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Dec

2003

2003 Staff Picks

Deon Unthank	Crabb Family - "The Walk" This CD stretches the Crabb Family and they produced some nice harmonies different from their usual country sounds.
	Gold City - “Walk The Talk” Great sounds from a great quartet. This simply has some really good material, and seems to let Danny Riley loose to do some great singing.
	Greater Vision - “Quartets” What a unique concept. Everyone is always trying to put Bass singers with Trios, but Greater Vision actually did it.
	The Hoppers – “Great Day” This CD pushes the envelope a little for the Hoppers, but wow, it has some fantastic songs with great arrangements. "Jerusalem" is probably the biggest production of any SG song.
	Kingdom Heirs - “Going On With The Song” Possibly the best sound that the Kingdom Heirs have ever put out. It has some very powerful songs on it.

David Bruce Murray	Quartets - Greater Vision Quartets had everything going for it . . . plenty of songs, both old and new; the bass singers ranged from legends to relative newcomers; and the record label took the concept and ran with it. I understand the live showcase they did at NQC will soon be available on CD as well. Cool. Bring it on.
	Walk The Talk - Gold City Gold City not only put aside any doubts they could go on with a new baritone singer, they stepped up with some exciting new songs on Walk The Talk. I also liked the fact that Parrack pulled back a notch on his acrobatic stuff in the high register. I think it made the group gell better. Another thing I like about this CD is that the band members play on it. Who says you have to use studio musicians for all the instruments on every project?
	Booth Brothers - Booth Brothers I love the harmony of the Gatlin Brothers. The Booth Brothers revived that sound on their self-titled project. The "unplugged" stuff they do is nothing new, but you rarely hear it done with this level of quality. "All Of Me" remains my favorite song from this CD. Even if the rest of the CD had been mediocre, it would have been money well spent to hear the guys perform that arrangement.
	Stand By Me - Signature Sound Signature Sound was a highly hyped group before their first recording ever came out. Unlike most highly hyped groups, they actually delivered. Stand By Me has everything you could ask for from a seasoned quartet, and yet it's only the beginning. Stand By Me is a recording that's better than the sum of its parts.
	Colors - Oak Ridge Boys The Oaks have developed more of a raw character as they've remained together for so many years. I can think of no other quartet that I'd rather hear sing patriotic music. They are red blooded Americans to the core, and Colors shows them in their element.

Chris Unthank	Above It All - The Martins Did you think the world's biggest Martins fan would pick anything else? It's pop/country at it's finest. Paul Lancaster proves he's one of the most underrated vocalists in the industry today, and Joyce continues to amaze me with her vocal ability.
	Refuse to Be Afraid - LordSong Kim Ruppe-Lord has always been known as a fabulous singer, but on this record, Michael Lord and Amber Franks really get a chance to shine. A kaleidoscope of musical influences are laced throughout this album, including everything from modern country, bluegrass, pop, inspirational, and progressive southern.
	Let Go & Let God - Chosen Few I couldn't believe this was Chosen Few when I heard the first few tracks roll on this great album. Chosen Few push the boundaries of SG and help blur the lines between different genres even more. Sit up and take notice. Chosen Few is the next big thing in SG.
	Bright New Day - Hope's Call What do you get when you put together three of the most underrated singers in SG today? Hope's Call. They've got one of the tightest sounds I've ever heard, from any genre, and they could easily rival the likes of The Martins as the tightest family harmony currently in SG. Look no further, the future of SG is in this group.
	Beautiful Day - Dunaways Mixing country, traditional southern, bluegrass, and inspirational sounds, the Dunaways have firmly placed themselves at the head of the pack among newcomers in the industry. The vocal talent of this group is among the best in the industry, and Tammy Dunaway's songwriting will continue to gain momentum the longer this group stays together. Great job! RUNNERS UP: Booth Brothers - Booth Brothers For His Glory - Karen Peck & New River It's My Life - Mike Bowling Much Required - Christian Brothers Quartet Places to Go, People to See - Hoskins Family

