Carolyn Traylor - There's A Story Behind My Praise

By Peggy Oliver

To sing or not to sing. Surely gospel music can heal wounds. At a specific, excruciating time in the life of Carolyn Traylor, singing uplifting songs, and a mighty pinch of grace, saved her sanity.

The sophomore CD, There’s A Story Behind My Praiseserves a heavy appetite of Southern fried church, graced with encouragement for the Body of Christ. Under the guidance of Olivia Branch Walker at Texas Southern University, Traylor launched her career participating in the college choir after years of off-and-on singing through childhood. After the death of thirteen family members in a short time, the Lord beckoned her further to sing in various congregations throughout the South.

Besides sharing the stage with John P. Kee, Vickie Winans, and many more, Traylor’s journey led to European tours with Willie Neal Johnson & The Gospel Keynotes; then two years later with Dr. Bobby Jones and the Nashville Super Choir for two straight Easter outings in Italy. After inking with Malaco Records, the Texas singer/songwriter was blessed to have a gospel giant in the production chair on her debut as Evangelist Dorothy Norwood plus Jones’ pianist Derrick Lee would produce Traylor’s debut, Don’t Wanna’ Be Left Behind.

Supplying Malaco “thick as molasses” blues, Getting Outta Your Way deters people from their stubborn wills. The title track, co-written by Traylor, praises the Lord all over the place. It stresses that His protection is especially apparent even after the loss of several family members: “He kept my mind.”

The super-charged, a capella testimonial, It’s Already Now challenges everyone to treat our spouses right and repent of our sins so we can “get into position.”

Deep Down In My Heart pours out love, call and response style, decked with fuzz guitar and funky backbeats.

From the pen of worship composer, V. Michael McKay, Your Time instructs us to follow Jesus’ blueprint in receiving the benefits and enhancing our season. Traylor’s softer side is on display, backed by floating piano and strings.

If you came to clap your hands and stomp your feet, Lift Him Up absolutely accommodates: “If I be lifted up from the earth, I will draw all men to me” (John 12:32).

On a motivational theme, Redemption and Sun Will Rise Again are easy listening ballads written by co-producer Marquis Edgerton (Friends In Unity Mass Choir).As Traylor and company Call Jesus, the in the pocket punctuations remind us His name alone sends power surges down our spine. Glad follows a similar contagious path as Traylor shouts, “I want to be in that number.” An extremely perceptive reading of Don’t Know Why from the Thomas Dorsey archives, examines how to trust Him despite our misunderstandings.

No Credit simply states let the Lord have the glory in everything that edifies everyone. To close out, it’s time for the spirit to explode and coax those passive praise participants with Getting The Spirit.

Heading up production and musical direction on There’s A Story…, are keyboardists Edgerton and David Blakely, who has been around the gospel music block with Virtue, Edwin Hawkins Singers, etc. They weave feisty older-school praise stompers as well as contemporary ambiance. The project excels a bit more with the former, but the highlights arise from the title track, the acapella It’s Already Yours, and reinterpreting the McKay and Dorsey pieces. For the most part, Traylor knows how and when to minister in a quiet manner, flex that muscular voice, or impart a mighty word for someone in need. In the meantime, there will be more stories behind her praise and lots of singing to back it up.