Category Archives: Album Reviews

Sunday Shoes, Chris Golden

As I’ve received several cds & dvds to review, I’ve had a wide range of artists show on the radar. One gentleman, Chris Golden, has released a cd full of Country flavor with some Soul added for a unique spice. The name Golden is synonymous for quality vocals and music choices. Chris’s father, William Lee Golden, has been the baritone for the Oak Ridge Boys for over 40 years, and Chris’s brother, Rusty Golden, is the co-author to #1 hits like “Between 12 and 33” (McKameys) and “I Want to Thank You” (Karen Peck & New River). Here, Chris Golden shares the distinct church influences on his music while providing listeners with a more soothing country vocal.

As stated earlier, the project is infused with strong Country flavor, but also a nice touch of Soul in the mix. For instance, Golden’s vocals are Country to the core, but on the opening track, “When He Set Me Free”, he uses the backing vocals from two of Traditional Gospel’s finest female singers, Angie Primm & Gale Mayes. The Traditional Gospel feel is also given for the album’s title track, “Sunday Shoes”, as well as the Jeff & Sheri Easter cover, “There’s a Higher Power.” The latter song could use more cohesion in the delivery. At times, the music doesn’t flow properly with the lyrics or backing vocals.

In addition to the more soulful sounding songs, Golden picks up some more laid-back numbers, “Live Forever” and “Gospel Road”, the latter previously recorded by the Kingsmen Quartet. Throughout the project, the backing vocals work well mixing with his voice, but, at times, it’s difficult to determine what they’re actually saying. “When He Set Me Free” thrives off the background vocals. They’re heard enough to be heard, but they could be a little more in the mix.

Southern Gospel sees strong influences on the project as well. Golden covers the aforementioned #1 song, “I Want to Thank You.” The vocal arrangement and the musical pace of the song are different from the original by Karen Peck & New River. This song’s pace could benefit from slower treatment (not slower than KP&NR’s), as it seems to be rushed. However, it works well to hear a male vocal throughout the entire song as well as leveled feature and not as much background vocals as the original does.

The clear winner on this project is “A Different Light.” When I heard this tune, it sounded familiar, but I realized it was partially because of who was doing backing vocals and their style. Golden brought in Darrell & Chris Freeman to sing the background vocals on this song, and it creates a strong blend for the listener. Penned by Diane Wilkinson and Rusty Golden, this song shares a unique message of how God delivers from sin and sees us differently afterwards. The strong Southern Gospel flavors come out with this tune and make it highly eligible for Southern Gospel radio.

In his project, Sunday Shoes, Chris Golden explores the basis for his current talents. By revisiting songs with clear Southern Gospel sounds, he automatically catches the attention of longtime Southern Gospel fans. However, the Country saturation to his voice adds an effective raw feeling making the project seem less formal and more inviting to the listener. The strong background vocals enhance his performances while offering a unique contrast (i.e. – the Primm & Mayes duo). More work on the mix could benefit the recording as well as stronger lyrics in the up-tempo department. One song, “You Can’t Do Wrong”, suffers from a lack of spiritual emphasis while maintaining a necessary truth. However, Chris captured each facet of his musical journey on this recording, making an effective and pleasing look at various genres in one cd.

Rating: 8.5/10

Personal Favorites: “Live Forever”, “Gospel Road”, “I Want to Thank You”, “Wide River to Cross”, “A Different Light”, “Sunday Shoes, and “God Knows What.”

Produced by Chris Golden. Track list: When He Set Me Free, Live Forever, Gospel Road, Jordan’s Banks, I Want to Thank You, You Can’t Do Wrong, Wide River to Cross, There’s a Higher Power, A Different Light, God Knows What, Sunday Shoes, and Sweet By and By. Album Copy Provided. Available from the artist.

For many years, fans have associated the Talley Trio with strong harmony and intricate arrangements. With their different sounds through the years, the Talley Trio has continued as strong as ever with their song choices and excellent demonstration through singing. Their newest project, He’s Alive, is a live CD and DVD set which allows the listener to see how effective their latest songs are in a live setting. The songs performed here are, however, nothing new to the stage. These songs are exactly as you’d hear the Talley Trio sing them in concert. The earthy tones give a nice example for the casual listener or someone who hasn’t seen or heard them before.

By showing the more earthy side, the group has however shown some weakness in concert. This project strongly shows the differences between studio performance & the live performance. There are some songs that sound better live than in the studio and vice-versa. For instance, “Life Goes On” is executed with deep emotion, but the tones are inconsistent, causing the listener to go back to the original studio cut. Also, “My Hope Is in the Lord” is given fair treatment, not completely setting it apart from the original cut as better than its studio counterpart.

