Leoni Gardner’s  People Get Ready  CD album is as message driven as previous works, and as distinct. The 8 original songs on the 10 track product are mainly influenced by the Psalms and Revelation. She begins with “In His Word I Hope (Psalm 130),” drawing the listener into a place of calm and healing before the celebratory “It Is A Good Thing (Psalm 92),” with its Latino-Caribbean beat and instrumental influence. The element of praise is here well captured as in “I Will Rejoice.” “The Mark” is a non-condescending but frank treatment of Revelation 13 & 14. “The Lord Is My Shepherd” is a somber, haunting version of the psalm, enriched by the artist’s soaring soprano.

The reviewer hopes that “Final Knock,” a rich cantata piece, will garner attention from chorale/choir leaders and arrangers. Great potential! The version of “O Thou In Whose Presence,” is brilliant engineering with its well calibrated echo effect. There’s more. The delivery is uncomplicated and yet so memorable. It stays with you, as does the concluding cut, the title track: “People Get Ready (The Hymn Coming Again.”  Vocal and instrumental arrangements make this arguably the major accomplishment of this project. The ¾ timing experimentation has paid off in a wonderful compromise between solemnity and joyful expectation. 

Previously with her Prepare Ye The Way Of The Lord CD, The singer/songwriter carved her niche in Christian inspirational music with her Celtic sound. What was more noteworthy was her sense of prophetic urgency and her scriptural soundness. In her aptly titled production, her lyrics drew heavily from the Bible. The Sabbath, The Ten Commandments, Second Coming, and the Three Angels' Messages of Revelation 14, were all proclaimed in this package.

The final item-cut 11, is the title track.  "He's coming soon, He's coming soon! Repent, Repent for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand/ Prepare Ye the way of the Lord." The strident refrain, with the artist's soprano fluttering through the choir's crescendo is a convincing climax to a courageous and significant project.

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Leoni Gardner