Horizon Records
CD Review: Our Story (Three Bridges)
I’m old enough to remember when Three Bridges first hit the radio and, to be honest, I didn’t care for their sound. Today, the group consists of original member Elliott McCoy, as well as Shannon Smith and Jeremie Hudson, and I am starting to enjoy listening to them.
Although most of their songs are progressive or have more of a black gospel feel, Down the Road to Damascus is the kind of song you would expect to find on a traditional Southern Gospel CD.
I like the message of Like Jesus Did as it talks about the desire to be more like Christ.
Faith Shines Brighter tells the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.
Live the Gospel is another song with great lyrics.
Other songs include: Count It Victory, My Story, Good News Never Gets Old, God Did It, Nothing But, Gonna Keep Livin’ and The King of Love My Shepherd Is.
CD Review: A Million Miles (Sunday Drive)
If you are as old as I am, you may remember a group called Cedar Ridge. I loved their sound and have wondered at times what happened to them. Well, I recently found out that Jeff Treece now sings with Dusty Treece and Misty Treece in a group called Sunday Drive.
This CD starts out by asking, “Lord, am I Right Where You Want Me to Be?” This is a question we should each be asking ourselves.
I grew up listening to the music of Evie so I am happy to hear her popular song Born Again.
I’m Not Gonna Leave is a unique song that talks about never leaving the feet of Jesus.
I love the title song. No matter what you are going through, you can travel A Million Miles to reach the throne of God.
“I’m Living in the Middle of His Will, and life is better than it’s ever been.” True words. The Christian life isn’t trial-free, but if you are in the will of God, His grace will carry you through.
Other songs included are: What Can Change the World, He Set Me Free (not the old classic but a new song written by Misty Treece and Jeff Treece), Angels Sing My Victory Song, Just Before the Dawn, and It’s All About Me.
CD Review: The Last Big Thing (Kingdom Heirs)
The Kingdom Heirs have once again released a CD I won’t get tired of for a long time.
Plenty of Singing – For people like me who can’t sit still during toe-tapping songs, this one will have you on your feet dancing and snapping your fingers.
Jeff Chapman is featured on another uptempo song: Victory.
Telling the Story – Do you ever get tired of hearing Bible stories? Each one talks about the power of God and His goodness. “I’ve rested in trials while shouting the glory so I’m telling the story again.”
The Last Big Thing is a clever play on words. People are always talking about the next big thing they’re working on, but “I wanna tell you about the last big thing!”
Jerry Martin sings a song penned by Gerald Crabb: Heroes of Faith.
I Wanna Do More – Can we ever do enough for God? He has done so much for us!
“While Satan was counting his victory, all of Heaven Was Counting to Three.” A great song by Jim Brady and Rodney Griffin.
Heaven Just Got Sweeter for You is a sad but encouraging song. We miss those who have gone to Heaven ahead of us but, if we are faithful, we will see them again.
I love the harmony and the message of Just Another Mile. Dianne Wilkinson wrote this one.
Other songs included are Live it Up and I’ll Trust You With Tomorrow.
CD Review: East to West (Endless Highway)
Formerly known as The Joylanders, Endless Highway consists of Perry & Nell Wimberley, their daughter Vanessa and her husband Jason, and Jason and Vanessa’s children, Jay and Allison. Both old and young should be able to find songs on this recording that they enjoy as there is a mixture of traditional and progressive southern gospel music, with the ballads being more inspirational and worshipful.
The CD begins with the peppy song It’s a Highway to Heaven.
A beautiful song with a good message is Under the Sea.
“For every unanswered question, there’s an Unbroken Promise.” An encouraging thought if you’re going through a tough time.
Other songs include It’s His Story, This is the Grace I Know, Count It All Joy, I’ve Got the Son in My Eyes, Go Ahead and Shout, Beautiful Scars of Love, and Out of the Deep.
CD Review: Finest Hour (The Talleys)
In an era where some southern gospel artists are in a rut, songs sound the same, etc. the Talleys are still being creative with their arrangements while singing strong lyrics. I had a time of worship while writing this review. This is a CD I won’t get tired of for a while.
Look Up is a song of encouragement to those who are weary and downtrodden. You won’t find hope on this earth but only by looking up.
Lauren Talley sings Jeremiah 29:11 (You Have Plans). When things don’t make sense, you can still hold on to the truth that God has plans for you, and His plans are always good.
Debra is featured on When the Answer is No. “Every storm you have to face will be covered by His grace. Mercy still flows when the answer is no.” Amen!
A peppy song is next: Joy. No matter what you are going through, this song is bound to put a smile on your face.
“We Are Witnesses, the ones who testify to the resurrection power of the Lord of life. Our glorious Savior–we have seen Him with our eyes. We are witnesses of Jesus Christ.”
That’s What the Teacher Taught provokes a lot of thought. I think many overlook the things that Jesus taught, perhaps thinking he didn’t really mean what He said.
