Add this entry to Your Favorites | [0] Favorites [4] Comments

Please wait...

Label:   Horizon
Producer:   Roger Talley
Website: www.talleytrio.com

Praise For The Ages is the latest project from the Roger, Debra and Lauren Talley on Horizon Records.  Previously this particular group of Talleys recorded under the name Talley Trio, while the 80's and 90's version of the group that featured Roger, Debra and Kirk Talley were known as the Talleys.  This project blurs that distinction by billing the current family group as the Talleys.

Appropriately titled, Praise For The Ages blends timeless hymns of the church with contemporary Praise & Worship songs, sometimes combining the two styles within one song.  The project starts off with an a cappella version of a very worshipful Larry Gatlin composition titled  "Alleluia" before moving into an aforementioned blended medley titled "Shout To The Lord/How Great Thou Art" that features Lauren.  Those familiar with "Shout To The Lord" will be pleased with Lauren's performance of this great song.  The tempo picks up on "Worship The Name Of The Lord With Me" , which was originally recorded by the original Talleys on the 1986 project United .  The current group does a nice job with this Daryl Williams and Richard Moore song.

Another blended medley that has sounds like a modern take on a traditional gospel feel comes next.  "There Is A Fountain/Who Can Satisfy"  is a nice arrangement that starts with the traditional hymn "There Is A Fountain" and then changes the melody to "Who Can Satisfy" while continuing with the words to the second and third verses of "There Is A Fountain".  It all comes to a pleasing conclusion when the words transition to the powerful chorus of "Who Can Satisfy".

"High And Lifted Up/Hallelujah Chorus" is another medley of new and old that works well.  This track is up-tempo with lots of brass.  "Oh Glorious Love" is an a cappella traditional hymn-like song written by John W. Peterson that fits nicely in this position.  Debra is featured on an arrangement of "No One Ever Cared For Me Like Jesus" , which has a smooth jazz feel.

"You Are Good" is the Talley's take on Israel Houghton's up-tempo praise composition that was featured on an Integrity Praise recording.  Lauren is again featured on this track which will really get your toes tapping.  Each member of the family is featured on one verse of an a cappella version of  "I Will Sing Of My Redeemer" that Roger and Lauren arranged very nicely.  Next is the most traditional southern gospel-sounding track on the project titled "I'm Happy With You Lord" .

The a cappella (are you beginning to notice a pattern?) "Be Still My Soul" is up next and is followed by the laid-back "I Love That Name Medley" that contains parts of the hymn "Oh How I Love Jesus", Roger Talley's "I Love That Name", and Kirk Talley's "He Is Here".  The medley features Debra and has sweet vocal harmonies.  The project concludes with the a cappella "Our Great Savior (Jesus What A Friend For Sinners)" .

The church I attend uses a blended worship format that features music from many Christian genres: hymns, praise choruses, southern gospel, contemporary, etc.  As a result, our choir sings specials from sources as diverse as Mike Speck collections right up to Christ Church Choir and Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir collections.  Because of this, I was familiar with most of the praise songs included on this project, including "Shout To The Lord", "Who Can Satisfy", "High & Lifted Up", "You Are Good" as well as "Worship The Name Of The Lord With Me".  I think the Talleys do a great job of bringing these praise songs to their more traditional southern gospel audience without compromising the feel of the songs through the deft arranging of Roger Talley, Lauren Talley and Stan Whitmire.  Not only that, but this project could expand the musical boundaries of some southern gospel fans as I would classify several of these songs as Inspirational.

The arrangements, instrumentation and vocals on this project are superb, as expected.  With all of the praise songs that have been included, this project would be great to pop in when you feel a little down and need a pick-me-up.  If you are already up and feel like praising the Lord along with some sweet singing, this project is for you.  If you like a cappella music, you'll find plenty of that here, too.  All in all, this is a great CD from a gifted musical family.

Reader Comments

Add Comments

If you are seeing this form you are not a Member or have not logged in. Why not consider becoming a Member? All comments must be made with a valid email address. Comments with invalid email addresses are subject to removal.

Membership allows you to have a prepared signature of your choice applied to every comment you make, as well as the ability to choose an avatar to display next to your name to help identify your posts. Members are also given opportunity to vote weekly in our Weekly Chart as well as special Members Only contests, polls and giveaways during the year. If you are already a member, login here, otherwise please register here.

**Note: Forums membership is a seperate membership.

By posting you agree to our Comments Policy

Name:
Email:
Location:
URL:
Comment:
	Remember my personal information
	Notify me of follow-up comments?
Please enter the word you see in the image below: