Kathleen 'Kathy' Troccoli was born in Brooklyn, New York on June 24, 1958. Her debut album was 1982's STUBBORN LOVE. Fast forward to 1995 and she released SOUNDS OF HEAVEN (Reunion). It was produced by Peter Bunetta, Rick Chudacoff, and Brown Bannister. In the liner notes we read: "All around us the world is crying out for truth to set them free. Sometimes they don't really know that's what they're searching for, but that's what it is". At the time, Kathy was a supporter of Prison Fellowship Ministries.
First up is 'I Will Choose Christ', an inspirational ballad written by Tom Booth and Kathy. Nine backing vocalists are used on this song of spiritual determination: "Some days are hard and I fight to see the truth/But I'm gonna take a stand in all I say and do/I will choose Christ/I will choose love/I choose to serve/I give my heart/I give my life/I give my all to You". 'That's How Much I Love You' includes an acoustic guitar solo by Dann Huff and finds God speaking to us: "I died for you/I'd do it all over again if I had to/To show you what you really mean to Me/I cried for you/I hung on the cross so you wouldn't have to/I made a way to set your spirit free/That's how much I love you/That's how much I want you".
'Go Light Your World' is one of three songs penned by Chris Rice. It became a popular adult contemporary anthem about sharing the Gospel: "So carry your candle, run to the darkness/Seek out the hopeless, confused and torn/Hold out your candle for all to see it/Take your candle and go light your world". Kathy and Robert White Johnson co-wrote the title track 'Sounds of Heaven'. It's an upbeat pop song of praise and worship: "I will lift my heart and sing with the sounds of Heaven/Praises to the only King/The sounds of Heaven/In my weakness I get strong/Cause there is power in their song/I will lift my heart and sing with the sounds of Heaven".
Shane Keister plays piano and Cindy Morgan, Lisa Cochran, and Michael Mellett provide backing vocals on 'Hallelujahs'. Nature lovers will appreciate these opening words: "A purple sky to close the day/I wade the surf where dolphins play/The taste of salt, the dance of waves/And my soul wells up with hallelujahs/A lightning flash, my pounding heart/A breaching whale, a shooting star/Give testimony that You are/And my soul wells up with hallelujahs". 'I'm Gonna Fight For You' is an adult contemporary ballad that asks us to persevere: "He has said His ways are not our ways/And His thoughts are not our own/He's more than just a man, oh He's God/Let Him hold the things you cannot understand/Cause faithful is the Lord/In the darkest hour of night/To keep the flame of hope alive".
'Each Moment' is one of two songs written by Kathy and Bill Montvilo. Gordon Kennedy and Jerry McPherson play guitars on this easy listening number. I particularly like these lyrics: "May there never come a time/When I lose my hunger for Your love/And may there never be a time/When I don't remember where I'd be without You". 'Fill My Heart' includes these prayerful words: "Give me faith to move those mountains/Give me hope when times are hard/Give me love to conquer all/Give me You to fill my heart".
Kathy and Madeline Stone wrote 'May I Be His Love'. It's a quiet song desiring to lead others to God: "May I be His love for you/May I lift your eyes toward heaven/May I come to you and lead you to His light/May I cry His tears for you/May I be the place that you can run to/Where you'll hear His voice/And see Him in my eyes/All your life/May I be His love". Last up is 'Missing You', a pretty song about heaven: "I dream about Your promise to return/And I wake up hanging on Your every word/But for now my feet are planted here on earth/So I'm missing You".
SOUNDS OF HEAVEN incorporates easy listening, inspirational, adult contemporary, and pop songs. The majority of the songs are ballads on which Kathy's vocals shine. God's love for us is a main theme on this album. He is to be praised and worshiped for His creation and His care for us. This album encourages us to live wholeheartedly for God. We should also desire to share God's love with our fellow man. The pictures of Kathy accompanying this CD are beautiful. I'm rating this album a perfect 100%. For more info visit www.kathytroccoli.com and connect with her on social media.