4 star
CD Report: High Road (High Road)
When you hear the term “bluegrass,” you may think of groups like The Lewis Family or, more recently, The Primitive Quartet. However, bluegrass comes in various forms and styles as it has more to do with instrumentation than vocals. I would liken High Road to an Allison Krauss-type bluegrass: smooth harmonies singing easy listening songs while throwing in an instrumental number as well.
Although this group was founded in 2013, I just became aware of them a few years ago. Produced by Ben Isaacs, they sing a variety of songs, some of which will be familiar, but you will also hear a couple of new songs written by the group’s founder, Sarah Davison. I encourage you to check them out if you are not already a fan.
Songs included are: Nothing at All; Faith, Hope & Love; High Road; It’s You; Snake River Reel; Second Chances; Faithful Again; Precious Lord, Take My Hand; Two Coats; and The Day I Got Saved.
CD Report: No Depression in Heaven (The Chuck Wagon Gang)
Some of my older readers will especially appreciate this CD where The Chuck Wagon Gang sings the gospel songs of the Carter Family. Old, familiar songs sung in Chuck Wagon Gang style. The title alone would cause me to purchase it this year. 🙂
Songs included are: When Our Lord Shall Come Again, Am I a Soldier of the Cross, The Meeting in the Air, The Heart That Was Broken For Me, Honey in the Rock, There’s No Depression in Heaven, The Old Gospel Ship, On the Rock Where Moses Stood, Anchored in Love Divine, There’s a Hill Lone and Gray, Somebody’s Boy, and The Bible in the Cabin.
CD Report: Lift His Name (Karen Peck & New River)
I was reading verses on praise the other day so, when I pulled this CD off my shelf, I got excited by the title. Karen Peck Gooch co-wrote all but three songs, and there is quite a variety on here: fast and slow, encouraging and thought-provoking, songs on the crucifixion and the resurrection, and, yes, songs of praise and surrender. They even threw in a progressive version of Ain’t No Grave.
Other songs included are: The God I Serve; Made Right; I Know Jesus Lives; The Book; The Love of Jesus; Messiah Overcame; When I Lift Up the Name; and All About Yes.
CD Report: It’s Real (The Old Paths)
I have decided to rename my CD “reviews” “reports.” There are other blogs who do better at actually reviewing CDs. My intention is to let you know which CDs are available and make comments, but many times I am just listing songs and basic information. Hence the name: CD “report.” With that explanation, I will now move on to my report. 🙂
The Old Paths are back! I’m glad to see Steve Ladd (tenor) singing in a quartet once again. Other members are Daniel Ashmore (bass), Doug Roark (baritone), and Tim Rackley (Lead).
Of special mention on this CD are The God I Know and Come Sunday Morning. Other songs included are: I Need Jesus to Walk on the Water, The Truth Comes Shining Through, Lord Knows, It’s Real, and When It Comes to Jesus.
CD Review: Beautiful Day (Mark Bishop)
When I first heard this CD, my thought was that Mark has gotten repetitive in his lyrics but, overall, I like this recording. I typically don’t like the background vocals included on solo CDs, but Jeff Chapman, Chris Allman, Mylon Hayes, Amber Eppinette, Wesley Pritchard & Friends do an excellent job.
Mark Bishop wrote all the songs once again. They are:
It’s a Beautiful Day; God Needs Ministers; Are You Ready for Perfect Love?; It’s All Good; I’ll Just Keep Rowing; You Can’t Say He Didn’t Love Us; I’m Just Changing Mountains; Home Grown Tomatoes; The Man on the other Cross; and Lost, Lost, Lost.
CD Review: Pure Love (Legacy Five)
Legacy Five has had some personnel changes lately but they still have the solid blend that we have come to expect from this amazing quartet. The group currently consists of Scott Fowler, Matt Fouch, Josh Townsend, Bryan Walker, and Lee Black. With that lineup and songs penned by such writers as Wayne Haun, Joel Lindsey, Sue C. Smith, Kenna Turner-West, Scott Inman, Lee Black, and Joseph Habedank, you know this has to be good.
Songs included are What a Day, What Kind of Man, That’s What Makes Believers Believe, Love Pure Love, I Believe the Book, The Greatest Wonder, Beggin’ for Change, Love Always Finds a Way, Middle Man, Not Just Another Day, and Only Passing Through.
I don’t know if it was intentional but I found it interesting that the music on Beggin’ for Change reminds me of “He Made a Change” that the Cathedrals recorded years ago.
