31
Dec
2004
2004 Top 5 CDs by Staff Members
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Integrity Quartet - Home Free The strings have a purring quality on Home Free, while the uptempo cuts have a loose, spontaneous feel. I think I've enjoyed listening to this CD more than any other release this year. "Terrible Time Down There" puts a tongue-in-cheek twist on an old favorite which is a lot of fun. |
David Bruce Murray |
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Dove Brothers Quartet - Tribute to Mosie Lister
The title is misleading in a way, because Mosie Lister actually helped create this tribute to himself. I've played this CD a number of times over the past month or so. It's my favorite CD by the Dove Brothers Quartet. "Moving To The Rhythm Of The Gospel" is the track that really grabs and holds my attention. |
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Crabb Family - Driven The Crabb Family sure knows how to blend various styles. It's been a pleasure to listen to Driven because I'm one who likes a lot of variety in my music. I was surprised (pleasantly) by the southern rock feel of "Chapter 2" and the black gospel style remake of "Through The Fire." |
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Stewart Varnado - Southern Gospel Players This CD grabbed my attention right off the bat with a newgrass track called "Don't Try This At Home." From there, Varnado and 30 of the finest musicians in Southern Gospel offer up eleven classic songs. The CD is enjoyable because of the variety and balance . . . Varnado doesn't dominate the recording, but adds enough consistency to keep the project flowing along nicely. |
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Kingdom Heirs - Forever Changed This CD has grown on me over time. I thought it was pretty good when I first heard it, but it seems that each time I play it, I hear something I like that I hadn't noticed before. Arthur Rice does a tremendous job on the title track, and it's fun hearing the group go at breakneck speed on "I've Got Something To Shout About." I clocked 'em at 150 beats per minute. |
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 James Hales |
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Mercy's Mark Quartet - Mercy's Mark Quartet |
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Perrys - Life of Love Even after reviewing this CD, I still find myself breaking it out and listening to it over and over again. Usually after I review a CD, I have to put it away for a while so I don't completely burn myself out on it, but not this one. I absolutely love it! I find I keep listening to “But I Met a Nazarene” and “His Name was John” incessantly. This is most definitely the Perry's year, and this recording, coupled with winning Mixed Group of the Year at NQC last year is only the beginning of many great things to come, and they more than deserving of it. |
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Priscilla McGruder - Now! I have always had a great deal of respect for Priscilla McGruder. She preaches when she sings. Granted, she isn't one of Southern Gospel's most polished singers, but she has that “believability” element that I wrote about last month on “The Scene.” She makes me believe everything she is singing about. She ministers when she sings and in the midst of all the hoopla and entertainment, there is always Priscilla…quiet as a lamb, yet has the authority as a lion. This recording is one that will remain one of my favorites for years to come. |
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Greater Vision - Faces I found this to be probably the greatest recording Greater Vision has ever done. I have always enjoyed what they do, but it is with this recording that I gained a new appreciation for them and their music. It doesn't contain a lot of fast songs, but many of the songs are some of the most lyrically strong songs ever found on a recording and the music tracks are absolutely gorgeous. Some people may not find what I found in this recording, but it ranks with the best for 2004. |
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Mark Bishop - Can I Pray for You?
Honorable Mentions: I can't forget a few releases that must be given Honorable Mentions, as they too have become some of my favs for 2004… The Greenes – Whosoever Believes |
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 Scot Eaves |
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Mercy's Mark Quartet - Mercy's Mark Quartet I was expecting good things from this debut release from Garry Jones' new quartet, but was not prepared to be completely blown away. This is absolutely the best recording I have heard this year. Jones may be a better pianist than baritone, but he has surrounded himself with great vocal talent and is a master arranger. If I had to choose one recording as my absolute favorite of 2004, this would be it. |
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Crabb Family - Driven The Crabbs continually push the boundaries of southern gospel with both their presentation and their music. This project continues that trend. It features some very good Gerald Crabb tunes sung as only the Crabb family can. |
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Kingdom Heirs - Forever Changed The Kingdom Heirs continue to put out great music every year. "Forever Changed" may very well be their best effort ever. Although they will soon have a new tenor, their bottom 3 parts are as good as any traditional quartet in the business. |
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LordSong - Soul Food I love the sound and style of LordSong and this project doesn't disappoint. Kim Ruppe Lord is a great vocalist and this project features her on several songs. It is truly one of my favorites of this year. |
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Greater Vision - Faces At first I wasn't terribly impressed by this project, but the more I listened to it, the more I liked it. It kept growing on me through the year and worked it's way into my top five. Rodney Griffin's songs are always strong lyrically and this project is no different. |
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Crabb Family - Driven |
Scott Bandy |
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Mike Bowling - Where I Stand What can I say? Mike has one of the best voices in all of music. This album really showcases his ability to deliver top quality music. The song selection was superb and I most enjoyed the love song entitled, "One". Mike shows once again why he should be a vocalist of the year nominee every year! |
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Joyce Martin - Diamonds on a Dusty Road A lthough this is not a SG album, it may be one of the best albums put out in any genre all year. "A Whisper is Enough" has become one of my favorite all time songs. Joyce shows why she helped make The Martins one of the top groups of all times. I could listen to Joyce sing the phone book but this album really moves me. |
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HisSong - 3 What a great traditional album. These three guys are probably the best trio in the business today. "3 Words, 3 Nails and 3 Days" in my opinion should have been a #1 song this year. This album brought the traditional SG lover out of me. Their delivery reminds me of old School SG. Even though I am known for liking more progressive music, this is one of the best Traditional albums of the year. |
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Hope's Call - This Night I'm not a big Christmas album fan but this one may be the best I've ever heard. Eddie Harrison shows why he may be the best kept secret in music. I think he has one of the best voices I've ever heard and it shows on "A Strange way to Save the World". Donna, What can I say? You may have given Phelps a run for his money on "O Holy Night". What a great album!!!!!! |
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McRaes – Traveling On |
Chris Unthank |
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LordSong – Soul Food Another great album from Southern Gospel's most under-appreciated group today. Kim Lord truly shines on this album, and the diverse song selection help make this one of the best recordings of the year. Kevin Ward finally got his chance to produce this fabulous group, and the results were better than any could have imagined. |
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Jody Brown Indian Family – God Writes Our Story I'll be honest. I had never heard this group until I saw them perform live last year. This group is one of the best live bands in SG, and God Writes Our Story was able to capture a little bit more of the live sound than previous recordings. Stephanie and Jeremy Brown will be leaders in our industry before long. |
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Christlike - Journey This up and coming group has had artists like MidSouth Boys and Crabb Family influence their sound. Their live band is unequaled in the industry with their country-tinged melodies. Christlike is the future, and the future is bright. Look for “Here I Am Again” to be one of the biggest songs of 2005. |
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Isaacs - Heroes A lot of country this year, something I've never been a fan of. Isaacs officially made me a fan with Heroes, the lyric driven debut on Gaither Music Group. Sonya and Becky have never written a collection of better songs, and the execution of those songs is second to none. There's no reason to doubt why the Isaacs are on the top. RUNNERS UP: Mike Bowling – Where I Stand |
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2004 Top 5 CDs by Staff Members
Written: 12/31/2004
Author: SGN
Category:
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2004
Comments: 4
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Comments: 4 Favorited:
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