Holly Spears has released her latest project titled 'Audience Of One'. This 5-song EP is the follow-up to her critically acclaimed debut album Heartache to Hope which was released in 2012.
This new EP is a collection of Holly's favorite hymns and church songs from her early days in the small town of Wana, West Virginia.
Now I'm not the biggest fan of 'cover' albums. I would rather see artists go into studios to create new 'classics' instead of putting out an album of songs which are already 'classics'. But when an artist like Holly steps into a studio and sings these... Read MoreHolly Spears has released her latest project titled 'Audience Of One'. This 5-song EP is the follow-up to her critically acclaimed debut album Heartache to Hope which was released in 2012.
This new EP is a collection of Holly's favorite hymns and church songs from her early days in the small town of Wana, West Virginia.
Now I'm not the biggest fan of 'cover' albums. I would rather see artists go into studios to create new 'classics' instead of putting out an album of songs which are already 'classics'. But when an artist like Holly steps into a studio and sings these songs the way she does, then you can not help but stop and listen.
All the songs on the EP are massive songs that have been sung for years and will be sung for many more years to come. Holly has this voice that fits the size of the song, it's a very soulful voice and this comes out right from opening track How Great Thou Art.
Again, Holly's version of Amazing Grace is so soulful and uptempo it's hard not to listen to the song without a smile on your face. We have become so used to hearing Chris Tomlin's rockier take on the track, or slow and powerful versions on reality shows, that hearing a more joyful style of the song is very refreshing. The tone of the song is truly wonderful.
The track Jesus Loves Me has a country feel to it and I still love the opening line, "Jesus loves me this I know, for the bible tells me so". Whilst I know many will love this song and hearing Holly singing it, it is very much a love it or hate it kind of song.
"What can wash away my sins, nothing but the Blood of Jesus" is a great opening line. But the style of music on this track isn't something you will be used too. This folk country version continues from the previous track and is sung much faster than I have ever heard before. Again something different, and actually I really liked it.
A Sunday school classic for some is the track This Little Light Of Mine. This version has a funkier and jazzier kick to it. I found myself singing and clapping along to this bluesy/jazz version and it's the perfect way to end this EP.
No matter what you think about the styles of these songs, there are two things you can't move away from with this collection of tracks. One is Holly's voice. Wow, her voice really shines on such big songs. I love the powerful rich tones of this vocalist. Secondly, these songs have some great melodies and lyrics and at times Holly jazzes them up or changes the tempo, but she doesn't spoil these classics. The opening two tracks particularly are just epic songs, and Holly really does them justice. Have a listen and see what you think.
Review By Jono Davies
LTTM Rating 4 Out of 5 Stars Standout Tracks This Little Light
Amazing Grace
Looking at the cover of the new album by Holly Spears, it would be easy to put her into the pop/dance genre of music. Indeed after listening to the new album, titled Heartache To Hope, that comparison is a fair one. For people…
