Monthly Archives: September 2011

Southern Gospel music is filled with family names – however, incomplete family groups. However, the Collingsworth Family is entirely as their name states – a family. Audiences across the USA, Canada, and some foreign countries have eagerly anticipated the family’s first effort for StowTown Records, owned by Ernie Haase & Wayne Haun. Longtime Southern Gospel fans will appreciate the family’s salute to the past as well as a strong directional move forward on Part of the Family.

Opening the project is God’s Family. This Lanny Wolfe tune fits them like a glove. Having heard Kim’s siblings & parents perform this on her 2009 dvd, God’s Family shines stronger by the Collingsworth Family because of their multi-dimensional blend. Tell the Mountain offers a reflective tune on a current, yet familiar message, “Just tell the mountain how big your God is.” This message has been delivered in 2 other songs, but Tell the Mountain consistently and most effectively carries the purpose throughout. This is a smooth introduction to Phillip’s voice which is featured in several places on Part of the Family. Joy Unspeakable picks up the pace offering a testimonial perspective on joy. Because of the particularly stronger tunes, this seems to be lost in the mix, but it’s still a pleasant tune. Jesus Is All I Need offers a simple message of Christ’s constancy. Some would complain of its over-simplicity, but the simple moments are necessary to remind where the complex began.

Only the Collingsworth Family could take a male-quartet song and transform it into a family style song. Nothing’s Worrying Me gives a blues feel that Brooklyn portrays effectively. However, the style doesn’t fit with the musical approach on Part of the Family. Olivia Collingsworth shares a simple message in I Pray, sounding reminiscent of Courtney on God Is Faithful. Clearly, the strongest performance on Part of the Family lies in At Calvary. The family shows their ability to superbly capture and deliver each facet of a message. Phil & Kim step back on I Found It All. Courtney Collingsworth Metz, though not necessarily with the same vocals, has the ability to be this young generation’s Sheri Easter, a well-poised and effective communicator. The seemingly effortless emotional display immediately captivates and brings such an enlightening perspective on the lyrics. On the side, I love the track…especially those horns.

In stark contrast, the family moves into a cover of Just Another Rainy Day. This tune, previously recorded by the Nelons & LordSong, is given a rocky feeling. Phillip & Courtney’s solos are excellent showing some attitude and maturity in spite of their ages. They’re 17 and 20, but they sound approximately 15-20 years older, which is a good thing. The mix on this tune lets the music shine which may make this seem less appealing. However, the family needs to push it, and Just Another Rainy Day shows this well. One of my favorite Gaither tunes, Praise You, follows with such an excellent performance from the entire family. That’s the Place I’m Longing to Go gives an excellent view of heaven. This scaled-back tune sounds musically more like a hymn than At Calvary. To hear the group perform an acoustic song when least expected, I am awestruck. Very pretty harmonies everywhere. Closing is the magnificent The Resurrection Morn. The family evidently knows how to build a project’s concluding number and hold the attention throughout. This proves that a group other than the Gaither Vocal  Band can ably hold a big Gaither ballad through it all.

Part of the Family offers a retrospective approach to the Collingsworth Family. Mostly cover tunes, the latest release gives an excellent demonstration of their ability to cover various styles. On the other hand, this ability can lead to a flaw. While being able to sing diverse styles like blues & acoustic on the same project, the songs’ lyrics need to be strong to accompany those performances. Choosing stronger messages in both departments, up-tempo & slow, the Collingsworth Family could have an album to raise the bar for Southern Gospel – not just the Collingsworth Family. This album gives strong insight to their growth since their 2009 release, and I’m looking forward to many greater recordings from the group.

Personal Favorites: Tell the Mountain, At Calvary, I Found It All, That’s the Place I’m Longing to Go, The Resurrection Morn, Joy Unspeakable, Praise You, and Just Another Rainy Day.

Rating: 10/10 – completely

Production: Wayne Haun, for StownTown Records. Executive Producers: Phil Collingsworth and Ernie Haase. Available from the Collingsworth Family.

With the National Quartet Convention underway in Louisville, KY, I’ve decided to post some reviews of projects artists have ready to purchase. On the heels of their highly successful project, Shine, the Bowling Family has released Feels like Sunday. The album’s theme is derived from the various worship styles in different churches.

The project begins with what has already become a concert standard, I Thank You, Lord. Terah Penhollow’s voice is such a delight, showing her ability to stand beside veteran altos and sing just as well. Continuing in the Traditional Gospel flavor is a cover of Winds of This World. The excitement is sometimes difficult to convey in this style in the studio, but Kelly Bowling will be sure to capture the fans’ attention in live concert. The Bowling Family captures the essence of a Black Gospel performance with We’ve Come This Far by Faith, a biographical tune which is the strongest performance Kelly Bowling shares on Feels like Sunday.

The Bowling Family also included a few classics from the Church Hymnal. I’m on the Battlefield is easily one of the project’s strongest tunes. The project also includes Unclouded Day and Farther Along. Given the group’s unforeseen bus accident in July 2010, this tune gives stronger meaning to the idea of understanding through patience. The group crosses the border from Tennessee to Kentucky with the Church Medley (Bless That Wonderful Name of Jesus/God’s Not Dead, & Jesus on the Mainline). Terah Penhollow’s performance shines as the strongest in this medley. Another medley, the Blood Medley (There Is a Fountain, Nothing but the Blood, & The Blood Will Never Lose Its Power), offers the fans a more insightful blend to the ballads with its thematic approach.

In addition to the Traditional Gospel & Pentecostal music styles, the Bowling Family includes Praise & Worship through CCM covers. Terah Penhollow leads the family in a pleasant performance of Jesus Messiah, a popular Chris Tomlin tune. The performance felt stiff at times, making the family seem unfamiliar with this music style. Mercy and Grace ensues with a very slow pace. This is easily the least thrilling song on the project because of repetition and reliance on the musical backdrop. However, the little harmony lines Mike shares with the ladies are well placed and take away from the song’s drawn-out performance. In addition to these, the Bowling Family performs Aaron & Amanda Crabb’s tune, Thou Art Worthy, giving a seemingly flawless performance.

With Feels like Sunday, the Bowling Family has authentically captured the main tenants of church music and bottled them into an 11-track recording. This is the magnificence of Mike Bowling’s leadership as well as his production expertise. Each song is tailored to the individual’s abilities giving strong blends and harmonies to light the way. This project does give the fans a glimpse of each American church. However, there is a flip side. Feels like Sunday allows the fans to possess a brilliant marketing tool, too. The project ably shows the group’s ability to sing at any church simply because the styles are so readily adaptable to their voices. It doesn’t matter which church you attend, Feels like Sunday has more than enough for you.

Memorable Moments: I Thank You, Lord; Thou Art Worthy; Blood Medley; I’m on the Battlefield; We’ve Come This Far by Faith; and Farther Along

Available from the Bowling Family or Springside.