UNSHAKABLE GOD!
Ahhh…quiet! And
finally time to sit and listen! I pulled
up “Unshakable God”, my preview copy of Kelly Parks’ new album, sat down with a
cup of coffee, and tapped out the play button.
I’ve had it for several days, but with the hustle and bustle of
Thanksgiving and people all around, I could only mildly enjoy it as background
music. I needed to hear it – the words,
the intent, the melodies and harmonies, the instruments – my girl’s attempt at
communicating what lies deep within and only comes spewing out in the form of
an album every few years. So then, here
it is!
Although my reviews could be considered slightly biased and
tainted due to the fact that I’m her mother, as her number one fan, I beg you
to bear with me.
First of all, I must say this of the album – this is her
very best work. Her writing skills have
been honed and her collaboration with others has paid off. She is in her prime vocally. She is strong and yet controlled and her
voice is that of an angel! OK – well, it
is most excellent!
The lead song, “Unshakable God”, wasn’t the first one
chosen. As she and her producer worked
together on the album, it became clear that the lead song had to be this
one. Although pictures had been taken
and graphics already set for another song, the change was made. It was the right decision. “Unshakable God, unbreakable Promise Keeper”…this
song is about the faithfulness of our Father.
It comes from the depths of experience with “our rock, undeniable anchor
in the storm”. It is an upbeat reminder
of who He is.
“Momma It’s Beautiful” – get out your hankies! Little Caleb Clifton was born to this
30-something momma after two older boys 15 months apart and then a string of
foster children. This song tugs at the
heartstrings about the journey of a little boy who found a beautiful shell
which caught his eye, then had his hands on the wheel of a 4X4 – his first
vehicle, and finally “I’m gonna bring her home, she sparkles like the sun…” You
get the idea!
No matter where we have been in our lives, His love beacons
us to “let it go” and be aware that our “river runs to You.” “Carve my path until I reach the end” is a
comforting line that serves as a reminder that he is the One to whom our rivers
run in “My River Runs to You”.
“The Word of God Will Rise” is a powerful song and strong
reminder that no matter what our society does or says, God’s Word and Scripture
are secure. Nothing can “bring it down,
bury it deep in the ground…” because “it will rise, up from the ashes…no one
can silence”. This is the song that will
shore up uncertainties of your faith in a world where truth is being maligned
and undermined. It brings hope and
courage to our weary souls.
In this album you discover Kelly’s versatility and eclectic
style of writing and performing. “What I
Don’t Wanna Hear” hits home about keeping one another accountable in love. It is an easy coffee shop type setting song
where two friends meet and do life together.
Perfect for today’s young people in a community-based relationship. It could easily be used in any setting.
This raw song with a bluesy raspy sound delights me! “Excuse Me, Excuses” In it she calls out the
excuses “living in my head for way too long.”
Excuses are referred to as “a con man”.
“Excuse me, but you don’t get to boss me around…” “You choked out my chances…” “…opportunity knocks today.” Fun and flirty with a message of redemption
and redirecting life!
I called Kelly to get the scoop on this song. It is an emotionally riveting song for
me. Kelly gets inspiration from several
sources when she writes but usually there is a word, a story, a phrase that
sticks with her to form lyrics around. This
song was born from the word of a mother whose child had gone to Heaven,
following his funeral. Kelly had sung at
several funerals with especially difficult situations and “In a Moment” came
from feelings and thoughts surrounding that hard season. She also said that some of it was put
together during the last days of my dad’s life and that of her uncle, who
passed in the same year. “In a Moment”
is a nod to the difficulties of life and death, however is meant to be a
message of ultimate hope. Again, get
your Kleenex box out!
“Throwing Rocks”, again showcasing her versatility, you will
enjoy this fun, upbeat trumpet-filled parody of a pack of rocks representing burdens,
which have been carried far too long.
“I’m throwing rocks with all my might…skipping twice…sink to the bottom
of the lake” – just a few lines that are a peek into Kelly’s past, having spent
a lot of time throwing rocks with her boys and skipping rocks with her dad!
It is a song about getting free from all those worrisome
things that we pick up and carry, when just unloading them brings sweet
release!
“His Hands” was written as a tribute to those hard working
men who live among us. Often they are
viewed as cold or reclusive because of their quiet nature or inability to
communicate effectively verbally or emotionally. The song challenges us “to get at the story
that lies at the heart of this man, you gotta’ look at his hands.” The original idea of the song came from
Kelly’s brother-in-law’s reference to his own daddy’s hands at his dad’s
funeral.
Our first baby girl was Kelly’s foster daughter. We fell in love with this little chubby faced
precious girl who quickly endeared herself to us. The time came for her to leave our family and
Kelly and Aaron both learned what it was to experience love and loss. “Balm to My Broken Soul” was penned as a
response to the grief and healing that Kelly experienced during the days
following. She found solace in God’s
Word as it healed and soothed her deepest hurts. It is a simple rendition with guitar and
vocals that finish out the album perfectly.
SO – GO BUY IT!! It
will soon be on iTunes for a quick upload!
Contact Kelly (or me) directly for a packaged hard copy of the CD (the
best way to support her ministry).
iTunes will be $10, copy from Kelly is $12 and if you want a hard copy
shipped - $15.50, I believe.
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