4.5 star
CD Report: Make It Count (The Sound)
I really like the latest CD from The Sound. It’s progressive, but it’s a progressive sound that I don’t mind. A couple of older songs join mostly new songs to produce a CD that’s nice to listen to while working around the house. Well, that’s when I listen to music anyway, and this is upbeat enough to serve that purpose well.
As I write this, I’m listening to the song I Am Becoming. What a blessing to know that I’m not what I was but I’m not what I’ll be. I am becoming who God desires me to be!
Songs on this project include: City of Joy, It Was Grace, First Church of Mercy, Make It Count, Can I Get a Witness, On the Road to Emmaus, I Am Becoming, Great God Almighty, Something ‘Bout Love, and Rain.
CD Report: 20/20 (The Crabb Family)
The Crabb Family reunited after eight years of not being in the studio together. Although most of the siblings have successful music ministries individually, they still enjoy singing together and, in my opinion, they sound as good as ever. Maybe even a little better. The songs on this CD are new to me except for Mountaintop for Me which is an old Gerald Crabb song that the group has brought back. If you too are a long-time Crabb Family fan, you will want to add this to your collection.
Other songs included are: I See Revival; Stones; Walk on Water; My King Is Known By Love; The Altar Still Calls; Never Been; Keep Me; If God Is For Me; and Sister, Play That Tambourine.
CD Report: Victory Shout (The Kingsmen)
The Kingsmen have released another great CD. It’s up there with their Battle Cry project that came out a couple years ago. With everything happening in the world right now, I’ve especially been enjoying the songs Just Climb, Victory Shout, and You’ll Move Mountains for Me.
Other songs included are: Running to Win; I’ve Ever Been Glad; Dear John; It Still Changes Me; King of Kings; Prodigal Son; and That’s Where You’ll Find Me.
CD Review: Silhouette (The Wisecarvers)
I first heard The Wisecarvers on the National Quartet Convention’s live feed in 2017, and I was immediately impressed. I didn’t realize until I started this review that they also write their songs which is a bonus in my book. The only song they didn’t write on this recording is the hymn Amazing Grace.
Songs of special mention:
Best of Forever “I’ll be with You for the best of forever because you saved me from the worst of forever.” It’s not because of anything that I have done but because of His mercy, He saved me. I am so thankful!
When You Look at Me Am I the person God created me to be? Is He pleased with how I am living my life? Good questions to ask yourself.
You Have My Attention I love this song. It starts by painting a picture of someone who is desperate to hear from the Lord and ends with God stopping and paying attention to the soul who is fervently seeking Him.
Love You Still No matter what my future holds, God has been so good to me. He continues to be worthy of our love.
Someone Else’s Valley When things are going well, it can be easy to forget others who are hurting. This song encourages us to not forget someone else’s valley.
Potter’s Wheel is an encouraging song for those who are hurting. God will put the pieces back together. He loves you.
Other songs included are Begin With You, Jesus to Me, Silhouette, Go Down Again, and Manufactured Smiles.
CD Review: Finest Hour (The Talleys)
In an era where some southern gospel artists are in a rut, songs sound the same, etc. the Talleys are still being creative with their arrangements while singing strong lyrics. I had a time of worship while writing this review. This is a CD I won’t get tired of for a while.
Look Up is a song of encouragement to those who are weary and downtrodden. You won’t find hope on this earth but only by looking up.
Lauren Talley sings Jeremiah 29:11 (You Have Plans). When things don’t make sense, you can still hold on to the truth that God has plans for you, and His plans are always good.
Debra is featured on When the Answer is No. “Every storm you have to face will be covered by His grace. Mercy still flows when the answer is no.” Amen!
A peppy song is next: Joy. No matter what you are going through, this song is bound to put a smile on your face.
“We Are Witnesses, the ones who testify to the resurrection power of the Lord of life. Our glorious Savior–we have seen Him with our eyes. We are witnesses of Jesus Christ.”
That’s What the Teacher Taught provokes a lot of thought. I think many overlook the things that Jesus taught, perhaps thinking he didn’t really mean what He said.
He Restoreth My Soul is basically Psalm 23 set to music.
Other songs include: Grab Your Umbrella, Death Was Arrested, Get Me There, Home at Last, and Begin Again God.
CD Review: Walk Worthy (Master’s Voice)
It’s rare that a group catches my attention the first time I hear them. Master’s Voice is one of those rare groups. I have two of their CDs and never get tired of them. Good harmony and arrangements to songs written by writers such as Phil Cross, Joseph Habedank, Dianne Wilkinson, Jerry Salley, and others make this a recording you will want to listen to over and over. You will be tapping your toes on Love Goes a Mighty Long Way, crying on One Day Longer, acknowledging that “Without You, I Haven’t Got a Prayer,” and praying to be that person who will “Lift Up Your Hands When You Can’t.”
Other songs include: He Saw Me; Another One Like Him; Yes He Did, Yes He Does, Yes He Will; More Than Enough; Sowing the Good Seed; Do What Jesus Did; Burdens Are Lifted at Calvary; and Where My Savior Is.
CD Review: Here For You (Tribute Quartet)
Earlier this year, I reviewed my favorite CD for 2016. The latest CD from Tribute Quartet may not be my very favorite, but it’s definitely up there.
