Cindy Morgan's "Beautiful Bird": A Review
Posted November 16, 2008
By ChristianManifesto,
by C.E. Moore
My favorite female contemporary Christian artist is Nichole Nordeman. But, there would be no Nichole Nordeman if it were not for Cindy Morgan. Taking the radio waves by storm in the early 90’s, Morgan released album after album and never quite received the accolades her talent deserved. Her popularity seemed to peak somewhere around her “Listen” album, although I still believe her Passion week-themed “The Loving Kind” was her best album. That is until I heard her newest project, “Beautiful Bird.”
In a sense, finding “”Beautiful Bird” was akin to stumbling on buried treasure long forgotten. I was unaware that Morgan was still making music at all. She’s had several that have released since “The Loving Kind” and none of them have garnered the attention of her earlier work. That doesn’t mean she hasn’t been busy. She’s been writing songs that have been sung (and become hits) by such artists as Michael W. Smith, Point Of Grace, Avalon, Rachael Lampa, Brit Nicole, Mandisa, The Martins, Michael English, BeBe
Winans, Sandi Patty, Jaci Velasquez, Mark Schultz, John Tesh, and Natalie Grant. But, on a whim, I thought I’d look up the artist and see what she was up to nowadays. Imagine my surprise when I found she had recently released an album. Of course, I had to have it.
Morgan’s first foray into a fully self-produced project, “Beautiful Bird” is good stuff. One listen and you can tell that she’s a little freer than her major label days.
“Lay Me Down” is a great start to the album. Jazzy, breezy, and haunting, Morgan does well on this bluegrass-inspired number. Co-written with Phil Madiera and inspired by the music of ‘O Brother Where Art Thou,’ this is a new direction for the artist and she seems to be right at home. But, Morgan hasn’t left her roots of contemporary Christian pop music. The second track “When It’s Love” is a return to form. It will remind listeners of her “Listen” days and she keeps things light and fun. It’s a delightful song that couples will easily resonate with. Ballads have always been where Morgan seems most powerful, though. This is no more clear than on the acoustic ballad “The Sun Shines Through.” Morgan has a knack for eliciting an emotional response from the listener—emotions the listener is often unaware they possess until they hear her music. I found myself with tears in my eyes at the end of this song and I’m still not sure why. Title track “Beautiful Bird” is a solid number and features Morgan at her vocal best. “Two Roads” is a clear-cut country number, which is an altogether different sound for Morgan, but she does well. In true Cindy Morgan fashion, the album closes out with a ballad, “In These Rooms.” Light, dreamy, and a little bit sad, it will leave the listener yearning for more music and a tad bit contemplative about what they’ve just experienced.
A multi-talented vocalist and musician, Morgan utilizes several different types of instruments for a very eclectic sound. She marries the piano to the cello, the lap dulcimer to the guitar. And, from track to track we are treated to vestiges of Appalachia, country, pop, and a host of other genres. While this would work against most projects, Morgan keeps things together, creating a truly organic, earthy event.
“Beautiful Bird” is a beautiful record by a seasoned veteran of Christian music. The independent road that Morgan has chosen to take has clearly opened up new creative avenues for the artist. One can only hope this trend continues. You can buy this album on iTunes, Family Christian Stores, or online at www.cindymorganmusic.com.
This review has been reprinted on NRT with permission from The Christian Manifesto. Click here to visit TheChristianManifesto.com today!
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