Capitol Christian Music Group
Release Date: April 16th 2021
Reviewed by: Joshua Andre
Anne Wilson– My Jesus (Live In Nashville) – EP (Amazon mp3/Spotify)
Track Listing:
- Devil
- My Jesus
- Something About That Name
- Boondocks
- No Place Like Home
If you’re listening to an artist for the first time, trying to figure out their sound and what they’re all about; do you go in with high, low or no expectations? Well, I guess you’d say it depends on whether the artist you’re listening to for the first time, actually is a new artist or is a veteran- and then they’d have a reputation; and you will have a higher expectation than with a completely new artist. Regardless, Anne Wilson (the latest signee to Capitol Christian Music Group), is sure to have a bright future. Though I did have some expectations of this young woman of God (considering that she has signed to one of CCM’s most reputable record labels); it is her storytelling, her effervescent optimism and her love for Jesus that has won me over as a fan! With Anne singing in public in front of a crowd for the first time at her brother’s funeral- and her garnering a record label deal that way when the video went viral (way back in 2017); Anne’s unwavering faith in Jesus is the backbone of her debut single “My Jesus”. Released as a package of 3 songs in the middle of April, Anne’s joy and overflowing hope is sure to win even the most hardened of sceptics- and even as Anne wears us all down by her joyous demeanour, let us remember that we are watching a star in the making- and someone we all want to root for! While we have indeed reviewed this ‘single’, also comprising of “Devil” and “Something About That Name”; this past week saw Anne drop her debut EP. A live project in Nashville (not with a crowd but live in a studio) called My Jesus (Live In Nashville) – EP, we are met with a vibrant, emotive, personal and honest batch of songs, where Anne delivers her already previously released three singles with intense passion, as well as an all-new track “No Place Like Home” and a cover of Little Big Town’s “Boondocks”.
With these three songs sounding extremely similar to their studio counterparts, Anne is nonetheless still able to create powerful and emotional anthems, even from tracks we’ve already heard. Channelling her inner Crowder (in terms of enthusiasm!), Anne delivers a powerful anthem and a no-nonsense rocker in “Devil”, a passionate rebuking of Satan, and an affirmation of her love for Jesus; as Anne powerfully relays that ‘…You came rising right out of that grave, my sin went running and my soul got saved, Son of God’s always been a bit of a rebel, You brought life to me and death to the devil, Holy Ghost has got a hold on me, I was blind but now I can see, freedom gone got me on another level, You brought life to me and death to the devil…’. Anne also presents to us a piano led ballad “Something About That Name”, where she prayerfully and earnestly relays to us the importance of Jesus’ name, that ‘…there is still no other name, You still have the power to save, You can empty any grave, forever Jesus, it’s Your name…’. “Boondocks”, from Little Big Town, is a track that celebrates Anne’s roots and her hometown out ‘in the boondocks’, probably a metaphor for in a small town (and is a track that we all should sing out with pride for our own hometowns where we all grew up!); while the original tune “No Place Like Home” is an emotional ballad, where Anne dives deep into her own feelings about her brother Jacob’s death.
Yet, by leaps and bounds, THE song you must listen to, even from this EP, is “My Jesus”. Co-written with Jeff Pardo and Matthew West; that has grabbed my attention from the get-go, as Anne expertly and skilfully tells us her testimony through a 3 minute tune, that is the Gospel in its purest form. Below I have presented the full lyrics, as well as the music video- so take a squiz at both, and be amazed at the power of Jesus!
[Verse 1]
Are you past the point of weary?
Is your burden weighing heavy?
Is it all too much to carry?
Let me tell you ’bout my Jesus
Do you feel that empty feeling?
‘Cause shame’s done all its stealing
And you’re desperate for some healing
Let me tell you ’bout my Jesus
[Chorus]
He makes a way where there ain’t no way
Rises up from an empty grave
Ain’t no sinner that He can’t save
Let me tell you ’bout my Jesus
His love is strong and His grace is free
And the good news is I know that He
Can do for you what He’s done for me
Let me tell you ’bout my Jesus
And let my Jesus change your life
[Post-Chorus]
Hallelujah, hallelujah
Hallelujah, amen, amen
[Verse 2]
Who can wipe away the tears
From broken dreams and wasted years
And tell the past to disappear? Oh
Let me tell you ’bout my Jesus
And all the wrong turns that you would
Go and undo if you could
Who can work it all for your good
Let me tell you about my Jesus
[Chorus]
[Post-Chorus]
[Bridge]
Who would take my cross to Calvary?
Pay the price for all my guilty?
Who would care that much about me?
Let me tell you ’bout my Jesus, oh
[Chorus]
[Post-Chorus]
Hallelujah, hallelujah
Hallelujah (Amen, amen)
Let my Jesus change your life
Is there anything more to say about Anne Wilson and her burgeoning impact in the CCM industry? With Anne making her stage debut at the Grand Ole Opry in September this year; I don’t think I’ve been this excited for a future full length debut project since We The Kingdom and their songs! So drop everything and hear about this young star in the making. Seriously! Go do it. Right now! No other excuses needed! Alright, so what do you think? Well done Anne, I seriously cannot wait to hear what God has in store for you next! Maybe a hymns album or a full on country album… that’d be cool!
3 songs to listen to: Devil, My Jesus, No Place Like Home
Score: 5/5
RIYL: We The Kingdom, Chris Tomlin,. Matt Redman, Matthew West, Tenth Avenue North, Crowder