CD Review: Our Story (Three Bridges)
I’m old enough to remember when Three Bridges first hit the radio and, to be honest, I didn’t care for their sound. Today, the group consists of original member Elliott McCoy, as well as Shannon Smith and Jeremie Hudson, and I am starting to enjoy listening to them.
Although most of their songs are progressive or have more of a black gospel feel, Down the Road to Damascus is the kind of song you would expect to find on a traditional Southern Gospel CD.
I like the message of Like Jesus Did as it talks about the desire to be more like Christ.
Faith Shines Brighter tells the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.
Live the Gospel is another song with great lyrics.
Other songs include: Count It Victory, My Story, Good News Never Gets Old, God Did It, Nothing But, Gonna Keep Livin’ and The King of Love My Shepherd Is.
CD Review: Somebody Go Get Jesus (The Troy Burns Family)
Although this CD has been out for a couple years, I decided to review it anyway because so far, this is my favorite CD that the Troy Burns Family has released.
Somebody Go Get Jesus tells the Bible stories of Jarius’ daughter and Lazarus and how Jesus’ appearing changed tragedies to rejoicing. Then it turns to America and how much we need Him before our country dies.
Roses in December talks about God’s encouragement in the midst of trials and then about the ultimate healing. I never cease to be amazed at how God knows what I need right when I need it. And yet I know that nothing here compares with what I will see when I get to Heaven.
I never get tired of hearing Troy Burns sing The Unseen Hand. It’s a great song anyway but Troy does a great job on the delivery.
Tammy Burns is featured on Somebody is Me. I have praised and shouted a lot while listening to this song. If anyone is going to praise the Lord, I pray somebody is me.
Tammy also sings from the heart on God’s Amazing Grace. “My tongue will tell the story forever and a day. Still I can’t do justice to God’s amazing grace.”
The CD ends with a Patriotic Medley of “America the Beautiful”; “God, Bless America”; “The Battle Hymn of the Republic”; and “The Star-Spangled Banner.”
Other songs included are: One Way, One Name, One Door; Gonna Move on Up the Mountain; Take a Stand; and That Is Where the Scars Are.
CD Review: The Last Big Thing (Kingdom Heirs)
The Kingdom Heirs have once again released a CD I won’t get tired of for a long time.
Plenty of Singing – For people like me who can’t sit still during toe-tapping songs, this one will have you on your feet dancing and snapping your fingers.
Jeff Chapman is featured on another uptempo song: Victory.
Telling the Story – Do you ever get tired of hearing Bible stories? Each one talks about the power of God and His goodness. “I’ve rested in trials while shouting the glory so I’m telling the story again.”
The Last Big Thing is a clever play on words. People are always talking about the next big thing they’re working on, but “I wanna tell you about the last big thing!”
Jerry Martin sings a song penned by Gerald Crabb: Heroes of Faith.
I Wanna Do More – Can we ever do enough for God? He has done so much for us!
“While Satan was counting his victory, all of Heaven Was Counting to Three.” A great song by Jim Brady and Rodney Griffin.
Heaven Just Got Sweeter for You is a sad but encouraging song. We miss those who have gone to Heaven ahead of us but, if we are faithful, we will see them again.
I love the harmony and the message of Just Another Mile. Dianne Wilkinson wrote this one.
Other songs included are Live it Up and I’ll Trust You With Tomorrow.
CD Review: Shine (The Bobby Bowen Family)
If you have followed Southern Gospel Music as long as I have, you might remember a Christian country group called The Mid South Boys or, as they were later known, Mid South. Bobby Bowen was one of the lead singers of that group, and I am happy to tell you that he is still singing praise to our Savior. The only difference is that his family now joins him on stage to play and sing.
As I was writing the above paragraph, I wasn’t paying much attention to the songs that were playing, but when the song To Go To Heaven came on, I stopped to listen. The music itself caused me to pause but then I heard the line, “It’s worth every valley if my Jesus I will meet.” Amen!
I love the hymn Jesus, Use Me. Very glad they included it on here. “Though the cost be great, I’ll work for you.”
I Know I’m Loved is a heartwarming song about daddies and daughters.
I Have a Hope is a great song of encouragement.
Other songs on this CD are: Never Walk Alone, Heart Collector, One Lost Sheep, Shine Like the Star You Are, It’s Your Love, and I Know He Will.
