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Sienna, a Long Island, New York native, showcases her wide-ranging soprano on this disc. Her material is Contemporary Christian, and her songs range from funk to jazz/blues influenced. Sienna herself admits she was a reluctant convert to a church youth group near her home. She has come a long way from the reluctant young woman she was, as evidenced on this disc. Her accomplishments are impressive; Sienna has performed off-Broadway, onstage and on television, and her confidence and ease with the material on this album shows.

One can sense the urgency in her songs of the importance of surrendering to God and following His word. This message is most prevalent in the title track, "My Steps are Ordered," and a lovely ballad, "Falling in Love." The former track pulsates to an underlying funk beat, Sienna's voice lacing the track effortlessly with her versatile range, clear as a bell. She sings of how the Lord orders her every step through life, lending her existence purpose. "He paves the way for me," she sings. This song shows her fulfilling God's will and professing her faith in Him. "Falling in Love" shows off her soprano to great advantage. Sienna sings how His guidance makes her love him: "Every touch of grace/Every warm embrace/I keep falling in love with you," she sings. The chord and key changes in the song also frame her voice nicely.  

Another standout ballad is "It's Me Who Leaves," where her voice just soars. The song's message is that God is always with us despite us feeling alone at times. The other songs are effective in getting the message through of following/loving the Lord. They range from danceable, upbeat and fast-paced numbers to the slow and jazzy. The most striking of the slow songs is "Lost", a ballad whose instrumentation and vocals are very Joni Mitchell-esque. This song deals with being lost and found by God and thus becoming a better and changed person. She sings, "I was lost/Now I'm starting to learn/That you had direction for me/Forgave my sins for free/All you asked of me/Was to start to believe."

The one song I found lacked the texture of the others was "Follow You," a moody and smoky piece whose message conveys the importance of following the Lord. The end of the song becomes repetitive, where the chorus is sung over and over. However, taken into the context of the beauty of the whole record, this to me is Sienna's only misstep.

Sienna puts her message across with an urgency and fervor, but the loveliness of the lyrics and the versatile arrangements make her sound enthusiastic in her message and not sink into preachiness. May she put out more discs showcasing her formidable talent.

For more information, visit siennamusic.com.

Chris Chagaris 4/5/2004