Here For You is an uptempo song of encouragement. You can find love, grace, mercy, forgiveness, joy, faith, everything you need to make it through. All you need to do is join the family of God.
Another encouraging toe-tapper is Never Forsaken.
We all need reminders that this world is not our home, that these trials will not last forever, etc. Somebody Sing Me That Song.
Riley Harrison Clark blows the roof off with When the Prodigal Comes Home.
The tempo picks back up with Meeting in the Middle of the Air.
I’m so thankful that I serve the God of the Storms.
Everybody Come See Jesus is just a song about Jesus and how wonderful He is.
Anthony Davis is featured on That’s How I Know.
Grace at Its Best is still the cross. I love that!
Jesus Saves is an old song written by Connie Hopper and Geron Davis.
Nothing Stops the Savior’s Love–I needed to hear this today. “Fear may rule the day, but hope–it always finds a way to reach us where we are, to give us life that’s more than what we dreamed of.”
CD Review: After All This Time (The Talleys)
With this CD, the Talleys are celebrating 20 years of ministry as Roger, Debra, and Lauren. Their harmony and their lyrics are as strong as always.
It’s fitting that the CD is titled After All This Time. Throughout the years, God has not stopped being faithful.
There is Coming a Day talks about that day that we all wait for. Keep looking up. Our redemption draws nigh.
There’s Never Been a Mountain is a song of encouragement, reminding us that God is still in control.
Debra Talley sings What is This Thing Called Grace?
If you have listened to the Talleys as long as I have, you’ll remember a song they recorded in the ’80s called simply Naaman. Well, they’ve brought it back for this CD. It’s a very different song but a good message. I love the line that says “Power comes from doing what God says.”
Lauren sings lead on Jesus’ Blood is Enough. You don’t need anything else but Jesus.
The tempo speeds up with My Hope is in the Lord.
But I Need You More is a song of worship, telling the Lord how much we need Him. Nothing compares to him.
The People in the Line is a reminder to not be so focused on ourselves that we fail to see the needs around us.
Somebody’s Story is a song about being slow to judge because you don’t always know somebody’s story.
Lauren is featured in the old song, Who But God.
The CD ends with a medley of I Love to Tell the Story and Blessed Assurance.
CD Review: Words (Canaan’s Crossing)
David Staton produced yet another great CD from Canaan’s Crossing. This group has a way of choosing fabulous songs with great bluegrass arrangements.
Group member Josh Palmer wrote the lead-off song, Closer Than a Brother. The Savior is waiting to enter your heart so that He can be closer than a brother. That is so comforting to me lately, as it seems that, so many times, friends are hard to find. The Heavenly Father is always there, however, waiting to comfort as no one else can.
The tempo picks up for He Holds Me in His Hand.
River of Living Water tells about the living water that Christ offers, as opposed to the water that leaves you thirsty.
Tina Miller sings Somebody’s Blessing, a beautiful song about blessing others. I don’t know about you but it means the world to me when someone tells me I am a blessing. There are way too many negative things in the world but, when you bless another, you are getting past yourself to be God’s hands and feet and voice. “In ways they weren’t expecting, I wanna be somebody’s blessing.”
The Words I Would Say: “Be strong in the Lord. Never give up hope. You’re gonna do great things. I already know God’s got His hand on you, so don’t live life in fear. Forgive and forget. Don’t forget why you’re here. Take your time and pray and thank God for each day.” Words of encouragement for those who are hurting.
Aren’t you thankful for His Unchanging Hand? In a world that ever changes, I’m grateful that God never does. I don’t have to worry that He will love me one day and not love me the next.
Hold Back the Sea starts out talking about how God delivered Israel from the Red Sea. Then it brings it around to personal application, how life can seem like a sea that’s about to drown us but God is still able to hold back that proverbial sea.
Count It All Joy is a song of encouragement for those who are going through trials.
Come Drink This Water is an invitation to accept Jesus into your life.
I Will Go is a song of surrender. “No matter what the cost, no matter what the loss … I will go.”
CD Review: The Horn Family
I first became aware of The Horn Family a year or so ago but I was instantly impressed. This CD is top notch both musically and vocally. A mixture of country, some soul, and a bit progressive, this group will still appeal to many Southern Gospel fans.
I’ve Got It is a Pentecostal song about receiving the Holy Ghost.
The tempo slows down for a beautiful song Tracy Horn wrote, titled Rise Above the Fall. A country sound with a good message. “In all the tough times I have seen, greater is He within than He that’s after me.”
I don’t know anyone who doesn’t need “Victory through the name and the blood of Jesus.”
He Called Me Brother is pretty progressive music-wise. Jesus said that the one who does the Father’s will is His mother and brother and sister. How amazing is it that you and I can be Christ’s brother or sister!
Mary Magdalene (Why You Crying) is my least favorite song on the project but this is my preference. It’s not my musical taste but it is a song of redemption. If you know the story of Mary Magdalene, you know that she was despised in most circles, yet Jesus loved her and revealed Himself first to her after He arose from the tomb.
For the Life of Me is another slow, country-sounding song. “He gave His life for the life of me.” What a Savior!
The CD ends with an a cappella version of the old song, Lights of Home.
Other songs include Peace Everlasting, Love Like Rain, and It’s All in Jesus.
