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Produced By:  Roger Talley
Fancy Productions

Most people will remember Richard Simmons as the original pianist for the Dove Brothers Quartet.  I must confess though…I never knew Richard could sing.  I always thought he played the piano, and that was the end of his talent.  Boy was I wrong!  Richard has a very laid back approach to his singing and I’d say He almost has a James Taylor quality about his voice.  Lush orchestrations, cool music tracks, excellent background vocals by the Talley Trio makes this a delightful recording to listen to and is highly uplifting. 

Starting off the recording is a song written and recorded several years ago by Bruce Carroll called ”HEART COLLECTOR.” This is a neat song depicting how much the Savior cares for us, and paints a neat picture of how He passionately pursues us, even while we were yet sinners.

I found it fascinating Richard covering an old Mid South Boys hit, ”RESTING PLACE.” I
have always loved this song, and was ecstatic to see it revived.

One of the best-known hymns of the church is the standard, ”WHAT A FRIEND WE HAVE IN JESUS.” With a nice acoustic guitar intro, Richard sings this old hymn with conviction as he reminds us once more; there is no greater friend than Jesus Christ.

With an almost bluegrass feel, Richard barrels into a highly up tempo rendition of another old hymn ”ARE YOU WASHED IN THE BLOOD.” Richard’s version of this song is extremely energetic and features a kickin’ music track and some impressive piano licks.  If your feet don’t at least tap on this song, you may want to check your pulse and see if you are still alive! 

Challenging the church, ”REAP THE HARVEST” is an extraordinary song calling on all who will, to labor vigorously in the vineyard of the Lord, for night falling, and the end draws near.

Digging back and recording a vintage Gordon Jensen song from the early 70s, ”HAPPY WHEELS OF JOY” is, as the song implies, a happy song and one that you’ll find yourself singing along with.

The next two songs are my favorites of the entire recording, and I find myself hitting the repeat button multiple times with these 2 songs.  ”ALL I WANNA DO” is a fusion of Southern Gospel and Praise & Worship, and I absolutely love this song.  The listener is ushered into majestic praise as Richard sings, ”All I wanna do is love you, all I wanna do is worship you, all I wanna do is lay here right at your feet…as I lift my hands to Heaven, let Your fire fall down on me, rekindle the fire within me Lord once again.” After being ushered into worship, we’re ready for the warfare with Satan on the song of victory called ”BLOODLINE.” When discouraged listen to this song, it will encourage you and you’ll be ready to fight the battle and win the war.

The title song, ”WITHOUT YOU” is a tender song reflecting on what our lives would be like without God.  While we wonder how other people make it without the Lord, part of the chorus says, ”without You, I’d be so lost and all alone…Lord don’t ever let me be without You.” The song paves the way for the final song, another classic hymn, ”GRACE.”

This is not an instrumental recording; this offers some excellent singing by one of Southern Gospel’s best-hidden talents.  Featuring mostly cover tunes and classic songs and hymns, along with a few new songs interspersed throughout, this is a highly enjoyable and at the same time, worshipful recording.  I highly recommend any and everyone to get this CD and experience it yourself; I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised.

Check Richard out on the web: http://www.richardsimmonsmusic.com.

Personal Favs: ARE YOU WASHED IN THE BLOOD; REAP THE HARVEST; ALL I WANNA DO; BLOODLINE; WITHOUT YOU

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