Perrys – Life of Love, ReviewsCD Review

Oct

2004

Perrys – Life of Love

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[8] Comments

Producer: Wayne Haun
Label: Daywind
Website: http://www.perrysministries.com

The Perry's have come a long way since their first chart song back in the mid 1980s. I have been following their music since I first heard them sing, “Get Involved” and “Dig a Little Deeper” and have loved their music ever since. Their sound restructure a few years ago was one of the best things they could have done. Most mixed groups have the same combination, 2 men and 2 women, and when the Perrys changed to the 3 men and 1 woman format, it was a phenomenal boost for them. The Perrys have enjoyed immense success since the change, and I believe that with this recording, (their 3 rd major release since that change) will prove to be a pivotal recording for them and it could be the one whereby all other Perry's recordings will be measured by.

The old campmeeting favorite, “JESUS OPENED UP THE WAY” gets things underway and showcases the group singing the shape notes (do-re-mi-fa-sol- la-ti-do), which is something a little different for the Perrys.

The Perrys can sing Kyla Rowland tunes better than any other group around and they certainly don't disappoint with “BUT I MET A NAZARENE” (featuring a powerhouse performance by Loren) and the highly infectious uptempo number entitled “HIS NAME WAS JOHN.”

Building off the old hymn “Amazing Grace,” Libby sings “HIS GRACE WILL LEAD ME HOME” written by Wayne Haun and Geron Davis, while Rodney Griffin and Kirk Talley penned the title song “LIVING A LIFE OF LOVE." This is a wonderful testimony song of Talley's restoration and the Perry's do a tremendous job singing the song.

Newest member, Joseph Habedank joins songwriting credits with master songwriter, Joel Lindsey on the medium tempo “WHAT A GOD,”which also happens to feature Joseph. Joseph has a pleasing tone and is very easy to listen to and he blends seamlessly with Loren, Tracy and Libby. Joseph is also featured on the song “I AM THE WATER,” which was penned by Rodney Griffin.

Done in the spirit of their former #1 hit, “I Wish I Could Have Been There," the Perrys dive into the highly enjoyable and slightly Cajun flavor of “WE WILL BE CHANGED,”written by the same writers of the former mentioned song, Joel Lindsey and Wayne Haun. The Perrys may have found a niche in recording these types of songs as they do them extremely well.

Tracey is featured on the jazzy “CITY NOT MADE WITH HANDS.” With its big band sounds, this song is right up Tracy 's alley and showcases a solid, bass feature.

Turning in an emotion filled performance, Libby sings, “I WILL FIND YOU AGAIN.” This poetic number paints such a picture that the chorus plays like a movie in your mind; magnificently vivid writing by Cindi Ballard, Wayne Haun and Joel Lindsey and superb singing by Libby and the group.

Unless you have the Daywind release from last year called “Mansion Over the Hilltop,”which is a tribute to Ira Stanphill, you've probably never heard the song “DAVID AND GOLIATH.” It's the Perrys like you've probably never heard them. Taken directly from that recording, this song, as amazing and eclectic as it is, just does not fit on this recording. In its element on the “Mansion…” recording, it fits like a glove, but it just does not fit in musically with this recording. You'd have to hear to it to understand what I mean. It was for this reason alone why I did not give this recording 5 stars. Otherwise, this is a 5 star recording.

In my opinion, this is the best recording the Perrys have ever done. Just about everything about this recording is “just right.” I find myself continually pulling it out to listen to it, and that is a sign of a great recording. If you've never taken the time to enjoy the Perrys music, this is a great place to start. This recording will explain why they won and were so deserving of “Mixed Group of the Year” in the Singing News Fan Awards.

Personal Favs: BUT I MET A NAZARENE; HIS NAME WAS JOHN; WHAT A GOD; WE WILL BE CHANGED; I WILL FIND YOU AGAIN; I AM THE WATER

Reader Comments

Thanks, James. Great review. I met Libby yesterday for the first time. She is such a nice lady. I certainly like the sounds they are now embracing.

Commented by On 10/15/2004

James is correct that the final cut on this CD is quite a stylistic departure from the rest of the recording, but I didn't really have a problem with that since it's positioned as the last cut where it doesn't interrupt the flow of the rest of the songs.

Still, I'd rate this CD 4 1/2 stars. It's a very good recording, but just shy of a full five stars in my estimation.

Commented by On 10/16/2004

Good review James. I feel that this CD may be lacking some in the excitement and vigor of the last 2 Perrys CD's, but all in all, it's still a quality recording. "I Will Find You Again" and "David and Goliath" are the definite stand-out songs on this CD. "David and Goliath" is really neat and IMO makes a great "bonus track" for this recording. Other good tracks are "I Am the Water," "Living A Life of Love," "Jesus Opened Up the Way," and "City Not Made with Hands."

I give this CD 4 out of 5 stars.

Commented by Alan Kendall On 10/17/2004

Great review..

I would give LIFE OF LOVE 5 stars.. I think the extra half-a-star may be earned as JAMES listens to the CD more and more. The first few times I played the project (while riding around Louisville during NQC week).. I thought it wasn't as good as "THIS IS THE DAY". Now I know better. It is an equal to the previous CD,.. but yet shows growth in selection of material.. and displays a side of THE PERRYS that reveals their willingness to embrace new avenues in SG music. It's an exciting mixed quartet sound,.. taken to the next level.

Including DAVID and GOLIATH on the CD is perfect. It fits the over all feel of this project like a glove.

Chuck
http://www.sglive365.com RADIO

Commented by Chuck On 10/18/2004

I can't wait to hear the new CD. Joe is an awesome singer, and a great guy too. He used to go to my school, and he'd sing in chapel a lot and stuff.

Commented by On 10/22/2004

I want to say I think this in one of the best they have ever done. In the last few recordings I have noticed a fresh annointing. You can feel the power of God as you listen, and it connects with my spirit and brings true joy. Kepp up the good work Perry's

Commented by On 10/26/2004

I was so impressed with the story of "I Will Find You Again," that I bought the Daywind Accompaniment CD, hoping to be able to sing it for congregational Worship some Sunday soon.

My only "gripe" about the Daywind version is that it only comes in the original key, without any BGV's, and I'm having a really-tough time trying to hit the melody notes.

Has the song been done anywhere else in another key that a bari-tenor might be able to get his voice around? The 2nd Chorus key-change has me screeching, trying to reach those notes!

If anyone has any suggestions ... other than doing the song with someone who's vocal range is better suited to the recording, please let me know.

Other than this ... I absolutely love the song. It paints a terrific picture!

Commented by On 05/07/2005

I CAN'T FIND THE LYRICS TO "I WILL FIND YOU AGAIN". CAN SOMEONE HELP ME PLEASE? THIS IS TRULY A BEAUTIFULLY BLESSED SONG!

Commented by On 08/05/2006

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