Curb Records

Release Date: October 6th 2023

Reviewed by: Jonathan Andre

Natalie Grant– Seasons (Amazon mp3/iTunes)

Track Listing:

1. In Christ Alone
2. You Will Be Found (feat. Cory Asbury)
3. Shackles (Praise You) (feat. Mary Mary)
4. We Will Stand (feat. Tauren Wells, Jekalyn Carr & CAIN)
5. My Tribute (To God Be The Glory) (feat. CeCe Winans)
6. Step By Step (feat. Dolly Parton)
7. I Need You
8. Another Time, Another Place (feat. Jonathan McReynolds)
9. Bridge Over Troubled Water (feat. Tasha Cobbs Leonard)
10. Make You Feel My Love (feat. Gloria Grant, Bella Herms, Sadie Herms and Grace Herms)

Natalie Grant needs no introduction. A mainstay and veteran in Christian music for years, this unbelievably exquisite singer and quite arguably one of the most powerful vocalists (in both Christian and mainstream music) in recent memory; has delivered to us powerful and timeless songs over the years, from “Held”, “Live for Today”, “I Am Not Alone”, “My Weapon”, “Who Else”, and “Bring it All Together”, to “The Real Me”, “I Will Not Be Moved”, “Hurricane”, “No Sign Of It”, “Be One” and more recently “More Than Anything” and “King of the World”; to name a few. Natalie released her comeback album No Stranger in 2020, and the album was one of our favourite albums of the entire year, and one of our favourites from Natalie ever. And while I could rehash everything that Jon has reiterated about the powerful and inspirational album; I firmly believe that that review sums up the general consensus. With standout songs on the album like “My Weapon” and the Casting Crowns cover “Praise You In This Storm”, to the powerful and poignant collaboration of “Even Louder” with rapper Steven Malcolm; this is a must-have album if you have enjoyed Natalie’s music previously, or if you’re looking for some reflective, contemplative and vulnerable music with a worshipful slant. An album that stands out for me lyrically and musically; No Stranger was and is an album that can facilitate a heart of worship, and has facilitated a heart of worship for me over this last few years or so.

But now let’s not dwell upon 2020. Because 2023’s Seasons has entered in the conversation. It’s a tribute album and a cover album, with Natalie hand-picking 10 songs that mean the most to her, and remaking them her way, sort of celebrating the timeless classics that influenced her own faith and her walk with Jesus. I mean, think of it this way. You remember songs of old that have shaped your own life and your musical tastes and habits? Songs that were from yesteryear, that still have an impact on you as an adult, even now? Maybe even take it further than that. How about songs that have had an impact on history, music, and society in general? Songs like “Drops of Jupiter” (Train), “Everything I Do (I Do It For You)” (Bryan Adams), “My Heart Will Go On” (Celine Dion), “You’ll Be in My Heart” (Phil Collins), “Love Song For a Saviour” (Jars of Clay), “For the Sake Of The Call” (Steven Curtis Chapman), “End of the Road” (Boyz II Men), “Hero” (Mariah Carey), “I Wanna Dance With Somebody” (Whitney Houston) and “Dare You To Move” (Switchfoot) are some of the many, many examples of such songs that have touched the fabric of music, society, and us as a people and human race. Yes, Natalie never covered any of these songs. Maybe some are being reserved for a potential sequel to Seasons if these aforementioned songs actually have ministered to Natalie’s heart. Regardless, it’s timeless songs like these that speak to our soul, and throughout Seasons– this near-flawless album, we are presented with the heart behind Natalie’s ministry as an artist that sings for Jesus, while we also are presented with still one of today’s most prolific and accomplished and inspiring vocalists I’ve ever heard.

“In Christ Alone” (Michael English) opens the album, and the rendition is completely out of this world. Actually, all of these piano prominent re-imaginings are quite touching and healing for the soul- but there’s something about the opener that hits you right there. Natalie proclaims the gospel right there, and declares that ‘…in Christ alone I place my trust, and find my glory in the power of the Cross, in every victory let it be said of me, my source of strength, my source of hope is Christ alone…’; and as we enter into communion and worship with our God and Lord Jesus Christ,  I can’t help but be changed from the inside out by the Holy Spirit. “You Will Be Found” (from Dear Evan Hansen) isn’t a ‘Christian’ song per se, but it is inspirational in the sense that the melody shines a light on mental health and issues of depression and anxiety which isn’t talked about in CCM ever, and Natalie’s stirring duet with Cory Asbury just fits. A re-updated version of the Mary Mary hit “Shackles” actually features Mary Mary on guest vocals, and is fresh and nostalgic at the same time, with Natalie and the gospel duo vibrantly and earnestly singing Jesus’s praises; while the ballad “We Will Stand” from Russ Taff, was actually reviewed by Jon when it released as a single earlier this year- the cover features Tauren Wells, Jekalyn Carr and CAIN, and is fitting for these times considering the war that Israel and Palestine have entered into– this song may not be able to be sung now, but God can indeed use this melody to somehow bring peace and reassurance throughout these turbulent times.

