CD Reviews
CD Review: As We Speak (Greater Vision)
If you attended the National Quartet Convention last year or saw the live stream, you are aware that Greater Vision released a new CD entitled, As We Speak. It became humorous, but it was worth the mention. In thinking back over the Greater Vision CDs I own, I believe this is my favorite since Faces. I rated it low because, in many ways, it is pretty typical of Greater Vision recordings, but there are some more uptempo songs and a couple songs I especially like, which is what makes it one of my faves.
The CD begins with the group’s recent hit, Put Out the Fire
We Can’t Tell It All has a typical GV sound. No matter how many songs we sing, it is impossible to fully describe our Lord.
Toes in the Water asks if we are fully surrendered or just getting our toes wet (my paraphrase). 🙂
He Does reminds us that Jesus sees and cares and understands.
Will I be a faithful example if the Lord has me follow In the Sandals of Daniel to the lion’s den? This is a toe-tapper but one that you need to pause to ponder.
I am really glad that they brought back Labreeska Hemphill’s song, Let the Blood of Calvary Speak for Me. “May it write me down as righteous where no righteousness has been, shielding me from wrath and judgment as it covers all my sins.” Lord, let it be so!
Never Will I Ever Again is a fun, fast song. I love it!
The tempo slows down as Rodney Griffin sings I Do Know. I may not know the future, but I do know what the next life will bring.
It’s encouraging to know that everyone is Saved By the Same Grace. It doesn’t matter if you are male or female, rich or poor. God’s grace is sufficient for all!
The CD ends with the title track: As We Speak. This is another of my favorites on the CD. Gerald Wolfe does a great job communicating the message. I feel God’s presence every time I hear this song.
CD/DVD Review: Quartet Night Across America
Daywind Records has put together a CD/DVD collection of four top quartets to take us back through the decades to when Southern Gospel music first started and progressing into how it sounds today. Groups featured are Legacy Five, The Blackwood Brothers, Tribute Quartet, and Brian Free & Assurance. On the DVD, Paul Heil interviews Scott Fowler, Billy Blackwood, Gary Casto, and Brian Free. Since this is a live recording, there are a couple mistakes, but I still consider this a must-have for every southern gospel collector. Songs featured are as follows:
All: “Quartet Singing’s Going On”
Scott Fowler, Gary Casto, Brian Free, Butch Owens: “Give Me That Old Time Religion.”
Riley Harrison Clark, Bill Shivers, Billy Blackwood, Matt Fouch: “Heaven’s Jubilee.”
Blackwood Brothers: “Just a Little Talk with Jesus,” “How Great Thou Art,” “Have You Talked to the Man Upstairs.”
Tribute Quartet: “This Old House.”
Blackwood Brothers and Tribute Quartet: Happy Medley (“Happy Rhythm” and “Wonderful Time Up There”)
All: “Patriotic Medley (America the Beautiful, My Country ‘Tis of Thee, God Bless America).”
Brian Free & Assurance: “In My Robe of White,” “Only God Knows,” “Long as I Got King Jesus.”
Legacy Five: “Wonderful Grace of Jesus,” “Boundless Love,” “He Made a Change,” “Hello After Goodbye.”
Tribute Quartet: “Sweeter as the Days Go By,” “Good News from Jerusalem,” “Everything I Need.”
Blackwood Brothers: “You Can Find What I Found.”
Brian Free & Assurance: “Say Amen.”
Legacy Five: “Christ is Still the King.”
All: “Looking for a City.”
In other news, Daywind announced last week that these groups will be taking this on the road. To bring Quartet Night Across America to your town, contact The Harper Agency at info@harperagency.com or by calling 615.851.4500.
CD Review: What a Moment (11th Hour)
The latest CD from 11th Hour is my introduction to them. My first impression is that they are an average group, but I know sometimes it makes a difference when one sees them in concert.
This CD begins by reminding us that we need that “sea walking, Mountain Moving Faith.”
Look at Me Now is a couple stories of people who were changed after they met Jesus.
The tempo slows down for Love Still Holds Our Scars.
You may have been Bound for destruction and hell but, if you know Jesus, you are now Bound for Heaven. Praise the Lord!
He Welcomes the Beggar talks about the beggar Lazarus and then talks to modern-day “beggars” who are looking for hope.
Aren’t you glad that He’s Alive and So Am I?
