Bluegrass
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 Review: Gonna Sing, Gonna Shout (Various Artists)
If you like bluegrass gospel, you will like this new CD produced by Jerry Salley and featuring songs written or co-written by Rick Lang. Songs include are:
Thinkin’ Outside the Box by Dave Adkins
Heaven’s Back Yard by High Road
I See God by Marty Raybon
Don’t Tune Him Out by The Whites
The Back of the Church by Jerry Salley
Gonna Sing, Gonna Shout by Claire Lynch
Henry Clayton Parker by Bradley Walker
There Will Be Singing by The Cox Family
I’ve Read the Book by Marty Raybon
They Were Fishermen by Kenny and Amanda Smith
Sunday Morning Gospel Jubilee by Larry Cordle
There Is a Light by Dave Adkins
I like the songs sung by female singers or mixed groups. The others are just okay by my standards. This will be an occasional listen for me but there was enough merit to warrant a review.
CD Review: Shine (The Bobby Bowen Family)
If you have followed Southern Gospel Music as long as I have, you might remember a Christian country group called The Mid South Boys or, as they were later known, Mid South. Bobby Bowen was one of the lead singers of that group, and I am happy to tell you that he is still singing praise to our Savior. The only difference is that his family now joins him on stage to play and sing.
As I was writing the above paragraph, I wasn’t paying much attention to the songs that were playing, but when the song To Go To Heaven came on, I stopped to listen. The music itself caused me to pause but then I heard the line, “It’s worth every valley if my Jesus I will meet.” Amen!
I love the hymn Jesus, Use Me. Very glad they included it on here. “Though the cost be great, I’ll work for you.”
I Know I’m Loved is a heartwarming song about daddies and daughters.
I Have a Hope is a great song of encouragement.
Other songs on this CD are: Never Walk Alone, Heart Collector, One Lost Sheep, Shine Like the Star You Are, It’s Your Love, and I Know He Will.
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: Words (Canaan’s Crossing)
David Staton produced yet another great CD from Canaan’s Crossing. This group has a way of choosing fabulous songs with great bluegrass arrangements.
Group member Josh Palmer wrote the lead-off song, Closer Than a Brother. The Savior is waiting to enter your heart so that He can be closer than a brother. That is so comforting to me lately, as it seems that, so many times, friends are hard to find. The Heavenly Father is always there, however, waiting to comfort as no one else can.
The tempo picks up for He Holds Me in His Hand.
River of Living Water tells about the living water that Christ offers, as opposed to the water that leaves you thirsty.
Tina Miller sings Somebody’s Blessing, a beautiful song about blessing others. I don’t know about you but it means the world to me when someone tells me I am a blessing. There are way too many negative things in the world but, when you bless another, you are getting past yourself to be God’s hands and feet and voice. “In ways they weren’t expecting, I wanna be somebody’s blessing.”
The Words I Would Say: “Be strong in the Lord. Never give up hope. You’re gonna do great things. I already know God’s got His hand on you, so don’t live life in fear. Forgive and forget. Don’t forget why you’re here. Take your time and pray and thank God for each day.” Words of encouragement for those who are hurting.
Aren’t you thankful for His Unchanging Hand? In a world that ever changes, I’m grateful that God never does. I don’t have to worry that He will love me one day and not love me the next.
Hold Back the Sea starts out talking about how God delivered Israel from the Red Sea. Then it brings it around to personal application, how life can seem like a sea that’s about to drown us but God is still able to hold back that proverbial sea.
Count It All Joy is a song of encouragement for those who are going through trials.
Come Drink This Water is an invitation to accept Jesus into your life.
I Will Go is a song of surrender. “No matter what the cost, no matter what the loss … I will go.”
CD Review: Indescribable (The Chigger Hill Boys & Terri)
With my recent posts on praise and worship, it seems the perfect time to review the latest release from The Chigger Hill Boys & Terri. At first glance, I really wasn’t sure what to expect from a bluegrass group performing praise & worship songs but I have really enjoyed this CD.
Songs included are: “Indescribable,” “Mighty to Save,” “Enough,” “Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone),” “Lead Me to the Cross,” “Revelation Song,” and “Are You Prayin’ Hard.”
A few favorites are:
“From the Inside Out,” “Your Name,” “How Deep the Father’s Love,” and “In Christ Alone.” I like this last song anyway but the way they start out slow and acapella and then pick up the tempo slightly makes this a great arrangement.
CD Review: It’s Wonderful (Primitive Quartet)
A year ago, I reviewed the He Lifted Me Out CD by the Primitive Quartet. I did not intentionally choose to review It’s Wonderful exactly one year later but it’s kinda neat it worked out that way.
“What a Time in Heaven” is an uptempo song with a similar tune to “Cane River Revival.” You can hear the banjo on this one.
Jeff sings the easy-listening “It’s Wonderful” which talks about the blessing of knowing God. It truly is wonderful just to know Him.
Reagan Riddle wrote and sings lead on “He’s the Same God” which is sung acapella. I love the last line: “He’s done everything that He said He would do but come back and get me, and He’ll do that too.”
