It Sure Sounds Like Angels To Me – Tim Greene Trio

OVERALL RATING:  8.30

CRITERIA:

1. Creativity/Originality = 8
2. Lyrical Content = 9
3. Production = 8
4. Song Selection = 8.5
5. My Recommendation = 8.00 (10 song average)

 

After the post yesterday regarding some memories from the late ’80s and early ’90s it is fitting that this week’s album review is the first recording for the newly formed Tim Greene Trio.  During the era mentioned, I made it a priority to go see the Greenes in concert anytime they were close.  Their 10th Anniversary Live album from 1989 is still one of my favorite live recordings.  This was probably one of the easiest reviews I have done this year thus far.  I thoroughly enjoyed this recording.

It Sure Sounds Like Angels To Me hit retail outlets 03/29/11 but has been available since the beginning of the month.  The group began their touring schedule the weekend of February 24th and recorded a live video this past Sunday (03/27/11) at First Baptist Church in Indian Trail NC.  I am happy to see Tim continue the Greene legacy that was started back in 1979 with Tony, Kim and father Everette.

Some of the Greenes biggest hits are found on this debut effort.  The title cut, “It Sure Sounds Like Angels To Me”, kicks off the recording.  This was a big hit for the Greenes back around 1984.  The trio adds a bluegrass touch to their version starting the recording on a slower note.  The light accompaniment compliment the vocal delivery of Tim (Lead/Baritone), Stacy Saunders (Baritone/Lead) and Marc Ivey (Tenor).  This would make a great concert opener.

I remember Marc Ivey when he traveled with the Greenes after Tim had to originally leave the road.  His tenor singing on this new recording easily ranks him among the top tenors in Southern Gospel music.  One of my favorite Greene covers on this recording is Marc’s performance of “When I Knelt”.  This was the Greenes first #1 song in 1989 and still one of my all time favorite Greene songs.  The trio could re-release this song to radio and I believe Marc’s powerhouse performance could take the song back to #1.

Another Greene cover worth mentioning is “If You’ll Move Over”.  This up tempo song gets a make over compared to the original 1986 cut.  The brass arrangement of the song separates it from the original.  The other two Greene covers include “Miracle In Me” and “Family Business”.

With half the recording being filled with Greene covers, the other half is filled with newer material.  Of the new songs, Joel Hemphill’s “Cost Of The Call” tops the list.  Stacy Saunders takes the lead on the song.  Many artists would be able to relate to the message of the song.  The song is reminiscent of Milton Ostrander’s “The Call” made popular by Mike Bowling about a decade ago.  One line in the chorus states, …on the scales of forever every sacrifice I made seems so small, so I put it on the altar and  I say it’s just the cost of the call…, and Stacy delivers the message with conviction.

The up tempo number ”We Are The Church” would be a good choice for a radio single.  Also worth a mention is the praise ballad “One Cross”.   This song adds a bit of diversity to the recording.

If you’re a fan of Southern Gospel three-part harmony you should definitely add this recording to your collection.  The group has a strong harmony blend and switch off parts depending on the song.  If you are already familiar with the Greenes and the classics mentioned you should enjoy the remakes, especially “When I Knelt”.

SONG LIST:  1. “It Sure Sounds Like Angels To Me”  2. “Family Business”  3. “We Are The Church”  4. “I Have Been Baptized”  5. “If You’ll Move Over”  6. “Miracle In Me”  7. “Cost Of The Call”  8. “Some Glad Day”  9. “One Cross”  10. “When I Knelt”

Views From The Back Row – Memories

I am in the process of trying to convert my classic Southern Gospel videos to my computer.  Once the task is complete,  I plan to begin sharing them with everyone in the coming weeks.  For now, while scouring cyberspace, I found several clips that are worth sharing.  A few of my favorite songs from my favorite time period in Southern Gospel music.  Enjoy!

Songwriter Spotlight – Kyla Rowland

This week I want to embark on a new series of posts spotlighting the songwriter.  Southern Gospel, or any musical genre for that matter, would cease to exist if there wasn’t that master composer to pen a lyric that ultimately speaks to the listener.  There is no better place to start in Southern Gospel music than with one of the industry’s most prolific writers, Kyla Rowland.

