Get the new FREE JFH MP3 compilation -- Vol. 13!
Get the new FREE JFH MP3 compilation -- Vol. 13!

JFH Music Review




Bebo Norman
Between The Dreaming And The Coming True



Artist Info: Discography
Album length: 11 tracks: 43 minutes, 12 seconds
Street Date: September 19, 2006


Since his start in music, Bebo Norman has become a voice for the brokenhearted. Norman's music has been distinctly folk-oriented from the beginning, but as it has evolved musically and lyrically, the artist has stretched his limits and broadened his horizons to explore new territory. Upon finding love and marriage prior to his last release, Try, Bebo's melancholy yet often worshipful folk-based pop sound was rebirthed as much more positive and hopeful. His latest project, Between The Dreaming And The Coming True, takes what was started with Try to the next level, while returning to explore more deeply life's trials through a positive light.

BigBlueSky and Myself When I Am Real were decidedly more accessibly written when they released several years ago. Try, although a notably more upbeat record, held more true to Bebo's folk roots. This time around, the changes that come along with Between The Dreaming And The Coming True feel appropriate as the next phase in Norman's musical memoirs. An organ and Norman's friendly and inviting vocal style dawn the opening track, "Into the Day (It's Over Now)," a sort of theme for hope in dark times. Heartache is an inescapable part of life and Norman uses the duration of this album to thematically explore the process of finding hope to keep us going in the midst of trials. Norman's signature folk sound has given way to more full, pop flavorings that seem to aid in the emotion of the songs. He even incorporates the use of an electric guitar on the lead off track as well as the memorable, worship-minded prayer "Be My Covering."

Through melody and Bebo's soothing vocal presence, Norman turns the struggles of life into something beautiful. The cradling arms of "Time Takes Its Toll On Us" and "The Way We Mend" continue to offer nods to the hurting to reassure them that they're not alone through painful struggles. "I Know Now" is Bebo's difficult realization of how freeing it can be to truly lay burdens at the foot of the cross, while "I Will Lift My Eyes" follows in the golden footsteps of such mold-breaking worship brilliance as his previous hit, "Great Light Of The World." Some may dare to say Norman has typecast himself by singing so much about brokenness and pain, but the undeniable truth is that few seem to relate their experiences to song the way this artist does.

Those who gravitated toward his more intimate, stripped-down songwriting are not forsaken. While some tracks, like the openers and "My Eyes Have Seen Holy" for example, are presented on a grander scale than his more humble beginnings, fans will appreciate the inclusion of songs like "I Know Now," "Find My Way To You," and "Sunday." Ten of the eleven tracks are cowritten with another songwriter (eight of them with the help of worship leader Jason Ingram), giving Norman further lyrical reach, but the untrained ear would never know the artist hadn't penned each song solely himself. Enough of what listeners have come to love and appreciate about Bebo shines through on the majority of the record.

A fine addition to an always impressive catalog of music, Bebo Norman's latest venture Between The Dreaming And The Coming True serves as a fair mix between the infectious melancholy folk pop of Myself When I Am Real, and the more upbeat approach the artist took with Try. Once again taking everyday life experiences, from love to heartache to loss, and balancing it out with heartfelt and meaningful worship, it's hard not to want to say that Mr. Norman's done it again.

- Review date: 8/30/06, written by John DiBiase



(JFH Sponsor Spot)

Check out JFH's Lloyd in his first-ever childrens book!

 

CDs

Buy This CD Online


. Artist Info: Discography
. Record Label: Essential Records
. Album length: 11 tracks: 43 minutes and 12 seconds
. Street Date: September 19, 2006
. Buy It: Amazon.com

  1. Into the Day
  2. Be My Covering
  3. Time Takes It's Toll on Us
  4. I Know Now
  5. I Will Lift My Eyes
  6. The Way We Mend
  7. To Find My Way to You
  8. Bring Me to Life
  9. My Eyes Have Seen Holy
  10. Sunday
  11. Now That You're Gone
spacer Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics

 

 

go to main Album review page
go to Album review archive

 


(JFH Sponsor Spot)

 

 

                 
Check out JFH's Lloyd in his first-ever childrens book!

Search JFH




This Tuesday, November 19, 2024
SINGLES
Mat Kearney Certainty - Single (independent)

This Wednesday, November 20, 2024
ALBUMS
1K Phew Let Go Let God: The EP [Reach]

SINGLES
Drew & Ellie Holcomb High Seas - Single [Magnolia]
Sleeping At Last Let It Snow - Single (independent)

This Thursday, November 21, 2024
ALBUMS
The Choir Translucent (independent)

SINGLES
Wilder Woods Curioso [Dualtone]

This Friday, November 22, 2024
ALBUMS
Coqui I'll Still Have Christmas Day - EP [DREAM]
for KING & COUNTRY A Drummer Boy Christmas (LIVE) [Curb]
The Kingsmen Decades: Vol. 3 & 4 [Horizon]
Jonathan McReynolds Red & Green - EP [Capitol CMG/Motown]
NEEDTOBREATHE Acoustic Live Vol. 1 (CD Reissue) [Omnivore]
NEEDTOBREATHE Live From The Woods (CD Reissue) [Omnivore]
R.kitect Vicious Circles - EP (independent)
Run51 Let's Celebrate - EP [DREAM]
Van Zant Always Look Up [Frontiers Music]

SINGLES
7eventh Time Down I Speak Jesus - Single [BEC]
99 APEX Find A Way Freestyle - Single [Syntax]
Cory Asbury You're Still The One - Single [BEC]
Ashes Remain Lost Light - Single [BEC]
Paul Baloche Angels We Have Heard On High/Glorious (feat. Sarah Kroger) - Single [Integrity]
Elan Brio Sun Rays - Single (independent)
Amy Jay And So It Goes - Single (independent)
Jericko Holy Ground - Single [Syntax]
Reece Lache' Energy - Single (independent)
Vic Lucas Presha - Single [Syntax]
Cliff & Antoinette Murray O Emanuel - Single [DREAM]
Procyse, Dave A. You’re Not Free - Single [Polished Arrow]
River Valley Worship This is Our Jesus (feat. Moriah Christian) - Single [BEC]
Vineyard Worship Royal Son - Single [Integrity]

VINYL
NEEDTOBREATHE Acoustic Live Vol. 1 (Vinyl Reissue) [Omnivore]
NEEDTOBREATHE Live From The Woods (Vinyl Reissue) [Omnivore]

Next Thursday, November 28, 2024
VINYL
Van Zant Always Look Up Vinyl [Girder]

Next Friday, November 29, 2024
ALBUMS
Sixpence None the Richer Dawn of Grace (Deluxe) [Flatiron]
Thrive Worship Christmas, Vol. 2 - EP [Integrity]

SINGLES
ICF Worship Light of the World - Single [Integrity]
Selah Glory Hallelujah (feat. Mike Weaver) - Single [Integrity]
Slow Salvation The Ghost of Christmas Past - Single [Velvet Blue]
Uche Agu, Revival Today Worship Medley of Hymns - Single [DREAM]

VINYL
Sixpence None the Richer Dawn of Grace (Deluxe) Vinyl (Record Store Day Exclusive!) [Flatiron]



For all release dates, click here!
 



Check out the new album from Taylor Holland Armstrong!



Listen to the new Single from Second Adam and the New Creations!

Check out depositphotos for royalty free images