Music
The best kept secret in music
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When I first heard that this young lady was preparing her debut CD, I was instantly curious and a little nervous. The music industry can be tough and sometimes unforgiving when you don't do well out the gate.
I knew she could sing. I've had the privilege of sharing a mic with her in a group called The Worship Chorale (a small group of talented singers from Total Grace Christian Center in Decatur GA, under the direction of Sha' Simpson). ...and she also happens to have a singing legend for a sister, Kim McFarland.
Knowing all of this, I still had to consider that great singers don't always turn out great albums. I know I'm not the only person that's paid good money for a CD better suited for frisbee.
Fortunately, this CD is excellent on many levels. Keshia McFarland, a great singer, turns out a very great album. She interprets each song like a seasoned vet, yet this is her debut CD, entitled "Cover Girl."
With strong production, provided by Christopher Lewis of Frontline Entertainment, combined with a level of passion and conviction that separates good singers from great singers, this 17 track CD sets out on a journey of faith, overcoming obstacles, walking in victory and tackling self esteem issues that many of us face.
The music is presented in a style Keshia refers to as "Churban," a musical style consisting of church music with an urban twist. This is a good assessment, in that this CD seems to be aimed at a youthful audience, yet there is music on here that will appeal to an older audience as well, with foot stomping selections such as "Best Friend of Mine" and "211 N. Cicero."
Beautiful melodies continue with "Cover girl," "Saved" and "You Don't Know."
Urban bangers include "Power," "When I Think," "Knot-1" and the opening track "Jesus" which contains intricate background vocals, reminiscent of Tweet.
Keshia's vocal talent may draw comparisons to many artists, but after listening to this CD a few times (I lost count), I realize only she could've made this CD what it is. With a range to be envied, some may compare her to Karen or Kierra Sheard. Her subtle tones may enlist comparisons of Jill Scott, but her signature growl definitely says "McFarland."
The beauty of this album may lie in the balance that's been struck between new and traditional, upbeat and mellow, strength and vulnerability. This is truly a work of art, a must have for lovers of Gospel Music.
- by S Masai Bond - ATLGospel.com
www.gospelcity.com/music/weekly-dime
Featured as June 2006 "Top Ten Weekly Dime" Artist. - GospelCity.com
www.gospelcity.com/music/weekly-dime
Debut #1 for two weeks in a row. - Ensoundentertainment.com
With a voice set to quicken and make alive even the dying soul and make know to all the testimonies in rich sound, Keshia McFarland is proclaiming the devil is a lier with Covergirl. There are gospel artists that sing, then there are gospel artists that preach with song which is clearly heard on the bangin' Track 3 When I Think which is no doubt the most powerful song on the project. Unlike other projects in this genre where the background vocals get a little bit noisy at times, Keshia's voice is clearly heard and not hidden or over shadowed by any kind of production effects. One of the most interesting and moving interludes you may ever come across can be heard on track 8 Dear Diary. It's a mystery to why the project title was used for such a project as this but, if the title and picture does happen to be on any front mainstream magazines, a huge amount of souls will surely be won.
Other tracks to tune into include; Not -1-, Saved, Been So Good and the groovy song Moving (I can feel the Spirit)
- Nu Flava Magazine
Discography
1. Jesus
2. Power
3. When I Think
4. You Don't Know
5. Best Friend
6. Rap
7. Not-1
8. Dear Diary
9. Covergirl
10. Girl Like Me
11. Saved
12. We Sing
13. Enter In
14. Chuch!
15. 211 N. Cicero
16. Been So Good
17. Moving (I can feel the spirit)
Photos
Feeling a bit camera shy
Bio
Keshia McFarland
Let it be known that Keshia McFarland is not your average Gospel Singer. In fact, what some consider just a special talent, this young lady views it as a sacred calling on her life. Not a day passes where this devoted songstress isn’t tirelessly uplifting her Savior through song. This is her story.
From an early age it was abundantly clear to Keshia that she was called to oracle ministry. From her humble beginnings singing in the children’s choir in her father’s church, 2:11 N. Cicero, on the Westside of Chicago, to watching her sister Kim McFarland’s rise to prominence singing with Walt Whitman and the Soul Children of Chicago as well as the Thompson Community Singers, Keshia has always been surrounded by this beautiful music—this music that told of the wonderful love of Jesus Christ. It was not a coincidence that she was surrounded by this culture of praise. It consumed her very being, and served as prelude to what God was to have her become. Following her own stint singing with Walt Whitman and also time spent ministering with Mark Hubbard and Ricky Dillard and the New Generation Chorale, Keshia was given a new assignment—that of being a solo artist.
Now armed with a divinely inspired album entitled Covergirl set to be released Summer 2006, Keshia has all the makings of Gospel Music’s next superstar. But don’t tell that to her, as her aims are less about her own personal gains, and more about advancing the Kingdom through her ministry. “One of the things that I pledged to do through my music is to help people with their self esteem because it’s an issue that I struggled with in the past,” the singer humbly reveals. “But I came to know that in God’s eyes we are wonderfully made. If you look at my songs, they are happy songs designed to spread God’s abundant love. For example, one of my songs, When I Think talks about the joy I get when I think about the goodness of Jesus. Although we go through challenges and struggles in life, we have to look at the goodness of Jesus as our strength. He’ll never put more on us than we can bear so when trials come, I just want to encourage people to think about and focus on His goodness. I just want to make people happy.”
Longing to establish and maintain a longstanding relevance similar to that of Kirk Franklin, Keshia has brandished her own genre of music aptly titled Churban Music. Seamlessly blending her gospel roots with that of soulful urban music, Keshia has undoubtedly cooked up a fresh recipe capable of reaching the masses right at the point of their needs. “The reasoning behind calling it Churban Music is even though the music has a very urban feel to it, a lot of my adlibs and approaches to the songs are very churchy,” the songstress explains. “The music really speaks to people where they are. For example, when you listen to a song like the title track Covergirl, it really delves deep into the issue of self esteem. The song serves as encouragement to any and everyone that no matter how you look or feel, we are all beautiful because we are all God’s children. I believe that all of my music embodies this song—soulful music with a message.”
And while that should be used as a central theme in our lives, there are many other powerful messages and life lessons found on this highly anticipated debut. Take for example the two hit singles Power and Feel the Spirit Move. Both songs are written to equip and empower the Body, while encouraging and uplifting all by speaking of the immaculate Power in whom we all should find our faith.
So as the curtain begins to rise on such a promising career, one can only wonder how it will all play out for Keshia McFarland and her ministerial pursuits. The stage has now been set. The prayers have been lifted up. The vision has been written and the plan has been put into motion. And if God is for her, who can really be against her? Stay tuned, as this is only the opening chapter of what promises to be a beautiful epic of God’s never ending love displayed through one of his devoted children.
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: NAS TIMMS @ (678) 485-9120 or Info@keshiamcfarland.com
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