CD Reviews
CD Review: God Is (Cavaliers Quartet)
The Cavaliers Quartet consists of Anthony O’Neal, Wayne O’Neal, Jason Reese, and Ben Mullins. This was my first introduction to them but they have good harmony. The songs on this CD are either worshipful or encouraging to those going through trials.
My favorite song on their latest CD is titled “I’ll Keep Trusting On.” It talks about learning the importance of trust while going through a trial. The line that jumps out to me is “You may not deliver me until You take me Home but if the answer never comes, I’ll keep trusting on.” Another song I like is “That’s What Love Looks Like.”
Songs that were familiar to me are: “Praise to the Lord the Almighty,” “Count On You,” and “You Are My King (Amazing Love).”
Other songs include: “God Is,” “It’s Alright,” “I’ll Be Long Gone,” “Jesus Knows Just What to Do,” and “Oh What a Difference.”
CD Review: Canaan’s Crossing (Canaan’s Crossing)
A few months ago, I met Tina Miller who plays and sings in a group called Canaan’s Crossing. I’d never heard of them before but I’ve enjoyed becoming more familiar with them. They are bluegrass but 100% gospel.
Songs on this project are: “Rain Fallin’ Down” (an uptempo number), “Give Me a Song to Sing” (a song which I love due to the fact that God always does that for me),”Praying” (a song I grew up hearing and absolutely love; it’s a great reminder of the importance of prayer), “Battle Scarred Soldier” (which the Bishops recorded years ago), “Goin’ to Heaven,” “Leaving Despair” (an instrumental number), “Talk About Suffering,” “Palms of Victory,” “There’s a Man in Here,” “The Best is Yet to Come,” “I’m Going Over,” and “Glory Land,” which they sing a capella. The only group I’ve heard sing this is the Primitive Quartet but it’s a beautiful song with an encouraging message.
This group is good musically but my favorite part of the CD is their song selection–very strong lyrics which just happens to be accompanied by talented musicians. Other group members are Tim Maze, Drew Long, Andy Wilks, and Josh Palmer. If you like bluegrass, you will enjoy this group.
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: Calvary Sings (The Harper Trio)
The Harper Trio is based in Georgia, and consists of Chip, Marion, and Flip Harper. The group started singing in 2001 but I only became aware of them a couple years ago.
Calvary Sings begins with “God is Good,” a song which the Talley Trio recorded years ago. “It Could Be Today” is a mid-tempo song, followed by “Calvary Sings” which is a song which I could picture a choir singing. Powerful message.
Marion sings “Make Me a Vessel,” a beautiful song asking God to do just that. “In Jesus’ Name” was written by Ann Downing. Kyla Rowland wrote the toe-tapping “Oh That Wonderful Promise” which is the same song the Perrys recorded on their This is the Day recording.
“Friend of God Medley” ( featuring “I am a Friend of God,” “No Not One,” and “Oh What a Savior”) is very worshipful and restful to listen to. I like the uptempo “Not About You.”
Other songs include: “One Way,” “There’s Never Been Another Day,” “Rest Assured,” and the popular “Calvary Answers for Me.”
CD Review: It’s Worth the Wait (Dana Russell)
A couple years ago, I became aware of a man by the name of Dana Russell. Many of you may not have heard of him as he sings mostly in GA and southern TN; however, I recently received his debut CD and I’m pretty impressed. Dana does a great job delivering a great message in song.
The majority of this CD is upbeat with a theme that focuses on making sure you’re ready to go to Heaven. Dana wrote all the songs on this recording: “Be Ready,” “I Just Wasn’t Saved,” “Does He Know Your Name,” “He Made An Offer,” “God’s Voice,” “Sing About My Jesus,” “That Day Jesus Came Into My life,” “If Not for Calvary,” “It’s Worth the Wait,” and “He’s Always There.”
For information on ordering this CD, you may email Dana at rogasinger4him@yahoo.com.
CD Review: “The Journey” (The Mattingly Family)
As the title implies, the latest release from The Mattingly Family is a journey from the birth of Christ through His death and resurrection to the commission He gave us to “go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature” (Mark 16:15).
