Honoring Our Veterans

I wanted to take this Memorial Day and honor those who have fought and died for the freedoms we enjoy in this nation.  I remember a song from the early ’90s and happened to find it on YouTube.  Listen to the Goads on a song titled “Veterans Of The USA”.  To all veterans, Thank You for your sacrifice!!

Smack Down!! – “It Sure Sounds Like Angels To Me”

As I get back into the swing of things with blogging, I wanted to reiterate my appreciation of your prayers during my continued recovery.  God is Good!!  I wanted to continue with what is probably the most popular feature of the entire blog and that is the song covers smack down.

This edition finds a song penned by Jean Canter who is probably most known for her Southern Gospel composition “I Know What Lies Ahead”.  “It Sure Sounds Like Angels To Me” was recorded by the Greenes on their 1984 recording Greenehouse.

This song became an instant hit for the Greenes as it landed in the top 10 on the Singing News charts back in 1984.  The simple arrangement and light harmonica touch at the start creates the mood for the entire song.  The Greenes 1984 version will bring the first verse and chorus.

Tim Greene, an original member of the group and featured on that original cut, started a new trio earlier this year.  The group released their debut recording in March and the title track and first single from that recording happens to be “It Sure Sounds Like Angels To Me”.

The group’s arrangement varies slightly from the original but still takes that simple touch.  Vocalist Stacy Sanders is featured on the second verse, a verse sung by Kim on the original cut.  After listening to the Tim Greene Trio’s debut effort, there are times when Stacy’s voice is reminiscent of Tony Greene’s.  Take a listen to the second verse and chorus by the Tim Greene Trio and tell me what you think.

It is good to be back to doing the things I enjoy.  Thanks for your continued support.

God Is In Control – Dills

OVERALL RATING:  7.80

CRITERIA:

1. Creativity/Originality = 7.5
2. Lyrical Content = 8.5
3. Production = 8
4. Song Selection = 7.5
5. My Recommendation = 7.50 (10 song average)

I became familiar with the Dills music in 2004 when I first saw the group in concert.  This mixed quartet has a sound reminiscent of the Nelons of the 1980′s.  The group released their newest recording, God Is In Control, on 03/28/11.

If you’ve not been introduced to the Dills, the group consists of brothers Tim Dill (Lead) and Shawn Dill (Tenor/Pianist) and their wives Bridget Dill (Soprano) and LeeAnn Dill (Alto).

God Is In Control is a collection of 10 songs, the majority being covers of previously released music.  The first single from the recording is the opening track.  “Rise Again” is the Dallas Holm classic that was a huge hit for Dallas Holm & Praise in the late ’70s.  The Dills turn a solid performance of this cover and it is one of the strongest songs on the recording.

The title track, “God Is In Control” is next in line for strongest song on the recording.  The group has a video of the song on YouTube of which they are trying to get one million hits.  Check it out here.  The up-tempo selection “These Hands” would do well at radio and Tim turns in a fine performance of the somber “It’s Only The First Time” (Kim Patton/Michael Puryear).

The group makes a bold choice by covering two songs that many listeners in Southern Gospel would relate to David Phelps.  “The Prayer” and “End Of The Beginning” don’t quite pack the musical punch found in the Phelps versions, but I give the Dills props for attempting two tough covers.

The Dills are one of the rising mixed groups in Southern Gospel music.  While they yet to have that signature hit song, they are producing quality Southern Gospel music they can be proud of.  God Is In Control is available via iTunes.  So go ahead and get some Dills music added to your iPod.  You’ll be glad you did.

SONG LIST:  1. “Rise Again”  2. “You Reign”  3. “God Is In Control”  4. “If You Had Only Seen Me Then”  5. “The Church Will Remain”  6. “The Most Unlikely People”  7. “These Hands”  8. “The Prayer”  9. “It’s Only The First Time”  10. “End Of The Beginning”