Pamela Johnson – Destiny Resurrected

Pamela Johnson
Destiny Resurrected
www.pamelajohnsononline.com

By Bob Marovich for The Black Gospel Blog

Psalmist Pamela Johnson of Palmetto, Georgia, calls her album, Destiny Resurrected, the “soundtrack to my miracle of healing, restoration, and peace.”

It is an expansive soundtrack, indeed.  Songs range from the questioning “The Me I Am” (how can you not like a song that opens with, “Lord, I know that I’m a piece of work?”) to the triumphant “Warrior Woman” and the fist-pumping rhythm of “Imma Champion.”

“He Rescued Me” is bluesy contemporary gospel, a tribute to Johnson’s years of singing hymns in the Baptist Church, as is her church-wrecking, traditional version of the classic “Beautiful Garden of Prayer.”  “Miss Your Face” is a wistful and heartwarming ballad of remembrance about, and longing for, a lost loved one. This and “A Way,” the latter part pop and part gospel blues, suggest that Johnson could easily cross over from gospel to jazz.

The exuberant “Father Breathe” is among the album’s finest moments. Johnson transitions from a delicate open to an explosive conclusion on this call for the Lord’s favor.  Similarly, “Lord I Come To You” is a contemporary ballad, a love song to the Lord.  Led by acoustic piano, “Lord” showcases the many colors of Johnson’s mezzo soprano.  While the songs are very good—she wrote eight of ten on the album—Johnson’s singing, especially on the ballads, is what sells this album.

Destiny Resurrected was released in 2010 but Johnson plans to re-issue it, likely to capitalize on the various accolades she has garnered since its debut.  Among these achievements include being named Female Artist of the Year by the Gospel Blue Mic Awards and a Top 10 finalist in the Gospel Music Channel’s Most Powerful Voices contest. She was also nominated New Artist of the Year in 2011 by the Atlanta Gospel Choice Awards.

As I’ve written before, you never know what gems indie projects can offer. Destiny Resurrected is definitely one of those gems worth enjoying.

Five of Five Stars

Picks: “Father Breathe,” “Miss Your Face.”