My favorite song on the CD is When God Shows Up. Written by Dianne Wilkinson, Kenna West, and Lee Black, you will feel God show up as you worship Him.
Can You Burn asks if you can stand through the fire when persecution comes. Can you burn with the zeal you used to have? This is something we must all ask ourselves.
There Ain’t No Bones in the grave where Jesus laid. He’s alive!
Another song I really like is I Trust. Trust is an area I pray to keep growing in.
CD Review: Moments Like These (The Bowling Family)
The Bowling Family is comprised of Mike and Kelly Bowling and their daughter Hope. This is my first time to listen to a full CD of theirs, but what a blessing it is. I give it 5 stars because of the quality of the songs. There is not a “dud” on this recording. Songs of faith, hope, and the resurrection fill this CD, leaving you encouraged and ready to face another day.
Mike sings the uptempo, Praise God, He is Alive.
Hope sings about One Moment of Faith.
I Was There is the Heavenly Father reminding you that He was there during everything you have gone through … and He will continue to be.
Mourning to Dancing is another toe-tapping song of hope.
In the next song, Mike tells us again I Believe He’s Alive.
The tempo slows way down for a song Mike and Kelly Bowling wrote with Marcia Henry Bloodworth: Even When You’re Asking Why. “You will never get to walk this road by sight. Only faith will lead you through the night. But God loves you and He’s with you, even when you’re asking why.”
Some of you will know the old song, I’ve Got My Foot on the Rock. I hadn’t heard this one in quite a while.
God is Always Good reminds us of that truth that many seem to lose sight of. No matter what you are going through, it does not change the fact that God is still good.
If you’re still not convinced, the next song puts it another way: God Likes Working in the Midnight Hour.
Kelly sings Our First Hallelujah There, a song that ushers you into the presence of Heaven as you picture your first moments there.
CD Review: Turn Your Radio On (Watts, Rowsey & Bean)
Watts, Rowsey & Bean consists of Nicole Watts Jenkins, John Darin Rowsey, and Gina Bean. I’ve been listening to John Darin Rowsey since his days with New Journey, so I’m most familiar with him but his name alone made me interested in this CD.
Old-time southern gospel fans may immediately assume that the title track is the old Albert E. Brumley classic, Turn Your Radio On, but it is actually a new, rousing song written by Watts, Rowsey & Bean.
“I don’t wanna Waste Another Day. Not one minute if You’re not in it. Jesus, You’re the only reason that I live.” Do I hear Amen?
I Still Am Your Child is a reassuring song that God is ever near, arms open wide when we go running back to Him.
He’s in Control is another song of encouragement. You will reap if you faint not! Keep hanging in there.
Written in the Scars talks about the crucifixion and yet the fact that it doesn’t end there. This is my favorite on the CD.
“There’s going to be rejoicing When Revival Comes to Town.” Real revival, that is. There are way too many things that are called “revival,” which has nothing to do with changing lives. When true, Heaven-sent revival comes to town, you will notice the difference.
I’ve Come to Bless You is a song of praise and worship to the only One worthy of our praise.
Faith is an older song written by Karen Peck Gooch and John Darin Rowsey. An uptempo song that talks about what faith is.
The Bible says that, if we don’t cry out, the rocks will do so in our place. This next song tells us Don’t Give a Rock a Chance. I hope the rocks never have to cry out because I am not praising my God who has done so much for me.
He Lives to Love talks about how great the Father’s love is for us.
CD Review: Mile Marker One (Zane and Donna King)
Zane and Donna King do not have voices that I would have put together in a duet, but they found a way to blend their musical styles and voices that really works.
The only song on this CD that was not written or co-written by Zane and/or Donna is the hymn, Great is Thy Faithfulness, which starts the CD.
The CD continues with that same theme in a song titled No One Like God.
I first heard Keep Me in Your Will when Jessica King sang it a number of years ago. I did not realize until this CD that Zane King co-wrote that song. It continues to be one of my favorites, and Zane and Donna do a great job on it.
Donna sings the uptempo Shine. “When things get too tough to handle, just shine.”
Nothing Without You is self-explanatory.
If There Was Any Other Way talks about God’s heart toward those who are suffering and hurting. Although there are times you must walk through dark valleys, God is still there holding your hand.
Hallelujah Jesus Saves has a fun tune that you will enjoy singing along with.
Anything reminds us that nothing is too hard for God.