Fortunately, there are more songs that are performed better than their studio counterparts. “The Broken Ones” would be the one of the biggest highlights, given its soft, acoustic treatment. Performing this song in this particular style gives Lauren’s interpretation a better chance to shine. This is the type of musical accompaniment of which the album needed more. The title track, “He’s Alive”, is the #1 track of the album because of its being given the most energy and excitement, while preserving both as the song builds. The emotion Lauren carries from start to finish is the proverbial blueprint for the performance’s impact. To put it succinctly, she is a master of communication. This was evident in other songs, “The Promise”, “In Christ Alone”, and “Mountain Mover”, the strongest selections on the cd in addition to “Broken Ones” & “He’s Alive.”

For those seeking a unique addition of live singing to your collection, I’d recommend He’s Alive. The project simply offers something different from current live recordings. Its connection with the listener makes the recording become more alive whether or not he/she is listening to the cd or watching the dvd. Less instrumentation on more songs could have benefited the album’s earthy feel. The selections using this format seemed a bit out of place on the cd. However, Lauren’s pathos, combined with Debra & Roger’s harmonies, makes the project a good collection of their most recent, strongest lyrics. Because, after all, the name Talley is recognized with good quality music and talent.

Personal Rating: 4/5 Stars

Personal Favorites: “The Promise”, “He’s a Personal Savior”, “Amazing Grace”, “The Broken Ones”, “In Christ Alone”, “Mountain Mover”, and “He’s Alive.”

The Talley Trio is: Roger Talley, Debra Talley, and Lauren Talley. Track list: He’s So Good to Me, The Promise, He’s a Personal Savior, Amazing Grace, Life Goes On, The Broken Ones, The Extra Mile,  Lauren Talks, In Christ Alone, My Hope Is in the Lord, Mountain Mover, He’s Alive, Debra Talks, Alleluia/How Great Thou Art!/Total Praise, and Hallelujah Chorus. Purchased by reviewer. Available from the artist or Crossroads Music.

*This project officially releases next Tuesday, April 26, but it’s already for sale from the Talley Trio and as part of a bundle with Crossroads!

Joy in the Journey, the McKameys

The McKameys have been known for more than 30 years for their spirit-filled singing and down-to-earth sentiments. Each project shows their talent at choosing scripturally based songs. Joy in the Journey is no exception. All of the vocalists are featured throughout the recording, while Eli & Roger perform on Eli’s solo.

Sometimes groups release efforts that are nonetheless strong, and, then, they tend to take a break and release something more relaxed. The McKameys have used this format for a few recordings (i.e.- The Old Path [2005], and Trophy of Grace [2002]). These albums followed particularly strong recordings and therefore didn’t show much in the arrangements and such. Joy in the Journey is that type of recording. After following, The Message, which featured two #1 songs, the group has taken a laid-back approach with no real in-your-face up-tempo numbers, several ballads, and mid-tempo songs.

While there are certainly highlights of the album, there are some questionable points pertaining to the recording. The first song, “I Have a Great Savior,” features the entire group throughout and gives Sheryl Farris the lead vocal through the chorus. The lyrics are good quality, but the voices aren’t mixed well to balance the harmony with the melody. And choosing to start the album with this song makes the project appear imbalanced. Also, “All Is Well” seems to struggle between becoming a ballad or a mid-tempo number. There are instances of slowing down, then speeding up, leaving the listener confused on the song’s direction.

Other highlights include the classic ballads, “When Faith Steps In” and “God Doesn’t Think like Me.” Both of these songs feature Sheryl Farris predominantly with Peg and Connie taking the feature or lead at certain parts. The former was written by Leigh Parsons Sexton (the daughter of Squire Parsons) and tells the Christian journey as it occurs from when “faith steps in” to the time when “faith will end.” This unique look at faith is fantastic and will do well as the project’s first single. “God Doesn’t Think like Me” is a unique ballad discussing man’s epic failure trying to make material possessions work for him, however, realizing the need for ultimate interference from God. Sheryl Farris wrote the song and portrays the song’s hook and idea, next by expounding upon man’s thoughts and inferiority, and eventually bringing the thought full circle. I can see this one electrifying audiences similar to “I Keep Praying” and “I’ve Won.”

In addition to the ballads, there are a couple of great mid-tempo numbers. The title track, “Joy in the Journey,” features the entire group at the start and goes on to feature Sheryl.  Like “When Faith Steps In” and “God Doesn’t Think like Me”, this song could do well at radio. Using this song’s title as the album title was an excellent choice. “Joy in the Journey” has the convention style singing that brings their roots to the forefront. I also like the surprise key change when Connie takes the lead. Another noteworthy song is the Dallas Holm classic, “All That Matters,” which is Eli Fortner’s only feature. In the past 5-6 years, his songs have featured him and his parents, Roger & Connie. For this album, they added Sheryl to make a unique second & third generation mixture of the McKameys. This song clocks in a little over 2 minutes, but it fits the theme of the project and could become Eli’s signature song. The unexpected arrangement and Eli’s more mature vocals on this tune set it different from all of his past features as well as the other mid-tempo numbers on the project.

