4.5 star
Concert/CD Review: “50 Years: The Call is Still the Same” (Dixie Melody Boys)
I remember the Dixie Melody Boys from the days of “Good Ole Boys,” “Ride That Glory Cloud,” “Double Dose,” etc. Two weeks ago was my first time to experience a full concert however. Performances were great from Matt Felts, Steve Cooper and, of course Ed O’Neal. It was an extra blessing to find that David Staton was filling in that weekend for Donald Morris, whose wife had just had a baby.
The concert started with a couple old favorites: “First Day in Heaven,” “Roll on Jordan,” “Royal Telephone” (which I hadn’t heard in probably over 20 years),” and “Victory Road.”
Steve Cooper sang “Gotta Get the Good News Out.”
David Staton sang “Bottom of the Basket.”
I met Matt Felts a couple years ago when he was singing with Perfect Heart but I haven’t heard him sing much. He sang “O What a Savior” and did a really good job. They then went into a medley of “Search Me, Lord,” “Working on a Building” and “Walk Dem Golden Stairs.”
Ed sang, “I’ve Got Family There” and then they sang their uptempo “Jesus in My Boat” which I believe is the song Ed said they hadn’t sung on Sunday morning before.
After a brief intermission, they sang “There’s Joy in Serving Jesus,” “God Will Hear Your Prayer,” “His Blood Alone” and the powerful “The Call is Still the Same.”
The pastor of the church gave an altar call and then requested the group to sing again “God Will Hear Your Prayer” and “O What a Savior.”
The new CD from DMB celebrating 50 years is the best I’ve heard from them lyrically in a long time. Many of the songs they sang in concert are on the CD. Plus they brought back “Too Much Thunder” and “Good Ole Boys” which long-time fans will remember from back in the 1980s. The CD also includes “That’s Why I Sing Gospel Music” which was written by David Staton.
CD Review: Songs You Know By Heart (Rejoice)
This hymns project by Rejoice begins with an acapella version of “I Sing the Mighty Power of God.”
“Wonderful Words of Life” features the newest vocalist to Rejoice, Sherri Vestal’s son Tyler.
“Heaven Medley” is a beautiful arrangement of “How Beautiful Heaven Must Be,” “What a Day That Will Be” and “Heaven Will Surely Be Worth it All.”
Tyler Vestal sings Rusty Goodman’s “The Greatest Love Story.”
Another Medley consists of “Fairest Lord Jesus” (sung acapella), “Savior, Like a Shepherd Lead Us,” and “‘Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus.”
I’ve heard several groups sing “Wait Upon the Lord” but I love the song. Rejoice’s version is no exception.
They did a great job on “Where the Roses Never Sang.” I love listening to the guitar on this song.
Also included are: “What a Happy Time,” “Jesus, Hold My Hand,” “Keep on the Firing Line,” “When God Dips His Love in My Heart,” “Glory Be to the Father (Gloria Patri),” and “I Will Trade the Old Cross for a Crown.”
CD Review: Reach Out (Karen Peck and New River)
The new release from Karen Peck and New River starts with Karen singing the punchy “Mighty Big God” then goes into “On the Banks of the Promised Land.”
“Love With All Your Heart” has an older sound to me … maybe like something from the ’70s … but the message is relevant as it focuses on Christ’s command to love the Lord with all our heart, soul, mind and strength, and to love our neighbor as ourselves.
Susan Jackson sings “Sustaining Grace,” a message of encouragement to those going through trials.
Karen reminds us that “Good Things Are Happening.” No matter how bleak things look, this song puts things in perspective.
“This is What Mercy Does” talks about the Prodigal Son and the mercy he found when he returned to his father.
“Don’t Worry About the Waves” is a fun, uptempo song with a country feel.
The CD ends with the title song, “Reach Out and Touch.” Although not a blatantly Christian song, it has a Christian theme–that of touching others and being available for those who need a friend.
Other songs include “More Than Ever,” “Faithful Love of Jesus” and “Broken Into Beautiful.”
CD Review: By His Grace Still Standing (Conquerors Quartet)
As soon as this CD by The Conquerors Quartet begins, there is anticipation. I hear the fancy traditional southern gospel style piano doing a perfect intro to “Oh Come Along.” Then they slow it down to sing “Welcome Home” which group member David Goldman wrote. After that comes Teddy Huffam’s song, “I’m Rich.”
“Walk With Me” is sung with feeling. They also included Bill & Gloria Gaither’s song “Heaven” which I haven’t heard a group record for a while.
Another traditional southern gospel song and arrangement is “I Have a New Song to Sing.” “Sunshine of Today” is a mid-tempo song which was recorded years ago by Legacy Five. Great piano is heard again on “When We Make it to the Other Side.”
Other songs included are: “Oh What a Savior,” “I’m On My Way” and “It’s Just Another Red Sea.”
CD Review: Painting Pictures (Providence Quartet)
I met Rob Shelton several years ago when he was singing with The Dixie Melody Boys. When he left, I lost track of him so I was surprised at a showcase at NQC last year when I went to a showcase of the Providence Quartet and he was introduced. As I listen to this project, it sounds similar to something I would expect from a DMB alumni.
It starts with an uptempo song Bill Shivers wrote called “I’m Going There.” Then goes into “Every Step I Take.” “Hell Won’t Give an Altar Call” is quite thought provoking, talking about how, once you’re in hell, it will be too late to call on Jesus. You need to do so today.
I love the uptempo “God Told Me to Walk a Little Farther”–a great song of encouragement. Keep walking! Canaanland is just in sight!
Also included on this project is Larry Hinson’s song, “Joy Comes in the Morning.” Then they slow the tempo way down to sing “Jesus Had Mercy on Me.” “Lord Give Me a Field to Plow” is a fast bluegrassy song.
I love the line, “You can’t kill what God’s given life.” You’ll find this line in “When Jesus Speaks Life.”
Other songs include: “My Ship Can’t Go Down,” “You’re Just a Step From Calvary,” and “Painting Pictures,” all written by Newt Kelly.
CD Review: Light On Feet, Ready to Fly (Doyle Lawson and Quicksilver)
The latest release from Doyle Lawson and Quicksilver is another first class CD. It starts with the barnburner, “Light on My Feet, Ready to Fly” and then goes into the ballad “In Your Arms.” I first heard this sung by the Calvarymen from Michigan and I love the way Doyle Lawson sings it as well.
Corey Hensley sings the high lead on “Teddy Bear Revival.” Next is “He Will Remember Me.” “It’s a Mighty Hard Road to Travel” is an uptempo song which talks about how hard it can be to stand when everyone’s against you and the enemy’s hammering hard. “I Live for Him Cause He Died for Me” is next. “The Hammer of Sin” has an excellent message and is a fast song which I really like. “Zion Medley” consists of “Is That the Old Ship of Zion” and a song I’m not familiar with.
Other songs include “Mountain View Missionary Baptist Church,” “My Lord’s Gonna Move This Wicked Race” and “Oh Heaven.”
CD Review: Sojourner Quartet
The Sojourner Quartet out of Ohio put out a self-titled CD a few years ago which includes a great mixture of ballads and uptempo quartet songs. If you like four-part male harmony, you will like this CD.
From the first notes of “Get Up, Get Ready” to the end of “Will I See You Over Yonder” this recording is top notch. Bass singer Dave Barker went Home to be with Jesus last year but I loved listening to him sing. He was a quality singer who, although I only met him briefly, seemed to have a love for God and a love for God’s people.
Other songs on this recording are “Just Got to Praise Him,” “Precious Love of Jesus,” “The Lighthouse,” “Happy Time in Heaven,” “Just One Hope,” “Where the Light Comes from the Son,” “Lean on Me,” and “I’m a Whosoever.”
CD Review: I Can Call Jesus (The Telestials)
I remember years ago reading an article about The Telestials in the Singing News magazine. This is the first time I’ve actually heard them but I’m really enjoying their latest CD. They are definitely a top-notch group. From the uptempo “I Wanna Go There” to the final note of “Redeemed,” this is a CD any mixed group fan would love.
Songs included on this CD are the two mentioned above, as well as “Everything,” “One Way Flight,” “No One Ever Cared for Me Like Jesus,” “Free,” “My Redeemer is Faithful and True,” “Oh What a Savior, What a Friend,” “I Can Call Jesus,” and “Through It All.”
CD Review: Christmas (The Rick Webb Family)
The recent Christmas CD from The Rick Webb Family starts with an a capella version of “Carol of the Bells.” Then they sing a medley of “Caroling Caroling/Sleigh Ride/Winter Wonderland.” The music on this song is what I call “Christmas” music. You know … sleigh bells and the kind of music that makes you think winter. I know that’s not a professional description but it’s the best way I know how to describe it.
“Glad Tidings of Great Joy” was a new song to me but a great announcement of the Savior’s birth.
My favorite song on the project is “Heaven’s Child.” I wish I knew which lady sings this song but she has a beautiful voice and does a great job delivering the message of this Christmas ballad.
Rick Webb sings “What Child is This” and “O Holy Night.”
I loved their arrangement of “It Came Upon a Midnight Clear.” It has a beautiful musical introduction with Parker Webb singing lead and the others joining in beautiful harmony for portions of each verse.
Other songs included are “Away in a Manger,” “Mary Did You Know,” and “Love Came Gently.”
In reading back over this review, I may slightly overuse the word “beautiful” but that’s the best way I know how to describe this CD. This is a group even people who don’t prefer Southern Gospel music would enjoy.
CD Review: Evidence (The Freemans)
After much anticipation, The Freemans have finally released their new CD, Evidence, and it was well worth the wait. Great songs, good harmony, and a bit of a country flair is what I think of when I think of the Freemans and this CD has it all.
Produced by Darrell Freeman, the CD begins with their powerful current radio single written by Dianne Wilkinson, “The Father and the Son.” Joe Freeman does a great job on “The God That Changes Everything,” a song Ronnie Hinson wrote. Dianne Wilkinson also wrote “I Can Make It From Here.” Misty Freeman Callaway sings, “He Goes One Step Farther.”
This is the first CD Caylon has sung a full song on but he sings, “He Keeps Sending Me Angels.” I think his style is similar to Joe’s and I look forward to hearing him sing more in the future. Darrell sings a song Charles Johnson and the Revivers made popular years ago: “I Can’t Even Walk.” What truth there is to that song!
I love the way Chris Freeman sings “Is Not This the Land of Beulah.” As I listen, I can visualize it so clearly. She has such a gift. The final song is “I Call Him My Everything,” an uptempo song also sung by Chris.
Stylistically, I’d say this is comparable to their last recording yet their style and sound always stays new and fresh. If you enjoy the Freemans, you will not be disappointed by Evidence.
