Bethany Dillon

Description

The self-titled debut album by the American singer and songwriter Bethany Dillon was released on Sparrow Records in 2004, manufactured by EMI CMG Label Group, distributed by EMI CMG Distribution. Also marketed and distributed in the EU by Kingsway Communications Ltd. The album was produced by Ed Cash, except tracks 1, 3, 6, 8, 9, and 10 produced by Joshua Moore.

All songs written or co-written by Bethany Dillon except “Lead Me On”, a song written by Amy Grant, Michael W. Smith, and Wayne Kirkpatrick and originally recorded by Amy Grant on her 1988-album by the same title.

Our prejudices can so easily emerge with an album like this one. Learning that Bethany was a mere 15 years of age when she recorded it is difficult enough. Images of gauche X Factor wannabees singing facile teen pop come easily to the reviewer’s mind. Then there’s the startling fact that, with the exception of an extremely impressive cover of the Amy Grant classic «Lead Me On», Bethany wrote all the songs here. “What can a 15 year old know about the Christian life?” muses the judgmental reviewer. In fact, on the evidence presented here, a considerable amount. Here are songs about peer pressure («Revolutionaries»), a God who’s bigger than our desires and mistakes («Great Big Mystery»), our tendency to ignore God’s relentless love («Why»), the need to leave everything behind and be released from what holds us back («Exodus»), all showing a thoughtful lyricist who has poured over Scripture. My favourite here is the wistfully haunting «Beautiful», a song about how we reflect God’s glory. A turntable hit on Cross Rhythms radio it’s the kind of song which stays with you through the day. Bethany has the kind of voice which is at home with soaring strings and mandolins but has enough edge to work with layers of rock guitars. All in all, a dazzling debut. [Tony Cummings, Cross Rhythms, September 2004]

> iTunes

CD tracklist:

01. Revolutionaries
02. Great Big Mystery
03. Beautiful
04. Move Forward
05. For My Love
06. All I Need
07. Aimless
08. Lead Me On
09. Exodus (Faithful)
10. Why
11. A Voice Calling Out

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