When love finds the lonely, when sweet prayers are spoken and tears are washed away, and when He hears “Jesus loves me” from the lips of a little child … these are the moments When God Smiles.
How Does It Feel to Be Home was written in memory of Norman Holland, the former vice president of A&R at Daywind Records. Although we miss those who have gone before, we would not wish them back.
The CD ends as it began: with the Postlude: Oh Tu Fidelidad/Great is Thy Faithfulness.
CD Review: Come on Aboard! (Buddy Davis)
Many know Ken Ham, Answers in Genesis, or the Creation Museum but fewer know the name, Buddy Davis. My nieces and nephews are huge Buddy Davis fans. When my nephew was four, he would go around singing, “God created me to be a swamp man.” When I asked where he learned that, he said, “Buddy Davis.” (Of course.)
Mr. Davis has written a lot of songs for children, and this CD has twelve of those songs on it. Through these songs, children learn the Books of the Bible, memorize Genesis 1:27 and John 3:16, get a picture of what it may have been like to clean the animals’ stalls on the Ark, and dance around while singing, I Don’t Believe in Evolution. They will also learn The Ten Commandments and are told God Loves You Just the Way That You Are. Each song is catchy yet has a good message.
Other songs include Noah’s Ark Blues, We’re Created in the Image of God, We Hold Our Breath and We Pinch Our Nose, The Rain is Coming Down, The Unicorns Went Poof, and Tower of Babel.
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: Welcome Home (Joseph Habedank)
Two years ago, Joseph Habedank left his ten-year position as a singer for The Perrys due to an addition to prescription drugs. Shortly after that, he acknowledged his need for help and checked into a drug and alcohol center. After what must have been a very difficult, humbling time in his life, he emerged victoriously and, last year, released a CD of 10 very encouraging songs, all co-written by him.
Welcome Home is an uplifting song of welcome for the family of God.
“Jesus loves beggars Begging For Change.” I love that! When Jesus comes into your life, He will change your life. You simply need to surrender.
“When it seems it can’t be done, I know God is Big Enough.” A song of great encouragement for those who are down and beginning to feel that things are hopeless.
Life can be hard, even for Christians. Sometimes it’s very hard. “But I have Never No Never seen the righteous forsaken.”
The enemy is working hard to discourage God’s children; however, it is so important to realize that his words are Empty. We serve a God who has a great plan for your life in spite of what satan says.
The Beauty of the Blood was the #8 song on Singing News’ chart for last week. A beautiful song about the Cross and God’s love for us.
God can do Wonders With Water, including working through your tears.
Now I Know Him reminds us that, although we may know a lot about God and know Him to some degree, it is through the pain and tears that we come to know Him better than ever before.
A Little Bit of Thunder is another song of hope. No matter what is going on in the world, there is nothing to be afraid of. Our God is still in control.
“When the stage is bare and there’s nobody there, will it still be my prayer to live the life they all think I lead? And will I be like who I sing about When the Lights Go Down?” A powerful song of reflection. Are you the person everyone thinks you are, or are you living a double life? God is calling you to come Home. Allow Him to change you from the inside out. Receive the peace and joy that He gives to those who are willing to surrender to Him … even after the lights go down.
CD Review: Stay (The Old Paths)
It’s with mixed emotions that I write this review. The Old Paths announced that they will disband at year’s end. I can’t say this is my favorite CD of the year but I am grateful to have it and wish Jeremy Peace, Doug Roark, Daniel Ashmore, Tim Rackley, and Josh Townsend well in their future endeavors.
The CD begins with Have You Ever, a song with a bit of an old sound.
My favorite song on this CD is You Never Cease to Amaze Me. That’s how I feel about God’s grace. Jeremy Peace delivers this song well.
The theme of What Did They Call Him has been overdone but it’s an uptempo song that is probably good in concert.
“I Just Can’t Get Over my sins being over since I have been under the blood.” That pretty much sums it up.
Bass Daniel Ashmore sings Washed in the Blood, which concludes with a tenor ending.
How Great the Debt is one of three songs written by Rebecca Peck and Dianne Wilkinson. This is another song I really like.
Ordinary People has a good message and is harmonized well.
Stay is a reminder that Jesus is not gone forever. He will return.
Larry Petree wrote the toe-tapping Oh What a Happy Morning.
Out of the Grave rejoices in Christ’s resurrection.