I want to use this series to spotlight some songs by our greatest writers that are not as familiar with the listening audience.  Who can forget “There Rose A Lamb”, “One Scarred Hand”, “Landing Lights”, ”I Rest My Case At The Cross” and  ”God Handled It All” from the pen of Kyla Rowland?

In this songwriter spotlight I want to feature four Kyla Rowland songs that are favorites of mine that you may not be familiar with.

In order of release, the first song comes from the Kingsmen.  Kyla has been writing Southern Gospel music since the 1970′s.  In 1981, the Kingsmen released one of the biggest live recordings of their career, Live…Naturally.  On that recording was a song by Kyla Rowland featuring tenor Ernie Phillips titled “I’ll Drop My Anchor”.  Take a listen to the first verse and chorus.

Next up is a song recorded by Kyla’s group, the Rowlands on a 1992 recording Where Is God.  It is always nice to hear the songwriter tell of how a song came about.  That is what I always enjoyed about the songwriter’s showcase at the National Quartet Convention.  It is also nice when the songwriter also records their own music.  Listen to the group perform the second verse and chorus to a song titled “Sounds Like The Truth To Me”.

Third on the list is a Kyla Rowland song recorded by the Whisnants on their 2001 recording Anthem Of Praise.  Off all the songs on that recording, “Under Grace” is a song I still go back to when listening to music.  Listen to the Whisnants on the second verse and chorus.

Finally, to wrap up my first songwriter spotlight feature is a song co-written by Kyla Rowland and Gerald Crabb.  “When He Says Arise” was recorded by the Bowlings.  This is not the Bowling Family that you are familiar with now but a group that was put together by Mike’s brother Jeff Bowling.  The group released one recording in 2005 that featured this song.  This is the type of song that needs to be re-recorded by another artist to put the song in the spotlight.

What is your favorite Kyla Rowland song?  Is there a Kyla Rowland song that many may not be familiar with that needs to be mentioned here?

Trusting Jesus – Hayes Family

OVERALL RATING:  7.692

CRITERIA:

1. Creativity/Originality = 7.5
2. Lyrical Content = 8.5
3. Production = 8
4. Song Selection = 7
5. My Recommendation = 7.46 (11 song average)

 

The average Southern Gospel listener may not realize the Hayes Family have been at it now for over 30 years.  Their straight ahead Southern Gospel convention style singing is what has endeared the Hayes Family to their fans.  The group is made up of Howard and Lucy Hayes along with their three children Janet Haas, Sharon Hodges, Mylon Hayes and seven grand children.

I have made mention before of the group’s pitch perfect harmonies and knack for technically correct singing.  In a lot of ways it is reminiscent of the Speer Family who were known for proper singing technique.  In 2010 the group released a collection of previously recorded songs in an album titled, Trusting Jesus.

In listening to the recording, many of the songs the group chose were not familiar or at least not overly recorded.  The 11 song recording is interspersed with scripture quotes from the various grand children.  The grand children also have a chance to show their vocal talents on the album with two songs.  “Something More Than Gold” is an old song that is very catchy and right from the start you can tell the kids are being taught proper singing from their parents/grandparents.  The kids also recorded “In The Same Wonderful Way”.

I don’t know if the group plans on releasing any songs to radio from this recording but if they do, a song penned many years ago by G.T. Haywood titled “Jesus The Son Of God” would be an excellent choice.  This ballad, featuring Sharon, is also a great concert tune building the ballad’s intensity until the end of the second verse.

Mylon turns in a great performance of the Clara Williams/Ralph Hudson classic “Satisfied” as the group turns it up a notch on the fast paced convention style “His Charming Love” (O.A. Parris).

One of my favorite moments on the entire recording was the closing acapella number “Christ Returneth”.  This is a perfect song to allow the group to accentuate what they do best with their tight harmonies.

A group that has flown under the radar their entire career, maybe one of the most underrated groups in the industry.  The group is not flashy or loud on stage.  They stand and sing, but do it well.  If you’ve never had the chance of listening to the Hayes Family, Trusting Jesus would be a good place to start.  If you’re a fan of traditional Southern Gospel, convention style singing you will enjoy the Hayes Family.

