Songs by Grace LaJoy, Volume 1 (featuring Zenobia Smith)

Grace LaJoy (featuring Zenobia Smith)
Songs by Grace LaJoy, Volume 1
IGL Publishing 2009
www.gracelajoy.com

Poet, songwriter, businesswoman, youth leader, mother of two and author of twelve books who earned a Ph.D., hosts book publishing workshops and maintains a ministry, Dr. Grace LaJoy Henderson has a lot on her plate. She now has three CDs to her credit, as well.

One, Songs by Grace LaJoy, Volume 1, is exactly what the title indicates. In the time-honored gospel music tradition, a gospel singer — Zenobia Smith — demonstrates the songs for the songwriter. Smith has shared the stage with the ultimate gospel song demonstrator, Mahalia Jackson, and with other artists such as COGIC powerhouses Edwin Hawkins and Vanessa Bell Armstrong.

The seven songs included on Songs by Grace LaJoy, Volume 1 are simple-to-learn praise and worship melodies and lyrics that Smith delivers, or teaches, in a deliberately straightforward but lovely voice. Some of the selections are delicate and contemplative, drawing undoubtedly on the inspirational mood of LaJoy’s poetry. They seem ready-made for arranging for youth or teen choirs and groups.

Ultimately, Songs by Grace LaJoy, Volume 1 will most benefit young choristers and their directors and church musicians seeking new material.

You can hear Dr. LaJoy Henderson and Zenobia Smith in person on May 2, 2009 at Light of Love Christian Fellowship Church in Kansas City, MO, and on May 17, 2009 at the venerable Metropolitan Spiritual Church of Christ, also in KC. See her website for more details on these CD release musicals.

Incidentally, it was Metropolitan Spiritual’s original neon “Jesus is the Light of the World” that inspired Thomas A. Dorsey to compose a song of the same name. So that’s a good place for a songwriter to hang out, wouldn’t you say?

Two of Five Stars