Testimony Band
A Message to the World
.Paul Gentry, CMCA Staff
Testimony Band is a very tight knit Christian rock and roll band (yet they can also churn out ballads) based out of Louisiana. A Message to the World is their second release which shows improvement from their debut. Both of their releases have one thing in common: well written songs. With any band, the focal point is normally the lead singer and Testimony's Lawri Chaisson certainly fits that mold with her unique voice. She also pens a majority of the music. This CD's material was written in 1996, but still current, and Testimony will be back in the studio soon for their third release.
Turn Back The Tide rocks from the beginning. No tameness here, folks! It starts off with a full sounding guitar, followed by bass, mixed back keyboard and drums. The band consists of Lawri, George and Wilford Chaisson, Carlton Naquin and Chad & Nathan Parfait. The reason I bring this up so quickly is this is very much a group effort. It cuts to the chase with lyrics like, "What's wrong with America? What's wrong with the Church today?" Many hearts weep with such thoughts, but to hear them so aptly put with a catchy song helps the listener keep them in mind. That in itself makes this album a good purchase before we even leave the first track.
River of Love starts the ballad tracks with a Heart sounding song. The keyboard instrumentation gives the song depth and Lawri mirrors her lead vocal with her own backups. Many producers do this if the singer is a high quality vocalist, which she obviously is. You will feel a part of this song from the very beginning, but before you know it your into the next track, The Battle, a pop sounding number with a great full sounding chorus. You will like this song's arrangement as it bounces from somewhat mellow to the well layered processed sounding guitar work. The continuity of this CD actually works bouncing from full band jams to ballads as Heal Our Wounds, O Lord proves. A light airy song with praise worship words that uplift and soothe. A Message to the World is an aptly labeled project as I can't say enough about the lyrics on this project.
Walk In The Light continues the Testimony style (a cross between rock and AC) giving us a few more singing voices on a chorus you will probably sing along with while listening. Lawri likes to crack her voice purposely (which is not easy to control), giving this song true emotion and an almost live feel. He Cares For You has a wonderful melody and may be the gem of this project. This could be an altar call type song in concert and is sure to affect anyone who listens carefully. This just-under-3- minute track would be a very good radio track on the lighter stations. A View From the Other Side starts off almost an extension from the previous track but goes into a full band production. I can't say this enough, but if you have a good melody you have a good song, and Other Side is catchy all the way through.
Turn Around gets to the get down Southern Rock style of Testimony, and is the first of two tracks with George Chaisson being involved as a co-writer. Let's hope he stays active in the writing process as it adds a good versatility to the band. Great track, and at number eight in the song order it keeps the listener interested and not tempted to throw Air Supply in the CD player. Message to the World is just that. It spreads His word to the world. These words would be just as effective being spoken in a service. A timeless message that will stir any heart willing to hear it. Promised Land cranks out a song of hope with the best instrumentation of the project. This song has it all and I would venture to say that this would be a FM favorite with proper distribution. Testimony closes the project with I Want To See You There, a well arranged track and a closer that will leave you thinking. It speaks of the Father's sacrifice and touches the album theme with "Hear My message" Words to live and die by. The lead guitar is well placed in this obvious concert favorite, and I see this as a curtain call track to leave the crowd on a high note and wanting more.
Wanting more is an understatement. This band is hard to picture, but if you can imagine having the musicians from Lynard Skynard and REO Speedwagon headed by Pat Benatar, you'd be close. This is a Testimony Band produced CD which was well engineered, mixed and mastered (David Huff was involved in each). A Message to the World is wonderful from beginning to end, and you can tell Testimony's main desire is to spread His gospel. If the Testimony Band allowed a professional producer to get involved in one of their future projects, the sky would be the limit! They have all the right pieces of the puzzle and the one constant, a true heart for the Lord.