
Produced by: Roger Talley
Website: http://www.shilohquartet.com
Shiloh's new release, entitled "Blessed" starts off with a happy tune featuring the groups strong bass and tight harmonies. "My Home in Heaven" follows with the same kind of feel good music and vocally introduces you to all the members of this SG quartet. Slowing things down, is the third cut, "Hallelujah For the Cross." The beautiful instrumentation and smooth vocal delivery make this one of my favorites on the record.
When listening to the album, the next tune, "Water Walkin'" caught my attention every time. It's a slightly more progressive sound than the previous tracks, and the unique lyrics earn it a spot on my favorite tracks list. "I've Been Blessed," goes back to the traditional vein and is the theme of the album itself. Shiloh really sounds like a top tier group. I have a lot of favorites on this record, and the more I listen to it, the more I like it. "The Prodigal's Dad," written by Jeff Steele is yet another one to add to the list. This perspective is rarely written and the vocal arranging on this song has Roger Talley's fingerprints all over it. This is one song you'll want to replay. In fact the song selection on this record is stellar all around. "Mercy Met Grace," Chris Binion and Shaun Weeks offering to the project is another great tune.
Shiloh's own rendition of "Blessed Assurance" really adds another element to the contour of this project. It's not exactly traditional with it's bluesy harmonica and electric guitar, soulful vocal slides and applause at the end. If the entire album were this way, I'd tell the guy's to keep their day jobs, but including this fun arrangement of a classic hymn was refreshing and made me smile. You can tell vocally it's not exactly their comfort zone, but you've got to give them credit for trying something different. "What a Blessed Joy," is an up-tempo tune that would be a great radio release, followed by "Love was the Reason," another strong ballad. An a capella version of "Doxology" was impressive and the last cut on the project, "When the Rains Come" starts off a capella as well, providing an incredibly smooth transition between the two songs. Bravo! "When the Rains Come," left a great last impression and was also added to the unusually long list of favorites for the record. This sounded like something the Booth Brothers might do and really confirms Shiloh's ability to be both progressive and traditional at their respective best. I was pleasantly surprised with this record. I expected it to be good with Roger Talley's name all over it, but it exceeded my expectations and I would highly recommend this record to any lover of SG.
1. Over and Over Amen
2.My Home in Heaven
3. Hallelujah For the Cross
4. Water Walkin'
5. I've Been Blessed
6. The Prodigal's Dad
7. Mercy Met Grace
8. Blessed Assurance
9. What a Blessed Joy
10. Love Was the Reason
11. Doxology
12. When the Rains Come
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