Audrey Gordon at ShoutLife.com

JAMAICA OBSERVER..

By Carl Gilchrist Observer staff reporter:

Audrey Gordon's Still Waiting CD - a real gospel treat
Entertainment

Friday, March 18, 2005

OCHO RIOS - Don't be fooled by the title of Audrey Gordon's debut gospel CD, Still Waiting, because based on the evidence thus far the CD will be a hit both in the gospel and secular arena. Still Waiting is simply powerful and moving.

On the album Audrey sings and deejays her own lyrics in all the songs except for two, which she co-wrote.

"It's been a long hard journey but it is the right time. Like Moses and like Esther, God has been preparing me, preserving me for a time such as this," she is quoted as saying in a recent interview in Canada.

Indeed, it's been a long journey. She accepted Jesus Christ as her personal Lord and Saviour in 1992, two years after leaving her native Jamaica to settle in Canada.

Since then she has been performing mainly in her community and over the years has grown into a reputable artiste. She has shared the stage with performers such as Papa San, Carlene Davis, Marvia Providence, Toronto Mass Choir, Barbara Jones and others.

But it was not until October 2004 that her debut album "Still Waiting' was released and this signaled the beginning of what should be a prosperous career for her.

The album, with 15 songs plus two bonus tracks, is reggae gospel at its best and should do well in all sectors, be it the gospel arena or the dancehall. Yes, there are tracks that are done on dancehall rhythms that stand out, especially track two, Hail Him.

On this track Audrey could easily be mistaken for Tanya Stephens and this selection should do well especially in the dance hall in much the same way Marvia Providence did last year with Hear My Cry.

The smooth and soothing Gentle Dove also stands out, while He's Worthy, Rock Me, Lord You're Good and I Praise You, also deserve special mention.

On the CD jacket Audrey mentions Mark Giles, rhythm maker, producer, arranger and mixer as wind beneath her wings.

It's clear this debut CD has wings and should take off like the Gentle Dove she sings about on track four.

Buy the CD

REGGAE -REVIEWS.COM
MARK HARRIS - USA
Still Waiting (Audrey Gordon, 2004)

Gospel reggae has gained prominence since the late `90s, with artists like Sanchez and Richie Stephens releasing gospel-themed albums, plus the inclusion of acts like Glen Washington, Tony Curtis, Spanner Banner, and Singing Melody on the Reggae for Jesus compilation in 2001.

From what I've heard, there's no real difference in sound between gospel reggae and quote-unquote normal reggae. Even the pious tone and righteous messages are already staples of roots reggae; gospel reggae just replaces Rastafarian ideology with Christian (There's some overlap, of course.).

For those of you who are apprehensive because you fear that the gospel aspect will overpower the reggae should check out Audrey Gordon's Still Waiting.

It's one of the best examples of gospel reggae I've heard.

There's nothing about it being a gospel album that makes it less engaging than a more traditional reggae album. The genuine reggae sound isn't sacrificed in the least.

The primary style here is lovers rock, although the smooth sound is occasionally pumped up with some edgy roots ("He's Worthy"), old school dancehall ("Radical One"), and even a soca track, "Eyes of the Lord," which brings to mind the recent hit "Hear My Cry Oh Lord" by Marvia Providence (see Reggae Hits 33).

A native of Jamaica who's now based in Canada, Gordon emits heartfelt vocals ranging from rich and guttural to a quivering, ethereal, almost elfin pitch.
I'd compare her voice to Rita Marley, with a pinch of Dezarie.

Impressively, Gordon wrote almost all of the songs on Still Waiting, displaying a gift for crafting timeless melodies that sound like they could've been written 20 years ago or 20 minutes ago.

The production likewise is tight; yet another lesson that you don't have to be a major release to have a professional sound.

Standouts ? especially for lovers rock fans : include "Rock Me," "Gentle Dove," "I Am Free," and "I Praise You." "Lord You're Good Hos," "HideAway,"and "Radical One" meanwhile are exceptional dancehall-flavored tunes that hearken back to the fun early/mid-`80s. "My Jesus I Love Thee" and "Blood Medley" adapt traditional hymns inna reggae stylee for those who crave a more orthodox sound. Available at www.cdbaby.com/audreyg
Mark Harris - Reggae Reviews - USA (Feb 21, 2005...)

__________________________________
A SPARKLING DEBUT!
Reviewer: Mike Roots- WTBC RADIO - USA

If you were to listen this album merely for it's artistic content you would be treated to the unique vocal talents of Audrey Gordon and the rootsy reggae production of Jah Servant- but it doesn't end there.

"...Still Waiting" showcases the matters of heart of the lovely songstress and with 17 tracks there's a lot to enjoy.

Firmly rooted within her Christian faith, these songs are expressions of praise and worship as well as encouragement to the listener.

Audrey's voice is captivating and timeless with equal parts warm rasp and soulful tenderness.

Across the turbo-roots vibe of Jah Servant's "One Way" riddim comes the opener "He's Worthy", kind of like starting a sentence with an exclamation point! It's a track filled with high praises unto Jesus Christ that commands one's attention and tends to stay in the mind with the lyrics, "I want, I want to tell you a story...of Jesus Christ and His love". You'll have to check it out for yourself so you can get the rest.

"Hail Him" is a slower tempo roots tune and a real treat. One of my personal favourites on the album.

With more of a rub-a-dub feel, on "Radical One" Audrey presents her high position as humbly in Christ in opposition to those who arrogantly boast of their own abilities.

If perhaps there is a crown jewel of "...Still Waiting", it must be what has become Audrey's signature tune- "I Am Free".

With all the talk of the movie "The Passion Of The Christ", one would do well to carefully listen to this gorgeously rendered track at www.versionist.com/music.php?id=1481
on Jah Servant's "If Only" riddim.

"I Am Free" is a track that deserves to one day be labeled a reggae (as well as gospel) classic for it's intimate depiction of the suffering, crucifixion and life-giving sacrifice of Jesus at Calvary.
Simply a beautiful track which provokes thought and stirs the soul.

Other highlights include the gentle yet passionate warning of "Hide Away", the playfully infectious "Rock Me" and the thoughtful and intimate "Gentle Dove".

As a bonus you get blessed with a couple of dubs plus two selections from Audrey's demo recording. So what are you waiting for? Pick up a copy of Audrey Gordon's "...Still Waiting" today.

JAMAICA GLEANER
Audrey Gordon is 'Still Waiting'
published: Friday | March 4, 2005

Teino Evans, Staff Reporter

AUDREY GORDON, a Jamaican by birth now living in Canada, has been utilising her every moment to serve the Lord and spread his word to all.

Gordon, who left Jamaica in 1990, accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and personal saviour two years later and has since been making the most of her God-given talents.

Gordon has been involved in her community as a soloist. Some of her performances include opening the Canadian Christian Festival, held at Mel Lastman's Square. Gordon also performed at the first annual dinner for the CHINDS Scholarship Foundation and was also part of an evening of praise and worship held at the Heritage Theatre in Brampton, Canada.

During her stint as a gospel artiste, Gordon has had the privilege of sharing stages with the likes of Papa San, Carlene Davis, Kay Morris and the Jewels, Joshua Generation, Marvia Providence, Barbara Jones, the Toronto Mass Choir and others.

POWERFUL AND VERSATILE SINGER

Gordon, who has been described as a very powerful and versatile singer who transcends all age, religious, ethnic and racial barriers, continues to draw from her main source of strength, Jesus Christ.

"It has been a long, hard journey, but it is the right time. Like Moses, and like Esther, God has been preparing me, preserving me for a time such as this, and I feel like I am going to break forth like vintage wine. Jeremiah said when he wanted to keep quiet it felt like fire in his bones and I can attest to that," Gordon said.

Gordon recently released her debut album (October 2004) entitled Still Waiting, which boasts 15 tracks with a blend of roots, traditional, techno and dancehall reggae tunes.
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