid/Lord, when You look at me/I know I'm not alone/My spirit soars above the pain/My heart has known". Closing things out is 'Take Me With You', a tender song. I like these lyrics: "I know that You heal the broken hearted/I know that You reach for lonely souls/You will always love where hate is planted/And that's where I want to go/Take me with You (3X)".
CORNER OF EDEN was certainly worthy of winning the Dove Award it did. Kathy Troccoli is one of the best female vocalists around, that's for sure! The songs here are mostly inspirational and easy listening, with seven being ballads and three being faster. Kathy desires to walk closely with Jesus, having an intimate, vibrant relationship with Him. God is presented as our way maker, deliverer, and refuge. He is good and gives us life. The joy and bliss of heaven are also on Kathy's heart. I'm rating this album a perfect 100%. For more info visit www.kathytroccoli.com and/or connect with her on social media.