Bethany Devine “Daily Confessions” Album Review

Prime Cuts: El Shaddai, Release, Sleep Like a Baby

Hearing Bethany Devine's "Daily Confessions" is like reading her own personal blog.  Each track of this newly released disc is a page turner where we encounter her story after story of her personal struggles, triumphant and faith in Jesus Christ.  Indeed, Devine has had lived a colorful life:  born in Rock Arkansas, she was the daughter of a pastor.  Thus, from an early age, Devine has been singing both in church and together with her family group DIVINE.  Things started going awry in her first age at college.  She was sexually assaulted which so dampened her outlook on life that she gave up both schooling and singing.  Only after she decided to go back to school after a bout with depression did her love for singing rekindled.  It was then she met her loving husband who encouraged her to be part of Sunday Best where she became a finalist.  However, not long after tragedy steam rolled through starting with the death of her father, grandmother and even her husband.

Never one given to despair, Devine has lived through all her pains. Now she's standing victorious to testify of how God has brought her through.  "Daily Confessions," is her long awaited debut album that she has released under Asaph Ward-owned label Miralex Entertainment. Devine is, in fact, the imprint's fledging artist and this is also the label's first musical foray.  Naturally, all the 12 songs (with two interludes), save for a cover of Amy Grant's "El Shaddai" and the old church favorite "You Brought Me," were co-penned by Ward and Devine.   Ward who also oversees the production has a hefty CV which includes producing over forty records for artists as diverse as Mary J. Blige, Kim Burrell, Coko, Smokie Norful, Dorinda Clark-Cole among many others. "Daily Confessions" opens with a sizzler of a hit with the upbeat "Get Up."  Featuring a staccato of crisp drum beat undergirding a danceable tune, "Get Up" is standing room only for those who are victorious in Jesus. "Release," on the other hand, doesn't minimize our pain and frustrations that we may have about life and sufferings.  Rather, like a gentle sister in Christ, Devine comes alongside us urging us to release them to the Lord.   Calling to mind Psalm 121:4 that the Lord doesn't slumber or sleep, "Sleep Like a Baby" is comfort food for the soul.  The song gently speaks of allowing God to keep vigil in our darkest nights while we rest in his keeping.

Equally powerful is "Miracle;" sonically this lead single has a ring of old school R&B.  But when it comes to the song's message, Devine never is one to leave God's miraculous ways stymied in the past.  With even a segment where we even find Devine preaching, "Miracle" finds her pouring her entire soul into the song.  Despite what sickness and death have done to her loved ones, she is not one to give up on her family with the calypso-beat "Family."  Yet, the album's most moving pieces are when Devine is enthralled in God's greatness evidenced in her gorgeous version of Amy Grant's "El Shaddai."  While Grant's version was more light-hearted, Devine adds her more supple vocals giving this Michard Card and John Thompson composition a firmer and reassuring read.

As they say, confession is good for the soul.  But with Devine's "Daily Confession," the soul gets pampered.

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