3 star
CD Review: Sunday Morning Feeling (The Copenhavers)
I met the Copenhavers about three years ago and I love seeing their smiling faces each time our paths cross. Their new CD is a collection of both old and new songs.
The CD starts with the title song which was written by Karen Copenhaver and sung by Jim Copenhaver. Next is “He Set Me Free,” followed by Josh Copenhaver singing, “If I Can Help Somebody.”
Karen Copenhaver sang a song she wrote titled “Everlasting Love” which was based around Jeremiah 31:3. Then they sing “Love is Like a River.” I have a hurt foot but I find myself tapping my other foot when this song comes on. 🙂
Next is “What a Meeting” and “Glad Reunion Day,” followed by Karen’s uptempo song “Restore Unto Me” and ending with “Give Them All to Jesus” featuring Angela Copenhaver. I haven’t heard anyone record that in about 20 years but it’s a needed reminder today as it was then.
CD Review: Pray Out Loud (Mercy’s Harbor)
First of all, I have to say that I love the title of this recording. I don’t know the story behind Pray Out Loud since there’s not a song by that title on this recording but, to me, it gives a message before you play one song off the CD.
Mercy’s Harbor is a group based in Albertville, AL. The group consists of Donnie & Melody Marr and Brent Lee.
The CD begins with the uptempo song, “Sailing On Home,” followed by “Bottom of the Barrel.”
My favorite song on this project is their version of “I’d Rather Have Jesus.” They sing it very reverently which allows you to think about the message. I also like “They Can’t Start the Celebration,” a song the Whisnants made popular a while back. Their style actually reminds me a little of the Whisnants.
Other songs are: “This World is Not My Home,” “Look for Me,” “The Past is a Promise,” “I Got It All,” and “He Didn’t Leave Me.”
CD Review: The Best of Perfect Heart
This year, Perfect Heart put out a “Best Of” CD with the current group singing songs made popular by the original Perfect Heart. Being a Danny Funderburk fan, I wasn’t sure what I’d think of this recording but I was not disappointed. Tenor Wesley Anders did a good job. He has a different voice than Danny but his voice is nice and clear which makes it enjoyable to listen to him.
Mike Presnell is the only original member still with Perfect Heart and he still does a great job on “Living Water,” “I Wish It Would Rain,” and “Glory Waves.”
The other songs included are “They That Sow,” “Somebody Touched the Lord,” “The Pleasure is Mine,” “Thinking of a Mansion,” “We Have Won,” and “Yes Is the Answer.”
CD Review: Calvary Sings (The Harper Trio)
The Harper Trio is based in Georgia, and consists of Chip, Marion, and Flip Harper. The group started singing in 2001 but I only became aware of them a couple years ago.
Calvary Sings begins with “God is Good,” a song which the Talley Trio recorded years ago. “It Could Be Today” is a mid-tempo song, followed by “Calvary Sings” which is a song which I could picture a choir singing. Powerful message.
Marion sings “Make Me a Vessel,” a beautiful song asking God to do just that. “In Jesus’ Name” was written by Ann Downing. Kyla Rowland wrote the toe-tapping “Oh That Wonderful Promise” which is the same song the Perrys recorded on their This is the Day recording.
“Friend of God Medley” ( featuring “I am a Friend of God,” “No Not One,” and “Oh What a Savior”) is very worshipful and restful to listen to. I like the uptempo “Not About You.”
Other songs include: “One Way,” “There’s Never Been Another Day,” “Rest Assured,” and the popular “Calvary Answers for Me.”
CD Review: “The Journey” (The Mattingly Family)
As the title implies, the latest release from The Mattingly Family is a journey from the birth of Christ through His death and resurrection to the commission He gave us to “go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature” (Mark 16:15).
Songs on the project are: “Only God Could Think of That,” “O Holy Night,” “On My Father’s Side,” “He Saw It All,” “That Soul Was Mine,” “Resurrection Morn,” “Beyond the Cross,” “No One Else,” “I Will Trust You Lord,” “Should We Neglect the Cause?” “Wake the Town,” and it ends with “It is Well.” It is a very creative project with great songs to take you on this journey with Jim, Ruby, Ruth Ann, Jeremiah and Jonathan Mattingly.
They only sing the chorus of “Beyond the Cross” but they sing it a capella. “It is Well” is also sung a capella. Both are nice arrangements. I think they sum up the the CD when they ask, “Should we neglect the cause? Should we forget the lost and fail to point the sinner to the cross?” After all Christ has done for me, I do not want to fail Him in that.
