Archive for February 2, 2011

It’s A God Thing – Dunaways

Posted: February 2, 2011 by Steve Eaton in Album Reviews
Tags:
5

OVERALL RATING:  7.69

CRITERIA:

  1. Creativity/Originality = 7
  2. Lyrical Content = 8.5
  3. Production = 8
  4. Song Selection = 7.5
  5. My Recommendation = 7.45 (10 song average)

 

If you follow Southern Gospel music and more importantly radio charts, you would know that The Dunaways have the #1 song for February, in the Singing News, with “When There’s No Hope (There Is Grace)”.  A group, that is still new to many, will be showing up on a lot of fans radar with the success of “When There’s No Hope”.  With the success of the single comes the album, It’s A God Thing.

The Dunaways began singing as a family unit in 1993 but released their first recording in 2001.  The group has three recordings prior to this new release.  They include, by release date, Born Again Experience, Beautiful Day and Revival.  The current group is composed of Kanah (Lead/Soprano), Tammy (Alto) and Randall (Baritone).  The father/mother/daughter trio has a sound that is a bit McGruders, mix in some Rambos and layer in a little of grand ole opry legends the Whites.

It has been nearly four years since the release of Revival.  I have the group’s three previous efforts and was impressed with songs such as “He Kissed My Heartache”, “Beautiful Day”, “I Still Trust You”, “Praise The Lord” and “Trial By Fire”.  It’s A God Thing was not a step forward from the group’s two previous releases.  Instead it had the feel of their debut recording, Born Again Experience.

The strongest song on the album is that current #1 hit, “When There’s No Hope”.  Kanah’s delivery of the song really adds that extra touch to make this song the highlight.

Next in line for strongest cut is “Didn’t I Walk On Water”.  Featuring both Tammy and Kanah, this song takes a modern country melody and paints a picture of God’s deliverance.  It reminds the listener of the many times God has come through on our behalf.  ‘Didn’t I Leave All Heaven To Die For Your Sin.  I Searched Until I Found You And I’d Do It All Again’.

Traditional country melodies can be found on “One Hundred Years From Now” and “When You Say Jesus”, while a bit of Buck Owens style can be heard on Randall’s feature “Too Good To Be True”.  Also worth a listen are “Don’t Start Doubting Now” and “It’s A God Thing”.

While, It’s A God Thing does not quite match the caliber of Beautiful Day and Revival it is still a solid effort from the Dunaways.  It would still make a great start to your Dunaway’s music collection.

SONG LIST:  1. “It’s A God Thing”  2. “One Hundred Years From Now”  3. “I’ll Never Let You Go”  4. “Too Good To Be True”  5. “When There’s No Hope (There Is Grace)”  6. “Don’t Start Doubting Now”  7. “Didn’t I Walk On Water”  8. “Made Up Mind”  9. “When You Say Jesus”  10. “Judgement Day”