3 star
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: “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.
