Choose Hope – “Dr. T.” Tonya Armstrong

“Dr. T.” Tonya Armstrong
Choose Hope
Overflowing Hope Music 2009
http://www.armstrongcenterforhope.com/

Remember in Matthew 25, the parable of the talents, where the person with five talents went out and secured five more, and God was pleased?

I’m pretty certain that God is pleased with Dr. Tonya Armstrong.

That passage came to mind immediately after reading Armstrong’s curriculum vitae. A music major from Yale (like gospel violinist Kersten Stevens), she went on to secure a masters and Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from UNC – Chapel Hill and a masters in theology from Duke University Divinity School.

She also directed, wrote and arranged for the Yale Gospel Choir and an acappella group called Shades. She helps people overcome depression, conducts workshops through her Armstrong Center for Hope, writes songs, rocks a stunning ‘do, and sings.  I’m exhausted just writing about all that she does.
Armstrong’s debut solo recording, Choose Hope, shows her affection for the hymns of the church. It opens with a light jazz version of Fanny Crosby’s classic “Blessed Assurance” and includes a straightforward reading of “It Is Well With My Soul.” “Papa’s Medley,” dedicated to her grandfather, Edwin D. Durham, combines several popular hymns, though the real plum in the medley is the “Peace Meditation.” It’s not what you’d expect. Here Armstrong, who up to this point in the CD has sung in a crystal clear, delicate, vibrato-less soprano, gets gospel bluesy.  Her piano accompanist is tops.

While you can tell Armstrong has a trained voice from the first few notes on the album, her forays into bluesy runs are what’s most captivating about Choose Hope. This is especially true on “Choose You This Day” and the album’s highlight cut, the gospel waltz “He’s So Real,” the latter being the most ideal setting for her voice. Throughout, the arrangements are understated and calming, ensuring that the CD can serve as a tool for ministry and meditation, religion and spiritual reflection.

Three of Five Stars

gPod Picks: “He’s So Real.”

Reviewed by Bob Marovich for The Black Gospel Blog.