Tori Kelly’s Hiding Place CD Review

by Heather Bock

Don’t miss a chance to win a free copy of this new cd–keep reading until the end!

This week I had the opportunity to receive a copy of Tori Kelly’s new cd, Hiding Place, and review it here. Honestly, I had never heard of Tori Kelly before I was asked if I wanted to review her newest Christian cd, but I found her on YouTube singing a song for the movie Sing, decided I liked her voice and wanted to try out her music. I also saw that this cd was produced by Kirk Franklin, with all of the songs either written or co-written by him. Kirk Franklin (a twelve-time Grammy award-winning singer) has collaborated with a favorite artist of mine–Toby Mac–and I liked his music there, so I really wanted to give this a try.

At first, as I listened, I thought that her style wasn’t quite mine since the first songs were heavy on gospel, and although I could recognize she has a powerful, beautiful voice, I didn’t enjoy her songs very much at the beginning. I had it on in the background and stopped fully listening. Then I reached the last song on the cd: “Soul’s Anthem (It Is Well).” My ears perked up as I heard Tori, backed by a gospel choir, belt out the always stirring melody and words of “It Is Well.” The familiar hymn had been changed quite a bit, but the chorus refrain made several cameos, and it didn’t take long for me to be hooked. I turned it up and fully listened.

After several plays in my car, I realized that the first four songs, although equipped with interesting and engaging lyrics (an advantage that all the songs on the cd have), really don’t represent a style of music I fully enjoy, but for some reason, tracks five through eight (it’s a short cd) struck a chord with me.

Song five, called “Psalm 42,” also includes a theme I can relate to–a thirsting after God, our Living Water. It’s a prayer I have often prayed. I love how the sixth song, “Questions” takes on hard questions unashamedly. I admire how the songwriter wrestles with them and doesn’t even fully come to an answer, but leaves the listener with hope anyway. It’s an honest song, one we don’t always find on Christian radio.

Tori Kelly can be described as a pop singer, but she does have an R&B flavor, and although I know some R&B singers exist in the Christian music world, it seems to me that not enough are to be found. I’m delighted to find this level of excellence singing praises to my Jesus!

Here’s a link to a video of “Never Alone featuring Kirk Franklin”: Video

If you’re interested in purchasing this cd, you can find it here: Buy it!

CD Giveaway

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Giveaways are open to residents of the continental U.S. and Canada who haven’t won a prize from me within a year only.

I will announce the winner by Saturday, September 22, so look for it! If I don’t hear from the winner within a week, I will draw another name. Thank you!

Disclosure (in accordance with the FTC’s 16 CFR, Part 255:  “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”): Many thanks to Propeller Consulting, LLC for providing this prize for the giveaway. Choice of winner and opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation. I did receive a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post. Only one entrant per mailing address, per giveaway.  If you have won a prize from our sponsor Propeller/FlyBy Promotions in the last 30 days on the same blog, you are not eligible to win.  Or if you have won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again.  Winner is subject to eligibility verification.