Perrys - Come Thirsty, CD Review

Jul

2006

Perrys - Come Thirsty

Add this entry to Your Favorites | [0] Favorites

[53] Comments

Producer: Wayne Haun
Label: Daywind
Website: http://www.perrysministries.com

I first heard the Perrys on radio back in the mid and late 1980s with such songs as "Dig a Little Deeper", "Get Involved", "There Has Never Been", "We Shall Reign" and "I Remember the Day". Each song drew me more and more into what they were doing and before long, I was a big, big fan. Since the restructure a few years ago, they have really molded into one of the most solid, vocally exciting mixed groups to ever grace a stage. "Come Thirsty" really showcases some stellar vocals, as well as some really cool music tracks. Though there are some big orchestral tracks, they are not overdone, and really compliment what the Perrys are doing vocally.

The big band feel of the fun infested tune, "UNTIL THE LAST ONE IS HOME", penned by songwriting duo Wayne Haun and Joel Lindsey starts things off on the right foot and leads right into the Kyla Rowland penned, "STILL THRILLED". Featuring Libby (Still Amazed, Still Blessed and now Still Thrilled) Stuffle and a strong "Goodman" sound, this is one of the highlights of the recording, as is another "Goodman" sounding tune, "A DAY THAT NEVER ENDS", which was written by Gerald Crabb.

Penned by Kyla Rowland (where does she find these great songs?), "HE WILL HIDE ME" is the big power ballad for this recording, and will no doubt land the Perrys a #1 song this year. Powerful performances filled with conviction and a huge orchestral track makes this possibly one of their most memorable performances in their career. Libby then takes the lead on another powerful tune titled, "WALK AWAY FREE".

Penned by songwriting team Joseph Habadenk and Matthew Holt, "WHEN JESUS PRAYS", features an excellent performance by Joseph and is one of the strongest tunes on this recording, while the title song, "COME THIRSTY", which features Tracy, seems to be the weakest. (Which is no reflection at all on Tracy).

The pace finally kicks back into high gear with yet another Rowland tune, "THEY SANG A HYMN" and I would strongly consider this as a possible radio song, which features a smokin' music track as well. Featuring Loren (who is arguably the best lead singer out there today) and a strong orchestral track, the medium tempo "WHY TROUBLE THE MASTER?", written by Jeff Steele and Daryl Williams, is a unique song offering hope in a God who hears our cries and answers our pleas.

If the highly energetic, "HE FORGOT", is any indication of the stuff songwriting duo Habadenk & Holt will come out with in the future, then they need to stick together and patent their names because these guys will be a force to be reckoned with. The Perrys have a great songwriting team within the group and this should bode very well for them in the future.

Libby closes out the recording with a song that is completely her own. Though slightly different for the Perrys, the thought provoking "I WANNA BE MARY FOR AWHILE" worked extremely well for Libby and she does a remarkable job getting the message across; a message that a lot of men, not just women, could tuck in their spirits as well.

Quite honestly, I believe this is the best recording the Perrys have done since their vocal restructure a few years ago, and it definitely raises the bar for them. The music tracks and vocals are superb and the song selection is outstanding as well. They stick with what has worked for them and they use the songwriters and types of songs that fit them, but they still manage to stretch themselves. Also, I must add that I love the concept for the cover. I love me some good old-fashioned sweet ice tea, and I love me some Perrys! So if you're thirsty for some great Southern Gospel Music, look no further than right here!

Personal Favs: STILL THRILLED; A DAY THAT NEVER ENDS; HE WILL HIDE ME; WALK AWAY FREE; THEY SANG A HYMN; HE FORGOT; I WANNA BE MARY FOR A WHILE

Reader Comments

One thing that I love about the Perrys is that they are a mixed group with a REAL bass singer! Tracy Stuffle is the best emcee on the road today without a doubt. Everytime I have seen them in concert, they have been humble people. Can't wait to get a hold of this album!!

Commented by MaynardFan On 07/01/2006

Just like you disagreed with my MBG review - I'm going to have to majorly disagree with you on this review James.

I like the Perrys, I really do, I feel like they are in a musical rut. There's nothing musically wrong with this CD. They sound fantastic as always. But I want to hear this group really rip into some new material, no kinds of sounds, new writers, and show us a new side of the Perrys.

This is the same complaint I've had of Greater Vision the last few years. Let's break the mold guys and try something new! Expand your horizons - gain some new fans!

