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Producer: Mike Pillow
Label: Gospel Heritage Records
Website: www.theoldpathstrio.com

An article from earlier this year on SoGospelNews about the Old Paths Trio piqued my interest in this male trio from Oxford, Georgia. And I like what I hear. Personnel on this recording include Douglas Roark (baritone), Tim Rackley (lead) and Chad Dominey (tenor) and I would say that their sound has a Southern Gospel Campmeeting feel as their base sound, but has some Inspirational and Progressive sounds mixed in. It's a nice combination and kind of sets them apart from being just another male trio.

The recording starts off with a real Southern Gospel barnburner, “THE FIRE STILL BURNS” and I love how the song builds with intensity as it makes its way to the end. Things then slow down for the Inspirational sounding, “THEY RAISED COMPASSION” , which is one of the highlights of the recording for me and is one of the strongest songs on the recording as well. Things switch back to straight Southern Gospel mode for the songs “WHAT GOD CANNOT DO” and the convention flavored, “I'VE MADE IT HOME”.

The title song, “FOR THE FIRST TIME”, along with the power ballad “THE BOTTOM OF THE HILL”, were both recorded by the Crystal River Quartet as well and the OPT does an excellent job with their renditions of these songs.

Featuring Douglas, “NAAMAN” is the only song that doesn't really work for me. Cool song, but I don't think it fits the group musically or vocally. It pushes the envelope just a bit too far for the group, I think.

Chad does a great job on the prayerful, “SERVANT'S HEART” before Tim sings the medium tempo, “I'VE MISSED OUT”. Rounding out the recording is one of my favorite Greg Day penned tunes, “GOD'S WORD WILL STAND” (which has previously been recorded by Ivan Parker as well).

As I said earlier, the group does a good job blending Inspirational sounds with their Southern Gospel Campmeeting style. Keep an eye and ear out on Tim, as he is one of the best new lead singers I've heard as of late. Tim has a very clean sound that is very pleasing to the ear and he has a very good range. Collectively, the group has a solid sound. The tracks are very good, the song selection for the most part, is very good and the overall quality of the recording is excellent.

Personal Favs: THE FIRE STILL BURNS; THEY RAISED COMPASSION; I'VE MADE IT HOME; SERVANT'S HEART; GOD'S WORD WILL STAND

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