CD Reviews
CD Review: Great Big God (Paul’s Journey)
I’ve been hearing a lot about Paul’s Journey lately so I recently dug out their latest recording to see what the hype is about. My initial thought was how hard it is to classify the style of the CD as a whole. Each song has a different flavor from praise & worship to traditional to progressive. It has a little something for everyone.
The CD starts with a one-minute, 38-second prelude to the song “God is Great,” an uptempo praise and worship song. Next comes “Washed in the Blood.” The man who sings the first verse of this song reminds me of Mike Bowling. Ann Downing and Daryl Williams co-wrote “There’s Still a Cross,” which is a great song.
“Get Out of the Boat” is different musically. Not a new message but an interesting arrangement. “For Me” is a pretty ballad sung in a way that gets the message across that it was “for me” that Jesus died. “Walkin’ on the Edge” reminds you that no matter what you’re going through, your walls are coming down. “In the Waiting” is a song of encouragement to those who are praying and waiting for an answer. “I want a peace beyond my understanding.” How many can relate to that?
Other songs include “Great Big God,” “Call Upon the Name,” “In the Name of Jesus,” “Shelter,” and “He’s Alive.”
If you like quartets, you will enjoy this CD.
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: Old Friends Get Together (Crowe-Lawson-Williams)
J. D. Crowe, Paul Williams and Doyle Lawson have teamed up to put together a top-notch bluegrass recording.
“Stormy Waters” is an example of my favorite kind of bluegrass–a song with various parts. The music’s choppy but sounds kinda cool. It’s a moderate tempo song but a great song which talks about how Jesus is near even in the midst of stormy waters.
“Pray the Clouds Away” is another song I like. They also do a bluegrass version of “This World is Not My Home.”
This CD was done as a tribute to Jimmy Martin who co-wrote “Voice of My Savior” and “Give Me Your Hand” (written with Paul Williams), a song which talks about how, no matter what church you attend, if you’re a Christian, you’re a Brother or Sister so “give me your hand.”
Other songs include “Prayer Bells of Heaven,” “Goodbye,” “The Little White Church,” “When the Savior Reached Down for Me,” “Lord, I’m Coming Home,” “Shake Hands With Mother Again,” and “Who’ll Sing for Me.”
Ben Isaacs sings bass on this CD. Background vocals are performed by Cia Cherryholmes and Sonya Isaacs.
Primitive Quartet’s Hominy Valley Sing 2011
I was blessed to be able to attend two evenings of the Hominy Valley Sing in Candler, NC this year. This was on top of hearing a few songs Wednesday night which I mentioned in my previous post. I didn’t take extensive notes or pictures but I still wanted to mention some of the highlights.
Sunday featured the Partain Family, Set Apart, the Spencers and the Primitive Quartet.
The Partain Family is a mom, dad and their eight children. They broke it up so that only three or four of them were singing at any given time but each of the members did a great job. Probably the most touching part was when they brought their little boy to the stage who is probably around 3 years old. Mr. Partain told the story of how his son had had a hole in his heart and these parents had to go through the process of placing their child in God’s hands and trusting that, no matter what happened, God had a plan. God healed their son, and he joined them in singing “Give Them All to Jesus.” Mr. Partain mentioned that they didn’t have their son up there to be cute but to testify of what can happen when you truly give everything to Jesus.
I’d never heard Set Apart before but they were very good. I was glad to see J.B. and Barbara Spencer again, and the Primitive Quartet were top notch as always, singing a lot of requests, including several songs which featured parts by Larry Riddle and Norman Wilson which are always my favorites.
Monday was the Field Day which was held on the grounds of the Sing. There were games for the children, a softball games for adults and big kids, and there was a small jam session which my sister and I enjoyed listening to. After most everyone left, my sister and I stayed under the tent, watching the rain fall and I read and prayed intermittently. It was nice to have some time to rest in a beautiful setting, surrounded by mountains. As the rain fell against the roof of the tent, it allowed me time to sing without being heard by the few people who were also waiting out the storm.
That evening, the concert featured Mike Upright, the Marksmen, Paul Williams and the Victory Trio, and the Primitive Quartet. I wasn’t familiar with any of these guest artists but I’m glad I got to hear them.
With Monday being July 4, there was also a tribute to the veterans, thanking them for their part in fighting for our freedom.
If you enjoy bluegrass music and have never attended one of these Sings, I would encourage you to do so. They have another one coming up in October which will feature the Singing Cookes, the Cooke Brothers, Set Apart, the Spencers, the Reggie Saddler Family, Paul Williams and the Victory Trio, the Good Shepherd Quartet and, of course, the Primitive Quartet who will be appearing every evening. For more information, visit their website at www.primitivequartet.com.
