Janna (CD - 2002)

London Sessions, The Nashville String Machine (strings); Blair Masters (piano, Hammond B-3 organ); Joe Canaday (bass); Steve Brewster (drums);

Eric Darken (percussion); Mooki, Bernie Harris (programming); Michael Mellett, Jovaun Woods, Jerard Woods, Kim Keyes, Robyn Neal, Yvonne Hodres, Nick Colton (background vocals).

Producers: Mark Hammond, Brown Bannister, Mooki.

Personnel: Janna Long (background vocals); Michael Ripoll (guitar, acoustic guitar, electric guitar, classical guitar); Jerry McPherson (guitar, electric guitar); Kenny Greenberg, Tom Bukovac, Akil Thompson (electric guitar); Nashville String Machine, London Session Orchestra (strings); Blair Masters (piano, keyboards); Mooki (midi keyboard, drum programming); Steve Brewster (drums); Eric Darken (percussion); Mark Hammond, Bernie Herms, Brian Steckler (programming); Jovaun Woods, Terri White, Jerard Woods, Michael Mellett, Yvonne Hodges, Kim Keyes (background vocals).

Audio Mixers: F. Reid Shippen; Marcelo Pennell; Steve Bishir.

Recording information: EMI Abbey Road Studios, London, England; Quad Studios, Nashville, TN; Rec Room Studios; Sound Emporium, Nashville, TN; Sound Kitchen.

Editor: Dave Dillbeck.

Photographer: Randee Saint Nicholas.

It's always exciting to see how fans of a popular ensemble will respond to the first solo recording by a key member, but the powerful voice and solid material choice by Janna Long should be enough to convince Avalon's fans she's for real. The group has won both Grammys and Doves (their Christian counterparts), and Mark Hammond and Brown Bannister's productions here reflect the same type of dual approach the group's recordings have -- slick, funky, and hooky anthems and ballads loaded with deep spiritual conviction and passion. Most likely, lighthearted pop confections like the opening track, "Greater Is He," and the rock gospel of "Overjoyed" are more likely to catch on with the group's younger fans, but the real power of this disc comes from the torchy ballads like "Somebody Loves You," "Call," and the classic in the making "In Christ Alone." Lyrically, none of these truly rise above the typical spiritual encouragement of many similar songs, but coming from Long, they sound like fresh communications from God to her to her listener, who may be down at the moment. ~ Jonathan Widran minimize