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RATING:

Producer: Phil Cross/Cliff Duren
Label: Sonlite Records
Website: www.poetvoices.com

Phil Cross is one of Southern Gospel Music's best-known writers and he has surrounded himself with two very capable singers, Mark Lanier (an excellent writer in his own right) and Greg Crowe. They mix Southern Gospel with a bit of country and soul and it's very different than the previous incarnation of Poet Voices from a few years ago. I find their style very unique and creative.

Right out of the gate is the highly infectious, “COME ON CHILDREN” , which is the first single from the recording. With it's black gospel feel, this is one of those songs that will stick with you and before it's over, you'll find yourself singing right along. I also found the few bars of “Living in Canaan Now” in the bridge to be very innovative.

Slowing things down with a more country feel, we come to a song filled with memories of life and family called, “LOVE IS ALIVE FOREVER” . Before the song is over, songwriters Phil Cross and Kirk Talley tie it all together with the love that Jesus showed us on the cross. Knowing the Bible is full of “love letters” from God Himself, the progressively “new grass” sounding, “DEAR GOD” is Phil Cross' effort at communicating our love and appreciation to the Lord in our own letter to Him. The following tune, “MADE TO LOVE”, is another progressive tune confirming that the greatest commandment is to love and that we were created to love our fellow man. “LET IT BE” features a haunting melody, while the following song, “THE ONE” is a wonderful power ballad that is typical of Cross' writings.

The upbeat, “IN THE CENTER OF THE FATHER 'S WILL” is strangely reminiscent to something the Imperials would have done back in the late 1960s. Love the music track on the song as well…it kinda has a Lawrence Welk feel to it.

“I WAS THERE” is a heartfelt song of salvation and is followed by the song, “PREACHIN' IN PRISON”, which showcases a play on words and rhyme which is characteristic of Cross' writings. Closing out the recording is a striking tune called, “THE HARBOR”, which makes me think of the movie “Titanic.”

The music tracks are very cool throughout the recording and the vocals are superb. With Cross writing or co-writing all but one song on the recording, the writing can become somewhat predictable, but nonetheless there is not a weak song found on here. I have not had the chance to hear this groups first recording, “Men of His Word”, but I get a sense this newest effort is a bit more eclectic than their previous release.

Personal Favs: COME ON CHILDREN; THE ONE; IN THE CENTER OF THE FATHER'S WILL; I WAS THERE; THE HARBOR

Reader Comments

Just when you think they can't get any better... they never cease to amaze me. Poet Voices' songs are in a league of thier own due to each one's ability to reel in a listener and touch a heart. I would reccommend this CD to anyone!

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