CD Review: Jesus Gave Me a Song (Squire Parsons Trio)
This CD features ten more songs written by Squire Parsons and sung by Squire, his son Sam Parsons, and Greg Bentley.
“He Left the Light On” refers to the cross as a Light that is always shining, drawing people to Christ.
“We Shall Fight On” is an uptempo song, reminding Believers that we can’t rest now. It’s time to continue fighting the good fight.
Squire sings “Daddy I’m Fine” which talks about a child going to Heaven. If you’ve lost a child, you know the agony that brings but, if your child knows Christ, what a blessing to know you’ll see your child again.
“If You Will Give Your Heart to the Lord” has a sound that I can’t pin. It sounds old maybe. Very different musically.
Squire also sings “Heaven’s Rose.” You may remember Squire’s old song, “The Beautiful Rose.” They include a portion of that song for the bridge but most of this song talks about when Christ walked the earth as Heaven’s Rose.
I originally heard the Kingdom Heirs sing “Now I Am On My Way to Heaven” but it’s always fun hearing the songwriter sing his own song.
Sam sings “My God Sent an Angel” which tells us that, when we’re at our lowest, God will send an angel to provide the comfort and courage you need for the storm you’re going through.
I love “Is There a Crown for Me.” I love their harmony and, mixed with a great message, well, that’s why I love southern gospel music. 🙂
Other songs on this project are: “Jesus Gave Me a Song,” “I Am Still His Child,” “There Has Never Been a Man Like This Man,” and “I Know the One.”
CD Review: Grace Through Faith (Vertical Praise)
As this CD begins, you can understand the name. Vertical Praise truly sends praise up to the Father.
I’m not sure who to compare them to. They remind me a bit of Hope’s Call but they seem to have settled into a niche singing praise songs yet doing so in a southern gospel manner. One of my favorite songs on the project is a song Donna Beauvais wrote with Chris Binion: “That’s Just What Love Does.” I also like “Forgives and Forgets,” a beautiful song about God’s forgiveness.
“God is Faithful, “There’s Only One Well,” and “He’s a Sure Thing” are upbeat songs with a slightly progressive sound. Other songs include “That’s My King,” “When All You Have is Faith,” “No Doubt About It,” Let it Fall,” “Whatever it Takes,” and a peppy rendition of “When We All Get to Heaven.”
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: Altogether Lovely (The Edwards Family)
I met Adam Edwards about four years ago but didn’t realize at the time that he was part of a singing group called The Edwards Family. Therefore, I was delighted a few months back when I received a CD from this family group. I’ve been hard pressed to know what category to put their music into. It’s quite a mix of bluegrass, traditional and yet some of their songs have a sound similar to the McKameys which I suppose would be considered traditional but a bit different. The group consists of Adam and Patricia Edwards, and Patricia’s mom Anna Scott.
One of my favorite songs on the project is “This One Thing I Know.” I’ve only heard the Primitive Quartet sing this song but the Edwards Family does a great job as well, incorporating a banjo in the break. They also sing the McKamey’s song “Altogether Lovely.” “Nothing Can Hold Me Here” is an old Mike Payne song which The Edwards gave a bluegrass sound to. Another song I like on the project is “I Can’t Quit.”
Other songs included are “I’ll Live Again,” “You Are Never Alone,” “I Can Trust Jesus,” “The Blood of Jesus,” “Something to Shout About,” “Behold His Coming, “Wall of Prayer,” and “For God So Loved the World.”
If you like southern gospel music, you should also check out Adam’s blog, Southern Gospel Critique.
CD Review: Singing the Classics (Ed O’Neal and the Dixie Melody Boys)
From here on out, when I review CDs, you’ll notice I’ve added categories to classify the CDs. Within the southern gospel genre, there’s variety. Most groups or artists considered southern gospel seem to be what I would classify as inspirational, country, bluegrass or traditional. This CD definitely falls into the latter category.
The Dixie Melody Boys recently put out another CD of timeless classics. Songs included are: “Saved to the Uttermost,” “The Blood Will Never Lose Its Power,” “The Longer I Serve Him,” “10,000 Years,” “That’s What Jesus Means to Me,” “Rise Again,” “He Looked Beyond My Fault,” “Through it All,” “The Night Before Easter,” and “There is a River.” Each song has the same familiar arrangements but is unmistakeably DMB.
My favorite songs on the project are “He Looked Beyond My Fault” and “Rise Again” which surprised me that I would like this last song so well. Dallas Holm is not a southern gospel singer but Ed O’Neal and the boys brought the song to life.
