CD Review: Canton Junction Debut Project

Note: As this is a two-disc project with 20 tracks in all, I decided not to review every song. A song list is included near the end of the post.

I Wouldn’t Take Nothing For My Journey Now - Yes, longtime SoGo fans are going to instantly recognize this Happy Goodman classic from days gone by. Big fans who know and listen to all the smaller gospel groups whose name wouldn’t sound familiar to a casual listener will probably remember that the LeFevre Quartet and the Perrys recorded it more recently. And now…Canton Junction. I’m going to use a term that I don’t use very often, but think is appropriate to describe the music. It rocks. I’m sure the piano was smoking by the time the song was done. Of course, we can’t forget about the guitars that lend a heavier sound to the song. Even the drum track shouldn’t be overlooked, especially on the chorus where it kicks into high gear.

Heaven Is - If I had to summarize this song in one sentence, I would probably say "country meets praise and worship." There are different aspects from each style infused into this song. It actually makes for a really interesting - and really good - song. It's not super fast, but it's not real slow either. It's definitely one of my favorite upper-tempo songs.

Who Am I - My biggest (and only) complaint about this song is that the tempo is undeniably, completely and without question way too slow. I don’t think the group should be singing along at 70 MPH because it’s not that kind of song. But it still is extremely slow which is a shame because otherwise, it’s a great song. The music starts out with a bluesy feeling, and turns into something more like a ballad near the end. Some great singing on the part of the group members, I must say.

Go Tell It On the Mountain - Yes, I know it’s not Christmas time. And hey, don’t try to deny it, when you saw the title, you thought something to the effect of “a Christmas song? Well, that’s different.” I was surprised to hear it. It sounded out of place. But it’s a great song, even if it’s coming a little early. I think it comes closer than any other version I’ve heard to satisfying my musical tastes. And I gotta say, I love the part at the end of the second verse where the whole group comes in to echo “that blessed Christmas morn.” That wasn’t the only time during the CD where I thought, “hey, they sound like the Gaither Vocal Band!”

Coming Home - This song is about completely the opposite of the last. It's very calm and peaceful. I personally like the chorus the best. A find that in a lot of songs, the chorus sticks out to me because of mainly the tune. This is one of those songs. The music has a bit of a lonely feeling. It sort of sounds like what you might hear in a movie. In a scene where the protagonist is out in the desert all alone contemplating life or resigning himself to the fact that he's hopelessly lost and is going to die. :D Sorry, that's the best I can do to describe the tone.

Softly and Tenderly - OK, I know a couple song reviews back I said that the group sounded like the GVB. Well, on this track I’m picking up Ernie Haase & Signature Sound. Not sure if anybody else heard these similarities or not. And yes, I know Tim Duncan used to be with EH&SS, but it’s not just him. This is a very soft, pretty song. I don’t think I’ve ever heard a gospel group sing this although I’m sure they have. It’s a nice change of pace from some of the faster upbeat tracks, though I enjoyed those immensely. Of course, this is a classic song for altar services and evangelistic pleas, so it’s a different tone from former said songs.

Disc 2:

Sweeter As the Days Go By - Many of my readers have probably already seen the video of this song. The song was recorded live so what you hear on the video is what you hear on the CD. Go see what you think. I loved hearing Tim Duncan take the second verse. Oh, and then whichever guy took off at the chorus probably deserves an accolade or two. :D The crowd just loved them!

What a Wonderful World - This song isn’t exactly Christian. It’s a secular song in that it never mentions God or Jesus or Heaven or anything religious. It just talks about different good things about the world. The tune is good, it’s an OK song.

Glorify - Three words to describe this song? Wow. Totally awesome. This could very well be the best slow song on this project, counting both CDs. I could see someone saying that it's too repetitive, especially on the chorus, but I don't mind that so much. It's a great tune, and the background music makes the song sound really good, particularly near the end.

Dig A Little Deeper - I don’t believe I’ve ever heard this song non-accapella style - or in other words without a soundtrack or background instruments - until now. I don’t like this song as well as some of the others that the group did. The chorus is good, but in my opinion, I think the guys need to calm down a little on the verse.

Since Jesus Came Into My Heart - This is another one of my favorite hymns to hear. It has a country flavor here. Nobody gets a solo on either verse. Pretty basic arrangement, and they go for an encore at the end. Not a particularly outstanding track, but good nonetheless.

Hold On - I could definitely see the Gaither Vocal Band doing this song pretty much exactly like Canton Junction. There is a lot of similarities between the groups here too. I don’t really care for this song. I think "Sweeter As the Days Go By" is definitely the best fast song on Disc 2.

Comments:
This CD is definitely a great start for Canton Junction. They seem to have taken on a country feel infused with a couple other genres such as blues, praise and worship, and western as their main style. It makes a very interesting CD. I would recommend this project pretty highly to those of you who are searching for some new music to add to your collection.

