Description
I Can Hear You is the debut album by the Canadian singer and songwriter Carolyn Arends, released on Reunion Records in August 1995. The album was recorded and mixed by Steve Bishir with Brown Bannister producing. All songs written or co-written by Carolyn Arends. Featuring guest artist Rich Mullins on hammered dulcimer.
It’s rare for a new artist to completely captivate your attention. Even less common is a songwriter who can twist a common phrase into a delightful melody and emerge with a lyric that completely captures the emotions of what were but long-forgotten memories. Rarer still are writers who can give meaning to the rumblings the soul can’t find words to express.
Carolyn Arends is a rare breed indeed. From the opening strains of Ashley Cleveland‘s heavenly guest vocals over a nice acoustic guitar on «This is the Stuff», it’s obvious this is an album destined to enchant. Lyrically, the opener encourages its hearers to take advantage of every moment, to catch a glimpse of what life’s all about in its smallest moments – “Riding along on a big yellow school bus/ Elmer’s glue and a brand new lunch box/ Writing my name for the very first time/ With a pencil that was bigger than me… Life goes by like that big old bus/ If you miss it, it’s history.” The title cut comes next with its reminder that God’s voice “breaks through” the din surrounding everyday life.
Perhaps the most gut-wrenching lyric comes on the simplest production as the piano/vocal tune «Reaching» points to heaven as the only way to satisfy all the unfulfilled longings of reaching hearts. Other songs not to be missed include the accordion-infused «Seize the Day», with its message to do just that; the moving melody of «All is Well»; the clever wordplay of «The Altar of Ego»; the fast-paced rhythms and fiddle found in «What I Wouldn’t Give»; and the comfortable and touching homage to the joys of marriage in «Home Fires Burning».
Arend’s vocally brought to mind a wide array of artists – though not a direct replica of any, her vocals are somewhat reminiscent at times of Leslie Phillips, early Amy Grant, Shawn Colvin and Christine Denté. Appropriate and solid instrumentation and background vocals are found throughout in just enough measure to keep each song interesting without overpowering this songwriter’s fascinating lyrics.
This disc decisively convinces its listener yet again of the amazing prowess of producer Brown Bannister while sparking hope that this bright new artist can stir up a few more 48-minute gems like this one to entice, entertain and enlighten for years to come. [April Hefner, CCM, September 1995]
> iTunes (https://music.apple.com/us/album/i-can-hear-you/1539202467)
CD tracklist:
01. This Is The Stuff – 4:09
02. I Can Hear You – 3:37
03. Seize The Day – 5:43
04. Altar Of Ego – 4:04
05. Love Is Always There – 4:39
06. Reaching – 4:23
07. The Power Of Love – 3:43
08. You Take My Soul By Storm – 5:48
09. What I Wouldn’t Give – 4:26
10. Home Fires Burning – 3:40
11. All Is Well – 3:34
Note: Simultaneously released on cassette and CD by Reunion Records. Available at Bandcamp: https://carolynarends.bandcamp.com/album/i-can-hear-you
A full-page advertisement for Carolyn Arends’ album I Can Hear You was featured in the April 1996 issue of CCM Magazine.
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