Inspirational
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: The Music Goes On (The Talleys)
The final CD from The Talleys features eight songs that are typical of what you would expect on a Talleys recording. Songs of special mention are The Healer in the Grave (written by Lauren Talley, Kenna T. West, and Lee Black), Looks Like Jesus to Me (written by Aaron Wilburn), and the old Talleys classic written by Kirk Talley and sung by Lauren, Triumphantly the Church Will Rise.
Southern gospel lovers will enjoy the uptempo Never Been a Time.
Other songs include: This Day, He Has, Jesus Loves You, and My Heart Is There with You.
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: Glorious God (Lauren Talley)
Back in 2019, Lauren Talley released a couple of worship CDs. I reviewed the other one shortly after they came out, but this one is worth mentioning too.
I am not a fan of the praise and worship genre, but there are good songs within the genre, and Lauren has chosen some good ones. Some will be familiar to you and some may not, but they will all bring you into the presence of Jesus.
Songs included are: Glorious God, What a Beautiful Name, Mercy Tree, The Heavens Are Telling, Let the Glory Come Down, Jesus at the Center, Jesus Only Jesus, and A Wretch Like Me (which Lauren wrote).
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: After All This Time (The Talleys)
With this CD, the Talleys are celebrating 20 years of ministry as Roger, Debra, and Lauren. Their harmony and their lyrics are as strong as always.
It’s fitting that the CD is titled After All This Time. Throughout the years, God has not stopped being faithful.
There is Coming a Day talks about that day that we all wait for. Keep looking up. Our redemption draws nigh.
There’s Never Been a Mountain is a song of encouragement, reminding us that God is still in control.
Debra Talley sings What is This Thing Called Grace?
If you have listened to the Talleys as long as I have, you’ll remember a song they recorded in the ’80s called simply Naaman. Well, they’ve brought it back for this CD. It’s a very different song but a good message. I love the line that says “Power comes from doing what God says.”
Lauren sings lead on Jesus’ Blood is Enough. You don’t need anything else but Jesus.
The tempo speeds up with My Hope is in the Lord.
But I Need You More is a song of worship, telling the Lord how much we need Him. Nothing compares to him.
The People in the Line is a reminder to not be so focused on ourselves that we fail to see the needs around us.
Somebody’s Story is a song about being slow to judge because you don’t always know somebody’s story.
Lauren is featured in the old song, Who But God.
The CD ends with a medley of I Love to Tell the Story and Blessed Assurance.
CD Review: HYMNS: the A Cappella Sessions (The Nelons)
I am not typically a fan of a cappella recordings but this CD from the Nelons is a keeper.
They did a brave move by starting the CD with The Hallelujah Chorus but it does the job in capturing your attention so you desire to hear the rest of the project.
It may grow on me but I am not particularly fond of their rendition of There is a Fountain. I expect some will like it though because it is different. It does showcase their tight harmony.
I hadn’t heard Do Unto Others before but they put a lot of soul into this arrangement.
Then the tempo slows down for a medley of Pass Me Not, O Gentle Savior and Just as I Am.
They did a rousing rendition of Keep On the Firing Line/Onward Christian Soldiers.
Other songs include: Tis So Sweet; Hallelujah, What a Savior; Since Jesus Passed By; and I Need Thee Every Hour.
CD Review: Roots: Old & New (Cross Pointe)
Almost a year and a half ago, I was contacted by Bill Pitts of Cross Pointe, asking if I would be willing to listen to their latest CD and give my honest opinion. As you can see, it has taken me a long time to get around to writing the review; however, this does not mean that I did not like the CD. I was pleasantly surprised how much I enjoyed it upon my first listen whereas it usually takes me a while to make an assessment. Maybe it’s due to the fact that this recording was produced by John Darin Rowsey but I still have flashbacks of New Journey when I listen to some of the songs on here.
Walk on the Water has a standard Southern Gospel feel but is my least favorite song on the CD. A basic message and too typical.