The McKameys have accomplished their original intentions, a laid-back album taking a break from their regular style. With this project, they scored well with unique vocal arrangements, but some were left with the typical treatment. This, in turn, makes the listener want more. On the other hand, it seems that Sheryl’s vocals are transitioning and adapting more to the family harmony producing much smoother vocals than their last project, The Message. Joy in the Journey may not win new fans, but it will continue to whet the appetites of current fans as well as prove to the Southern Gospel community that the McKameys are still alive and well.

CD rating: 3.75/5

Personal Favorites: “Joy in the Journey”, “When Faith Steps In”, “All That Matters”, “God Doesn’t Think like Me”, and “I Made It by Grace.”

The McKameys are: Peg McKamey Bean, Ruben Bean, Connie Fortner, Roger Fortner, Sheryl Farris, and Eli Fortner. Producer: Jeff Collins. Track list: I Have a Great Savior (Rebecca J. Peck), Glorify the Lord in the Fire (Sandy Blythe), All Is Well (Sheryl Farris), Joy in the Journey (Sheryl Farris), When Faith Steps In (Leigh Parsons Sexton), Remember When (Sheryl Farris), He Gave (Barbara Huffman), All That Matters (Dallas Holm), God Doesn’t Think like Me (Sheryl Farris), and I Made It by Grace (Kyla Rowland). Purchased by reviewer. Available from the artist or Crossroads Music.

Approximately 2 weeks ago, I stated that I would be posting reviews of 2 of the Christmas projects Southern Gospel produced this year. I originally had these separate dates selected for the albums’ reviews, but I decided to place the reviews on the same day since they would be smaller reviews than normal.

Because It's Christmas- 3.5/5 Stars

Jason Crabb started his full-time solo ministry in 2007 after the Crabb Family retired from travelling. His first project was a Christmas project, Because It’s Christmas. The first release was an off-the-cuff approach to recording with little to no rehearsal. Since 2007, he signed a recording contract with Spring Hill Music and re-released the project this past September trading in one song for three new tracks. Through the project, Jason moves through ballads & a few mid-to-up-tempo numbers interspersed. My largest complaint is that there is an obvious difference in the new material versus the previously released music. Music tracks & background vocals are given more mixing and mastering. Standout performances of the album include “Strange Way to Save the World”, “Christmas in the Country”, and “Go Tell It on the Mountain.”

It's Christmas (Kingdom Heirs) 4/5 Stars

Since the Kingdom Heirs started performing at Dollywood in the mid 1980s, the group has released several different Christmas projects for people to purchase in the theme park. In addition to people buying the project, the Kingdom Heirs also perform excellent Christmas shows featuring the new selections. It’s Christmas is their latest offering and is significant in its being tenor Billy Hodges’ last recording with the group. His performance of “O Come, All Ye Faithful” is a strong performance and leaves a lasting impression on Kingdom Heirs fans. “That Little Baby” is definitely the song for which I’ve been waiting for Arthur Rice to record. Though originally recorded by the Ruppes and made popular by Gold City, the Kingdom Heirs’ version is a must have for Southern Gospel fans. “Beautiful Star of Bethlehem” is also performed well with a Smoky Mountain feel executed excellently. Strong performances from this project are “That Little Baby”, “O Come, All Ye Faithful”, “Beautiful Star of Bethlehem”, and “The Christmas Song.”

Both of these projects provide an interesting look at the Christmas season. With Jason Crabb’s Because It’s Christmas, fans are treated to an effective variety of styles that range from Country to Southern Gospel to Traditional Gospel to Contemporary. This could lead to potential decrease of approval, but Jason knows what he’s doing and what works best. The Kingdom Heirs’ project displays different styles as well, giving each vocalist a chance to shine. Even though the project may not be marketed as heavily because of Hodges’ departure next month, this project is a strong example of quartet Christmas singing. Each project is worth having this Christmas season and are available for download on the two websites listed below for $9.99.

iTunes- Jason Crabb (Because It’s Christmas)

Crossroads Music- Kingdom Heirs (It’s Christmas)

Southern Gospel prides itself in tight harmonies. Here we see the harmony in the family vocals. The Talley Trio has been travelling under the current lineup since late 1996. In 2000, they released their breakthrough project, Testament, which included their first of ten #1 singles. Roger’s production expertise, Debra’s award-winning vocals, and Lauren’s youthful charm & vocal invitation have helped cement them as one of the greatest family groups in Southern Gospel music.

