3.5 star
CD Report: Dear Yesterday (Michael Booth)
This CD was released last year, but I figure it’s better to do a late report than none at all. Through every song on this recording, you will be encouraged. Whether directly praising God or being reminded that God is able and that He never gives up on His children, you will especially want to listen when you are having a rough time. Michael Booth has a smooth tenor voice that is easy to listen to.
Songs include: What Only God Can Do, Dear Yesterday, He Never Gives Up, Everyday (It Starts All Over Again), We Trust in the Name, This Side of Heaven, Glorious Unfolding, and Thy Will Be Done.
CD Report: Faithful Still (Down East Boys)
In a world where even Southern Gospel music has veered a bit from its roots, I still enjoy traditional southern gospel male quartets. The Down East Boys are one such group. They incorporate a mixture of slow and fast songs with good quartet harmony. Of special mention are I Hear and A Story that Began at the Cross. I started this report right after Easter, and those two songs were perfect for the season.
Other songs included are: Amazing Amounts of Amazing Grace; What Love; John Saw and Wrote about It; Those Hands; Fall Like Jericho; Church of the Living God; God Will, Yes He Will; Bottom of the Basket; and Sweet Journey.
CD Review: They Don’t Know (The Kingsmen)
“When it seems you’ve fallen prey in a hungry lion’s den, He’ll keep the lions hungry and deliver you again.” I love those lyrics penned by Regina Walden. This is just one of the songs on The Kingsmen’s latest CD.
God Calls it Grace is an encouraging ballad sung by Joshua Horrell.
The Evidence I Need goes with Romans 1:20, which talks about how even creation proves that there is a God. Between that and the work He has done in my life, I don’t need anything else to prove to me that God is real.
I’ll Sail Away Yonder takes me back to the Kingsmen of the 1980s.
Bob Sellers sings the sobering Cost of the Cross. I don’t think we can ever think too much about what our salvation cost Jesus.
I don’t know what it is about Sandy Knight’s songs but they always catch my attention. Don’t Underestimate God’s Grace is no exception. Another great song.
Other songs include They Don’t Know (What the Lord Can Do); Hear the Word of the Lord; Let Go and Hold Fast; Fade to Black; and Legacy.
In an age of progression, I am happy that the Kingsmen stick to their roots. Their lyrics have gotten better over the years but their sound stays very much the same.
CD Review: A Different Light (Mark Bishop)
Mark Bishop has just released another CD with 11 original songs that he wrote. He has several guest vocalists that are worthy of mention on this recording.
The Kingdom Heirs join Mark on the uptempo Finish Strong, Finish Well, Finish Empty.
He’s Always Been a Friend reminds me of the Bishops, and it features Kenneth Bishop on the second verse.
The Refrigerator Door will take you back to when your children were little, and everything they drew, made, etc. was placed on the refrigerator door.
Tell Me You Saw Me is something each of us should desire. “Tell me you saw me walking with Jesus. I’ll tell you it’s by His grace.”
My favorite song on this CD is Couldn’t Feel Any Better. The second verse features Chris Freeman. If you’re having a rough time, this song should lift your spirits.
Other songs include: More Than Enough; I Know I’m in Good Hands; God Is Powerful; What It Comes Down to Is Me; Fly, Fly Away Little Birdie; and I’m Gonna Wish I Had Worried Less.
CD Review: As We Speak (Greater Vision)
If you attended the National Quartet Convention last year or saw the live stream, you are aware that Greater Vision released a new CD entitled, As We Speak. It became humorous, but it was worth the mention. In thinking back over the Greater Vision CDs I own, I believe this is my favorite since Faces. I rated it low because, in many ways, it is pretty typical of Greater Vision recordings, but there are some more uptempo songs and a couple songs I especially like, which is what makes it one of my faves.
The CD begins with the group’s recent hit, Put Out the Fire
We Can’t Tell It All has a typical GV sound. No matter how many songs we sing, it is impossible to fully describe our Lord.
Toes in the Water asks if we are fully surrendered or just getting our toes wet (my paraphrase). 🙂
He Does reminds us that Jesus sees and cares and understands.
Will I be a faithful example if the Lord has me follow In the Sandals of Daniel to the lion’s den? This is a toe-tapper but one that you need to pause to ponder.
I am really glad that they brought back Labreeska Hemphill’s song, Let the Blood of Calvary Speak for Me. “May it write me down as righteous where no righteousness has been, shielding me from wrath and judgment as it covers all my sins.” Lord, let it be so!
Never Will I Ever Again is a fun, fast song. I love it!
The tempo slows down as Rodney Griffin sings I Do Know. I may not know the future, but I do know what the next life will bring.
It’s encouraging to know that everyone is Saved By the Same Grace. It doesn’t matter if you are male or female, rich or poor. God’s grace is sufficient for all!
The CD ends with the title track: As We Speak. This is another of my favorites on the CD. Gerald Wolfe does a great job communicating the message. I feel God’s presence every time I hear this song.
CD Review: Threads of Mercy (Ivan Parker)
This latest release from Ivan Parker is full of good songs and quality background vocals from Chris Allman, Lauren Talley Alvey, Roger Talley, Reggie & Ladye Love Smith.
Til the Shackles Fall Off is a song about praising God continually no matter what you are going through.
God’s in the Middle of It is a song of encouragement. No matter what you are going through, God truly is in the middle of it.
Jim Brady wrote Don’t Hang Your Head and Cry. Another song of encouragement for those who are going through trials.
Silent Prayer is a slow story in song. The first verse talks about a man who was born deaf who came to know the Savior. “Though he cannot speak a word, he always knows that he is heard.” How beautiful! You do not need to shout to be heard. Just whisper His name, and He is right there.
