Curb Records
Release Date: June 23rd 2023
Reviewed by: Jonathan Andre
Natalie Grant & Tauren Wells – We Will Stand (feat. Jekalyn Carr & CAIN) – Single (Amazon mp3/iTunes)
Track Listing:
- We Will Stand (feat. Jekalyn Carr & CAIN)
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. Howabout 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. Enter in another such song, Russ Taff’s ‘We Will Stand’.
I did not grow up listening to Russ Taff. I was listening to Steven Curtis Chapman, Newsboys, Rebecca St. James, Tim Hughes, Chris Tomlin, Carman and Delirious? back in the day. But I was listening to ‘We Will Stand’ as part of Avalon’s Stand album way back in 2006 and that song stuck with me for a while. Knowing that that particular song, in it’s original sense, is over forty years old (and still rings true today) is nothing short of remarkable. The song has since been recorded again, this time featuring artists Natalie Grant and ex-Royal Tailor front-man Tauren Wells as co-leads on the track, featuring up-and-coming artists Jekalyn Carr and CAIN as well. The song reminds me of how Michael W. Smith’s timeless track ‘Friends’ was given a ‘Friends 2003’ re-recording 20 years ago (maybe it’s time for another update and another re-recording of this timeless Michael W. Smith track?). It’s powerful then, and it’s still powerful now. Maybe the song will reach a new generation. Maybe it won’t. Maybe lovers of the original Russ Taff song, or of the Avalon cover (like me) will listen to this song with major nostalgia. Whatever the case, ‘We Will Stand’ is a powerful reminder of who we stand with, and what we stand for. As Natalie herself relays, ‘…I grew up listening to Russ Taff, first with The Imperials and then as he became a solo artist. This song takes me back – from singing it in church to singing in the car with my family on road trips. What’s so amazing to me is how relevant this message still is. These lyrics could have been written today. I’m so grateful for Tauren, Jekalyn and CAIN – what they’ve contributed will help bring this song to life for a whole new generation…’ Well done to Natalie, Tauren, CAIN and Jekalyn for this powerful rendition of such an emotional classic. Maybe there ought to be more classics redone in the upcoming weeks/months ahead, just as a reminder for us all of how timeless these songs actually are?
Score: 5/5
RIYL: Avalon, Russ Taff, Michael W. Smith, Amy Grant, Steven Curtis Chapman, Michael English