STYLE: Pop RATING OUR PRODUCT CODE: 139103-20597 LABEL: Independent FORMAT: CD Album ITEMS: 1
Reviewed by Lins Honeyman
This independent release from New York-based Dwayna sees the flame-haired singer/songwriter mix a number of musical styles ranging from big ballads to gospel as she proclaims her faith in God. Whilst eight of the 12 tracks on offer here are self-penned, Litz is arguably most in her element when competently covering the likes of Andrae Crouch's "Through It All" and "Soon And Very Soon" or giving fun, key changed-festooned renditions of old standards such as "Old Time Religion" - all of which showcase the singer's Dolly Parton-like vocal powers as well as a backing band of note. Unfortunately, a number of her own compositions fail to make the grade with the likes of the cliché-ridden new country of "Livin' For God Alone" and "Higher Power" - the latter an unsubtle slaying of other faiths - coming across as somewhat lyrically contrived in a way that may seem spiritually arrogant to the non-believing listener. Elsewhere, slower ballads such as the title track, "Honest Life" and "No More Prisoner Of Yesterday" show a more tender side to Litz's Christian views and go some way to rescuing this release.
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