David Bruce Murray

James Hales

Kingsmen - The Past is Past
This album brought the sound back that has always been identified with the Kingsmen. I never thought they'd ever beat the energy and power of their heyday…but they did it with this recording. Full of life and energy and great songs, this definitely ranks as one of the best recordings for 2005. When I think of the best for 2005, this was a no-brainer for me.

Taranda Greene - A Thing Called Love
I have been a fan of Taranda's for several years. I will admit, when she first joined the Greenes, she didn't do much for me as a singer. But very quickly, I fell in love with her singing and she is such a wonderful interpreter and is one of the few singers who can pull off a solo album. Her previous solo recording was great…but this one is definitely the one whereby all her subsequent works will be measured against.

Gordon Mote - There's No Place That Love Can't Reach
I never knew Gordon Mote could sing until I popped this CD in my CD player. He has a very smooth country style and I love it. The song selection on this recording is superb and the whole general feel of this recording is fun and enjoyable. I can't listen to this recording and not smile.

Jimmy Fortune - I Believe
I have to include this one because my little girl makes me listen to this at least once a week. But that's okay, because it is a great piece of work. This isn't what one would call an elaborate recording, but rather one with an earthy feel to it. There is a raw emotion that comes with this recording that draws you in and you can't help but enjoy it.

Promise - Wonders Never Cease
This recording has it all…classics, big power ballads, energetic uptempo tunes, Praise & Worship songs, and even some colorful tunes. This recording is about as diversified as a Southern Gospel recording can get. Each song is a pleasant surprise, as you just never know what they'll do next. Jeanie, Larry and Jean can sing just about anything, absolutely flawlessly.

Honorable Mentions:
I can't let this go without mentioning a few others that are never, ever far from my CD player…
Perrys - Remembering the Happy Goodmans
Johnny Minick - The Sweetest Song I Know-A Tribute to the Happy Goodmans
Paid in Full - Lovin' Out Loud
McRaes - Perfect Love
Whisnants - New Day Dawning
Mark Bishop - There is Love, Then There is His Love
Three Bridges - Believe
Charlotte Ritchie - Closer
Sons Family - When I Get There

John Scheideman

Crystal River Quartet - For The First Time
A really nice debut project from a group of young men who obviously enjoy traditional male quartet singing...but with the ability to stretch that traditional sound into new shapes and forms. From songs like "I've Got That Feeling" to "When I Thank Him" to "At The Bottom Of The Hill", the CRQ runs the gamut in material and style, and gives a very good account of what modern gospel quartet sounds like. Be on the lookout for these guys in 2006!

Hope's Call - Beyond The Music: An A Cappella Collection
Another great example of modern Southern Gospel music is this dynamic trio from Nashville. This extremely well-done a cappella project features songs from long ago("Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing")to 20th-century hymns("How Great Thou Art")to fairly contemporary sounding numbers(Larry Norman's "Sweet Song of Salvation")and pulls them all together with striking arangements and tight harmonies. Producer Kevin Ward and the group hit a "home run" with this recording.

Booth Brothers - The Blind Man Saw It All
With a song that was #1 on most charts for most of 2005("He Saw It All"), this collection by one of Southern Gospel's most dynamic performing groups is a project that will be talked about and remembered for years to come. In recent years, the Booths have expanded beyond mere traditional sounds to more current ones without losing their appeal with their longtime fanbase. With songs like "Father" and "Through The Eyes of Heaven", the Booths show their stylistic versatility. The Booth Brothers have blessed gospel fans for many years now, and look to continue to make their mark in Southern Gospel with recordings such as this one.

Dove Brothers - Anything But Ordinary, Everything But Typical
More known for being popularizers and practitioners than trendsetters, this latest Dove Brothers release may be their finest yet. The title is apt, for the Doves take a leave from their "safety zone" and produce a project that highlights their all-around abilities to a greater extent than any of their previous projects. Songs like the title track and "Gossip The Gospel" show them stretching their traditional sound into a more current direction. And the new version of "Masterpiece" is just that. The Doves are to be commended for moving in this welcome direction, without renouncing the style in shich they first became popular.

Melody Boys Quartet - Someone To Throw The Rock
Perhaps more than even the Doves, the Melody Boys have shown the ability to maintain a classic, traditional approach to quartet singing while moving with the times. This project is a fine example of what makes them such a fine group. While on the one hand recording old favorites such as "O What A Savior" and "Victory In Jesus" in tasteful and traditional ways, to throwing in old favorites such as "Up A Winding Trail" and "He's Everywhere", and even tackling songs out of their normal repertoire such as "I've Got Confidence" and "My Tribute" and putting their distinctive stamp on them, the Melody Boys show with this project that they are still a force to be reckoned with as 2006 approaches.

Chris Unthank

Deon Unthank