Commented by On 07/01/2006

Chris,

While I tend to agree with you on some things, I just don't think I agree with you on this one. Let's think about it. Many times when groups try to "branch out" and do cool new things, they lose their core base audience and the fans they DO gain do not make up for the ones they lost. I think the Perrys and their producers, record execs know what will keep the PERRYS fans coming back for more....

Just my 2 cents.

Commented by On 07/01/2006

I don't think Chris was suggesting that they change their sound dramatically but that they change around some of the songwriters and types of songs they keep doing. I can see his point and agree somewhat. Their last 3 projects have sounded pretty similar to the point they almost sound alike.

Changing things up and expanding won't lose fans as long as their core sound remains the same.

Part of the problem is people are afraid to take any chance with their music. It gets to be a rut. Listen to them on the radio, they sound like any other quartet out there. I want to be able to say, hey, that's the perrys!!

Commented by On 07/01/2006

I think the Perrys are great people & great singers however I'm going to agree with Chris. I was really looking forward to this project but was a little dissapointed after hearing it. Probably my leats favorite Perrys album. On the plus side though I think the 2 songs the Joe & Matthew wrote are unbelievable! Wow what great songs & joe just tears them up vocally too, by far I thought these were way beyond the calibur of the other songs on the project. Great job guys!

Commented by On 07/01/2006

I still say "If it ain't broke, don't fix it" ya know?

My favorite CD by the group was the one "I Wish I Could Have Been There" was on.

Commented by On 07/01/2006

I totally love this CD - 'Mary for a while' speaks to most of us, we have all been there. 'Hide me again' is a message every Christian needs. "He Forgot" and "When Jesus Prays" show the true power of our Awesome God!

And 'They Sang a Hymn' and 'Why Trouble the Master' again speak to me - I love it. They may do soemthing 'different or out of the box' at some point and that's ok but I love what they are doing now!

Through His Blood, Alicia E. BaileyThrough His Blood, Alicia E. Bailey

Commented by On 07/02/2006

I agree that "If it ain't broke, don't fix it."

The Perrys don't have to change their style for me. One of the reasons I love them so much is that they stay true to that good old sound...but yet making it fresh and new every time I see them take the stage. To me...the are a breath of fresh air in a crowd full of other groups who have---branched out? Into something else? Everyone is wanting to be different these days...to stand out--but what is happening is that they are all branching out into the same sound..and they are not standing out at all.

The Perrys have stood strong in their music quite a while, and if you haven't noticed....their fan base has ONLY been growing.

The Perrys style...is theirs. These new fans you speak of...a younger generation maybe...well let me just say that I am 22 years old. This is probably one of the only groups that both me AND my parents love to listen to. Young and old alike have fallen in love with the Perrys sound.

God Bless them for preserving that sound and keeping it new again and again.

Commented by On 07/03/2006

I never said that they needed to completely change their sound. They've already done that once in their career. I just wish they would try some new things, new arrangements, new songwriters, etc. That doesn't mean they have to change their core sound - just mix it a little bit. Show me the Perrys aren't afraid to try something new.

Like I said, this album is great. They perform is wonderfully. But it sounds exactly like the last three to me.

Commented by On 07/03/2006

I think this is a great CD by the Perrys - it seems I like each album a little bit more, so either they are changing or my taste is.
By my count there are 4 Songwriters on this CD that haven't contributed on any previous Perrys CDs, and I know if I were a writer, I'd definitely be submitting something that "sounds like the Perrys" rather than a whole new thing if I was interested in getting it recorded.

Question for Chris: How much of what you write do you really believe and how much is just "stirring the pot" to get some activity on the message boards?

Commented by On 07/03/2006

Page 1 of 6 Comment Pages 1 2 3 > Last »

Add Comments

If you are seeing this form you are not a Member or have not logged in. Why not consider becoming a Member? All comments must be made with a valid email address. Comments with invalid email addresses are subject to removal.

Membership allows you to have a prepared signature of your choice applied to every comment you make, as well as the ability to choose an avatar to display next to your name to help identify your posts. Members are also given opportunity to vote weekly in our Weekly Chart as well as special Members Only contests, polls and giveaways during the year. If you are already a member, login here, otherwise please register here.

**Note: Forums membership is a seperate membership.

By posting you agree to our Comments Policy

Name:
Email:
Location:
URL:
Comment:
	Remember my personal information
	Notify me of follow-up comments?
Please enter the word you see in the image below: