Daywind Records
CD Report: Season for Believing (John Darin Rowsey)
I rarely buy Christmas recordings anymore since everyone seems to record the same songs. Last year, John Darin Rowsey released a solo Christmas CD featuring twelve original songs, eleven of which were written or co-written by John.
Songs included are: Christmas Day, Season for Believing, Down in Bethlehem, Who Came When Jesus Came, If It’s Christmas (with the Guardians), Mary Had a Baby, Light in the Window, Welcome Little Baby, Christmas and Family, Joy Has Come to the World (with Nancy Banfield and Pam Hall – formerly known as New Journey), Emmanuel, and We Need a Little Love.
CD Report: Ever Faithful (Jim & Melissa Brady)
About a year ago, Jim & Melissa Brady released their first recording since becoming a duet, and it just might possibly be my favorite CD that Daywind released in 2021. Featuring all new songs co-written by Jim and/or Melissa, you will find this to be musically diverse. From progressive praise and worship to Great God of My Joy which has a black Gospel feel to it, everyone should find a song that they like.
Other songs include: To the King; Welcome; Jesus Stays; Good Things; He Will Carry You; Thunder, Ever Present, Ever Faithful; Covered; and When We All Get Home.
CD Report: High Road (High Road)
When you hear the term “bluegrass,” you may think of groups like The Lewis Family or, more recently, The Primitive Quartet. However, bluegrass comes in various forms and styles as it has more to do with instrumentation than vocals. I would liken High Road to an Allison Krauss-type bluegrass: smooth harmonies singing easy listening songs while throwing in an instrumental number as well.
Although this group was founded in 2013, I just became aware of them a few years ago. Produced by Ben Isaacs, they sing a variety of songs, some of which will be familiar, but you will also hear a couple of new songs written by the group’s founder, Sarah Davison. I encourage you to check them out if you are not already a fan.
Songs included are: Nothing at All; Faith, Hope & Love; High Road; It’s You; Snake River Reel; Second Chances; Faithful Again; Precious Lord, Take My Hand; Two Coats; and The Day I Got Saved.
CD Report: From the Heart (Billy Blackwood & Friends)
Back in 2019, Billy Blackwood released a CD that mostly features him, but he does have some guests that join him on some of the songs. Most of these are old songs from the 1960s, ’70s, and ’80s as well as one from the ’90s (Is that old?!?!?!), but there are a couple post-2000 songs as well. Unfortunately, I have gotten behind on reviews so, although this is not a brand new CD, I figured it’s better to give it a late mention than none at all.
Songs included are: People Need the Lord, It Is No Secret, In the Garden (featuring Yvonne Lewis-Shelton), Without Him, Willing Heart (featuring Kelly Willard), I’d Rather Have Jesus, A Strange Way to Save the World (featuring Dave Clark), Your Grace Still Amazes Me, Love Held Jesus to the Cross (featuring Gene McDonald), If People, and You’re in God’s Hands.
CD Report: Change Is Coming (Joseph Habedank)
Joseph Habedank just released another CD where he has once again co-written every song.
People will relate to Religion Isn’t Working. We don’t need “religion”; we need a relationship with Jesus Christ. “I wanna know my blessed Savior, and I wanna love Him like I never loved Him before.” Amen!
24 Hours is a song of hope for those who have someone they’ve prayed for forever and are still waiting to see a breakthrough. Sometimes these seem like nice ideas, but the fact is that God does still answer prayer. We must keep petitioning until we get our answer.
My favorite song on this project after first listen is Not Far From Home. The truth of this song becomes more real every day. We are not far from Home.
Other songs included are Thief in the Night, Change Is Coming, Jericho, Child of the King, Judas, Rebel With a Cause, and Rise Above Eden
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: Dear Yesterday (Michael Booth)
This CD was released last year, but I figure it’s better to do a late report than none at all. Through every song on this recording, you will be encouraged. Whether directly praising God or being reminded that God is able and that He never gives up on His children, you will especially want to listen when you are having a rough time. Michael Booth has a smooth tenor voice that is easy to listen to.
Songs include: What Only God Can Do, Dear Yesterday, He Never Gives Up, Everyday (It Starts All Over Again), We Trust in the Name, This Side of Heaven, Glorious Unfolding, and Thy Will Be Done.
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: Lift His Name (Karen Peck & New River)
I was reading verses on praise the other day so, when I pulled this CD off my shelf, I got excited by the title. Karen Peck Gooch co-wrote all but three songs, and there is quite a variety on here: fast and slow, encouraging and thought-provoking, songs on the crucifixion and the resurrection, and, yes, songs of praise and surrender. They even threw in a progressive version of Ain’t No Grave.
Other songs included are: The God I Serve; Made Right; I Know Jesus Lives; The Book; The Love of Jesus; Messiah Overcame; When I Lift Up the Name; and All About Yes.
CD Review: Pure Love (Legacy Five)
Legacy Five has had some personnel changes lately but they still have the solid blend that we have come to expect from this amazing quartet. The group currently consists of Scott Fowler, Matt Fouch, Josh Townsend, Bryan Walker, and Lee Black. With that lineup and songs penned by such writers as Wayne Haun, Joel Lindsey, Sue C. Smith, Kenna Turner-West, Scott Inman, Lee Black, and Joseph Habedank, you know this has to be good.
Songs included are What a Day, What Kind of Man, That’s What Makes Believers Believe, Love Pure Love, I Believe the Book, The Greatest Wonder, Beggin’ for Change, Love Always Finds a Way, Middle Man, Not Just Another Day, and Only Passing Through.
I don’t know if it was intentional but I found it interesting that the music on Beggin’ for Change reminds me of “He Made a Change” that the Cathedrals recorded years ago.