“My Tribute (To God Be The Glory)” is a lesser known hymn written by Andrae Crouch, sung with gospel legend CeCe Winans; while “Step By Step”, originally by Whitney Houston and an album highlight on Seasons, is perfectly recorded with the original queen of country music herself- Dolly Parton. Later on in the album, Natalie powerfully and vulnerably presents to us near-perfect duets with Jonathan McReynolds in the Sandi Patti and Wayne Watson duet “Another Time, Another Place”, and the Simon and Garfunkel ballad “Bridge Over Troubled Water”- this time with Tasha Cobbs Leonard, and turned into a gospel anthem nearly 6 minutes in duration. Natalie ends Seasons with her family, with her mother and sisters joining her on the Bob Dylan penned “Make You Feel My Love”; but special mention needs to be given to the Leann Rimes melody “I Need You”… which Natalie originally recorded as a vocal demo for Leann in 1998, and was the reason she was signed and has bene signed to Curb Records all this time: This song was originally recorded by the beautiful voice of LeAnn Rimes and released in 2000. But back in 1998, I was the voice who sang on the original demo. LeAnn was on my same record label, Curb Records. One of the things that led to me getting signed to my record deal was that the president of the label, Mike Curb, fell in love with the original voice on the demo of I Need You. Do y’all remember this one? From JESUS: the miniseries?

Sometimes you hear the word ‘cover record,’ and it has this connotation of ‘Oh, it’s a filler record between the last originals records and whatever’s next’. But there’s no filler record with this — this is my life record.

Andraé has forever marked Christian and Gospel music and his legacy is forever. CeCe Winans has been my hero since I first heard her when I was 11 years old. I went to the BeBe and CeCe Winans ‘Heaven’ tour. CeCe has so influenced me, not just her music, but her — she’s one of the most truly beautiful people you will ever meet, inside and out. So hearing us answering each other’s verses on this song [My Tribute], it was just a surreal moment for me. She didn’t have to be part of this, but she chose to do that, and that speaks again to how wonderful she is.

That was one of those songs [Shackles] that I remember just crossed all barriers — it didn’t matter whether you listen to gospel, pop, CCM — everybody loved that song. They’ve [Mary Mary] never remade the song in 20 years — why would they choose to remake it with an additional person? That just speaks to how amazing they are. We had so much fun singing this and just living our best lives.

I remember hearing that song [Make You Feel My Love] and thinking, ‘If I could write words to my girls, it would be these.’ And to have the whole family singing on it and their grandmother, it’s a gift.

Natalie Grant is back, and her first new album in 3 years (never mind that it’s an album full of ‘covers’!); it’s like she’s never left with this brand-new album. With Seasons certain to be within my top 10 albums come year end in December 2023, this album from Natalie, that was very much anticipated by myself- is well worth it. On par with other standout albums from Natalie like Awaken, Be One, No Stranger and Love Revolution; Natalie needs to be congratulated for this effort and this powerful journey of her heart for Jesus and her heart to see people discover more and more of God’s love. I didn’t really know what to expect with this release- but Natalie has exceeded my expectations, and then some more. Well done, Natalie, I can’t wait to hear what’s next for you! I’m definitely looking forward to listening to the songs over and over in the upcoming weeks and months ahead!

I would hear back from CCM radio programmers [for my debut album] who would say, ‘We don’t want to play this; it sounds too Gospel,’ or ‘Why is she singing like that? And why is there a Gospel choir on there?’ I was just like, ‘I’m just singing’. Now, 20-something years later, people are more welcoming of diversity. They go, ‘I would love to see a collaboration with a Gospel artist or a Hispanic artist.’ All of a sudden, radio and the industry is looking for those moments. But honestly, we still have a long way to go.

Faith-filled music has carried me, and continues to carry me, through every stage of my life. There have been many seasons – seasons full of beauty and blooming, seasons that have seemed cold and barren. This album is a collection of songs that have carried me through college, heartbreak, infertility, cancer, anxiety… the list goes on. But my Jesus, and the music that carries His message, have been my constant companions.

3 songs to listen to: In Christ Alone, I Need You, Bridge Over Troubled Water

Score: 5/5

RIYL: Love & The Outcome, Meredith Andrews, Rebecca St. James, Mandisa