4 star
CD Review: The Answer (The Collingsworth Family)
Although it may sound amazing to some, The Answer is the first Collingsworth Family CD I’ve heard except for one I borrowed a couple years ago so I don’t know how it compares to their other projects but I found their style a bit different than I expected.
It started with a jazzy song, “I Shall Not Be Moved” followed by “Fear Not Tomorrow” which, to me, has a ’50s sound. Beautiful harmony, reminiscent of maybe the Andrews Sisters of that time period. Then it breaks into a worshipful chorus of “I Know Who Holds Tomorrow.”
“I Could Never Praise Him Enough,” “I Want a Principle Within,” and “Oh the Thought That Jesus Loves Me” are more in line with the worshipful songs I’ve heard from the Collingsworth Family. “When the Roll is Called up Yonder” and “Great is Thy Faithfulness” are instrumental numbers.
Uptempo numbers include “I Know,” “Count Your Blessings Again” (which also has a jazz feel), “Bottom of the Barrel” The project ends so fittingly with “I Want Jesus More Than Anything.”
Anyone who loves the harmony and instrumentation of the Collingsworth Family will not be disappointed with this CD.
CD Review: Tracks Left Behind (Bobby Bowen)
Through the years, I have always said I’m not a big “Christian country” fan. It seemed like groups that used to be classified as such was really not great musically or lyrically which is often what pulls me into a group.
A few months back, I received a CD from Bobby Bowen. Back in the 1980s, I listened to a group called The MidSouth Boys, and they were one group that had Christian country down. I listened to Bobby’s CD before finding out he was the lead singer of that group and, after discovering that, it was no surprise that I love his sound and his song selection. He sings a lot of songs previously recorded by groups of other genres but he makes them his own without taking away from the feel of the original.
I enjoy his uptempo country-sounding songs “Mile Marker 45″ and “Other Side of the Radio” but he also does a great job on the praise songs, “Who am I,” “I Could Sing of Your Love Forever,” and “How Great is our God.”
Other songs on this project are “Finally Home,” “Little Man,” “My Life,” “Nobody Wins,” and “Greater Grace.”
CD Review: Live in Nashville (Called Out Quartet)
For those who have been reading this blog since the beginning, you will remember that the decision to begin my own blog came after attending a concert which featured the Called Out Quartet. At that concert, I picked up their latest recording and have really been enjoying it but I’m just now getting around to reviewing it.
Listening to the CD, for me, was reliving the concert I attended in a sense. Not that the song selection was the same but the CD captures the live experience well.
It begins with the uptempo “Wait Upon the Lord” which I really enjoy. Then they go into “Happy Rhythm.”
Marty Harris was the original tenor for the Called Out Quartet but had left briefly before coming back to play piano. On this recording, he joined them in singing “Because He Lives” (featuring Jess Birdwell on lead), “I Know What Lies Ahead,” and “John the Revelator” (also led by Jess). I said it in my concert review but I really like Jess and his style of singing. I’m very glad he’s using his talents for the Lord.
My favorite song that they sing continues to be “He Made This Valley for Me.” When Jess introduced the song, he said, “You’re either in the midst of a trial, going into a trial, or coming out of a trial.” That has been my experience which may be why I love the song so much. One line says, “I’d have chosen a mountain but He knows what I need. He chose this valley for me.”
“I Told Everybody” is a toe-tapping number which was a new song for them. Darrell Collier sang, “I’ll Be Waiting at the River for You” and, despite the cold he had that day, he did a great job. The crowd seemed to like the song too.
Von Gaines and Jess sang the theme song from “All in the Family” which the audience always enjoys.
Other songs were: “God Wrote My Name,” “I Can’t Even Walk With You Holding My Hand,” “In Just a Little While,” and “Getting Ready to Go.”
I’m sure music critics could point to places where things weren’t perfect on this recording but I was very blessed with the Spirit that shone through and I would much rather listen to that than the most polished recording on the market.
CD Review: Driven Quartet (Driven Quartet)
Ever since I heard that there was a group called Driven, I’ve been interested in hearing their sound. I have to admit that the first time I heard their self-titled CD, nothing about it really jumped out at me but the more I listen to it, I realize it does have some good songs and not a bad sound. The group consists of Jason Funderburk, Scott Penuel, Chad Smith and Will Lane.
Uptempo numbers are “Between the Rock and a Hard Place,” “Water from the Well,” “Let Me Live” (which starts out slow and then speeds up), “Lost and Found,” and “I Can Feel My Mountains Move.” Ballads included are: “Mercy Saw Me,” the patriotic “In God We Trust,” “We Are Your Symphony,” and “The Story of My Life.”
The uptempo numbers have a lot of instrumentation and may seem progressive to some but, to me, it’s obvious they put a lot of time and effort into producing a quality recording.
CD Review: “Jim Brady” (Jim Brady)
When I was a girl, we had a record by God’s Brady Bunch, a group which consisted of Mom and Dad and 8 children (5 girls and 3 boys). I still have that record but I didn’t realize until a year or two ago that Jimmy Brady who sang on my record is now Jim Brady who sings with the Booth Brothers. It was a blessing to finally meet him this past September and to pick up a copy of his solo CD. I realize it’s not a brand new CD but I felt like it was worth mentioning for those who do not yet own it.
In summary, the CD is quite diverse musically. Some of it seems like songs that could get airplay on inspirational/adult contemporary stations while others have more of a country feel. Jim wrote or co-wrote all of the songs on this project and he included a brief synopsis of the inspiration behind each song.
Several songs were specifically written for his family: “Never a Doubt” was written in honor of his parents; “Never Let You Go” is a beautiful love song that he wrote for his wife Melissa; ”My Sister” was written to his sisters. As I listen to this, it reminds me of my relationship with my own brother and sisters and makes me grateful for the family God’s given me.
Michael English joined Jim in singing “Just As I Am.” “Don’t Ever Miss the Chance” reminds us to tell those close to us that we love them before it’s too late.
Typically, I prefer the fast-paced songs and am not always a fan of slow songs but Jim does a great job writing and delivering slow songs as well as fast. In fact, my favorite songs on this project are the last two on the CD: “To Know You More” (a slow song which is more of a prayer) and “Truth is Marching On” which was sung by Gold City Quartet a few years ago. I love the line in “To Know You More” which says “I live and breathe only to know You more.” Amen!
(This CD may be purchased through Jim and Melissa Brady’s website.)
“Out of the Wilderness” (The English Family)
The English Family consists of Mom and Dad–Phillip & Renee, a
nd children–Jacob, Elizabeth, & Rebecca. I’ve been trying to think of who to compare their music to but, in a day when groups are trying to immitate others, I think this group has settled into their own sound somewhere between The Collingsworth Family and The Crabb Family.
The CD starts with a song written by Phillip called “Out of the Wilderness.” Next is a slower song written by Jacob, “Send Down Your Angels.” Jacob also wrote “Built on Sand,” “Victory’s In Sight” and he co-wrote “The Message is in the Music” with his dad. ”My Soul Has Got to Move” is a soulful song sung by Elizabeth. Rebecca, Jacob and Elizabeth give Mom and Dad a break as they sing “One More Mile.”
Other songs include: “I Am Determined,” “Be Healed,” and “Pay Day.”
CD: “Worth It” (Brian Free & Assurance)
I first heard Brian Free back in the mid-1980s when he sang with the Gold City Quartet. I thought he was good back then but, in my opinion, he keeps getting better. I’ve had several “favorite” Brian Free & Assurance CDs but this one is no exception. It’s very strong musically, vocally and, more importantly, lyrically.
“There is a Kingdom Coming” starts the project as an acapella number. Then they sing “Go Tell the World,” an uptempo number with a great message. “Die Another Day” is an excellent song on dying to self daily. That’s something God has been speaking to me lately so I’ve appreciated the reminder.
I love “You Must Have Met Him” which was one of two songs written by Ronny Hinson. “Preaching to the Choir” is my least favorite song on this project but it talks about how even Christians still need to hear the Gospel to be able to grow in their faith.
Jeremy Lile does a wonderful job singing “Worth It.” I often struggle with understanding how God could love me as much as He does but I’m so glad that He thought I was worth everything He went through to purchase my soul. In a world of uncertainty, “Nothing Takes You by Surprise” is a timely song.
Other songs of encouragement include: “Not One,” “I Am Redeemed,” “A New Thing,” and “When the Mountains Will Not Move.”
