CD Review: "Revival" (Karen Peck & New River)

What do redback hymnals, folding chairs, and a canvas tent in the open air have in common? According to Karen Peck & New River, revival! The opening title song of the group’s latest album kicks off in a minor key, lending the tune a somewhat eerie, lonely feel. This is the group’s latest single, and has already done well on radio.

Karen Peck & New River hardly needs an introduction. This successful mixed trio came on the scene in the early 1990’s. Current members are Karen Peck Gooch, Susan Jackson, and Jeff Hawes. Casual listeners are likely to recognize hits like "Four Days Late," "Last Night," and "Hey" among others. I can’t say I’ve heard much of their older music beyond a few singles. But their latest CD, Revival, made me their newest fan.

Obviously not content to produce an album full of fluff, KP&NR picked some of the best tunes to fill this new project. Along with "Revival," nearly every other song is worth hitting the repeat button on.

I particularly enjoyed the slower numbers on this CD. "Finish Well" is a soaring mega ballad and the best slow song on the CD. Led by Karen Peck Gooch, this song should be one of the top contenders for a second radio single. "Everybody’s Going Through Something" is a laidback slow song with a strong message about troubles and trials. The chorus says "So if everybody’s going through something, I’d rather go through something with him."

While the best songs on the album are mainly slow songs, there are several solid upbeat numbers too. "Revival" is the best, but other solid toe-tappers include "I’m Saved," a downright fun song, that, as best as I can tell was originally recorded in 1963 by Sons of Harmony, and "Dancing Like Lazarus," a Joseph Habedank/co-penned number led by Jeff Hawes.

Conclusion:
Everybody knows that KP&NR can sing! But this project is strong because of the large number of good songs. The album is mixed evenly with five up-tempo numbers and the same number of slow songs. Though I can’t compare Revival with past KP&NR projects, it is the strongest mixed group release that I’ve heard this year, and a definite must-buy.

CD Rating: 5 (out of 5) stars
Favorite Songs: Revival, Finish Well

Producer: Wayne Haun
Released by: Daywind Records
Available for download? Yes (iTunes)
Artist Website: www.karenpeckandnewriver.com/

CD Review: "But For the Cross" (Lefevre Quartet)

But For the Cross - Sometimes you can tell that a song is going to be good before you even finish listening to the intro. That’s how this song is. It has a beautiful orchestral opening. It’s paced rather nicely I think - not slow enough to be thought of as a ballad, but not fast like a “barn burner.” The song has a great message, and asks the question “where would I be but for the cross?”

Come and See - This song recounts two of Jesus’ miracles. The first verse tells of his raising Jairus’s daughter from the dead and the second of Lazarus’s resurrection. The chorus is sung from first person view (first by the daughter, then by Lazarus obviously), and urges the listener to come and see what Jesus did instead of just taking their word as proof.

I’m So Saved - This song is, I believe, the first radio single from But For the Cross. It’s a fun up-tempo song that should be pretty successful both on the radio and in a concert setting.

The Wedding Song - There are a couple of Southern Gospel “wedding” songs that have been recorded over the years. “Wedding Music,” (Cathedrals and others) and “Here Comes the Bride” (Kingsmen) immediately come to my mind. “The Wedding Song” is a nice addition to the “wedding” song catalog. It’s the best song in this theme that I have heard so far. The music is what brought it to first place in my mind. It has a fast progressive style. 

Put It Right There - This song tells of a drug-addicted guy who comes to his father and confesses his addiction. His dad reaches for the drugs and says:

Put it right there in the palm of my hand, I know it’s gonna hurt but trust me to the end

You will be free and I will be there, together we will stand looking back at what you fear.

I’m reaching out my hand, I’ll do anything I can, put it right there.

The second verse is about Jesus being crucified. The words speculate on what Jesus said as the soldiers picked up the spikes to nail into his hands, and that naturally leads into the chorus. Electric guitars and a banjo create a strong country sound, while the drum track lends a bit of a contemporary feeling.

We Are the Church - This is another fun fast song, rather similar in tone to “Standing On the Daily Promises” and “I’m So Saved” in that it’s not a very “serious” song. It has more of a fun tone than some of the other songs. Also, I love the hymn bridge insertion of “The Solid Rock.” Some people may not care to hear “mini-hymns” put right in the middle of new songs, but I like them!

Saved By the Blood - The Old Paths Quartet recorded this previously on Wonderful Life. (2010) This version is better, in my opinion.

The Blessed Hope  - This song provides to the listener some relief from the fast tempo that dominates most of the CD. It’s not a stand-out song, but it’s not bad either.

