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

Ivan Parker is a name that has been synonymous with Southern Gospel Music for almost a quarter of a century. From his beginnings in the professional realm with the Singing Americans, Ivan has set a standard for quality singing that he continues to master today. There are very few singers who has that velvet touch to their voice like Ivan and this recording shows why is so favored among the fans.

The jazzy upbeat feel of “LET'S GO TO CHURCH” compels everyone to “come on…let's go to church” and is a song that would probably do very well on radio. It's a fun song and one that will definitely stick with you long after the music stops.

Slowing things down just a bit, we come to an intriguing Daryl Williams penned tune entitled, “BETWEEN TWO THIEVES”. Interesting message found here comparing the two thieves on the cross and us today and just as Christ died to save them, He died to save us as well. Moving on we come to an uptempo song written by Sandy Knight entitled, “WITH GOD”, emphasizing the truth that “…nothing is impossible with God.”

Previously recorded by Karen Harding, Ivan lays his smooth vocals on the reflective, “A MO MENT SUCH AS THIS” before moving on to the encouraging and upbeat country tinged, “LITTLE IS MUCH”.

Ivan does a great job on the Michael Frost penned tune, “IF YOU COULD SEE YOURSELF” as well as the joyous “THIS SIDE OF THE CROSS” , written by Greg Day and Robert Griffith.

Ivan seems to have found a niche in covering CCM hits and he actually does a very good job doing the Nicole C. Mullen classic, “REDEEMER”. While it doesn't have the same punch as the original, Ivan does a much better job covering this than he did his previous effort last year with “I Can Only Imagine.”

‘Southern Gospel to the core' is the best way to describe, “I'VE ENJOYED THE JOURNEY”. Complete with a bridge of the Goodman classic, “I Wouldn't Take Nothing for my Journey Now”, this is a highly enjoyable song and one that I'm sure goes over very well in concert.

Rounding out the recording is a cover of the Selah/Josh Groban hit, “YOU RAISE ME UP” . While I think Ivan's version pales in comparison to other versions of the song I have heard, he does an adequate job here, and merits at least an honorable mention.

I have noticed lately, and especially here on this recording for some reason, that Ivan's high notes don't seem to come as easy as they used to, (or at least it sounds that way). But he can still definitely hold his own though and he continues to be the epitome of consistency, quality and class.

Personal Favs: BETWEEN TWO THIEVES; IF YOU COULD SEE YOURSELF; THIS SIDE OF THE CROSS; REDEEMER; I'VE ENJOYED THE JOURNEY

Reader Comments

I was weighing very heavily between 4 and 4 1/2 and when it came down to deciding I chose 4 1/2...it is a first rate recording. Ivan is one of best singers in SGM and though there are some flaws, I didn't constitute them enough to deduct it down to 4 stars.

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