Changed is a descriptive experience of a person who was baptized and completely changed from the life they had lived. A mid-tempo song with great harmony and a great message. It is also well written.
All My Tears reminds me of a song the Forester Sisters would sing. It has a folksy feel to it.
Kenna West and John Darin Rowsey wrote the toe-tapping Time After Time.
Only Jesus is a beautiful song also written by Mr. Rowsey and Sue C. Smith.
I’m Still Standing was written by group member Bill Pitts. It talks about standing firm in spite of what life throws your way. With Jesus, you can stand!
I like their arrangement of Wayfaring Stranger. It starts out slow with just piano. Then picks up the tempo slightly but still keeps a pace which makes it easy to follow the story.
Two Coats is an old song but it’s been a long time since I’ve heard anyone sing it. They sing the first verse and chorus very slow then increase the tempo to a toe-tapping one. Great arrangement.
I love the arrangement and harmony on It Changes Everything. “It changes everything to know You love me. And it makes me smile to think about Your grace. And then when I remember how You walked this road before me, that changes everything.” Amen!
Their version of I Wouldn’t Take Nothing for My Journey Now is a bit progressive but they did a good job.
Speak to Me is a song of prayer that God would speak and give me ears to hear.
Power in the Name of Jesus is one song specifically that reminds me of New Journey. Another song with great harmony and a great message. There really is power in the Name of Jesus regardless of what you’re facing.
CD Review: Committed to the Call (The Rick Webb Family)
Rick, Phyllis, Parker and Hannah (aka The Rick Webb Family) have released another great CD of songs of praise to our Lord.
This CD begins with See What a Morning, written by Keith Getty and Stuart Townsend.
Next is I Will Sing of My Redeemer, Satisfied (aka “Hallelujah I Have Found Him), and Unclouded Day.
Let the Rocks Keep Silent is an uptempo song of praise.
Hannah Webb sings Send Me, a song about Jonah. I like the country flair of this song.
The tempo slows down for All Rise. Then Phyllis Webb sings If Not for the Old Rugged Cross.
Rick Webb sings Valley of the Shadow,
The song ends with a song that says over and over, I’ll Say Yes Lord. Is that your heart? If there is anything you are still holding on to, I hope you will release it today.
CD Review: Between You and Me (Laura Ollis)
I met Laura Ollis a year ago at the National Quartet Convention. You may know Laura’s husband, Eric, from his years with the Dixie Melody Boys or the Whisnants but Laura also has a music ministry. She has a sweet voice and puts her heart into her music. Laura sums up the CD by saying it’s “a collection of songs that represent a relationship between my Heavenly Father and me; songs of praise and adoration.”
Songs on this project are:
“Tell Him What You Think”–God already knows so don’t hesitate to tell God what’s on your mind.
“Mary For a While” is a great song to turn on when you need to unwind after a busy day. It’s easy to be “Martha,” caught up in busyness with no time to rest and listen to God but it’s vital we pull away from that busyness at times.
“The First Line”–“Every day I find that the pencil in my mind is writing ‘Thank You, Jesus’ on the first line.” Is that true in your life?
“Jesus Did” talks about what Jesus sacrificed so that we could spend eternity with Him. It’s a call to people to turn to Him.
Laura wrote “Talk to the Father,” a song from the perspective of one who sees another hurting and desires to help carry that burden by talking to the Father on the hurting person’s behalf.
“Bless Your Holy Name Again” is a song of worship to the Father.
I love the song, “In Your Arms.” I’ve heard others sing this song but never tire of hearing it.
You may remember “I Just Want to Thank You,” as the Isaacs sang it years ago but the message is timeless. There’s always so much to be thankful for.
Laura wrote “That’s What a Father Does” for her father but it also talks about the goodness of our Heavenly Father.
“What a Difference You’ve Made in My Life” is a song from the ’70s. I’d not heard it in a while but it’s fitting for this CD of praise.
