print: Stand - Jonathan Brown | CD Review on BlackGospel.com

Stand / Jonathan Brown

August, 2008 on BlackGospel.com
Musical Review by Jennifer F Belot

If to be prodigious means to be exceptionally gifted by God at a young age, then singer/songwriter/producer/musician Jonathan Brown may very well qualify for the title. At the barely post-pubescent age of 24 (JB has been playing piano since the age of 5), Jonathan Brown is exceptionally adept on more than ten instruments including the piano, trombone, trumpet, sousaphone and baritone. In his short life, JB has penned nearly 200 songs, 15 of which can be heard on his superb sophomore project entitled Stand, currently in stores.

Biographical notes notwithstanding, the Savannah, GA native has seen his proverbial star steadily rising on the local Gospel scene and now is looking to ‘stand’ out among the crowd as A New Voice in Gospel. With a musical background spanning classical to jazz, this multi-talented youngster has begun to establish himself, and without the benefit of big-label backing, has made a scornful music industry perk up and take notice, receiving accolades from Billboard, Great American Song and Nashville Star Search. In 2004, while still too young to rent a car, he released his freshman project, Restore Me on his own label, Genesis Entertainment and has not looked back since.

A musician at heart, JB showcases his instrumental ingenuity on the jazzy Stand Up and allows the trumpet to take the throne in Only Believe, a track that is rife with the laid-back bluesy big-band feel of a hazy New Orleans summer night.

With an introspective intake of breath, God Is Calling You is an altar call to give one’s life over to the loving arms of God. Exhibiting a certain classic traditionalism, the simple poetry of this song harkens back to such gospel classics by Commissioned and The Winans.

Funky chords rule the panegyric prose of I Give You Praise as the trumpet decisively punctuates the words of the 150^th Psalm. Jonathan shows off his versatile tenor vocals while proclaiming his praise to the Master. The ensuing title track uses the familiar prose of the believer in a quieter melodic ballad laced with Urban influences affirming the psalmist’s vows to be faithful in return for the great reward awaiting him on the streets of gold.

The candid words of God is Not Done will resonate well with any Christian who understands that...He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ... here, Jonathan is unapologetic about his human frailties, yet confident in the power of God to perfect him.

Allowing himself moments of quiet contemplation, Jonathan gets deeply personal, baring his soul in the vulnerable Made Up Mind, an unadorned view into the soulful soliloquy of the redeemed, and Cry No More is a loving eulogy of hope that sees Jonathan addressing his final goodbyes to dearly departed friend Marcel Perry the best way he knows how.

From the melodic piano of He’s Been So Good to the joyous contemporary rhythms of Just Praise to the wispy neo-sacred soul of Forever, Jonathan Brown exhibits a musicality beyond his years. The graceful integration of practised musicianship and inspirational lyricism is a testament to why he may well deserve the moniker A New Voice in Gospel...to watch!