Blase - Live & Learn

By Em Fergusson

'Bold in the Lord and spiritually excited,' describes the meaning of Blase, a female trio eager to share their singing talent and love for God. Blase's sophomore debut, Live and Learn combines songs infused with messages of hope, spiritual renewal and praise.

Keshia Smith-Jones, Sharletha Woodard and Michelle York make up the group, Blase. The three women are originally from Houston , Texas and have been singing together since 2002. All three singers are not new to singing and performing. Smith-Jones, who founded Blase, has been singing and writing since an early age and has sung back-up for gospel performers such as Donnie McClurkin and Richard Smallwood. Woodard grew up in the same St. Agnes church in Houston as Smith-Jones and performed with Yolanda Simmons-Jones and Purpose. Both Smith-Jones and Woodard sang with the St. Agnes Church Choir. York 's talent also began at an early age.

Title track, Live and Learn explains how God is the only one you can count on in time of need. In this day and age, "You'll live and learn/Time will always tell/Who's on your side and in your corner/Look to Him…" The theme of learning to lean on God for strength and faith through troubled times, is a strong message expressed numerous times on the album.

The album begins with the fiery, high-tempo track, Better. The expressive song is praising God for the unlimited blessings He pours over His children. Every minute of every day, the lyrics say, living for Christ will ignite the soul and assure the mind that everything will be alright. The focus of the track is that life is so much better when one surrenders to God. The last track on the album is entitled Love Medley. The trio combines a number of soft traditional hymns and ballads in praise and worship. The choruses of Love Lifted Me, The Blood and the old-fashioned, Oh How I Love Jesus are reminiscent of church meetings . If you have spent hours in a heated camp meeting service where God's anointed was so powerful, you will be blessed at how these songs bring back revival meeting memories.