Stories & Songs features a different selection choice than the other Talley Trio songs. According to Lauren Talley, the new project explores the story song with different stories told to convey different thoughts. The project title is a worthy one, simply because there are some stories & some songs- not all of each. Stories & Songs gets off to an electrifying start with “Good Things.” Long-time fans will likely remember this tune from the Hemphills in the early 1980s. Here we don’t see just another recycling of an older song. The Talleys put a fresh music score & vocals on this tune and made a good opener for the cd. Next is “Who Will Pray?”. Debra sings the first verse with a listing of “For our children, for our homes..” This type of songwriting has never struck me as being imaginative on the listener’s part, but it changes with the second verse. Lauren takes over and gives us a false big ballad feel at the end of the verse. The bridge is effective and reaches the conclusion, “We will pray.” The key change helps bring a more solid foundation for the song. “Someone Had to Die” follows with a unique feeling. This tune is unique in that it doesn’t carry a chorus at all. Three stories are featured throughout with one member taking the solo on each one. Debra’s vocal animation draws the listener in by building the excitement. When Lauren starts into the final verse (her solo), she sounds as if she were guiding the musicians through the key change. “Someone Had to Die”, though different (but Talley all the way), could do well at radio.

“He Is with You” comes next. Lauren has the feature entirely with some harmony lines throughout. The chorus seems to be detached from the verses. And since there is no stable 1 chorus, the song is difficult for the listener to hold onto. The problem doesn’t lie in the delivery, but the songwriting. The “Prologue” to “Thou, O, Lord”, follow and treats the listener to nearly 1 1/2 minutes of lush orchestration. Orchestration on this tune reminds me at times of Janet Paschal’s “Another Soldier’s Coming Home.” “Thou, O, Lord” begins with an excellent treatment with Lauren taking the lead through the song. Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir recorded this tune back in 2005, and the Talley Trio gives their own spin to the tune bringing in a worshipful mode that will do well in concerts. The ending of the unison parts was excellent and continued to the end with Debra leading and Lauren & Roger harmonizing above and below her. Even though it is longer, this would do well at radio. For any reference, look back to “I Love the Lord/Total Praise.” “Hands of Grace” is the only complete solo from Roger featuring some excellent harmonies without Lauren or Debra at lead. It is pleasant to hear less processed vocals than the Booth Brothers’ original version.

“Applause” would have to be the most awkward performance on the entire album. The song speaks of the rewards for service to Christ & His kingdom. I felt that the lyrical idea was too similar to the Hoppers’ “The Applause of Heaven” (The Ride, 2006). The inclusion of the recorded applause near the end makes for a cheesy sound mainly because it fades in and out. “Tell Somebody” follows with the distinct Lauren Talley attitude. The individual lines on the verses make the song different from all the other songs of similar style (That’s Enough, Mountain Mover, Testify, etc.). Early on, the excitement gets lost in the shuffle, but it builds as the song continues. This could also do well at radio. “God Lives There” follows and is Debra’s only complete solo of the project. The idea is ok, but the first verse & chorus are weaker than the second verse & chorus. God does live everywhere, but the first verse & chorus make it seem at first glance that God is the homeless man who drinks the wine to forget. Better structure and clearer writing would work better. But the idea of the song speaks clearly through the rest of the song. “I Heard the Voice of Jesus Say” is an old hymn from the 1800s given a light Jazz/Easy Listening feel. Lauren & Debra share the lead on portions of the song. The musical feel is similar to Evie Tornquist or the Archers, both 1970s Christian music artists. The bonus track of “God Bless America/America, the Beautiful” was a brilliant idea. Lauren provides the solos on both tunes and really soars high into the heavens near the end of the song. This is sure to gain ultimate recognition in concert not only because of the patriotic nature but also because of the superb vocals. Crossroads should look at sending this medley to radio for special occasions like Memorial Day or the Fourth of July.

Stories & Songs shows just how creative the Talley Trio can be. Though the song selection was questionable on a couple of songs, the theme of the cd is full throughout. The animations in their vocals set them apart from singers who thrive on the stories, but lack the excitement. The vocal arrangements on this project are complex, but they remain simple in sparce places so the averaged listener can hear more. Radio could handle several of these songs well including “Someone Had to Die”, “Tell Somebody”, “Thou, O, Lord”, and “Who Will Pray.” The Talley Trio has provided Southern Gospel listeners with an excellent array of songs with stories and stories with songs.

Album Rating: 4 1/2/5 Stars

Personal Favorites: Good Things, Someone Had to Die, Thou O Lord, Hands of Grace, Tell Somebody, I Heard the Voice of Jesus Say, and God Bless America/America, the Beautiful.

The Talley Trio is: Lauren, Debra, & Roger Talley. Track Listing: Good Things, Who Will Pray?, Someone Had to Die, He Is with You, Prologue, Thou O Lord, Hands of Grace, Applause, Tell Somebody, God Lives There, I Heard the Voice of Jesus Say, and God Bless America/America, the Beautiful. Album copy purchased by reviewer. Available from the Artist or Crossroads Music.