He Restoreth My Soul is basically Psalm 23 set to music.
Other songs include: Grab Your Umbrella, Death Was Arrested, Get Me There, Home at Last, and Begin Again God.
CD Review: It Is Time (Barry Rowland & Deliverance)
Barry Rowland & Deliverance is a group that hasn’t really hit me yet, but I’m not sure why. I think that the older I get, the more I appreciate unique arrangements and lyrics. That said, if you like traditional southern gospel music, you may like this group. And I will add that the song Help Me Make It is worth the price of the CD.
Seven of the ten songs were written by Kyla Rowland. They are Delivered Again, He Can’t Follow Me Home, Hold Your Ground, The Ark, God Will Take Care of It All, It Is Time, and There Rose a Lamb.
Other songs are Redemption Draweth Nigh (by Gordon Jensen), How Long (by Johnny Minick), and Help Me Make It (by Vonda Easley).
CD Review: They Don’t Know (The Kingsmen)
“When it seems you’ve fallen prey in a hungry lion’s den, He’ll keep the lions hungry and deliver you again.” I love those lyrics penned by Regina Walden. This is just one of the songs on The Kingsmen’s latest CD.
God Calls it Grace is an encouraging ballad sung by Joshua Horrell.
The Evidence I Need goes with Romans 1:20, which talks about how even creation proves that there is a God. Between that and the work He has done in my life, I don’t need anything else to prove to me that God is real.
I’ll Sail Away Yonder takes me back to the Kingsmen of the 1980s.
Bob Sellers sings the sobering Cost of the Cross. I don’t think we can ever think too much about what our salvation cost Jesus.
I don’t know what it is about Sandy Knight’s songs but they always catch my attention. Don’t Underestimate God’s Grace is no exception. Another great song.
Other songs include They Don’t Know (What the Lord Can Do); Hear the Word of the Lord; Let Go and Hold Fast; Fade to Black; and Legacy.
In an age of progression, I am happy that the Kingsmen stick to their roots. Their lyrics have gotten better over the years but their sound stays very much the same.
CD Review: Walk Worthy (Master’s Voice)
It’s rare that a group catches my attention the first time I hear them. Master’s Voice is one of those rare groups. I have two of their CDs and never get tired of them. Good harmony and arrangements to songs written by writers such as Phil Cross, Joseph Habedank, Dianne Wilkinson, Jerry Salley, and others make this a recording you will want to listen to over and over. You will be tapping your toes on Love Goes a Mighty Long Way, crying on One Day Longer, acknowledging that “Without You, I Haven’t Got a Prayer,” and praying to be that person who will “Lift Up Your Hands When You Can’t.”
Other songs include: He Saw Me; Another One Like Him; Yes He Did, Yes He Does, Yes He Will; More Than Enough; Sowing the Good Seed; Do What Jesus Did; Burdens Are Lifted at Calvary; and Where My Savior Is.
CD Review: A Different Light (Mark Bishop)
Mark Bishop has just released another CD with 11 original songs that he wrote. He has several guest vocalists that are worthy of mention on this recording.
The Kingdom Heirs join Mark on the uptempo Finish Strong, Finish Well, Finish Empty.
He’s Always Been a Friend reminds me of the Bishops, and it features Kenneth Bishop on the second verse.
The Refrigerator Door will take you back to when your children were little, and everything they drew, made, etc. was placed on the refrigerator door.
Tell Me You Saw Me is something each of us should desire. “Tell me you saw me walking with Jesus. I’ll tell you it’s by His grace.”
My favorite song on this CD is Couldn’t Feel Any Better. The second verse features Chris Freeman. If you’re having a rough time, this song should lift your spirits.
Other songs include: More Than Enough; I Know I’m in Good Hands; God Is Powerful; What It Comes Down to Is Me; Fly, Fly Away Little Birdie; and I’m Gonna Wish I Had Worried Less.
CD Review: Undivided (Master’s Voice)
Master’s Voice is a southern gospel group based in Bristow, OK. In listening to their sound, I’ve been trying to think of who they remind me of. Maybe the old Journeymen Quartet or Old Paths.
I won’t go into detail on each song but will make special mention of the songs I especially like on this project:
How Long a Lifetime Is was written by Joseph Habedank and Rachel McCutcheon. “Never take today for granted. … Hold each loved one tightly and treat each moment as a gift. You never know how long a lifetime is.”
Here I Am Again: I’m so thankful I can go back to God each time I fail and, in His mercy, He extends forgiveness yet again.
Somebody is Me is an upbeat song that will bring a smile to your face and cause you to praise the Lord wherever you are.
Other songs include I Can Hardly Wait to Fly, Goodbye to Goodbye, Lord of Mercy, I Know What He Did for Me, This Same Jesus, Things God Doesn’t Know, Send Somebody, Ain’t it Good, and Everything the Blood Touches Lives.