Sue C. Smith wrote, When Heaven Shakes the House, a song about true revival. “Lives are changed; souls are saved; you know what I’m talking about.”
How do you know grace, peace, love, etc.? Kenna West, Lee Black, and Cliff Duren tells how in This Is How We Know.
Kenna West co-wrote On the Solid Rock I Stand with Gerald Crabb and Don Poythress. There is nothing to worry about when you’re standing on the solid rock.
He Touched Me is a song most everyone is familiar with. I like the piano on this song.
Wings is a song about getting my wings to leave this earth.
The CD ends with the slow, How Much Longer. This is a plea to those who are waiting to say Yes to Jesus. “How much longer will you wait?” Please don’t wait until it is too late.
CD Review: For All He’s Done (Greater Vision)
The latest CD from Greater Vision includes ten songs, nine of which were written or co-written by Rodney Griffin or Chris Allman.
This recording begins with the mid-tempo Come Unto Me, followed by Looking for the Grace. I’m not asking for God to remove the things that are going to help me draw closer to Him. I’m simply looking for the grace to go through those things.
This is Mercy is a beautiful song about the cross.
Chris Allman wrote and sings, The Blood Hasn’t Ever Changed.
Forever is Sure is a song of hope as it reminds us that “tomorrow is uncertain but forever is sure.” This was written by Rodney Griffin and Jim Brady. A great song.
The only song on the recording that was not written by Rodney or Chris is an old song the Cathedrals recorded, Seeking for Me.
Preacher Tell Me Like it Is addresses the fact that so many preachers will only say what they think people want to hear. No wonder the Church is in the shambles it is. “You say you want to be my friend? Don’t be afraid to call my sin what it is.” If there were more preachers who would do that, maybe God would send revival.
I Can Trust You is another beautiful song written and sung by Chris Allman. Regardless of the path God has for you, you can trust Him.
They continue that message in I Will Take Care of You.
What better way to end a recording than with For All He’s Done, a song of praise.
CD Review: Just Passing Thru (The Edwards Family)
The Edwards Family recently released another great CD.
The title track, Just Passing Through, is a great reminder that this world is not our Home. If you’re a child of God, you’re just passing through.
Whiter Than Snow is a testimony of a Believer who has been saved and washed whiter than snow.
The Old Fashioned Way talks about how churches have changed. It’s hard to find churches which still emphasize prayer, repentance and Bible reading.
Do you ever think about where God brought you from? It’s those memories that make me say, I Think I’ll Just Go With God. “With Him, there is joy and blessings untold.” How could you choose any other path?
A great reminder in song is God Saves Old Sinners. I’m so glad He still does!
Kyla Rowland wrote four songs on this project. But I Met a Nazarene is one of them. “All I can say is I had no hope but I met a Nazarene.” Is that your testimony? I remember the days of no hope. I’m so grateful I met this Nazarene.
He’s Alive is another great song of hope and victory.
The Rock of Ages also tells the story of the death and resurrection of our Savior.
“I may never visit where He died but I’m Going Where He Lives.” I’m so looking forward to that day!
I love the song, Did I Mention, another Kyla Rowland song. “Did I mention He’s been faithful to every promise He ever made me? I love Him. That’s all I want to say.”
Most of the songs on this CD are slow to medium tempo but I’m Learning How to Lean picks up the tempo a bit. I’ve been walking with God for over 20 years but I feel at times like I’m still learning how to lean on Him completely.
I think the perfect ending to a CD which focuses on salvation and redemption is I Want to Stroll Over Heaven With You.
CD Review: Dreamin’ Wide Awake (Doug Anderson)
Doug Anderson, the baritone singer for Ernie Haase and Signature Sound, released a solo CD last year and, although not a brand new project, I thought I would review it anyway. 🙂
The CD starts with “Jesus is Holding My Hand.” Aren’t you glad that “the one thing I’m sure of that never will change is Jesus is holding my hand”? In an ever-changing world, I love the comfort that comes from that thought.
“Smile It Through” is an uptempo, fun song with a great message. No matter what you’re facing, “Smile it through.”
“Some Say” talks about how some don’t believe in God but we know better. There’s no doubt God is alive and living in my heart.
I like the old song, “Only Here For a Little While.” It’s so important to make every moment count.
“That’s How Much I Need a Savior” talks about how we could not make it on our own but “what a Savior Jesus is to me.”
“I Love That About Him” talks about our relationship with God and how He loves pouring out His love as much as we love receiving that love.
“I’ll Take What’s Left” notes that we have nothing to give to Christ when we meet Him but He’s willing to take our poor, broken lives and redeem them anyway.
“Dreamin’ Wide Awake” is a country-sounding song about how good life is with friends and family. When I think of it, I do feel like I’m dreamin’ wide awake.
CD Review: Living in Grace (Cavaliers Quartet)
The latest CD from the Cavaliers starts with a song I’d not heard for a few years. Bass singer Wayne O’Neal sings lead on “Do It By the Book.”
“Living in Grace” is a mid-tempo song written by Rodney Griffin.
I really like “Dying to Live Again,” a powerful reminder that death is not forever. Christians really are dying to live again.
“It Takes Faith” reminds us that it takes both a little hard work and a lot of faith to please God.
“I Know My Redeemer Lives” is a story in song about Job. No matter what the devil throws at you, remind him that your Redeemer lives.
“Nothing but the Blood” is an uptempo song about the blood of Christ.
The tempo slows down for “Grace Had Mercy On Me” which was written by baritone singer, Anthony O’Neal.
“What a Wonderful Change” is a song of testimony.
The CD ends with songs of worship: “You are the Only One” and “Not to Us O Lord.”
