Review
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Title: What Heaven Feels Like
Artist: Callee Reed
Publisher: Shadow Mountain
Genre: Christian Pop and Contemporary Music
Year Published: 2015
1 Compact Disc Audio CD
ASIN: B00YXRPDMG
Price: $7.00
Reviewed by Elizabeth W. Roach for the Association for Mormon Letters
“What Heaven Feels Like” is the newest Callee Reed audio CD from Shadow Mountain. The cover photos show her in a vibrantly colored dress in a calm peaceful natural setting. It is a remarkably accurate portrayal of her music, which is vibrant, lively, colorful, engaging, uplifting, and beautiful with the background of quiet steady faith and peaceful assurance.
This artist is new to me and as I listened, I found her voice pleasant and strong, buoyant and clear. The seven songs on this CD showcase a variety of musical styles from devotional to pop and she sings them all quite credibly. The selections are easy to listen to and I found myself listening to it often in the car and humming different songs throughout the day. She has written her heart into this music and what comes out is that each song is underpinned by her testimony of Jesus Christ.
Reed has written most of the music on this CD, at least two of the songs for other people in her life. I found I could relate with the songs and each of them touched me in a distinct way. “What Heaven Feels Like” remembers the wonderful memories of being with a special someone who has gone on and the hope that the relationship will continue into the future. “Sunshine” reflects her relationship with her young daughter. “I Am Enough” is very energizing, affirming the idea that while I cannot be everything to everyone in my life, I am enough and I am headed in the right direction. “Possible” and “Miraculous” speak of hope, faith, and praise for divine miracles. “Living Water” and “Come Unto Christ” are fittingly the beginning and the end of this CD and serve as brackets or supports that hold all the other songs together. “Living Water” is a personal testimony of her need to have Christ’s presence in her life and “Come Unto Christ” is an invitation for others to join her in seeking Christ’s path.
At the end of her acknowledgments, she includes a scripture: Alma 29:1, 9. “Oh, that I were an angel, and could have the wish of my heart…” Through her music, her voice, and her message, I think she is well on her way to realizing that wish.