Yes
indeed! The musically inspiring musical duo of songwriter and vocalist,
JJ Heller and her husband, songwriter/ acoustic guitarist Dave Heller,
have done it again! With the help of their creative, producer and
mixer, Mitch Dane and their talented accompaniment musicians, this
collection of songs, PRETTY AND THE PLAIN blesses the listener with a
spiritually uplifting combination of dynamically expressive vocals,
meaningful lyrical messages, and the unique, creative presentation of
JJ and Dave Heller's memorable melodies and acoustic folk sound!
This inspirational collection of lively/joyously positive to poignant
Christian anthems,
prayer hymns, praise and worship and testimony songs, present lyrical
messages based on variations of the main theme of freedom and
redemption through Jesus. They have a warm and probing spirituality,
brought to life by a inspired, creative mix of heart-stirring vocals,
well-presented meaningful lyrics, and memorable melodies all which are
supported with just the right musical accompaniment, that underscore
the dynamics and emotional mood, becoming the icing on the musical cake.
JJ and Dave Heller, Mitch Dane and others on their team not only fully
understand the acoustic folk genre, but have the musical gifts and
spiritual inspiration to offer musically interesting vocal and
instrumental sound, which uplifts one's spirit, motivates one's walk
with the Lord, and encourages the listener to develop a stronger
relationship with Jesus.
WOW! What a delightful, soul-stirring acoustic folk collection of songs
inspired by real life; sometimes personal, reflections and experiences
of JJ Heller, who wrote 9 of the songs presented, and co-wrote WHERE I
LAND with Dave and Jaylene. When an artist shares his or her own
experiences and epiphanies realized in their own spiritual walk with
the Lord, paired with just the right, musical compositions, wonderful
qualities which bless the listener work together to provide a moving,
uplifting musical experience, not to be missed!
ALL the songs are written in the first person, in ballad form, which
fits well in the acoustic folk genre. Some songs explain a truth: (GROW
* FLY AWAY *LITTLE THINGS * SMALL * TONIGHT * WHY IS IT COLDER?). Some
songs present a direct conversation with Jesus: offering gratitude or
celebrating the Lord's promises; (PRETTY AND THE PLAIN * YOU TOLD ME SO
* WHERE I LAND), or presenting a prayer for help in following Jesus:(
WHEN YOU COME BACK FOR ME * HAVE MERCY ON ME - A song which explores JJ
Heller's former struggle with anxiety.)
The vocals of JJ Heller reflect her considerable talent as a singer and
performer, able to sing from her heart, using her voice to not only
carry the melody in a dynamic manner;(SMALL), but also provides the
right poignancy for different situations and emotions needed to give
the lyrical messages just the right presentation. Whether it is
portraying a young woman head over heels in love (TONIGHT), an unhappy
wife (WHY IS IT COLDER?), delivering an anthem about a spiritual truth
( SMALL, THE LITTLE THINGS), expressing personal joy and thanksgiving
for what the Lord has done (WHERE I LAND * PRETTY AND THE PLAIN), or a
heartfelt prayer (HAVE MERCY ON ME), JJ Heller comes through with
flying colors!
Back up vocals
in the harmony parts, courtesy of Dave Heller & Andrew Osenga
, are
well done and well mixed with the lead vocals, used in the dynamic high
points of the songs, especially in the inspiring, well done bridge
sections to great effect. (GROW * WHY IS IT COLDER * THE LITTLE THINGS
* PRETTY AND THE PLAIN)
Dave and his acoustic
guitars - An important element in the songs presented is the wonderful
musical ability of Dave Heller whose acoustic guitar contributions add
not only the perfect support to the vocals and melodies found in the
variety of songs presented, (FLY AWAY, TONIGHT, WHERE I LAND), but also
add a lot of spirit and energy to the various rhythms, moods, emotional
/ spiritual aura, complementing what is presented vocally by JJ Heller.
(GROW, LITTLE THINGS *PRETTY AND THE PLAIN, YOU TELL ME SO.)
These simple yet delicately intricate compositions, are true to the
folk acoustic genre, so well composed by JJ and Dave Heller. Besides
benefiting from fine acoustic talents of Dave Heller, their team of
musicians, Andrew Osenga, Aaron Sands, Ben Shive, Mitch Dane & Paul
Eckberg, bring their gifts and talents to this project. Beside offering
fine melody, counter-melody and rhythm support, these melody enhancing
instrument voices also add to the spirit, mood and energy level of the
songs, complementing the lead set by the vocals.
Electric guitars, banjo, upright and electric bass, keys, bells, cello,
and conventional and unconventional percussion instruments and drums,
which are delicately yet effectively used, having a purpose in the
various compositions.
The
cello, along with the acoustic guitar provide the dreamy musical
support for the romantic love expressed by the vocals in TONIGHT.
The banjo in YOU TELL ME SO, provides the upbeat, positive feeling
expressed in the vocals, praising the faithfulness of the Lord.
The bass work gives added umph to such stirring, driven acoustic
anthems as THE LITTLE THINGS and THE PRETTY AND THE PLAIN.
An ensemble of instruments support the hopeful message delivered in the
bridge of the rather mournful song, WHY IS IT COLDER?
An ensemble of instruments provide an upbeat interlude as a transition
segue between the song, HAVE MERCY ON ME and the reprise of WHEN YOU
COME BACK TO ME.
The high, clear quality of the musical listening experience found on
this album, points to the wonderful job done by Mitch Dane and Paul
Eckberg, in mixing the various vocal and instrumental tracks together
and in making the master sound track for this album, PRETTY AND THE
PLAIN. All the instrument voices, vocals and backup vocals not only
can all be distinctly heard in order of importance, but also it all
works together, with the dynamics, spirituality and meaning of the
songs presented in a truly inspiring musical package, which is most
enjoyable to listen to and soak into
one's being.
