Joy
Williams
Joy
Williams, Reunion Records, 2001
Reviewed by Charity Culwell
September 10, 2001
Glancing
at the cover of this self-titled debut album, I thought, “Does the music world
really need another sugary pop singer?” William’s
blonde hair and broad Colgate smile parallels the look of many mainstream young
adult singers such as Brittany Spears, Christina Aguilera, Jessica Simpson and
Stacie Orrico. The first 15 seconds
of digital ‘heys’ only seemed to confirm my suspicions, but my mind was
quickly altered by Joy Williams’ rich voice and vibrant persona.
Williams
turned down a music contract at age 14 to enjoy a “normal” adolescence.
Now she is a recent graduate from Valley Christian High School in San
Jose, California. Williams really
seems to be a girl that has everything going her way; she held a 4.0 GPA, was
student body president, yearbook editor, cut her first album, toured with Summer
Jam and still found time to go water surfing.
Yet
through it all, Williams gives glory to God for who He is and where God is
taking her. “I am so thankful for
these amazing opportunities…but in Jeremiah 29:11 God says ‘For I know the plans I have for you…’ and those plans are
PLANS, plural. There’s not just
one. It’s my job to stay close to
the Lord every day and study the Word…so I can listen to His voice and follow
his plans for me.”
Magazine
articles rave about the humility and maturity she exudes.
This was evident in a recent performance at Gospel Music Week when her
microphone went dead while singing. Instead
of getting flustered, Joy Williams stepped around the microphone and sang
directly to the audience. The
result was a standing ovation.
Williams’
love for people helps drive her. “It wasn’t just that I loved singing.
It was that I loved people. I
loved how God allowed me to be used in people’s lives, to be a vessel of His
delight in them, in us. That part
doesn’t have anything to do with me. I
knew I could sing, but a lot of people can sing,” she admits.
This
attitude can be felt through Williams’ favorite song, “Do They See Jesus In
Me”.
Accompanied only by a piano, Williams’ voice rings out as a cry that
every Christian asks himself. This
song is mellow and worshipful, demonstrating her immense vocal talent.
Another
worship song Williams sings is “Home.”
Written by R&B singer and songwriter Brian McKnight,
this song reminds the listener that a sinner can always find his way back home
to Christ.
“You Know Better Than I” is from the
Joseph: King of Dreams
soundtrack. You can feel her heart
pouring out through her music. It
is obvious that her spirit truly believes the words she sings.
“It’s
All Good” is an odd choice for the first song on the CD. At first, digital
voices gave me the impression it was mimicking today’s secular pop music.
It is the least appealing song, not because it lacks quality, but because
the words and music are generic.
Other
lively songs, “Up” and “No Less,” marry her youth and energy with her
talent.
Each
song on this album, whether new or not, has strength as well as depth.
Williams’ gift and love for God is a combination that can take her to
great heights in the Christian music world. She has a great career ahead of her
as long as Williams believes what she sings in “Serious:”
I’m serious about the
stand I’m taking
Serious
about the choice I’m making
Serious
about the things I believe
I’m
serious about the talk I’m talking
The
evidence is in the walk I’m walking
Serious
about love and purity
I’m
serious as I can be
If
you are serious about a CD that glorifies Christ and has fun doing it, then you
will enjoy this new album from the young Joy
Williams. And if you do not
find it to be your style, hang around because I have a hunch she is not leaving
the Christian music scene any time soon.
ninetyandnine.com
ã
2001, Charity Culwell
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Charity
Culwell currently attends Saint
Louis University in pursuit of her Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education,
and works as the receptionist at New Life Pentecostal Church in Bridgeton, MO.
The rest of the time she juggles youth work, social fun and CD reviews.
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