I’ll Let You Lead Me - This is a fun, brassy,  mid-tempo number led by Paul Harkey. I think it sounds like a song that Ernie Haase & Signature Sound would do, at least stylistically.

Standing On the Daily Promises - I think this song will get overlooked. It’s a shame too, because it’s really a good fun song. It just doesn’t stand as tall as “Put It Right There” or “I’m So Saved.”

Comments:

I was expecting good things from this album ever since hearing several songs on Spotify. I got a little nervous the day my copy arrived, thinking “can this really be as good as I’m hoping?” I was not disappointed!

If there was a singular element that “made” this album, I’d say it would have to be the music. The album actually credits three producers, Tre’ Corley, Paul Corley, and Rick Sandidge. The orchestration was second to none as well as all the other instrumental elements.

Along with the great soundtrack, the group had a great song selection. The Lefevre Quartet isn’t a name that’s as widely known as say Legacy Five or the Gaithers, but I think they deserve a lot more attention, especially if they keep producing albums that are as good as this one was. 

 

But For the Cross is a five-star album deserving of a place in any Gospel music fan’s CD player.

CD Rating: 5/5 stars

Average Song Rating: 4/5 stars

Favorite Songs: “But For the Cross,” “The Wedding Song,” “We Are the Church,” “Put It Right There”

Review copy provided by Activate Records

CD Review: Mark Trammell Quartet "Lifetime"

Ever since reading the positive reviews of MTQ’s latest project, Lifetime, and since watching a video of the first song on the album, “Guide Me,  Oh Thou Great Jehovah” sung by the group at NQC, I’ve been anxious to hear the whole thing for myself. It’s as good and better than I expected it to be!

I’ve only heard one CD from the MTQ since they added their bass singer, Pat Barker, and became a quartet. Their first album, Testimony, was, in my opinion, okay but not great. There were some good songs on the CD, but it didn’t “grab me” like other projects have. I feel that Lifetime is just the opposite.

The project starts out with the old hymn “Guide Me, Oh Thou Great Jehovah.” Lari Goss, who produced Lifetime with Mark Trammell, pulled out all the stops for the orchestration in this song. Stylistically, it reminded me of Greater Vision’s Hymns of the Ages CD. The music fits the song very well giving a grand and majestic feeling. “I Sing the Mighty Power” has the same feeling, and I think it’s even better than “Guide Me, Oh Thou Great Jehovah.”

“Way Past Ready” is the second fast song on the CD. Penned by Rodney Griffin, it’s a jazzy and upbeat number led by Mark Trammell. Pat Barker takes the lead on “Wonderful Time Up There.” While they modernized the song a little bit by including a jazzy brass section, the song is still set in a Southern Gospel feel. “Meet Me Over on the Other Side” sounds more like classic Southern Gospel than any other song on the album. No one person is featured on the verses or on the chorus. The whole group blends their voices together to achieve classic quartet harmony.

Most of the slow songs are huge with beautiful orchestration backing up the group. “Golden City Tour Medley” is one of the stand-out ballads. It may be a little odd to hear “Touring That City” sung at such a slow pace, but it’s definitely a great version of the old Inspirations classic. “Too Much to Gain to Lose” is a song that I’ve never cared much for in the past. But on this CD, it’s one of my favorite power ballads! “The King is Coming Medley” includes the old Gaither classic, as well as another Gaither-penned song, the well-known “I’m Free.” “Tis So Sweet to Trust In Jesus” was pretty calm and quiet in comparison with the other ballads on Lifetime. It was paced a little too slowly for me, but when I concentrated on the words, it was very pretty.

I really enjoyed Lifetime. It was a great decision to have Lari Goss in charge of orchestration and in the role of producer. He did a tremendous job as always. I probably enjoy his orchestrations more than any other person’s with perhaps the exception of Don Marsh who does a tremendous job as well. I can easily see why this album was so popular on some of the other blogs. It’s good to see that people still enjoy this style of music. I certainly do. The MTQ created something wonderful here. Lifetime will be going on my end-of-the-year “Best Albums of 2012” list!

CD Rating: 5/5 stars
Average Song Rating: 4-4.5/5 stars
Favorite Songs: Guide Me, Oh Thou Great Jehovah, I Sing the Mighty Power, Wonderful Time Up There, Too Much to Gain to Lose

Review copy not provided

Produced by:
Lari Goss, Mark Trammell
Released By:
Daywind Records
Available for Download? No
Artist Website: http://www.marktrammellministries.com

CD Review: Perrys "Through the Night"

I Got a Hold of God This Morning - This is a great up-tempo number to start the album with. Penned by Kyla Rowland, it has a progressive edge, but it doesn’t stray too far from the fast Southern Gospel feeling. With the choice of instruments and electric guitars, it kind of reminds me of songs like “Dying Is a Day” and “This Old Sinner Testifies.”

