Artist: Dora Pop

Project Title: Who Am I

Label: Independent

Producer: Jason Wall

Reviewed By: Scott Evans

Purchase this project at: www.myspace.com/dorapopmusic

A few years ago I became acquainted with a name in the Southern Gospel Industry.  That name was Dora Pop.  Dora worked in the industry for a couple of years but she has now released her debut project and it is truly a great one.

The project begins with "In The Day Of The Lord."  I love this song as it talks of the day that we will be united with Christ on the day of His Returning.  What a great song and a great presentation of that thought.  "Storyteller" is the next song and this song reminds the listen that we all need to be telling the story of Jesus and the life changing message in our lives.  The next song on the project is a very good one.  The song is titled "Open The Sea" and this song reminds us of the parting of the Red Sea and it goes on to ask the Lord to part the sea in our lives.  The song is very well written by Amy Henning and Dora delivers an awesome performance on the song.  Dora has a couple of special guests on this project and the next song features one of my favorites.  Dora is joined by the Perrys on "The Rock" and the result is simply outstanding.  I love the line in the chorus that says "the stone could not hold back the Rock."  The Perrys are in top form on this song as well!

The title song is the next cut on the project.  "Who Am I" is certainly not a new song.  It was written by Rusty Goodman many years ago.  I still love the song and I appreciate that a young artist like Dora is willing to go back and record an old song like this.  She also does an outstanding job singing it too!  "Time To Take Me Home" is a little bit different style than the rest of the songs on the project.  It is very enjoyable and the message is great nonetheless.  "The Tree" is the next song and I have heard other songs with this premise.  However, this song is one of the better ones.  The song speaks of how God created the tree that was used to make the cross that Jesus died on.  The final track is probably unlike anything you have ever heard on a Southern Gospel Music recording.  Dora is originally from Romania and this song is sung in Romanian.  The title is "Ce Sint Eu," which is "Who Am I."  No matter what language the song is sung in, it is great!

I have listened to this recording several times now and each time I listen to it it impresses me more.  Dora is a young lady at 22 years old.  However, her voice seems much more mature and her ability to sing and deliver these songs is unusually good.  The production on this project is top notch all the way and the songs have been chosen very well.  There are four or five songs on here that would make good radio singles.  In case you can't tell, I am impressed!  My favorite songs from this project are "We Will Rise," "Who Am I" and "Open The Sea."  There are a couple of other favorites but those are my top three.  Dora has an outstanding quality to her voice and I think we can assume at her young age that she will only get better and better!  For that reason, I believe this is the start of something big.  I believe Dora Pop is a name you will be hearing a lot of over the next several years in Southern Gospel Music. For more information on Dora, visit her my space page at www.myspace.com/dorapopmusic