4 star
CD Review: Unshakeable (Dove Brothers)
The Dove Brothers continue their traditional style of singing in their latest release, Unshakeable.
It begins with the toe-tapping “Good Ole Gospel Song,” followed by “Hey Lazarus.” David Hester sings the old Happy Goodman song, “How About You?” “If I Knew Then” talks about the importance of making each moment count so you have no regrets at life’s end.
Next is another uptempo number: “I Recall.” The thing that jumps out at me with this song is how high Jerry Martin can sing. “King Jesus” has never been my favorite song but it’s next in the lineup. Jerry Martin is featured on “My Soul Has Been Set Free.” McCray Dove sings the old Imperial’s song, “Oh Buddha.”
The last two songs are “Preachin’ in Prison” and “Unstoppable.”
CD Review: He Lifted Me Out (Primitive Quartet)
In praying over what CD to review to start out the new year, I felt like the latest release from the Primitive Quartet would be the perfect choice. Those who know me know what a blessing this quartet has been to me personally as I’m constantly challenged by their love for the Lord and their love for others.
As I listen to this CD, I come away feeling gratitude to God for saving me and for blessing me like He has. I also pray that I can “be a help to both saint and sinner” as they sing in “That’s What I Want to Be.”
Jeff Tolbert reminds us that “The Half Has Never Been Told.” No matter what our view of Heaven, it will be greater than anything our mind can conceive.
Mike Riddle sings a song he wrote titled, “Thank You, Lord, the Sun Rose.” I love the line which says, “If there’s no tomorrow, Jesus conquered all my sorrow. I’ll be praising you through all eternity.”
Randy Fox leads their a capella rendition of “I Wonder What They’re Doing in Heaven.” Do you ever think about that? It’s easy to get wrapped up in our grief when a loved one goes Home ahead of us but I wonder what they’re doing there now.
My favorite song on this project is “There is a Record Book.” I come close to crying every time I hear it. Reagan Riddle does a great job communicating this song. “My name will not be lost, misplaced or overlooked for it’s kept safely in God’s Record Book.” If that doesn’t make you shout, I don’t know what will.
Other songs are “Jesus Came Searching,” “God’s First Christmas Tree,” “He Lifted Me Out,” “That Jesus Part of Me Shall Never Die” and “Members Only.”
Now I feel refreshed and ready to begin my year. 🙂 How about you?
CD Review: Beautifully Broken (Canaan’s Crossing)
Canaan’s Crossing has recently released another great CD.
The title track, “Beautifully Broken” is a beautiful song which talks about how being broken can be beautiful. It’s not something we like to think about but trials come for a reason and sometimes we need to be reminded that if we allow ourselves to be broken for Christ, we will become beautiful from the inside out.
“Amazing Love” is a song that’s been popular in praise & worship music. This is the first bluegrass group I’ve heard do the song but they arranged it to fit their style very nicely.
“Will it Make Any Difference” asks if you will have left a mark on this world when you’re gone. That’s something I think we need to ask ourselves often.
“Middle Man” reminds us that, no matter how you try, you can’t get to Heaven any other way but by Jesus.
Tina Miller sings “Dying to Live” which summarizes what all of us are doing. While on this earth, we’re approaching death only to live again–forever!
“He’s My Guide” is a mid-tempo song which is self-explanatory by the title.
“A Matter of Time” talks of Jesus’ return and the importance of letting people know His coming could be any time.
“Grace for Every Need” has a typical uptempo bluegrass sound and talks about the grace of God which truly is available for every need. Isn’t God good?!
Also on this CD is the uptempo “On Dry Ground” and the worshipful song, “Bare Hands.”
CD Review: Unity (Unity Quartet)
The Unity Quartet is a mixed group out of Pembroke, NC. Gus Gaches and David Staton produced their self-titled project, and it’s top notch. I tend to like faster songs and over half the songs on this recording fit that category.
Unity starts with two uptempo, uplifting numbers: “Livin’ in the Light of God” and “Step a Little Higher.” Following is the song Legacy Five sang, “Above All Circumstances.” Samantha Locklear sings the ballad, “You’re the Reason.” Kyla Rowland wrote, “The Blood of the Old Rugged Cross.”
Other songs include, “Bare Hands,” “Say the Word,” “(I Already Like It and) I’m Not Even There,” “Walls,” and “Hosanna.”
CD Review: Oasis (The Crist Family)
I don’t have previous Crist Family CDs to compare this one too but their latest release is diverse musically. From the melodic, swingy tune “He’s So Amazing” to the “poppish” “I Love Lovin’ Jesus” to to the funky-sounding “Anyway” to “Rhythm of Grace” which has an African male choir singing the intro and some of the background vocals, this recording has something for everybody.
Breanna Crist sings the beautiful song, “My Oasis.” Tami Crist Starkel sings Steven Curtis Chapman’s song, “His Strength is Perfect.” Jim Brady wrote “There is a Fountain” which features Tami. Other songs include “Deeper,” “Voice of the Father,” “I Love You Son,” and “Until He Comes” which is another beautiful song with a great message. This was my first introduction to the Crist Family but I look forward to hearing more of their music in the future.
CD Review: The Answer (The Collingsworth Family)
Although it may sound amazing to some, The Answer is the first Collingsworth Family CD I’ve heard except for one I borrowed a couple years ago so I don’t know how it compares to their other projects but I found their style a bit different than I expected.
It started with a jazzy song, “I Shall Not Be Moved” followed by “Fear Not Tomorrow” which, to me, has a ’50s sound. Beautiful harmony, reminiscent of maybe the Andrews Sisters of that time period. Then it breaks into a worshipful chorus of “I Know Who Holds Tomorrow.”