Whosoever Will - This is a beautiful ballad that tells the story of a girl who runs away at 17 from a bad home. The second verse tells of a man who lived selfishly for 80 years, but as he neared his final days, he had a greater need than material possessions. The group really puts some energy and feeling into the bridge which sounds awesome! This song reminds me a lot of Ernie Haase & Signature Sound’s “You Are Welcome Here.”

Everywhere I Go - This song is not new to the Southern Gospel scene. The Browns recorded it on their album Now. The Liberty Quartet sang it as well as other groups too I’m sure. I think the song is pitched too low here, especially at the beginning. Libbi Stuffle helps bring it up a bit when she joins the others after the second verse.

Through the Night - The title song of this album, “Through the Night” is another beautiful ballad. It definitely fits in the “power ballad” category. The song talks about praising God “through the night, while this trial perseveres.” It’s a great testimony song to walking with God even when things are tough.

He Is Good to Me - This up-tempo tune was written by Wayne Haun and the Perry’s own Joseph Habedank . My favorite part is the verses. They have an interesting tune that’s fun to listen to.

Too Good to Not Be True - This song tells the story of the woman at the well. It offers a unique perspective that I’ve never really heard before. The first verse tells the story from her point of view and says that she tries to tell Jesus that he’s not supposed to talk to her, but he won’t give up. What a beautiful picture of God not giving up on us! This is a rather, quiet pretty song that may leave you thinking afterward.

The Blood and Its Power - This song has an interesting piano feature in the intro. It has almost a classical touch that doesn’t seem to quite fit with the rest of the song which is a medium tempo country-flavored tune. While I sometimes don’t enjoy medium-paced country-infused songs like this, I really enjoy this one. The tune and the words, as well as the unique intro combine to make a great song. I think part of the second verse is worth repeating, “It’s been removed [the blood] from many places, or watered down, but here’s a truth. It is how the lost are found.” Amen! :)

One of These Mornings - This is a great pick for the last up-tempo number. It starts big and doesn’t let up until the end where it goes out with a bang. For their last three albums, the Perrys have had at least one song, having a similar feel to this one, that had to do with Heaven, Death, or the Rapture. (“Dying Is a Day,” “Blue Skies Coming,” “One of These Mornings”) They’ve all made for great songs. This theme, as well as the style, works well for them.

Unspoken Request - This is a very unique song. Rather than try to explain it, I’ll just let you read the chorus:

“I was somebody’s unspoken request, the reason for their tears and pain. The saints joined together to lift me in prayer without even knowing my name. Laid on the altar and given to God, trusting the Father knows best. I stand here redeemed and an answer from Heaven, to someone’s unspoken request.”

When He Spoke - The first verse of this song pictures Mary as she meets Jesus for the first time after he had risen from the grave. This is the third and final power ballad on Through the Night. It’s another excellent slow song.

Comments:
Many groups have recorded projects that are good, even excellent. Some have even recorded several albums that are outstanding. But fewer groups have recorded at least three outstanding albums in a row. The Perrys are one of the few groups that have. The majority of the songs on at least their last four albums (Through the Night, Blue Skies Coming, Almost Morning) are not at all second rate! From song selection, to the musical styles they utilize, the Perrys continue to record excellent music. Through the Night is a wonderful addition to their already impressive catalog.

I think part of the reason I enjoy listening to the Perrys so much is largely due to the rich orchestrations many of their ballads, and even some of their up-tempo numbers (“I Know It Was the Blood,” “Blue Skies Coming”) hold. They also record mostly new songs from some of Southern Gospel’s top song writers. For example, on this album, I believe every single song with the exception of “Everywhere I Go” was a brand new song, never before sung by any group.

Through the Night is one of the best albums I’ve heard this year. I whole-heartedly recommend that you pick up a copy of this project as soon as you can!

CD Rating: 5 stars
Average Song Rating: 4 stars
Favorite Songs: “Whosoever Will,” “Through the Night,” “The Blood and Its Power,” “One of These Mornings”
Music Styles: Progressive Southern Gospel, Power Ballad

Produced by: Dottie Leonard Miller and Wayne Haun

Review copy not provided