The best of 2011 is nearly wrapped up. Today brings the album and recorded song that is #4 among the best of the year. New trio Beyond The Ashes has been at it now for a little over three years. 2011 brought the release of the group’s first major label album. Treasures Unseen was a power house start for Beyond The Ashes and is #4 among the best album releases of 2011.
Group owner and tenor singer Anthony Facello is about to celebrate his 20th anniversary of singing professional Southern Gospel music. Starting his career in the early ’90s with Heaven Bound and also spending time with the Journeymen Quartet, Mercy’s Mark and now Beyond The Ashes. Treasures Unseen has a fresh sound, on the progressive side of Southern Gospel. Also, the song arrangements found on Treasures Unseen enhance the vocal ability of the trio.
Personal favorite songs from this recording include: ”Treasures Unseen”, “Whenever We Pray”, “What I Have I Give”, “We’ll Soon Be Done With Troubles And Trials”, “When I Look Upon My Savior’s Face”, “The Coming Of The King” and “Test Of Time”.
As most of my regular readers are aware I battled some health issues in 2011. There were songs I heard in 2011 that spoke to me in my situation and held a special place as the year continued. One such song is the song found at #4 among the best recorded songs of 2011.
Singer/songwriter Michael Wayne Smith is still new to the majority of Southern Gospel music listeners. I discovered Michael’s music about a year and a half ago. I enjoy listening to songwriters interpret their own compositions. The song found at #4 for 2011 is “Until The Storm Is Over”. Even now when I listen to this song it brings back the memories of the struggles I faced earlier in the year and while I’d rather not remember, it also allows me to see where I am now, on the other side of the storm.
Thank you Michael Wayne Smith for writing this song; a song that means a lot to me. Listen to the first verse and chorus.
Tomorrow: #3.
It seems that everyone is doing a tribute to the Cathedrals these days. Last year Signature Sound’s tribute CD made my top 5 list, and thus year the Mark Trammell Quartet recording “Treasures” comes in at number 4. While EHSS put there on twist on some great Cathedral songs, MTQ chose a more traditional approach. Both recordings are equally great in my opinion. My favorite song on Treasures is “Blood Washed Band”. Of all the Cathedral songs that have been covered this one seems to have been overlooked until now. Other highlights include “Statue of Liberty”, “I Thirst”, “Master Builder”, “Wedding Music”, and “Gentle Shepherd”.