Reagan also wrote the mid-tempo song, “He’s Holy.”
Mike Riddle sings, “I Don’t Have to See the Tomb” which is their current radio single. In my opinion, it was the perfect song for them to release as a single.
“He’s Coming, He’s Coming” talks about the Lord’s soon return.
Squire Parsons wrote, “I’m Longing for Home.”
They also included two patriotic songs on this recording, both of which were written by Reagan: “The Greatest Nation” and “American Soldier.”
This is a pretty typical Primitive Quartet recording but, for those who love the quartet as I do, you’ll enjoy this CD as well.
CD Review: Old Friends Get Together (Crowe-Lawson-Williams)
J. D. Crowe, Paul Williams and Doyle Lawson have teamed up to put together a top-notch bluegrass recording.
“Stormy Waters” is an example of my favorite kind of bluegrass–a song with various parts. The music’s choppy but sounds kinda cool. It’s a moderate tempo song but a great song which talks about how Jesus is near even in the midst of stormy waters.
“Pray the Clouds Away” is another song I like. They also do a bluegrass version of “This World is Not My Home.”
This CD was done as a tribute to Jimmy Martin who co-wrote “Voice of My Savior” and “Give Me Your Hand” (written with Paul Williams), a song which talks about how, no matter what church you attend, if you’re a Christian, you’re a Brother or Sister so “give me your hand.”
Other songs include “Prayer Bells of Heaven,” “Goodbye,” “The Little White Church,” “When the Savior Reached Down for Me,” “Lord, I’m Coming Home,” “Shake Hands With Mother Again,” and “Who’ll Sing for Me.”
Ben Isaacs sings bass on this CD. Background vocals are performed by Cia Cherryholmes and Sonya Isaacs.
Primitive Quartet’s Hominy Valley Sing 2011
I was blessed to be able to attend two evenings of the Hominy Valley Sing in Candler, NC this year. This was on top of hearing a few songs Wednesday night which I mentioned in my previous post. I didn’t take extensive notes or pictures but I still wanted to mention some of the highlights.
Sunday featured the Partain Family, Set Apart, the Spencers and the Primitive Quartet.
The Partain Family is a mom, dad and their eight children. They broke it up so that only three or four of them were singing at any given time but each of the members did a great job. Probably the most touching part was when they brought their little boy to the stage who is probably around 3 years old. Mr. Partain told the story of how his son had had a hole in his heart and these parents had to go through the process of placing their child in God’s hands and trusting that, no matter what happened, God had a plan. God healed their son, and he joined them in singing “Give Them All to Jesus.” Mr. Partain mentioned that they didn’t have their son up there to be cute but to testify of what can happen when you truly give everything to Jesus.
I’d never heard Set Apart before but they were very good. I was glad to see J.B. and Barbara Spencer again, and the Primitive Quartet were top notch as always, singing a lot of requests, including several songs which featured parts by Larry Riddle and Norman Wilson which are always my favorites.
Monday was the Field Day which was held on the grounds of the Sing. There were games for the children, a softball games for adults and big kids, and there was a small jam session which my sister and I enjoyed listening to. After most everyone left, my sister and I stayed under the tent, watching the rain fall and I read and prayed intermittently. It was nice to have some time to rest in a beautiful setting, surrounded by mountains. As the rain fell against the roof of the tent, it allowed me time to sing without being heard by the few people who were also waiting out the storm.
That evening, the concert featured Mike Upright, the Marksmen, Paul Williams and the Victory Trio, and the Primitive Quartet. I wasn’t familiar with any of these guest artists but I’m glad I got to hear them.
With Monday being July 4, there was also a tribute to the veterans, thanking them for their part in fighting for our freedom.
If you enjoy bluegrass music and have never attended one of these Sings, I would encourage you to do so. They have another one coming up in October which will feature the Singing Cookes, the Cooke Brothers, Set Apart, the Spencers, the Reggie Saddler Family, Paul Williams and the Victory Trio, the Good Shepherd Quartet and, of course, the Primitive Quartet who will be appearing every evening. For more information, visit their website at www.primitivequartet.com.
CD Review: Light On Feet, Ready to Fly (Doyle Lawson and Quicksilver)
The latest release from Doyle Lawson and Quicksilver is another first class CD. It starts with the barnburner, “Light on My Feet, Ready to Fly” and then goes into the ballad “In Your Arms.” I first heard this sung by the Calvarymen from Michigan and I love the way Doyle Lawson sings it as well.
Corey Hensley sings the high lead on “Teddy Bear Revival.” Next is “He Will Remember Me.” “It’s a Mighty Hard Road to Travel” is an uptempo song which talks about how hard it can be to stand when everyone’s against you and the enemy’s hammering hard. “I Live for Him Cause He Died for Me” is next. “The Hammer of Sin” has an excellent message and is a fast song which I really like. “Zion Medley” consists of “Is That the Old Ship of Zion” and a song I’m not familiar with.
Other songs include “Mountain View Missionary Baptist Church,” “My Lord’s Gonna Move This Wicked Race” and “Oh Heaven.”
