The Greenes - Whosoever Believes, CD Review

May

2004

The Greenes - Whosoever Believes

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The Greenes

Producer: Ronnie Brookshire/ Tim Greene/ Phil Naish
Label: ACA Records
Website: [url=http://www.thegreenesgospel.com]http://www.thegreenesgospel.com [/url]

Well, the Greenes have done it, and have come back with a mammoth recording that could quite possibly be the greatest recording they have ever done. Bringing in CCM producer Phil Naish was a definite plus, as he brought out the best in them that no one else has been able to do. With nine of the ten songs either written by Phil Cross or Tim Greene, it would have been good to see a little bit more variety in the songwriters, but I can't complain too much. The Greenes really outdid themselves on this one.

The opening song entitled "HOLD ON ", gets the recording underway and is a powerful reminder that God is with us and to just hold on. One thing that would have taken the song to the next level, I believe, would have been to add a big choir on the final chorus. They'd be throwing babies from the balcony with that! But I digressï¿½

I have to mention that the song "LIVING IN THE MIDDLE OF LOVE" is my 3-year-old daughter's favorite song. We have to listen to that song everyday, and I don't mind at all, because I love the song as well. The song uncharacteristically fits Tony, and he sings the song extremely well and I think it would even make for a really cool radio single!

In typical Greene's fashion, Tim, Tony and Taranda all take their turns with a verse on the medium tempo, "HE'S WALKING AGAIN". Then Taranda really shows the diva she really is with the most remarkable performance of her career on the song "THE FIRST TIME I SAW LOVE". These lyrics, "the first time I saw love, it was hanging on a treeï¿½the first time I saw life, it was dying there for meï¿½and for the first time in my lifetime, I found all I ever dreamed ofï¿½for the first time I saw Jesus, was the first time I saw love" she sings so delicately, but yet so powerfully and you can't help but sit in awe as she sings this wonderful song.

Picking the pace up a bit, we come to "IN THE NEW JERUSALEM" featuring Tony, while the pace slows back down a bit for Taranda as she sings the title song "FOR WHOSOEVER BELIEVES". Taranda does a great job interpreting this ballad that musically, is a bit different for the Greenes.

Tim steps up next to sing, "LIFE IS COMPLICATED" and reminds us that though life is sometimes complicated, "Christ has a plan." "MY SHEPHERD" is a bluegrass-tinged song that aptly features Tony, while "TAKE IT TO THE LORD" featuring Taranda offers help with our burdens (I Peter 5:7) as she sings "Take it to the Lord, don't bring it back with youï¿½don't keep on holding on to what you have prayed throughï¿½no wonder you still struggle with the load you bareï¿½you need to take it the Lord and leave it there." Excellent practical information found in that song!

The inspirational "JESUS IN ME" is a very reflective number written and features Tim and ends the recording on a great note.

This has to be one of the finest Greenes recordings to date and one that may even win them a few new fans. Since Phil Naish produces some of the songs, they take on a new sound musically and this is a positive change for them. Though I miss the abundance of power ballads that is typical for their style, this recording is worth buying and experiencing for yourself. It's a little different, but it's still great "Greenes" music.

Personal Favs: HOLD ON; LIVING IN THE MIDDLE OF LOVE; THE FIRST TIME I SAW LOVE; TAKE IT TO THE LORD; JESUS IN ME

Reader Comments

I love this CD! I think it is the best recording The Greenes have done. Great work, guys! grin

Commented by Nikki On 05/16/2004

Great review James. I agree with everything you said. This is difinitely a change for the Greenes, but a good one none the less. Great cd. Greenes, you rock

Commented by On 05/17/2004

I just don't get it. I heard this was a "stellar" Greenes recording, but to me it isn't anything special or out of the ordinary. Some of the lyrics seem mundane and even junvenile. Maybe I need to listen to it a time or two again?!?!

Commented by On 05/17/2004

juvenile??????? These are some of the most powerful lyrics i have heard in a long time. How can you say the lyrics to "Take it to the Lord" and "The First time I saw Love" are juvenile.
Yes I think you do need to listen again

Commented by On 05/18/2004

I will say "The First Time I Saw Love" was the highlight of the recording. And let me say I do love the Greenes and have been a fan for a long time. I guess I was just expecting too much since I had heard the rave reviews. Calling this their best recording EVER is, in my opinion, a far stretch though. But again it's just my opinion.

Commented by On 05/18/2004

Just for the record, I didn't say it WAS their greatest...I said it "could quite possibly be the greatest recording they have ever done" and "This has to be one of the finest Greenes recordings to date."

It could be and it may be ONE of their greatest recordings. Personally, I am still VERY partial to their "Wonderful Story" CD. That recording is actually my fav Greenes recording.

But, this newest recording far exceeds "Wonderful Story" in terms of quality, music and sound. There are several excellent songs on here.

I did mention though, that it would have been really nice if they had used a few other writers instead of Tim Greene and Phil Cross. The only song not written by either of those 2 was actually "The First Time I Saw Love", which was written by Marty Funderburk. That may explain why you think the songs sound mundane. Phil is a great writer, but some of his songs, musically, are very predictable.

That was my one drawback on this recording, was the lack of variety in the songwriters.

Commented by On 05/18/2004

After re-reading my response, I realized my "just for the record" comment could have been taken as me being rude.

Far from it...I just wanted to clear up any confusion (if there was any) on exactly what I was trying to say in my review of the CD. grin

Commented by On 05/18/2004

I absolutely LOVE this recording. In my opinion, it's the best thing that the Greenes have ever done.

Commented by Ashley Duduit On 05/18/2004

I really appreciate the variety on this album, being that no two songs sound the same. I believe that it is truly a remarkable CD, and this trio has a special blend and Annointing that makes for a comforting and encouraging album for anyone to listen to. "Living In The Middle Of Love" is one of my favorites, as is "Hold On." I also am addicted to "Life Is Complicated" and find myself whistling or singing that tune all the time. Tim shines as a song-writer -- always has -- and the Greenes seem to get better and better as time goes on. Their future seems bright.

Commented by On 07/24/2004

i was wounder how do i get the lyrics for It Sure Sounds Like Angels

Commented by On 07/21/2005

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