The Christian Manifesto

GENRE: GOSPEL

LABEL: HALLEL MUSIC

RELEASE DATE: JUNE 28, 2008

RATING: 3 OUT OF 5

Nutshell Version:

Rainy’s sound takes me back to a better time. Rainy boasts a full band to back up her great vocals, which are reminiscent of Tramaine Hawkins and early CeCe Winans. Overall, Rainy’s debut, “One Precious Moment” is a great effort. In a world characterized by synthesized instrumentation and overly manipulated vocals, it is rare to get an album full of pianos, guitars, horns, violas, violins, and the like. It makes for a very full sound. Fans of gospel music—not the flash-and-cash style of gospel we see so much today—will definitely enjoy Rainy’s sound. 

Full Version:

We at The Christian Manifesto don’t often get the chance to review gospel music. As it is, we just don’t receive a lot of it from the record companies. I suppose this is why I was so excited when I received Rainy’s “One Precious Moment,” her debut album with Hallel Music. It’s nice to have a change of pace every now and again…not to mention the music is good. And it’s actually music (more on that later).

Rainy’s sound takes me back to a better time. That isn’t to say her music is dated, but rather it hearkens back to a time when gospel music was doing things the rest of the Christian music world wasn’t ready for. Rainy boasts a full band (all the instruments on this album are real) to back up her great vocals, which are reminiscent of Tramaine Hawkins and early CeCe Winans.

The album leaves the gates with the track, “Get Ready.” The track is raucous and engaging and a very apropos starter, imploring listeners to be ready for Christ’s return. However, while that is the spiritual message, the other message of the song is for the listener to prepare themselves for Rainy’s sound. “R.S.V.P.” follows and is surprisingly measured. A jazzy-bluesy piece, Rainy encourages people to call upon God when our burdens are heavy. “The King Is Coming” definitely feels like its early 80’s gospel music and surprisingly, I liked it. The collision of various voices, the trumpets to communicate the theme, the tune is lithe and fun to listen to. “Number Our Days” is one of the album’s better tracks, featuring an ominous guitar line, which is quite a feat considering the speed of the song itself. Title track “One Precious Moment” is a contemplative piece and Rainy sings, Give me one precious moment with you/Show me all of your glory and truth/To sit with my father in mercy made new/Is all I am asking of you… The string section and choir add to the weight of the piece.

Though I thoroughly enjoyed the album, it is not without its drawbacks. “You Decreed It,” while fast-paced, catchy, and theologically potent, doesn’t really engage me as a listener.  “Lift Him Up” is another fast-pace, poppy song, but is comes across as a bit clichéd and cheesy.

Overall, Rainy’s debut, “One Precious Moment” is a great effort. In a world characterized by synthesized instrumentation and overly manipulated vocals, it is rare to get an album full of pianos, guitars, horns, violas, violins, and the like. It makes for a very full sound. Fans of gospel music—not the flash-and-cash style of gospel we see so much today—will definitely enjoy Rainy’s sound. 

Track Listing

1. Get Ready
2. R.S.V.P.
3. You Decreed It
4. More Lord
5. The King Is Coming
6. Number Our Days
7. One Precious Moment
8. The Full Armor
9. Nothing Left To Hide
10. In Your Presence
11. Lift Him Up
12. You Are Here