On the Sunrise Side: Inspirations

Change has affected nearly every group in the Southern Gospel circuit. Back in March, when I learned that Jodi Hosterman was joining the Inspirations, I was unsure of the direction of the group’s sound. Don’t get me wrong. I enjoy Jodi’s singing just as much as the past two tenors for the group. But given that Jodi’s voice was a different style, I didn’t quite know how the group would sound with a different type of tenor. On the Sunrise Side is an excellent project showing how the Inspirations have maintained the quality of singing, while revamping in some areas.

On the Sunrise Side gets off to a mid-tempo song of testimony, “I’m Saved.” David Ragan carries the lead effectively through the song, making the song even more personal for the singer and listener. He holds the lead through the song until the turn-around when Jodi Hosterman takes the lead and drives it home. This song was an excellent opener for the project because of its display of the project’s theme. Next is “Kneel at the Cross.” This straight-ahead message reminds the sinner of his/her destination without Salvation. The inclusion of the old hymn of the same title seemed a tad bit unnecessary. For the song to have the same title, people are going to immediately associate the two. I’m not exactly sure why the hymn had to be included in an extended style, because the song can stand on its own without it. The Salvation message continues with the title track, “On the Sunrise Side.” This, the first solo for Hosterman, is another reminder similar to the previous one. The last line of the chorus seems to be unpolished, “While we’re on the sunrise side of heaven, get before we cross.” What is the last line of the song, actually is a stronger wording of the last line of the chorus. It makes the listener wonder, “Why wasn’t it used in the beginning?”

Considering that the first three songs were mid-tempo, it’s a welcomed change to a peppy tune called, “Heaven By and By.” Mike Holcomb, the Inspirations’ bass vocalist, is featured throughout the chorus on the lead-in lines. The unison lines throughout the song seem to be a bit of a departure for the group’s normal style. However, the unison lines used draw people into hearing the full blend the group has. The vocals on this song are similar to groups like the Kingsmen or Kingdom Heirs from the early 2000s. Coming next is the first of three songs referring to heaven, “The More I Think about Heaven.” Because of the way Campbell delivers this tune, the song’s message of hope in death becomes effective. Campbell will be well-known in concert for “The More I Think about Heaven.” Since it touches every aspect of the Christian’s faith, “The More I Think about Heaven” could do well at radio. Next is the group’s first single, “I’ve Never Known a Day.” Once again, the unison vocals are provided, but are used at a minimum. I appreciate how Ragan carries the lead through the entire song, even though he doesn’t carry the features on the verses. “River of Mercy” follows, featuring Ragan and telling of a sinner’s inability to reach Christ. The song, similar to the first three, is farther along in the project to keep from sounding redundant from the first three.

The “song” of the album comes next, “That’s Why I Call It Home.” I appreciate how the song shows our reasons for reaching our Earthly home while not having to explain how the feelings for heaven are equal and greater. Both Ragan & Campbell’s mature vocals guide the listener on an established journey to what makes heaven home. This should also do well on radio, given its strong response at the 2010 National Quartet Convention and its excellent performance in the studio. The final lines of the songs are highlighted with Ragan’s reaching for a higher vocal and Holcomb’s march down to a lower vocal. This is a worthy addition to the Inspirations songbook. Following “That’s Why I Call It Home” is a rendition of “When God Dips His Love in My Heart.” Holcomb’s lead vocals are lively, but the remaining members’ vocals lack that spirit to match the lead to create an exciting sound. The final song, “The Redeemed”, shares a listing of several sights and sounds to see and hear when we reach heaven. Judging by the pace of the song, it feels as if it didn’t sound like a strong note on which to end the album. But the entire song makes the close of the album just as effective as its start.

The Inspirations have worked fervently to maintain the high level of consistency with their sound. Many of their songs are recognizable from the first few bars of the tunes. On the Sunrise Side allows the listener to join along on a journey to hear a more mellow side of the Inspirations. With several laid-back tunes, the Inspirations recorded an album that isn’t too high in energy, nor too low in energy. The group’s blend is thick, unlike some groups travelling today. With On the Sunrise Side, the Inspirations have reminded Southern Gospel fans of their roots, while continuing to expand their musical boundaries.

Overall Rating: 4 /5 Stars

Personal Favorites: I’m Saved, Heaven By and By, The More I Think about Heaven, I’ve Never Known a Day, River of Mercy, and That’s Why I Call It Home.

The Inspirations Quartet is: Jodi Hosterman, David Ragan, Melton Campbell, Mike Holcomb, Martin Cook, and Myron Cook. Track Listing: I’m Saved, Kneel at the Cross, On the Sunrise Side, Heaven By and By, The More I Think about Heaven, I’ve Never Known a Day, River of Mercy, That’s Why I Call It Home, When God Dips His Love in My Heart, and The Redeemed. Album copy purchased by reviewer. Available from the Artist or Crossroads Music.