CD Rating: 4 stars
Favorite Songs: “Heaven Is,” “Glorify,” “I Wouldn’t Take Nothing For My Journey Now”
Main Styles: Mainly country

Song List: Disc 1: I Wouldn’t Take Nothing For My Journey Now, Show Me Your Way, Heaven Is, The Son Shines Down On Me, Who Am I, Go Tell It On the Mountain, Coming Home, Softly and Tenderly, The Inviting Christ, My Saviour’s Love Disc 2: Sweeter As the Days Go By, You Are So Beautiful, What a Wonderful World, Glorify, Dig a Little Deeper, Going Home, Since Jesus Came Into My Heart, In the Valley He Restoreth My Soul, Hold On, Smile

Review copy provided by Difference Media

Concert Review: Brian Free & Assurance, the Perrys, and Jason Crabb

A couple Saturday's ago, I was able to attend an outdoor concert where the Perrys, Brian Free and Assurance, and Jason Crabb were all featured artists. It was an awesome night,  especially since I went with several people from my church and a friend from way out in New Mexico. The concert was held at the Bill Monroe Music Park in Bean Blossom, IN.

Perrys - The Perrys were the hosts for the event, and they sang first. They started out with "Every Time I Need Him," which is fun to hear both live and on a CD. Here's a list of some of the songs they sang:

• Every Time I Need Him
• His Love Lights the Way
• Great Is Thy Faithfulness
• I Know It Was the Blood
• The Holy Hills of Heaven
• He Will Hide Me
• Blue Skies Coming (?)
• Precious Jesus, Hold My Hand

Unfortunately, I can't think of the rest of the songs. I forgot to take paper to take notes. :) I was impressed though with the good spirit that was there during several of the Perry's songs.

Brian Free & Assurance - Brian Free & Assurance put on the best performance of the night in my opinion. They're an all-male quartet, which I think gives them an edge over other performers, plus they have a lot of upbeat songs that are really fun to listen to. Here's a list of the songs that I can remember. :)

• First Day In Heaven
• Go Tell the World
• You Must Have Met Him
• The Part Where You Come In
• Guard Your Heart
• Long As I Got King Jesus
• I Want to Be That Man
• Just a Little Talk With Jesus

There were others but I can't remember them all. ;)

I've never cared that much for BF&A in the past, but seeing them live and buying their new CD really improved my opinion of them. They're one of my favorite male quartets now. I think Jeremy Lile is one of the best bass singers in Gospel music. And of course everybody knows what Brian Free can do. The group sounds really good together right now, and I hope none of the current members leave anytime soon. :)

Jason Crabb - I know that Jason Crabb is a very popular soloist right now. I believe he won an award for being the best singer in all of Gospel music. I found it amusing that during intermission, the line for his table was very long, stretching well out of the shelter house, while the lines for the other tables (Singing News, BF&A, Perrys, and a local radio station, WYGS) were comparatively teensy.

With that being said, I have to say that I don't care for his style of music. I like him as a person (I haven't met him, but he was funny and has a cool personality), but I don't like his music or performance, one reason being that the style of music he does isn't really Southern Gospel, but more country gospel or contemporary Christian. Another reason is that I don't usually like soloists as well as groups.

On a sidenote, the live band gave him more flexibility than he would have had if he had just used soundtracks, but the music wasn't as complex. (the music consisted of drums, bass, keyboard [either piano or organ], and, on some songs, his guitar)


Comments:
Anyway, it was a great night. I bought BF&A's new CD, Nothing But Love, which I got autographed by all the guys in the group! :)

The winner of the talent search sang after intermission. It was a male soloist who sang a fast song that I didn't like, and then sang "These Are They" which was good. I think he won $500.

The next concert that I may get to attend (still unsure) is Saturday night of NQC! I'm very excited about this as I have never been to NQC before. They have a great lineup of artists on Saturday night. (Collingsworth Family, Kingdom Heirs, Kingsmen, ect.) Perhaps I'll see some of my readers there. ;)

Did You Support Chick-Fil-A Yesterday?

Yesterday was amazing. Thousands of people across the country swamped their local Chick-Fil-A locations, some waiting for hours to get in, and others driving long distances so they could eat at the nearest location. Our local Chick-Fil-A, which is about 20-25 minutes from our house was packed when we arrived at lunch time. By the time we left, the crowd inside had started to subside, but the line for the drive through had not slowed. I heard reports later that they were busy throughout the rest of the day.

My aunt attends the Bible Methodist Church in Burlington, KY. They had a 15 minute service, and then went out to eat. :) My church bought chicken sandwiches for the kids at our Vacation Bible School that night.

This should be a message to Chick-Fil-A and the rest of the world. You don't have to give in to the demands of liberal homosexual activists to run a successful business. Just stand up for righteousness and God will bless you.

Greenwood, IN location

We should pray for Chick-Fil-A and the leaders though, as tomorrow gays will gather to kiss each other. I found it amusing though that there were 55 times more people at Appreciation Day then there are expected to be at "Kiss-In" tomorrow. (based on the Facebook invite list) Also keep praying that the leaders will not give in to the gay movement. I heard that one location is donating sandwiches to a gay pride parade. One manager seemed to be trying to distance himself from the company president's comments. He said that the kiss-in should be fun! Also I was a little disappointed in the statement released on Facebook. It said that Chick-Fil-A was going to leave the marriage debate to the political arena. It seemed like a copout to me. I just hope the leaders will continue to stand up for what is right...and remember the record breaking sales they enjoyed yesterday.