David Bruce Murray
Diana Brantley
Kyle Boreing
Phil on Southern Gospel
Steve Eaton
OVERALL RATING: 8.71
CRITERIA:
- Creativity/Originality = 9
- Lyrical Content = 9
- Production = 9
- Song Selection = 8.5
- My Recommendation = 8.05 (10 song average)
The Martins will go down as one of Southern Gospel music’s best artists. To see them rise from their humble beginnings to the mega group status they achieved by the late ’90′s was a musical journey I was glad to be a part of as a listener. New Day picks up where the group left off giving the Southern Gospel listener that progressive, modern country sound the Martins are known for. Original group members and siblings Jonathan Martin, Joyce Sanders and Judy Hess combine to record one of the best albums released so far in 2011.
Expected to land at retail on Tuesday (06/21/11), New Day starts with the modern country infused “Love Enough” (Chad Chates/Barry Weeks/Tony Wood). Featuring Joyce on the lead, this song is a highlight from the recording and would make a great radio single. The modern country sounds don’t stop there as Judy takes the title track, “New Day” (Jeff Pardo/Stephan Sharp) and makes the song one of my favorites on the entire recording. ‘By Your Love I Am Saved, All The Old Is Washed Away, And I’m Living In A New Day’.
The modern country overtones found on New Day is no surprise considering Jay Demarcus of country vocal group Rascal Flatts produced the recording. Even Rascal Flatts member Joe Don Rooney has a guitar solo on “All The Love In The World” (Tim Nichols/Joe Don Rooney/Jason Sellers).
The masterpiece found on New Day is a cover of the song “Unredeemed” (Chad Cates/Brian Petak/Tony Wood). Originally recorded by CCM artist Selah on their 2009 recording You Deliver Me, Judy Hess turns in one of the finest vocal performances of her career. Easily one of the best recorded songs in Southern Gospel music this year. ‘It May Be Unfulfilled, It May Be Unrestored, But When Anything That’s Shattered Is Laid Before The Lord, Just Watch And See, It Will Not Be Unredeemed’.
Also worth mentioning is Joyce’s worshipful performance of “I Surrender” (Chris Eaton/Joyce Sanders) and Jonathan performs another one of my favorite songs from the recording, “The Truth” (Steven Dean/Ian Eskelin/Brian White). This song has an ’80′s rock sound reminiscent of Heart or Jefferson Starship.
If you’re already familiar with the music of the Martins, you must buy this recording. This recording ranks as one of the best of their career. If you’re new to the scene and were not around for the Martins rise in Southern Gospel music in the mid to late ’90′s and you enjoy progressive Southern Gospel sounds with modern country overtones you will also want to pick up this recording. This album should easily make my year’s ten best album list in 2011. It’s that good!!
SONG LIST: 1. “Love Enough” 2. “New Day” 3. “Tell Them That I Love Them” 4. “Good To Me” 5. “All The Love In The World” 6. “Unredeemed” 7. “The Truth” 8. “Somebody Like Me” 9. “Love’s Gonna Drive This Train” 10. “I Surrender”
There’s Tony Wood again. How many great songs has he written or co-written? Lost count.
I ordered this from Gaither in a set with “The Best of the Martins” DVD / CD.
By the way, Wes Hampton recorded “New Day” on his solo debut, though I don’t know whether his was the first recording of it.