David Bruce Murray
Diana Brantley
Kyle Boreing
Phil on Southern Gospel
Steve Eaton
Half way through counting down the best of 2011 in Southern Gospel music. Today kicks off the top 10 albums and recorded songs of the year. When reviewing the Palmetto State Quartet’s 2011 release Grace back in March, I made the statement that this was not your grand father’s Palmetto State Quartet. This current group takes a clear country-style to their music.
Grace, the album that lands at #10 among the best albums of 2011 accomplishes this new style the Palmetto State Quartet is creating while still appealing to Southern Gospel quartet lovers. David Darst’s country-style baritone bridges the new sound the group is going for while Paul Lancaster’s lead vocal adds that Southern Gospel touch on some really strong Southern Gospel style ballads. One of the best albums of this group’s career.
Personal favorite songs from this recording include: ”Don’t That Sound Like Heaven”, “There’s No Place Too Far From Grace”, “A Moment Of Grace”, “The Debt Has Been Paid”, “There’ll Be No Dying” and “All Hail The Power”.
Karen Peck and New River had another consistent year in Southern Gospel music. The group already landed a number one song from the 2011 release Reach Out. Karen Peck and New River is also the only artist in 2011 to land two songs in the top ten recorded songs of the year.
The first of those two is the song that comes in at #10. ”Broken Into Beautiful” is another one of those songs that simply rely on the vocal performance. No fancy orchestration needed to deliver the message contained in the lyric. It is not a flashy song or one that will ever be released to radio but it is one that I will remember when other songs from the album fade from memory. Take a listen to the first verse and chorus.
Tomorrow: #9.
My tenth favorite album for 2011 is “The Song Lives On” by Jason Crabb. While Jason’s self titled CD from 2009 won a Grammy award, I was not impressed because the song selection and several of the performances seemed very weak to me. Although the songs on “The Song Lives On” are mostly hymns and classics, Jason’s trademark style and powerful, live vocals makes this a great CD. Personal favorite songs include: “Until Then”, I’ll Take Jesus”, “Through The Fire”, and “Midnight Cry”.
I totally agree with you on “Broken Into Beautiful” by Karen Peck and New River. It is a great song, and is one of the reasons this album will be coming up later in my top 10 countdown.
Thanks for sharing.