Hit Replay: Tribute Quartet

Back in 2006, Gary Casto & Josh Singletary started a group after leaving the Monument Quartet. Both artists enjoyed strong tenures with the Monument Quartet as well as the Wilburns. They hired vocalist, Dennis Dugger, to take the bass position.  Monument Quartet bass vocalist, Dennis Dugger, transitioned into the role as bass singer for the Tribute Quartet. Since the starting of the group they’ve had three tenors including: Jacob Kitson, Brian Alvey, and, currently, Riley Clarke. With Gary Casto & Josh Singletary singing lead & baritone, Riley Clarke and Dennis Dugger round out the quartet that is capturing the hearts and minds of people across the country. I’ve chosen today to review their new release, Hit Replay.

Many people would say that the project leans towards being a table project. Some would say it is a “tribute” to the songs from the past 10-20 years. I believe the project is more of a mixture. The song is a table project in the fact that it does perform selection of songs made popular by other artists. Some covers include those songs from the Hoppers, Karen Peck & New River, Jody Brown Indian Family, Poet Voices, the Trio, Talleys, Kingdom Heirs, Wilburns, etc. The project is also a tribute because they perform the songs with the original tracks with minor changes.

The song selection is interesting because of the inclusion of a variety of sounds. Fans are treated to covers of the Hoppers’ hits, “Look for Me around the Throne” and “Marriage Supper of the Lamb.” Their version of “Look for Me around the Throne” shows the smooth harmony the group now possesses. On the other hand, “Marriage Supper..”, involves great harmony, but has a random pause at the end of the chorus. Whereas the Hoppers would repeat the last few lines of the first chorus, Tribute decided to just stop the chorus then and there. It makes for an awkward transition into the second chorus. Although the Talleys made “Sweeter As the Days Go By” a #1 hit, Tribute picked up Poet Voices’ track for this recording. Tribute Quartet also picked up “One Holy Lamb” from Poet Voices. “Sweeter As the Days Go By” is a pleasant sound from the group; however, the vocals are sometimes hidden by the music. Josh Singletary’s vocals on the song lift the music from its 10+ years of age. Unlike “Sweeter as the Days…”, “One Holy Lamb” offers an excellent insight into Riley Clarke’s powerful voice. His voice now reminds me of a more mature L5 Josh Cobb. His features on “One Holy Lamb” and “I’d Rather Have Jesus” are two of the best performances on the project.

In addition to Riley Clarke, Gary Casto holds his own with the songs “God Likes to Work” and “Outside the Gate.” Unlike Karen Peck Gooch, Casto decided to stay on the second verse’s original scale instead of soaring high. Some would say this made the song less of a performance, but it actually does not. Gary Casto is one of the finest lead vocals in the business, which becomes more evident with “Outside the Gate.” I know that this one is ultimately familiar to Casto because of his tenure with the Wilburns. His vocals on the verses are superb as well as Riley Clarke’s lead vocals on the chorus. I was surprised to see less of Josh Singletary on the project. Josh has the baritone voice that is smooth and provides the “glue” that holds the group sound together. It seems as if his features were those with more dated tracks (i.e.- “Sweeter As the Days..” and “I Go to the Rock“). Like Singletary, Dennis Dugger was featured solely on one song, “Ain’t Gonna Run.” This JBIF cover actually is one of the best songs on the cd and could easily do well at radio for a nice change of pace. Another cover is the Trio’s hit from 2001, “Hallelujah Side.” Tribute Quartet pulls a stronger performance from the upper registries in comparison to the Trio’s original version. This should go over well in concert.

If you need an example to combat how Southern Gospel music isn’t dying, look to Tribute Quartet. Group owners, Gary Casto and Josh Singletary, have worked to build Southern Gospel music more for the younger generation. Their quote is “Preserving the heritage and promoting the future of Southern Gospel music.” And the best way they’ve done this is by preserving the songs of yesterday by promoting them in one project. I’m hoping for a volume two of the project. I enjoy hearing remakes of the classics of 30+ years ago, but I enjoy even more hearing remakes of classics from the past 10-20 years. If you want a table project that places tribute where it is due, check out Tribute Quartet’s latest project, Hit Replay, today.

Overall Rating: 4/5 Stars

Personal Favorites: “Look for Me around the Throne”, “One Holy Lamb”, “God Likes to Work”, “Ain’t Gonna Run”, “Outside the Gate”, and “I’d Rather Have Jesus”

The Tribute Quartet is: Riley Clarke, Gary Casto, Josh Singletary, and Dennis Dugger. Album copy purchased by reviewer. Album Production: Jeff Collins. Available from the Artist or Crossroads Music.