John Crenshaw	Booth Brothers - Booth Brothers Their first Spring Hill recording is fresh and entertaining (even though Hales doesn't like the cover art). The harmonies are classic Booth Brothers and the artwork is interesting, too. The jury is still out on the "feet" on the CD! LOL! this soon to be classic video.
	Chuck Wagon Gang - "Back to the Roots" I'm usually a male quartet fan, but the title of this album is true to the sound. I've listened to the CWG almost all of my life, and this aggregation is the closest to the original group as I've ever heard. Very clean sound, too. I especially enjoy the "new" JD Sumner song "Don't You Weep for Me".
	Gaither Vocal Band - "A Capella" The recording gets a bit redundant, but I do appreciate the unusual harmonies. The vocals are stacked a little more than I like, but interesting arrangements more than make up for the stacks.
	Melody Boys Quartet - "A Wonderful Love" No way I could make a list of my five favorites without including the new release by the Melody Boys Quartet. I miss Jonathan Sawrie's distinct vocals with the quartet on this recording. However, the harmonies are still tight and the majority of the arrangement are excellent. NO VOCAL STACKS EITHER!
	Old Friends - "Feelin' Fine" This is a favorite just because I love hearing Jake Hess singing in a quartet setting. I love the classic songs, although it sounds too much like the "Old Friends Choir" in places. I'm not sure if this recording fits the parameters. . . seems like it was released in late 2002. . . but if so, I would replace the Old Friends recording with "If We Never Meet Again" by the Grand Ole Gospel Reunion Quartet. This was Hovie Lister's final recording, and the singing by the GOGR Quartet brings back the sounds of the Statesmen Quartet. Although you didn't ask, my favorite video is "Hovie's Finale". . . which is the video version of the GOGR Qt. recording.. . . and it WAS released in 2003. Charlie Waller did a great job producing

Amy Marie Unthank	Brian Free & Assurance - "Greater Still" I thought this was going to be classic Brian Free and his back up singers! I was so wrong. I was amazed at the talent Brian was hiding! I can see why…somebody's liable to take them away from him!
	Dunaways - "Beautiful Day" AMAZING! This group is really good. Another example of a youngin being raised to like the "right" kind of music! : Deep lyrics and great music!
	Hope's Call - "Bright New Day" Another new group on the scene but amazing vocals. These guys have got some talent. Great song selection and vocals could not have been any better!
	LordSong - "Refuse to Be Afraid" Yet another awesome project from this group. The name alone should be reason enough to be in my top 5.
	Paid In Full - "Everyday is a Testimony" Harmony is what this group is all about. Harmony mixed with a few old and new songs, add a little bluegrass flavor and these boys produce an amazing project.

James Hales	ï¿½Beautiful Dayï¿½-Dunaways This recording is probably the one I have listened to the most for 2003. I am always listening to it. Smooth, heartfelt vocals and some dynamic songs, my favorite being ï¿½He Answered Your Prayer.ï¿½ A cross between the Isaacs and the Rambos, but they definitely stand out on their own. This group impresses me with their music and the spirit in their music.
	ï¿½Bright New Dayï¿½-Hope's Call This is a very positive and upbeat recording intertwined with some very heartfelt ballads. They have a very crisp, clean sound and I really enjoy their music. This is one of those CDs I love to listen while driving down the road. Definitely a top 5 pick for me.
	ï¿½The Walkï¿½-Crabb Family Some say they have strayed from their ï¿½Crabb Musicï¿½, some say they are branching outï¿½either way, this is one of the best recordings released in 2003 and is one of my favorites. From the jazzy ï¿½Greater is Heï¿½ to the power ballad ï¿½The Crossï¿½ and their newest single ï¿½Jesus Will Do What You Can'tï¿½, this recording is awesome. This shows exactly what this family can doï¿½vocally and musically and puts them into the mainstream to win a lot of new Southern Gospel fans.
	ï¿½God's Word Will Standï¿½-Greg Day This recording solidified what I already knewï¿½Greg is a superb songwriter as well as an excellent vocalist. There literally are no weak songs on this recording. Vocally, musically and lyrically, this is super recording. The whole recording is very uplifting and encouraging.
	ï¿½The Highest Callï¿½-Testify These guys have a very infectious sound. Though not exactly what one would call traditional sounding, I like them and I love this recording. The songs on this CD are very positive and encouraging and several of them leave us with a challenge, which few songs ever do. There are also plenty of worshipful moments throughout the recording. I still stand in awe each time I listen to ï¿½In God We Trustï¿½ and ï¿½With a Name Like His.ï¿½ *Honorable Mention:* ï¿½Through His Eyesï¿½-Frosts I can't stop listening to this recording. I love their sound. They have a big, black Pentecostal sound, and I love it. Brenda is the heart and soul of that sound and it's great. This recording will probably never go down as a greatest recording ever, but I like it and it is never far from my CD player.