SONG LIST:  1. “What A Wonderful Savior”  2. “Jesus The Son Of God”  3. “He Brought Me Out”  4. “Satisfied”  5. “Something More Than Gold”  6. “A Few Steps From Home”  7. “Trusting Jesus”  8. “His Charming Love”  9. “In The Same Wonderful Way”  10. “Lead Me, Gently Home”  11. “Christ Returneth”

Smack Down!! – “It’ll Be Joy”

This week’s smack down feature has a song written by noted Southern Gospel songwriter Ann Ballard.  There are several other versions of “It’ll Be Joy”, but this week I wanted to use the 1974 Dixie Echoes version and the 2001 version by the Poet Voices.

One of Southern Gospel’s all time greatest lead singers Dale Shelnut was featured on the 1974 Dixie Echoes version.  Dale was known for the spirituals he did in concert.  Those same songs found their way on to the group’s recordings.  The 1974 album, Harvest Of New Hits, that featured “It’ll Be Joy” was a great album.  Another song from that recording that I enjoy also features Dale titled, “My Real Home.”  The Dixie Echoes will take the first verse and chorus.

Phil Cross put Poet Voices together sometime around 1992.  The group first started as a trio and put their debut recording out in 1993.  The group was an instant hit as their debut single “Jesus Built A Bridge” went to #1 in 1994.  By the end of the ’90s the group had become a quartet and found even greater success with the 1998 song of the year “I Am Redeemed”.

Quite a few individuals spent some time with Poet Voices during the group’s career.  Tony Jarman, who would later join Legacy Five, sang tenor for the group.  Mike Allen, now a member of LeFevre Quartet, sang bass and Scott Inman began his career as the group’s final baritone.  Another member that would later go on to big things with Ernie Haase & Signature Sound was bass singer Tim Duncan.  Tim was a member of the group when they recorded their 2001 recording, This Changes Everything.  The Poet Voices version of “It’ll Be Joy” features Tim on the verses.  Poet Voices will take the second verse and chorus.

Dirty Laundry

In talking with a friend over the weekend, the topic of Southern Gospel music came up, as is usually the case.  The topic moved to the many personnel changes within the industry and the incessant ‘need to know’ attitude of the typical fan.  The topic has been brought to the forefront again with the recent personnel shake up of a major artist.

The sad truth is, the Southern Gospel industry is a small industry and when something happens it doesn’t take long for ‘everyone to know’ what caused the personnel change.  That is a topic for another day.

In this era of need to know now, TMZ sensationalism journalism, fans of artists believe they have every right to know why their favorite singer is no longer on the bus.  Is finding out that singer’s specific transgression better for you (the fan)?  Does finding out bring a concern of Christian love for that individual?

More often than not, the fan base is ready to hang that artist in front of the entire village so everyone is aware of the transgression.  In the few instances where actual facts about artist’s transgressions have come to light, those artists spent years apologizing to the same fan base who once held them in great regards, in order to be able to sing again.  Even then that artist will forever sing with a red ‘S’ on their chest.

Is finding out your favorite singer had an affair on their spouse, being told your favorite singer was seen in the bar drinking or being told of the countless other transgressions that occur really better?

Airing dirty laundry is no better for the fan than it is for the individual involved or the Southern Gospel industry as a whole.  Some of these artists are ‘idolized’ to the point they could never live up to the standard set by the general fan.  You ‘idolize’ someone long enough you are guaranteed to be let down.  These artists are no different from the rest of us.  They will fail.  They will not always be the perfect Christian example.  Are we?

Concert Review – 03/19/11

March has become an active concert month.  For the third consecutive Saturday I attended a Southern Gospel concert event.  On Saturday (03/19/11) I went to Dobson NC for a full evening of Southern Gospel music.  All four artists on the program were from North Carolina.  Here are some highlights in order of appearance.

The Hayes Family, out of Boone NC, kicked off the program.  Traditional Southern Gospel music at its finest.  The Hayes Family are known for their pitch perfect harmonies and convention style singing.  Their set featured music from their latest recording Trusting Jesus.  Keep Howard Hayes in your prayers as he is suffering from some back problems.  His performance of “A Few Steps From Home” was a highlight of their set.

Hometown favorites the Bledsoes were next on the program.  One of the best regional artists I have seen, this group is ready to move up to the next level in Southern Gospel music.  A mixed trio which sings a mix of original material and classic songs.  This group stepped away from the tracks for a segment with just piano and bass and this was the highlight of their entire set.  Singing classics such as “I Firmly Promise You” and ”He’ll Stand By Me” brought the crowd to their feet.

