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Label – Crossroads Music
Producer – Jeff Collins & Jack Mascari
Executive Producer – Greg Bentley
Website – http://gregbentley.net

Greg Bentley is no stranger to Southern Gospel music. Having grown up around the music all of his life, Bentley received his “break” when he filled in with The Hoppers, enjoying a tenure of five years with the popular group. Bentley eventually moved onto the Down East Boys for three years before landing at Crossroads Music and the Squire Parsons Trio.

Bentley, while still serving his duties in publishing and artist relations with the popular record label, is releasing his latest solo release Journal of Grace. The album is composed of mostly popular songs from other artists in the Crossroads catalog – such as “I Can Pray”, “I’ve Come Here to Tell You” and “He’ll Be”.

Greg Bentley is a tenor who’s vocal performance sounds a bit restrained – almost falsetto-like on many cuts – most notably “He’ll Be” and “I Can Pray”. At times, such as on tunes like “Greener Pastures” his voice can wear too thin, and it leaves the listener longing to hear him in his lower register and not so much in falsetto.

Kim and Dean Hopper make a special appearance on “Greener Pastures” which helps change things up a bit sonically – though it does start to feel a bit awkward toward the end with it’s abrupt ending.

“When Heaven Touches the Earth” is a stronger cut on the recording featuring a strong instrumental track and some of the better production work. The Daryl Williams penned “Take Him at His Word” is a catchy song musically, and features one of Greg’s finer vocal performances. The Jimmy Dooley cut “Joy For the Journey” is probably the strongest cut on the album which also features guest vocals from Arthur Rice and Jeff Chapman of the Kingdom Heirs. The song features Bentley in a quartet setting – which obviously suits him best.

Overall, Journal of Grace features strong tracking and songwriting – but unfortunately the production could have been a bit stronger – especially the mix where at times Bentley is almost buried in the tracks and background vocals. I believe if the tracks had been pitched a bit lower and Bentley sang a bit more in his lower range, it would have made for a more enjoyable listening experience. Journal of Grace is a strong enough album that Bentley should be proud of, but definitely shows some much needed areas of improvement.

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