More than a year ago, Wes Burke showed 2 recent album covers of the Dills & Point of Grace. In his post he shared how they looked remarkably similar. We now have the same occurrence with an exception. This time it’s a Southern Gospel artist and a secular artist. In the Southern Gospel department we have the album, Jubilee 2, recorded by the Booth Brothers, Greater Vision, and Legacy Five. And in the secular department, we have Holiday Spirits, by Straight No Chaser.

There are some notable differences when you look at them for more than 5 seconds. But for an occasional glance, you’d think they were the same or just premium or special releases from either artist(s). My question of the day is, Why do some SG artists have to have their artwork looking similar to a secular artist? We are not of a separate genre where we all sing music that’s the same with the exception that ours is Christian. Southern Gospel is completely separate from all others in its message. Why not try to “come out from among them and be separate”? This does show some of how the genre is headed in light of what it accepts and rejects.

Here are the album covers:

Mike & Kelly Bowling started traveling together on a full-time basis back in 2006 upon the announcement of the Crabb Family’s retirement. And they traveled under the name, Mike & Kelly Bowling, until August 2009 when Terah Crabb Penhollow joined. Shine is their first recording under the new name, the Bowling Family. Mike, Kelly, & Terah produced the album which features songs from the pens of Sonya Isaacs Yeary, Rebecca Isaacs Bowman, Jim Brady, Karen Harding, Kenna West, Kyla Rowland, Marty Funderburk, Rodney Griffin, Belinda Smith, Julie Bryson, and many others.

The album starts with Sunshine on a Rainy Day. I enjoy the nice open-air feel to the song. Terah & Kelly’s harmony on the chorus give the song an extra spin. My only complaint is that the song has too much extra after they finish with the verses and chorus. It gets a little monotonous hearing, “He’ll be your; He’ll be your..”, for nearly a minute’s timing. Because of its open sound, this one could perform well on radio. Following Sunshine on a Rainy Day is How Blessed. I enjoy Mike’s straight ahead singing with this one. The song is simple and is performed vocally in a simple way. After How Blessed comes the song, Sailing on Home. The melody to this song sounds very familiar, though I can’t place to which song it might favor. It’s nice to have a song that sort of goes back to the roots, but this song leaves the listener thinking, “I’ve heard that before..more than once.” Terah Penhollow has her first complete song solo with the song, When We Need It Most. This one is different because it states that the individual knows that God knows when we need it most. It’s an interesting way to express that God knows your needs. Because so many people can relate to it, this would be another great choice for radio.

I thought they got the album’s title from Sunshine on a Rainy Day, but I was wrong. This Is Your Moment is a song written to God asking for Him to pour out blessings and shine upon us. The song delivers more of the progressive side of the group. Run and Tell follows quickly along keeping up the pace. This is the same song that Nicole Watts Jenkins recorded with the Perrys back in 1998. Both versions sound so similar that it’s hard to see a difference. Tell Them That I Love Them tells the story of a preacher praying for a word from the Lord for his congregation. Then a still small voice tells him, “Tell them that I love them..” This one’s a great one and is performed well. He Did starts out with a blues feel because of the horns at the introduction. Terah does an excellent job singing this Karen Harding song. He Already Knows is a nice reminder of how God knows every situation you may face. It’s a nice idea, but could have used more original wording. Pray Anyway shows Kelly Bowling’s voice at its best. Sonya & Becky never cease to make a truth fresh with each song. This one could also do well at radio. I really enjoy hearing Kelly raise the rafters as the key continues. The Half That’s Never Been Told should sound familiar because of recently being recorded by the Booth Brothers. Once again, while covering a song another group’s recorded, they didn’t put their own distinct twist to make it their own. He Leads Me Each Step of the Way should sound familiar as well because of being recorded by Mike Bowling on his 2004 cd, Where I Stand. Instead of Mike having the lead vocal, Terah takes the lead and does an outstanding job delivering the song. The album closes for its winner, I Still Glory in the Cross. Each member takes a moment to shine on the song displaying their ranges. I love how Kelly takes the final chorus and hits the song out of the park. Even though the song clocks in over 5 minutes in length, it was a perfect choice for radio. The song is one of the strongest declarations of faith I’ve heard in a long time.

Judging by Mike & Kelly’s first album together, Faith to Believe, I knew they’d have a tough time beating it. Now with the addition of Terah Penhollow, they’ve come full circle and made an album that’s reminiscent of the Crabb Family, yet setting their own foundation. I appreciate the excellent mixture of styles on the recording. It shows how well they can read their audiences to know what they expect on a studio cd. My only complaint is a small lack of originality in the arrangements of a few of the tunes. But the album gives us plenty of fresh material that it’s easy to overlook those areas. As a fan of the Bowlings, I’m looking for more great things for them. While they continue producing projects like this one, they’ll be a mainstay in the industry for a long time.