Bob Whitehead	It's About Time ï¿½ New Ground This project never ceases to minister to me, every time I listen to it. The blend that Robbie, Dale and David have is incredible. The song selection and arrangements are superb. I love this group. I love this CD. (Editor's Note: This was actually a 2002 Release)
	Everything Good ï¿½ Gaither Vocal Band I am a huge David Phelps fan, so I listen for him a lot, and am never disappointed. I also like the new mix with Russ Taff. This is a great group of songs, extremely well performed. It just feels good. (Editor's Note: This was actually a 2002 Release)
	Net Breaking, Boat Sinking, Bountiful Blessings ï¿½ Kirk Talley What can I say? I've been a Kirk Talley fan for years. ï¿½The Servant's Prayerï¿½ on this CD is rapture material!
	The Booth Brothers ï¿½ The Booth Brothers I love this project! These guys are so good and so smooth, it's incredible.
	This Is The Day- The Perrys I got this CD when I saw them at New Ground's homecoming, and it was the first time I had heard that mix of personnel. I was very pleasantly surprised. It's another great mix of great songs, very well performed.


Daryl Williams	The Hoppers-Great Day It's one of the few CDs I got this year that I have played over and over again. They could have titled it Great Songs.
	Greater Vision-Quartets The cuts with JD Sumner, Rex Nelon, were wonderful. But when I heard Brock Speer singing The City Coming Down, I cried.
	The Booth Brothers Many people remember Mosie Lister's old songs, but not many groups are singing his current work. The Booth Brothers present Mosie Lister's new songs in a dynamic way.
	Dottie Rambo-Stand By The River This was her first new release in over 15 years. Her writing is incredible. It was great to hear her new songs, and the new recording of some of her old classics.
	Taranda Greene-Each Day You Face If the Greenes should ever retire from the road and recording, Taranda proves on this CD that she can carry an entire recording by herself. Great voice, great songs, and a tasteful production by Reggie Smith.

Reader Comments

I agree w/ The Martins, Chosen Few, the Crabb Family and Lordsong. I could not get enough of any of those 4. Amazing projects...wow.

Commented by On 12/31/2003

Wow! I can't thank you and your staff enough for the kind thoughts and support you shown to the
Dunaways this year! Thank you SO MUCH!

Blessings!

Les Butler
Family Music Group

Commented by Les Butler On 01/01/2004

We want to express our sincere thanks to James Hales for his kind words and his support of our ministry. James, you have been a great encourgement to us. God Bless You and all of the staff of sogospelnews.com - thanks to each of you for all that you do to promote the gospel.

- The Frosts
Michael Frost, Candie Frost Tunnell, Brenda Livesay

Commented by Michael Frost On 01/01/2004

Conlgratulations to Hope's Call for recieving 3 top five picks and also for making the top 20 cd's for 2003 list. May God continue to annoint your ministry as your eyes remain focused on Him. You know I love you all. Debbie/aka - mom

Commented by Debbie On 01/02/2004

I am so proud of Hope's Call. God has blessed them with amazing heart and talent. I am so thrilled to be working with them and I can not wait to see what God has for them in 2004!
April Potter-Holleman
April Potter Agency

Commented by April Potter-Holleman On 01/02/2004

I would probably agree most with Daryl Williams picks list. I agree with the remarks he made on Taranda's project. That woman can flat out sing! I could not get enough of her version of God on the Mountain on this cd. She does a wonderful job! :thumbsup:

Commented by On 01/03/2004

Glad to see the Dunaways on so many of the lists. I'm glad when reviewers recognize talented NEW groups in Southern Gospel!!! It's well-deserved!!!

Commented by On 01/03/2004

I AGREE WITH THE GOLD CITY, GREATER VISION, AND BOOTH BROTHERS PICKS, BUT WHAT ABOUT LEGACY FIVE'S LONDON PROJECT? IT WAS RELEASED IN FEB. OF '03, AND QUITE HONESTLY WAS MY PICK FOR BEST PROJECT OF THE YEAR! TARANDA'S CD WAS ALSO GREAT.

Commented by On 01/11/2004

As a personal friend of Brian Arnold, I appreciate Chosen Few's C.D. being selected to be in this group of WINNERS!!
Brian wrote or co-wrote all but two of the songs on "Let Go and Let God". The man is a musical genius! I'm glad I can call him "friend"! :light:

Commented by On 01/13/2004

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