Review by Patrick Joseph & Sylvie Marie
Harold and Paula Vega Vondenstein are Bible Belt Blues, an award winning husband and wife Gospel Blues duo from Gulfport, Mississippi. Their music is reminiscent of early Mississippi Bentonia blues with a focus on full-fledged repentance and church revival songs. Bible Belt Blues has released two Christian albums, "I’m Not Ashamed to Be a Christian" and "My God, My God" and won the coveted 2019 Josie Music Award for Gospel/ Christian Duo.
“Are You Ready?” appropriately has a train sound effect at the beginning of the track. This sets the stage perfectly for what is an absolute steam-train of a song. The acoustic guitar playing, by Harold, has tons of swagger and rhythmic intensity, providing a backbone for the music while his soaring vocals preach over top. Syncopated strumming keeps listeners on their toes and on their dancing feet. The vocal take on this track is impassioned and earnest. Listeners will love the gritty overall effect of this music.
“Are You Ready?” also features a spastic and elastic guitar solo that will grab you by the bones. True “feeling of the moment” is present in this lyrical solo (and everywhere else on this song) which elevates the music and injects a new timbre. A blues form acts as a container for the music which seems to spill out of the cracks and swirl around in the air. Listening to “Are You Ready?” is tantamount to a spiritual journey. Say a prayer and prepare yourself for this musical experience.
The lyrics of "Are You Ready?" were composed by Paula Vega Vondestein who is the group's producer and visionary. "Are You Ready? is not about getting ready to go to Church on Sunday morning. It's not about getting dressed in your Sunday best, eating your breakfast, grabbing your Bible, warming up the car, or getting to Church on time. Not one to go with the status quo, Paula takes "getting ready" to whole new level, a super power level. Her highly visual lyrics feel like an action packed movie.
Are you ready to see the nations being brought down, brought down to their knees? Are you ready to see the wicked ones come to full repentance? Are you ready? Ready to witness a shaking that this world this world has never known? Are you ready? Ready to witness a shaking that this world has never known?
Paula's exciting lyrics come directly from the Book of Acts in the Bible. In one sense, the idea of nations falling to their knees and the world shaking under your feet is a bit frightening, but it is also very powerful and promising. The Holy Spirit can move mountains. With faith, all is possible.
Are you ready to see the Holy Spirit move in mighty ways? Ohhhhh..yeah mighty ways
Are you ready to see mountains move that man said were impossible?
Are you ready to see this generation seek His Holy Face?
Paula never refers to wearing fancy clothes, memorizing bible verses, or getting to Church on time. The two themes that come across in the song are simple: getting to know the Lord and repentance. Are you ready to take your faith to a super power level?
About Bible Belt Blues
Harold and Paula Vega Vondenstein are Bible Belt Blues, an award winning husband and wife Gospel Blues duo from Gulfport, Mississippi. Their music is reminiscent of early Mississippi Bentonia blues with a focus on full-fledged repentance and church revival songs. Bible Belt Blues has released two Christian albums, "I’m Not Ashamed to Be a Christian" and "My God, My God" and won the coveted 2019 Josie Music Award for Gospel/ Christian Duo.
2020 was an exceptional year for Bible Belt Blues with twenty six of their songs receiving radio airplay, extensive media coverage (song reviews, articles, and interviews), and numerous nominations and awards including the 2020 W.A.M. Music Award for Best Gospel/ Christian Lyrics for “We Worship the King of Kings,” the 2020 InterContinental Music Awards Finalist for Best Gospel/Christian-America for their songs, “Are You Ready?” and “Down the Rabbit Hole,” the 2020 Josie Music Awards Finalist Nomination for Duo of the Year, the 2020 Gulf Coast Gospel Music Awards’ Song of the Year Nomination for “Down the Rabbit Hole,” the 2020 Christian Songwriting Contest Finalist Award for “Soften My Hardened Heart,” the 2020 Song of the Year Competition Finalist Award for “Holy Revival,” and the 2020 UK Songwriting Contest Commended Entries for two songs: 5 Stars for “Down the Rabbit Hole” and 4 Stars for “I Pledge Allegiance To My Jesus.” During 2020 Bible Belt Blues released five new songs and are currently working on their 3rd album. Bible Belt Blues’ music was included in two compilation albums by Bongo Boy Records that were released in 2020 with two songs on their “Consecration Revival Vol. 1” Christian album and two songs on their “Backroom Blues Volume Nine” album. Bible Belt Blues' songs have charted numerous times on the Roots Music Report and on WNIR Radio's Top 10 Chart every month since January of 2020. They were the inspiration behind the creation of WNIR Radio's new Christian Program, "Spirit & Soul." Bible Belt Blues gives all glory to God for the doors He continues to open for their blossoming music ministry.
Fore more information on Bible Belt Blues, please visit their website.
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