Song List:

1. Sunshine on a Rainy Day*
2. How Blessed*
3. Sailing on Home
4. When We Need It Most*
5. This Is Your Moment*
6. Run and Tell
7. Tell Them That I Love Them*
8. He Did
9. He Already Knows
10.Pray Anyway*
11.Half That’s Never Been Told
12.He Leads Me Each Step of the Way*
13.I Still Glory in the Cross*

Stars denote personal favorites.

Overall Rating: 4.5/5 Stars

The Bowling Family is: Mike Bowling, Kelly Bowling, and Terah Crabb Penhollow. Album copy purchased by reviewer. Album Production: Mike & Kelly Bowling, Terah Crabb Penhollow. Available from the Artist or Springside Marketing.

               As you’ll be able to tell by my writings, I love family groups- especially those that consist of family members only. The McKameys are no exception. Ruben and Peg McKamey Bean are the first of 3 generations to share their talents on stage. Joining them are their 2 daughters, Connie Fortner and Sheryl Farris. Connie’s husband, Roger, is the lead guitarist for the group and helps produce a major portion of their music. Rounding out the group is the third generation, Elijah, the son of Roger and Connie Fortner. Eli plays the rhythm guitar and sings  a special song on each album. So, as you can tell, this is a family affair.

                The McKameys’ new release, The Message, has different styles available to please the various types of fans who frequent their concerts. Starting the project is an Appalachian-style version of “Tell Me the Story of Jesus.” I’ve seen this performed in concert and can testify to its performance and how intricate the harmonies and vocal production are. Rarely does a group perform a hymn in a simple way that would work well in radio format. Even though not for a charting single, it would be nice if Crossroads released this song as a bonus for radio listeners. The second song on the recording is the standout of the entire album. Sheryl Farris performs the beautifully penned, “The Shepherd’s Point of View”, with the utmost sincerity and personalization. The song begins with the listener’s experience of being on a mountain. Then the following verses share how the Shepherd shows the dangers of going your own way and how He reached down and carried you. This one should definitely go to #1. Next on the album is one that Sheryl wrote herself. Peg Bean carries the straight ahead song, “One Step at a Time.” Because of its 3 verses, the song feels longer, but actually clocks in at just over 2 minutes in length. Following “One Step at a Time” is the project’s first #1, “I Keep Praying.” I remember the first time I heard it. I know from the start that it would be #1 for the group; and how right I was! The song shares how we can touch the heart of God with each petition and rest on his strong arms even when life isn’t fair. The title song, “The Message”, is the only feature from Ruben. The lyrics in this song are strong, but I would have enjoyed hearing stronger and more sustained vocals in the song. “Above and Beyond” shows the marriage of Mountain Gospel to Praise & Worship. I was impressed with the piano roll at the end of the second verse moving into the chorus. One problem—It is too short. “This Is My Story” helps pick up the pace a little. Eli’s feature was written by Sheryl; but arranged by Eli. Sheryl originally performed the song in a 4/4 time signature; yet Eli changed the timing to 6/8. Because it’s slightly faster, it’s hard to understand the words in the song. His vocals are pretty good, but I would have enjoyed the song a little slower or in the original time signature. Next is “There Is Much to Do.” The McKameys know how to treat their listeners to an old convention song on each album. This is no exception. I like how they switched off the lead parts throughout the song. But the punch doesn’t really come until they modulate for the final chorus and Sheryl & Connie both display the higher registers of their ranges. After the nice up-tempo tune, comes “That’s What I’m Living For.” Sheryl Farris sings this mid-tempo song with an expectancy for heaven as the song implies. Closing out the album is an altar call song, “Standing at the Altar.” Peg has always been able to cast all of her emotions into a ballad for their albums. This one proves why Peg has endeared herself in the hearts of listeners across the country for many years. This was an excellent closing song for the album.

                The McKameys have been known, down through the years, to release albums with a specific theme in mind. With their 40^th project, the group did an acoustic theme to honor their roots. With their album, Telling the Story, each song told the story of a Christian or God’s faithfulness. The Message delivers exactly for what the title stands. Each song shares a message. And the first and last songs are perfect bookends to a great recording. Though I wouldn’t say this is the best McKameys recording, it is their best to come along in recent years.

Song List:

1. Tell Me the Story of Jesus*
2. The Shepherd’s Point of View*
3. One Step at a Time
4. I Keep Praying*
5. The Message
6. Above and Beyond*
7. This Is My Story
8. There Is Much to Do*
9. That’s What I’m Living For
10. Standing at the Altar*

 Stars denote personal favorites.

 Overall Rating: 4/5 stars

The McKameys are: Ruben Bean, Peg McKamey Bean, Roger Fortner, Connie Fortner, Sheryl Farris, and Elijah Fortner. Album copy purchased by the reviewer. Album Production: Jeff Collins and Roger Fortner. Available from: the Artist and Springside Marketing.