LOVE LETTERS, finds the Canadian vocalist putting a contemporary spin on the Gospel genre, blending the smooth R/B styling of Toni Braxton with the modern edge of Destiny's Child. Londa distinguishes herself from those Pop-world divas, with an energizing message of a faith that can overcome life's most horrendous trials. It's a message she delivers with unusual conviction, because it's one she has already lived.
"My music is for everybody and my message is for everybody," Londa asserts. "I don't want to leave anybody out. I want people to know that God hears everything, and He is there for them. He feels what we're feeling. I believe He cries when we're crying. I know He was crying with me. And He is there to comfort you."
Born and raised in Toronto, Canada, to Jamaican parents, Ethan and Evan, Londa's childhood was filled with Gospel music. Her church deacon father is also a musician and singer, while two out of her three brothers all sing and/or play instruments. Not surprisingly, family devotion time in the Larmond household was a musical affair, with everyone singing and playing.
The one rule, she recalls, concerned the type of music played on the family stereo: "It had to be Gospel," she laughs. "Richard Smallwood, Commissioned, or the Clark Sisters! But you know what I played in my room? Hip-hop, Reggae and R/B. I shouldn't have, but I did!" Londa was singing in church at the age of 7, and began performing professionally at 14 as a featured member of Toronto's renowned Youth Outreach Mass Choir. From there she honed her musical chops as a member of the Gospel Soul Sisters, before joining the internationally acclaimed Sharon Riley and Faith Chorale in 1995.
Londa's escapades with Faith Chorale led to an appearance in the blockbuster film, The Blues Brothers 2000. Under the direction of John Landis, Londa not only performed in the film, but also recorded on the Grammy nominated, Certified Gold (U.S.), soundtrack with Aretha Franklin, Erykah Badu, James Brown, Sam Moore, Taj Mahal, Bo Diddley, Isaac Hayes, Steve Winwood and Eric Clapton.
LOVE LETTERS is a jubilant collection, offering encouragement and hope in the face of despair. Produced by such industry heavyweights as Michael-Anthony "Mooki" Taylor (Stacy Orrico, DC Talk, TobyMac, TD Jakes) Asaph "Alex" Ward (Kim Burrell, Dorinda Clark-Cole), Sanchez Harley (Shirley Caesar, Kirk Franklin, Hezekiah Walker) and Montrel Darrett, the 10-song project showcases Londa's stunning vocal range.
Recently, Londa's debut album "Love Letters" has been acknowledged by international critics and consumers and her list of award credits continues to grow. A winner of the Canadian Urban Music Awards for Best Gospel Recording, Londa Larmond is a Dove Awards nominee for Urban Album of the Year and a strong contender for the 2001 JUNO Award for Best Gospel Album of the Year. "Love Letters" has proven itself to be a sample what Billboard Magazine (18/8/01) describes as "an inspiring step beyond more conventional gospel-R/B structure".
Ms. Larmond's passion for engaging an audience and colourful performance skills results in an explosive combination that is consistently pushing her to the forefront of the pack. Londa's material introduces a new genre of soulful-jazz and inspiration.
Larmond's electrifying vocals have been seen on Bobby Jones Gospel, Gospelfest, Ottawa Blues Festival, Montreal Gospelfest and at the Air Canada Centre where she sang the national anthem for the NBA's Toronto Raptors. Londa even had the distinct honour to sing for President George W. Bush and 33 other heads of state at the Summit of the Americas.
Ascension
Londa Larmond Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I gave You my heart, Lord
Repented of my sins then You
Gave me a new, a new man's life within
You gave me this joy, Jesus
This joy down inside
You saved me, You washed me
Gave eternal life
So right then, right then, I
Right then I realized that
I'm in love with Jesus Christ
If they don't know then I'll them
So they'll never wonder
They'll never wonder
So tell me how long
How long it's gonna take for You to return, Jesus
'Cause I can't live my life
Without You here by my side
You gave me the joy inside
Right then I realized that
I'm in love with Jesus Christ
If they don't know then I'll them
So they'll never wonder
They'll never wonder
Your love opened my eyes
Right then I realized
You're the love of my life
You bring joy in midnight
You're the highest of the highs
Your love takes me to the sky
I'm in love, I'm in love
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
I'm in love with Jesus Christ
I'm in love with Jesus Christ
So don't ever wonder
Don't wonder why
The lyrics to Londa Larmond's song Ascension are echoing the sentiments of a person who has found a new lease of life after accepting Jesus Christ as their Saviour. The lyrics describe the moment when the singer gave their heart to the Lord and repented for their sins. The Lord then gave them a new life that is filled with joy and love which they attribute to Jesus. The joy that they experience inside is overwhelming, and they acknowledge that it saves them, washes them, fills and loves them, and gives them eternal life. The singer then confesses that at that moment, they realized that they are deeply in love with Jesus Christ, and they want to share this love with others so that they too can experience the joy of knowing Jesus.
The singer then expresses their longing for the return of Jesus Christ, as they cannot live without Him by their side. They assign their newfound joy to the love of Jesus that has opened their eyes, and they believe that He is the love of their life. The love of Jesus is so powerful that it brings joy even in the darkest of nights and takes them to the highest of highs. The singer concludes by declaring their love for Jesus Christ and encourages others not to wonder why they are so deeply in love with Him.
Overall, the song Ascension is a powerful testimony of a person's relationship with Jesus Christ. The lyrics express the joy, love, and peace that come with knowing Jesus personally. The song reminds us of the importance of having a personal relationship with Jesus and encourages us to share our love for Him with others.
Line by Line Meaning
It happened the moment
Instantly, at that precise time,
I gave You my heart, Lord
I surrendered my heart to You, Lord
Repented of my sins then You
At the same time, You forgave my sins, then
Gave me a new, a new man's life within
You bestowed to me a fresh, brand-new life
You gave me this joy, Jesus
Jesus, You granted me this euphoria
This joy down inside
This rejoicing feeling in my soul,
You saved me, You washed me
You rescued me, You cleansed me
You filled me, You loved me
You completed me, You cherished me
Gave eternal life
You bestowed upon me eternal life,
So right then, right then, I
So at that very moment, I
Right then I realized that
That instant, I became aware that
I'm in love with Jesus Christ
I love Jesus Christ
If they don't know then I'll them
I will reveal to them, if they are unaware,
So they'll never wonder
So they will never question
So tell me how long
I implore You, how long will it be
How long it's gonna take for You to return, Jesus
Until You come back, Jesus?
'Cause I can't live my life
As I cannot survive my life
Without You here by my side
Devoid of Your presence beside me
Right then I realized that
Then, once again, I recognized that
I'm in love with Jesus Christ
I am passionately in love with Jesus Christ
Your love opened my eyes
Your never-ending love made me see,
You're the love of my life
You are the love of my existence
You bring joy in midnight
You bring felicity, even in the depths of midnight
You're the highest of the highs
You're the greatest of the greatest
Your love takes me to the sky
Your immeasurable love takes me to new heights,
I'm in love, I'm in love
I am infatuated, I am intensely in love
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
Yes, indeed
So don't ever wonder
Therefore, never question
Don't wonder why
Do not be doubtful why
Contributed by Riley O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.