Songs on the project are: “Only God Could Think of That,” “O Holy Night,” “On My Father’s Side,” “He Saw It All,” “That Soul Was Mine,” “Resurrection Morn,” “Beyond the Cross,” “No One Else,” “I Will Trust You Lord,” “Should We Neglect the Cause?” “Wake the Town,” and it ends with “It is Well.” It is a very creative project with great songs to take you on this journey with Jim, Ruby, Ruth Ann, Jeremiah and Jonathan Mattingly.
They only sing the chorus of “Beyond the Cross” but they sing it a capella. “It is Well” is also sung a capella. Both are nice arrangements. I think they sum up the the CD when they ask, “Should we neglect the cause? Should we forget the lost and fail to point the sinner to the cross?” After all Christ has done for me, I do not want to fail Him in that.
CD Review: Rescued (The Harris Family)
The latest release from The Harris Family is a mixture of uptempo traditional southern gospel songs with a couple that have more of a praise and worship feel. The group consists of Roger and Sue Harris and their daughter Kristen. Their sound reminds me a bit of The Galloways but they are definitely setting their own niche.
Sue Harris wrote “The God Who Will Provide,” “Will Anybody Love Me?,” “God is Enough,” and “It Doesn’t Matter.” Kristen wrote “He Came to Me” and “Don’t Be Afraid, Just Believe.”
Two familiar songs on the project are “Mighty to Save,” (the popular praise and worship song) and “Victory Road,” a song they brought in a bass singer to accompany them on. Other songs included are: “Testify,” “Get Out There,” and “That’s Just What Love Does.”
CD Review: When You Look at Me (The Kingdom Heirs)
I saw The Kingdom Heirs sing “He Locked the Gates” back in September and I knew right away that I had to have the CD containing that song. Well, this is it. Dianne Wilkinson wrote or co-wrote all but three songs on this recording, with one song written by Rodney Griffin, one by Joseph Habedank and Matthew Holt, and one by Daryl Petersheim. With a lineup like that and great arrangements performed by a great sounding group, you won’t be disappointed.
“On the Gloryland Way” gets it started as a fairly typical quartet song. Then they sing “Biblically Correct.” When I saw that title, I was very curious but Dianne did a great job telling how the Bible is accurate from beginning to end. Then comes “He Locked the Gates,” still my favorite on this project. It makes me want to shout every time I hear it.
“Help Me, Lord” is a mid-tempo song featuring Jeff Chapman with the quartet backing him up. “Fire Away” reminds pastors and those who have a platform to not “water it down … don’t modern it up. Let it say what it has to say” talking about the Bible. Other favorites include: “When the Story of My Life is Told,” “When You Look at Me,” and “The Empty Tomb Says it All.”
When I started this review, I’d planned to give it about 4 or 4 1/2 stars but as I listened from beginning to end, I decided it needed 5 stars due to the strong lyrical content. If you have unsaved loved ones who like Gospel music, this would be a good project to give them. And, while you’re at it, get a copy for yourself. I’m sure you will be encouraged as I’ve been.
CD Review: “Everyday” (Triumphant Quartet)
Triumphant Quartet is one of those groups that started with a bang but with five very talented people, it shouldn’t have been a surprise.
The CD begins with two well-known songs to me: “Jesus Built This Church on Love,” written by Joel Hemphill, and “Everyday,” a song which numerous quartets have sung over the year. I really like Triumphant’s arrangement of this song. Very traditional but yet there’s something about it that makes me want to go out and smile and “show my Brothers and Sisters that I want to help them.” I especially like to play this song loud!
Rodney Griffin wrote “Amazed at the Change.” Scot Inman wrote and sang the uptempo number “Do You Know That You Know.” Dianne Wilkinson wrote “God’s Home.” David Sutton sings “When the Trumpet Sounds” which is another song which makes you tap your feet and look upward.
Other songs included are: “Somebody Died for Me,” “One Drop of Blood,” “What a Wonderful Day” and “The Day of Our Lord.” No matter what we go through, if we are faithful to live for the Lord, we can look forward to the day when He will come again.
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.)
