I know you may be a bit confused right now. Who exactly is The Bowling Family? Let me make sure you understand who you're reading about. Mike Bowling married Kelly while she was still with the Crabb Family. He had a pretty good solo career - including a few #1s and award wins. He formed a group called the Mike Bowling Group with some family. When the Crabb Family came off the road, Kelly joined Mike - and the group re-emerged as Mike & Kelly Bowling. When Mike & Kelly lost their tenor singer, they enlisted the help of Kelly's sister - Terah (also from the Crabb Family and Crabb Revival). They, again, changed their name to The Bowling Family and are now happily traveling as a family again.
Make sense? Good. Now, you may ask, how is the music? Well, like all past releases that feature Mike Bowling in some capacity - it's pretty darn good.
Shine is a great follow-up to Mike & Kelly Bowling's Faith To Believe - featuring what are possibly even stronger songs and arrangements. Perhaps it's the renewed vision of the ministry or the fact that it's all family again - but one can't help that the Bowling Family just seems to have it together with this release. It just feels like they finally know the path they are to be on - and it just feels right this time around.
The album kicks off with the infectious and radio friendly "Sunshine On a Rainy Day" before quickly tugging on the heart strings on the Kyla Rowland ballad and album highlight "How Blessed." This is by far the most traditional song on the release - recalling the likes of The Perrys with that Bowling twist.
Mike has a real knack for choosing the absolute best songs on his releases - and Shine is no different. "When We Need It Most" (penned by Kenna West, Lee Black, and Darryl Johson) features a clever lyrical spin on the chorus that will have people coming back to the song over and over. "Run and Tell" features that classic Crabb Family sound that sounds like it was written especially for Kelly (and it features the songwriting talents of Marty Funderburk, Ray Davis, and Wayne Haun).
Karen Harding (who penned the Mike Bowling Group's hit single "Graceland") and Amy Shellem teamed up to write the Terah feature "He Did" with a bluesy accompaniment that fans of Mike & Kelly's "Notified" will surely like. Meanwhile, "He Already Knows" is a typical Mike Bowling ballad that fans will surely eat up. "The Half That's Never Been Told" is another rollicking up-tempo Southern tune that doesn't sound unlike something the original Hinsons would record if they were still recording today. "He Leads Me Each Step of the Way" has a classic Mike Bowling sound and features Terah in a great vocal performance.
It's hard to choose a stand-out track because there are just so many good cuts here. There's no exaggeration when I say that this album could easily score five or six #1 hits. The aforementioned "How Blessed," "Run & Tell," and "Sunshine On a Rainy Day" are just begging to be played at Southern Gospel radio. However, the two strongest cuts stand out as "This Is Your Moment" (written by Carl Cartee, Kenna West and Sue C. Smith) and "I Still Glory In the Cross" (written by Marty Funderburk and Belinda Smith). "This Is Your Moment" is probably the most progressive tune on the disc that speaks of God taking the time to show just how big and great He is, while "I Still Glory In the Cross" has a definite traditional spin on the classic Larnelle Harris tune "I Will Glory In the Cross."
Overall, if you're fan of Mike Bowling or the Crabb Family - The Bowling Family is definitely going to be right up your alley. However, fans of other groups like The Perrys, The Freemans, and Karen Peck & New River will also find a lot to like on Shine. I know it's very early to call it - but Shine is easily a contender for the best release of 2010.
Author: Chris D. Unthank
| Author's Website: http://southernspin.com
Written: 03/01/2010
| 
Category: Reviews
Comments: 6
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I love this record. I am a huge Mike fan, and love the Crabb kids. I agree with you on the review. This combination works. Great material and the family thing make this better than Mike's last record. This group have great days ahead of them.
I have enjoyed this record. I am a huge fan of the Bowling family.I believe mike,kelly and Terah are real Christians living and singing for the Lord Jesus Christ. and i believe there are many blessing ahead of them in the days to come. let all pray that God will work through them as they travel the roads singing for the Lord.
I am a huge fan of this new recording. The three of them have outdone themselves. I think this is the defining moment for them. It is exciting to hear an album FULL of great selections, instead of 3 good songs and many filler songs. Hooray for Mike, Kelly and Terah for keeping the standard high!!!
Great album! We love the song "How Blessed" Also, "Pray Anyway" "Just When I Need Him The Most" "Keep going for the Lord. It will be your year!!
This recording is my favorite yet, I thought the Crabbs early records were good, but this record has them beat.Better songs, well thought out performance. Each song appears to be written especially for the person singing it. The Crabbs records were similar. You felt the connection was between the singer and song, and we got to listen in.
Just purchased this release yesterday and am very impressed with the MIKE BOWLING FAMILY. My favorites include...Tell Them That I Love Them...This Is Your Moment...He Already Knows...and How Blessed! Superb...Mike Bowling has an outstanding lead!
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