Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thankgiving everyone! Sorry I haven't posted much recently. I've been busy, but I hope to get some Christmas CD reviews in soon. I have the privilege to sing in a +1000 voice choir backing up the Gaithers at the Bankers Life Fieldhouse in Indianapolis this Saturday, so I'm definitely excited about that! Here's a song by Greater Vision in honor of Thanksgiving.

 

Review: Greater Vision "Everything Christmas"

With Christmas fast approaching, I thought I’d start reviewing some Christmas projects.  So I’ll start with Greater Vision’s latest addition to the Holiday catalog.  I’ll try to review some projects by EH&SS, Palmetto State Quartet, and some more later.

Everything Christmas (Overture) - This song covers parts of several of the songs that are played throughout the rest of the CD.  Maybe that’s why it’s called an “overture.”  ;)  There are several songs that are not played later, such as “The First Noel,” some unidentifiable song that says “Joy, joy, unspeakable joy,” several times, “Hark the Herald Angels Sing,”  and some others.  To be clear, this is an instrumental, although it does have a choir in a couple places.  5 stars

There’s No Place Like Home For the Holidays/I’ll Be Home For Christmas:  My biggest problem with this song is that the verse of “There’s No Place Like Home For the Holidays” says: “Gee, the traffic is terrific.”  You say, so what?  Why is that a problem?  Well, I know a lot of people don’t really know this, but “gee” as well as “gosh” and “golly,” is a substitute for “Jesus.”  And the Bible says not to take the name of the Lord in vain.  Obviously, Gerald Wolfe probably wasn’t thinking about this, for many people now use these interjections frequently.  Maybe  using these substitutes are not as bad as saying “Jesus” or “God,” but they still should not be used.

The music has an old feel to it, like something you’d hear in an old Christmas movie, or in the early 1900‘s.  This is the result of back-up singers, and it sounds neat.  5 stars (without the slang)

Sleigh Ride - What would Christmas be without hearing “Sleigh Ride”?  Ah, I love it.  Jazzy piano coordinates with orchestra and sleigh bells.  The only downer is the kids singing.  We don’t even hear Greater Vision.  4 stars (My rating probably would have boosted if the group had sung and the kids didn’t)

O Holy Night - While “O Holy Night” is significantly slower-paced than the last two songs, it still maintains the predominant Christmas feel.  Big orchestration at the end, classic Christmas.  Even though I don’t care for the actual song, I have to give it a high rating, for Greater Vision did a great job.   The Christmas flavor and the big orchestration and choir at the end was really good.  4.5 stars

It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year - Chris Allman gets a solo here which I don’t think was a smart move.  I’m not criticizing his ability to sing, but there’s nothing like the rich harmony of a group.  Thankfully a choir helps throughout most of the song, but it’s still not the same as lead, tenor, and baritone, blending together for a classic Christmas melody.  3 stars (higher if the whole group had sang)

I Heard the Bells - If I’m not mistaken, Chris was the only group member that actually sang the words of this song.  The other guys may have harmonized and hummed the tune, but it was mainly Chris and the choir.  Perhaps because he was newer to the group when this album was produced?  2 stars

God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen - The music almost has a jungle sound to it!  I know that might sound kind of weird for a Christmas album, but the beat of the drums, and the flutes give me that impression.  And finally, the whole group sings together again, starting out in unison, and progressing into harmonization.  The orchestration gets heavier and much more frequent as the song advances.  3.5 stars

Do You Hear What I Hear - The intro sounds very majestic and royal, something straight out of a movie about, like, Rome or something.  I don’t really care for this song.  It just doesn’t do a lot for me.  But Greater Vision has improved some weaker songs (IMO) with good soundtracks.  Whoever produced this project did an excellent job.  3.5 stars

A Cradle In Bethlehem - This is probably the weakest song on the project musically and lyrically, IMO, with perhaps the exception of “Grace Has a Face (Hope Has Hands)” which I have not heard.  I guess this is just not my style, as well as that it’s not classic, and it’s pretty simple. (musically at least)  If you like lighter stuff, this is for you.

Comments:
This is a definite must-hear Christmas album.  It has a few things that could be improved, but mostly, it’s great!  The music is phenomenal.  If you’re looking for good, quality, Christian, Christmas albums, get Everything Christmas.

CD Rating: 5 stars
Song Selection: 4 stars
Favorite Songs: “There’s No Place Like Home…,” “Everything Christmas (Overture),” “O Holy Night,” and others

Greater Vision "The Only Way" Review

(Note: I know this review is way late, and that the album came out several months ago.  But I just got to listen to it the other night, so I thought I'd write a review anyway.)

He Didn't When He Could Have Passed By: Starting out the project is a fast-paced song with a country/bluegrass style.  This could be one of the jazziest Greatest Vision songs to date.  It was written by Rodney Griffin.  (Of course!  His songs are always really good.)  I don't have anything special to say.  Just that's it's a catchy song with a great beat and good lyrics and awesome music.  5 stars

Safe Within His Hand - This song can be compared in some aspects, to "You Were Faithful Yesterday." (Welcome Back)  It's about the same pace, medium slow.  And the music sounds somewhat similar.  It does have more of a country flavor though.  My favorite part is the end of the chorus.  3.5 stars

No Longer Chained - I love how this song is arranged.  The intro is slow, with soft orchestration, leading you to think that a ballad is coming.  But then the speed picks up with guitars and a nice string section.  The guitars make the track feel slightly country, but with the orchestration, it's a lot different than a country song.  Once again Rodney has written a winner.  At the end, the singing stops, the music starts playing again, and fades out, like in the Perry's "Blue Skies Coming."  4 stars

I Know A Man Who Can - Wow.  Chris Allman really gets into it.  4 stars

He's the Only Way - This is a fun song, very fast, with a good message.  A lot of people are very "tolerant," saying that "all roads lead to Heaven."  But of course, that's not true, and I appreciate Greater Vision singing the truth.  4.5 stars

Like I Wished I Lived - Slowing the pace, "Like I Wished I Lived," provides a nice ballad.  (you have to be in the mood for something slower of course) I would like to comment on this being the radio single.  My question is: why?  It's a fine song, but it doesn't compare to some of the other tracks.  The orchestration is rather light, and it just doesn't seem like a song to make people think: "I've got to get that album!"  4 stars

But God - Written by Rodney Griffin and Twila LaBar, this is another nice ballad.  I think this is perhaps slightly better than the last one.  It seems a little faster, as well.  The orchestration is, once again, pretty light. 3.5 stars

We Still Have to Pray - IMO, there should been a fast song here.  This makes three ballads in a row, and after "Eternity's About to Begin," there's two more.  As to the music, very light, with hardly any orchestration, barely any drums.  A lot of instruments come together at the bridge, but then leave, as the group sings the chorus again.

Eternity's About to Begin - This is a really fun, catchy, awesome song!  The organ produces a really neat sound.  The chorus, in particular, is really fun as there's a lot of words stuffed in.  There's a great beat, and the production is spectacular.  This would bring down the house in a concert setting, probably making at least one encore.  Similar to "No Longer Chained," the track starts out slow, but this time you can tell that it's going to get better.  I will definitely be listening to this a lot.  6 stars (Yes, I like it so much, that it went off the usual 1 to 5 star rating scale!)

Heaven Can't Be Far Away - I've heard a larger-scale version of this song by the Mark Trammell Trio on Once Upon a Cross, as they had a choir accompanying the group.  This version was good though, and it didn't really need a choir.  3.5 stars

Another Child's Coming Home - This is, IMO, the best ballad on The Only Way.  It's different than some of Greater Vision's recent hits ("God So Loves Me," "It Pays to Pray")  But it's still a nice song.  It's lighter.  And..."peaceful?"  (Sorry if I'm making no sense)  5 stars

Closing Comments:
Recently Greater Vision has put out a lot of albums with re-released songs.  (e.g. Welcome Back, Nothing But Fast, 20 Years: Live in Texas, ect.)  So it's about time that they put out a new original CD.

This CD has several solid songs, but it could have been improved in several ways.  For one thing, I would have liked to see at least one more fast song.  And I think that bigger orchestration on several songs would have been nice as well.

Greater Vision is an excellent group, and, as I was saying to somebody recently, their music is very worshipful.  Let's pray that they keep up with the God-glorifying music, and not merge into more
"progressive" styles.

Favorites: "Eternity's About to Begin," "No Longer Chained," "Another Child's Coming Home"