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Compassion International

Sunday Edition


30
Apr
2004
Promised Land Quartet - Rejoice!


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Producer: Art Bain/Joey Wilson
Label: Lion & Lamb Music Group
Website: [url=http://www.promisedlandquartet.com]http://www.promisedlandquartet.com [/url]

Consisting of Joey Wilson (tenor), Gene Hamman (lead), Kevin Minnick (baritone) and Joe Brinkley (bass), the Promised Land Quartet combines their individual talents to formulate a very unique and dramatic sounding quartet with tenor, Joey Wilson at the forefront of that colossal sound. I love their style and the massive arrangements given to each song. You can definitely tell a lot of time was spent in the arranging and recording of this CD. It definitely was no overnight project!

The title song, "REJOICE" , is an anthem type song that leads perfectly into the highly energetic "FIRST DAY OF HEAVEN".

Slowing things down a bit (and you need to after that last song!) is the soothing and encouraging "MY ANCHOR OF HOPE" , penned by Rodney Griffin . Another excellent song of encouragement is the soulful "CHILD OF GOD". While going for a slight country sound, we find the medium tempo, "HERE FOR NOW, BUT NOT FOR LONG", written by Ricky Atkinson.

Larry Petree wrote the uniquely titled, "WANNA BE, GONNA BE, SOMEDAY WILL BE" and is a cool upbeat quartet number and the guys pull it off very well. In contrast, "HE CARRIED THE CROSS FOR ME" and "GOD HATH RAISED HIM FROM THE DEAD" are two excellent power ballads that are performed extremely well.

Showcasing every bit of energy this group can afford, they barrel through the Ann Ballard classic "IT'LL BE JOY". This song could very well be the song you come away with remembering the most.

Slowing things down, we come to a song previously recorded by the Comptons entitled, "IN THE MORNING" . This is a very different arrangement from the Compton's version, but excellent, nonetheless. "ONE OF THESE DAYS" picks the tempo up one last time and leads into a final reprise of the title song, "REJOICE".

Let me say I really struggled over the rating of this recording. One person compared some of my reviews to eating a delicious bowl of ice cream and then finding a bug in the bottom of it. With that said, here's the bug"the vocal stacks are extremely prominent throughout the whole recording. Though it sounds great, (and I love stacks), I just think it is overdone at times. There are a few pitch issues as well which could have been tightened up a bit, but beyond that, I love the overall style of this group. This group makes me think of the Hoppers, oddly enough. They use mammoth arrangements and have that big power harmony going on as well. Their songs are lyrically strong, the music tracks are definitely above par, and the vocals are really good, despite the weak spots. I highly recommend this recording to anyone (like myself) who loves this type of sound and high-powered, energetic singing.

Personal Favs: FIRST DAY OF HEAVEN; MY ANCHOR OF HOPE; HE CARRIED HIS CROSS FOR ME; IT'LL BE JOY; GOD HATH RAISED HIM FROM THE DEAD

Reader Comments

Mr. Hale,
I Just wanted to take a moment to thank you for reviewing our latest Project, REJOICE. And I especially wish to thank you for your very insiteful commentary. It's a wonderful boost to hear someone from "inside the industry" validate everything we tried to do with this project. Song selection and the vocal arrangements were completed only after many months of consideration and deliberation, and the tracking sessions truly did have some wonderful moments. I so appreciate you're observation of these efforts.

And certainly your criticisms are on the money as well, though the visual called to mind by your allegory (a roach at the bottom of my Ben And Jerrys) caused me a little distress. many singers struggle with pitch issues, and we work quite hard to overcome this. Unfortunately, limited resources do not allow us to tweak and perfect the recording endlessly. I will admit that the stacks are a bit heavy, some of this is for effect, but most is personal preference.

Individually, we are 4 "average" guys using what God has given us. Our biggest strength, thank you again for noticing, is energy and heart for the message. And I do believe our uniqueness stems from power and arranging. Thanks again for taking a wonderfully perceptive look into the biggest project this relatively young group has undertaken. I must say that I will now reread your reviews with a newfound respect for your insites.


Commented by On 05/03/2004
James Hales's avatar Joey, I really appreciate you taking my review in the light that it was intended! grin

You guys have a great sound and I appreciate the opportunity of reviewing your music.

You offer a lot of great things in your music and I wish you all the best!



Commented by On 05/04/2004
How wonderful it is to see the PromisedLand Quartet receive such a terrific review in your publication. This is a group made up of four men who truly love the Lord. Their collective heart comes through in each song that they sing. Sometimes it's the amazingly descriptive lyrics creating a longing for home. Other times it's the power in one of the voices that just brings you to the edge of your seat or a tear to your eye. I can tell you for a fact though that what really makes this quartet so exciting is the Tenor, Lead Singer, Baritone & Bass. Joey, Gene, Kevin and Joe give 150% to every aspect of this ministry. As exciting as their new cd "REJOICE" is, you should hear them perform some of these selections live! They have an unstoppable energy which bubbles over and touches each and every audience member. Combine fantastic music, with four men who live what they sing about, and the powerful energy with which they communicate their message and this CD ~ this QUARTET is definitely a winner.


Commented by On 05/09/2004
dear "joe"
Just wanted to thank you for what you did for me at the end of your show. Sat,night at "The Highthouse." That was so nice of you to let me do it.I call it"Expression of The Heart."We had a wonderful eveing. You all were better than ever.Hope we get to see you soon. But, we,ll "see" you on the radio. We love you. Tell Gene, Kevin and Joey hello for us.t
Thanks again.E-MAIL ME IF YOU GET TIME.
We pray for you all every night.Take care.God Bless.Your Friends Glenn and Jean Kauffman


Commented by On 04/03/2005
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