The Kingsmen were third on the program.  They sang mainly newer material but threw in a couple Kingsmen classics.  “Beautiful Home” was featured fairly early in the program.  The group also included “Glory Road”, “When It’s All Said And Done”, “When God Ran”, “Missing People” and “Someday”.  The highlight of the group’s set was their two closing numbers.  Tenor Harold Reed outdid himself Saturday night.  He hit it out of the park on “Look For Me At Jesus Feet”.  The group used the arrangement similar to the Mississippi Live recording.  When they got to the power ending I thought I was hearing classic Kingsmen for a minute.  It was awesome.  The group closed with Harold’s signature song, “God Saw A Cross”.  This is probably the best I have seen the Kingsmen in several years.

The concert closed with Mercy’s Well.  This trio, out of Greensboro NC, uses several different styles in their performance.  From the new album Power the group performed “Big Praise” and “The Power”.  The group also rolled out “God Put A Rainbow In The Cloud”, “Leave Your Sorrows And Come Along”, “When They Ring The Bells Of Heaven”, “Who Is He In Yonder Stall”, “More Than I Deserve”, “I’ll See You Soon”, “Nothing But The Blood” and closed with “It Is Well With My Soul”.

All in all it was a good night of music from North Carolina based artists.  Another concert coming next Saturday (03/26/11).  Busy month.

Stories & Songs – Talley Trio

OVERALL RATING: 7.95

CRITERIA:

1. Creativity/Originality = 7.5
2. Lyrical Content = 8.5
3. Production = 8.5
4. Song Selection = 7.5
5. My Recommendation = 7.73 (11 song average)

 

I will admit, it gets tough reviewing albums from an artist who has such an extensive body of work like the Talley Trio.  My overall rating on any new review is based on how the new recording stacks up to the artist’s entire body of work.  How did Stories & Songs stack up to the Talley Trio’s other recordings?

A recording I didn’t get around to reviewing in 2010, Stories & Songs hit retail outlets 11/21/10.  This recording missed making my year’s best list in 2010.  The uneven nature of the recording was the main reason.  The first half of the recording starts with great song selection and strong lyrical material.  The second half of the recording then falls a bit flat.

The Talley Trio’s best recordings to date include Testament (2000), Hope For Tomorrow (2002), The Message (2003) and Rise Above (2006).  Stories & Songs doesn’t quite match the caliber of those recordings.

In light of that, there are still some really great things about this recording.  The knock-out punch of tracks #4 and #5 are the best songs on the recording.  “He Is With You” takes a page from the country songwriting playbook and creates a gospel lyric that meets you where you are at in your every day life.  There are several lines in that song that felt like they were speaking directly to me.  This song would work well as a radio single.

Next up is a tried and true Talley Trio power ballad.  “Thou O Lord” has #1 written all over it.  The melody continues to build throughout the song creating that power ending that takes the listener along for the ride.

The album kicks off with a cover of Joel Hemphill’s “Good Things”.  While there have been several covers of this song in the last decade the Talley Trio add a different arrangement and make it a great opening number on the album.  Debra then turns in another great performance in “Who Will Pray”, followed by the story song “Someone Had To Die”.

If the second half of the recording was as strong as the first half, this would’ve been one of the top releases of 2010.  “Hands Of Grace”, “Tell Somebody” and the lounge feel on “I Heard The Voice Of Jesus Say” didn’t gel with the rest of the recording.  Also, without the risk of sounding anti-patriotic, the inclusion of “God Bless America”/”America The Beautiful” also felt out-of-place.

The Talley name has become an institution in Southern Gospel music.  I have been following this group’s career since the beginning.  I remember going to the local Christian bookstore (when they were still around) in 1984 and buying the group’s first Canaan Records album Wherever I Am.  While there are some great moments on Stories & Songs, I would include it as a companion piece to fit between the group’s landmark albums.

SONG LIST:  1. “Good Things”  2. “Who Will Pray”  3. “Someone Had To Die”  4. “He Is With You”  5. “Thou O Lord”  6. “Hands Of Grace”  7. “Applause”  8. “Tell Somebody”  9. “God Lives There”  10. “I Heard The Voice Of Jesus Say”  11. “God Bless America/America The Beautiful”