“I Could Never Praise Him Enough,” “I Want a Principle Within,” and “Oh the Thought That Jesus Loves Me” are more in line with the worshipful songs I’ve heard from the Collingsworth Family. “When the Roll is Called up Yonder” and “Great is Thy Faithfulness” are instrumental numbers.
Uptempo numbers include “I Know,” “Count Your Blessings Again” (which also has a jazz feel), “Bottom of the Barrel” The project ends so fittingly with “I Want Jesus More Than Anything.”
Anyone who loves the harmony and instrumentation of the Collingsworth Family will not be disappointed with this CD.
CD Review: Tracks Left Behind (Bobby Bowen)
Through the years, I have always said I’m not a big “Christian country” fan. It seemed like groups that used to be classified as such was really not great musically or lyrically which is often what pulls me into a group.
A few months back, I received a CD from Bobby Bowen. Back in the 1980s, I listened to a group called The MidSouth Boys, and they were one group that had Christian country down. I listened to Bobby’s CD before finding out he was the lead singer of that group and, after discovering that, it was no surprise that I love his sound and his song selection. He sings a lot of songs previously recorded by groups of other genres but he makes them his own without taking away from the feel of the original.
I enjoy his uptempo country-sounding songs “Mile Marker 45” and “Other Side of the Radio” but he also does a great job on the praise songs, “Who am I,” “I Could Sing of Your Love Forever,” and “How Great is our God.”
Other songs on this project are “Finally Home,” “Little Man,” “My Life,” “Nobody Wins,” and “Greater Grace.”
CD Review: Live in Nashville (Called Out Quartet)
For those who have been reading this blog since the beginning, you will remember that the decision to begin my own blog came after attending a concert which featured the Called Out Quartet. At that concert, I picked up their latest recording and have really been enjoying it but I’m just now getting around to reviewing it.
Listening to the CD, for me, was reliving the concert I attended in a sense. Not that the song selection was the same but the CD captures the live experience well.
It begins with the uptempo “Wait Upon the Lord” which I really enjoy. Then they go into “Happy Rhythm.”
Marty Harris was the original tenor for the Called Out Quartet but had left briefly before coming back to play piano. On this recording, he joined them in singing “Because He Lives” (featuring Jess Birdwell on lead), “I Know What Lies Ahead,” and “John the Revelator” (also led by Jess). I said it in my concert review but I really like Jess and his style of singing. I’m very glad he’s using his talents for the Lord.
My favorite song that they sing continues to be “He Made This Valley for Me.” When Jess introduced the song, he said, “You’re either in the midst of a trial, going into a trial, or coming out of a trial.” That has been my experience which may be why I love the song so much. One line says, “I’d have chosen a mountain but He knows what I need. He chose this valley for me.”
“I Told Everybody” is a toe-tapping number which was a new song for them. Darrell Collier sang, “I’ll Be Waiting at the River for You” and, despite the cold he had that day, he did a great job. The crowd seemed to like the song too.
Von Gaines and Jess sang the theme song from “All in the Family” which the audience always enjoys.
Other songs were: “God Wrote My Name,” “I Can’t Even Walk With You Holding My Hand,” “In Just a Little While,” and “Getting Ready to Go.”
I’m sure music critics could point to places where things weren’t perfect on this recording but I was very blessed with the Spirit that shone through and I would much rather listen to that than the most polished recording on the market.
CD Review: “Jim Brady” (Jim Brady)
When I was a girl, we had a record by God’s Brady Bunch, a group which consisted of Mom and Dad and 8 children (5 girls and 3 boys). I still have that record but I didn’t realize until a year or two ago that Jimmy Brady who sang on my record is now Jim Brady who sings with the Booth Brothers. It was a blessing to finally meet him this past September and to pick up a copy of his solo CD. I realize it’s not a brand new CD but I felt like it was worth mentioning for those who do not yet own it.
In summary, the CD is quite diverse musically. Some of it seems like songs that could get airplay on inspirational/adult contemporary stations while others have more of a country feel. Jim wrote or co-wrote all of the songs on this project and he included a brief synopsis of the inspiration behind each song.
Several songs were specifically written for his family: “Never a Doubt” was written in honor of his parents; “Never Let You Go” is a beautiful love song that he wrote for his wife Melissa; “My Sister” was written to his sisters. As I listen to this, it reminds me of my relationship with my own brother and sisters and makes me grateful for the family God’s given me.
Michael English joined Jim in singing “Just As I Am.” “Don’t Ever Miss the Chance” reminds us to tell those close to us that we love them before it’s too late.
Typically, I prefer the fast-paced songs and am not always a fan of slow songs but Jim does a great job writing and delivering slow songs as well as fast. In fact, my favorite songs on this project are the last two on the CD: “To Know You More” (a slow song which is more of a prayer) and “Truth is Marching On” which was sung by Gold City Quartet a few years ago. I love the line in “To Know You More” which says “I live and breathe only to know You more.” Amen!
(This CD may be purchased through Jim and Melissa Brady’s website.)
“Out of the Wilderness” (The English Family)
The English Family consists of Mom and Dad–Phillip & Renee, a
nd children–Jacob, Elizabeth, & Rebecca. I’ve been trying to think of who to compare their music to but, in a day when groups are trying to immitate others, I think this group has settled into their own sound somewhere between The Collingsworth Family and The Crabb Family.
The CD starts with a song written by Phillip called “Out of the Wilderness.” Next is a slower song written by Jacob, “Send Down Your Angels.” Jacob also wrote “Built on Sand,” “Victory’s In Sight” and he co-wrote “The Message is in the Music” with his dad. “My Soul Has Got to Move” is a soulful song sung by Elizabeth. Rebecca, Jacob and Elizabeth give Mom and Dad a break as they sing “One More Mile.”
Other songs include: “I Am Determined,” “Be Healed,” and “Pay Day.”
