Search - Kathy Troccoli :: Story of Love

Troccoli's "Story" Deserves Repeated Listening

T. Yap | Sydney, NSW, Australia | 12/13/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Prime Cuts: Pick Yourself Up, Mercy, Make My Life a Prayer to You



Love, both divine as well as human, plays the leading role in Troccoli's latest venture "The Story of Love." With songs exploring the complexities of love, this aptly titled disc is also Dove award winner's most affecting album. No longer a mendicant for chart success this self-released record abandons those radio-candy pop ditties of her earlier career. Rather, in place are more personal and worship ballads some of which laced with jazzy overtones. Further, no longer is Troccoli reticent of her faith camouflaging the Son of God behind the ubiquitous pronoun "he." Instead, the lyrics of two of these 10 entries here are direct adaptation of Scripture. Without given to any vocal histrionics, Troccoli's richly textured alto, though quite subdued at times, is in prime form.



Ever since her Christmas CD, Troccoli has demonstrated her penchant for jazz. Hence, it comes as no surprise that at the book ends of this album are two secular standards of the bygone area. First of which is George Shearing's "Pick Yourself Up," a lilting bossa nova gem with the glowing message of resisting defeat after setbacks--a theme not dissonant in the Troccoli's Christian milieu. While the album's closer "The Glory of Love," a track often associated with Benny Goodman and Peggy Lee, finds a jovial Troccoli scatting away with robust and elation in an Ella Fritzgerald style. With jazz almost coming off eloquently as Troccoli's musical mother tongue, may we be too presumptuous to expect a full-on jazz album some time down the line?



Though there are some jazzy elements here and there, the rest of the tracks are mostly worshipful ballads. Most in keeping with her repertoire (a la "My Life is in Your Hands" and "Go Light Your World") is the lead single "Make My Life a Prayer," a power ballad of surrender to God that shows Troccoli's vocal wonders in its finest arrays. More subdued, though by no means spiritually inferior, are "Psalm 34," "Talk to Jesus" and "Mercy." These paeans are devotional prayers sung to God with a sense of brokenness that quietly allures us to God's presence. While the gorgeous "Friend for Life" with its heartwarming message of companionship looks like an anthem that could befit a myriad of situations from weddings to anniversaries to graduations to funerals; it is one of those universally inspiring numbers.



If there are any teeth to pick, it has to be that the album as a whole suffers from too much of a balladry feel. If you are looking for another "Everything Changes" or "I Call Him Love," disappointments will abound. Knowing that Troccoli has gone for the worship-balladry bent ever since her 2005 "Draw Me Close" effort, it would not hurt to have a couple of faster paced numbers just to balance the tone of the album a little. Also with a meager 10 tracks, this is on the thrifty end of things. Nevertheless, for songs that demonstrate rumination performed by a seasoned voice that demonstrates conviction and compassion, you will not go wrong with "The Story of Love." For this is a "story" that deserves repeated listening."