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Label: Daywind Records
Producer: Wayne Haun
Song Titles: “This Is The Day,” “The Lord Knows What To Do,” “Calvary Answers For Me,” “Out Of Harm’s Way,” “Oh, That Wonderful Promise,” “His Scars,” “I Wish I Could Have Been There,” “Until I Start Looking Around,” “Better Saved Than Sorry,” “The Blood Of An Old Rugged Cross,” “He Gave His Only Son,” and “Damascus Road”

For six seconds, the sound of an Old West saloon piano skips out of the speakers, followed by a quick descending glissando and a thud. A bass singer then booms an ascending melody ”This is the Day,” which is echoed by three other voices in harmony. Welcome to The Perrys‘ newest CD, This Is The Day.

This recording showcases a group at a point where they’ve really hit their stride in terms of consistency and quality. None of the selections are weak lyrically, and producer Wayne Haun delivers his typical excellent production quality. From a performance perspective, there are few spots where the vocals sustain one chord while the accompaniment moves through other chords. The end of “Out Of Harm’s Way” is one example. Some listeners may find that annoying and think it’s a mistake, while others accept it as an intentional characteristic of modern arranging. In either case, the overall quality of the Perrys’ vocal performance is well above average.

I was a little surprised to see the Perrys do a virtual note-for-note remake of “Calvary Answers For Me” so quickly on the heels of the original version that appeared on Signature Sound Quartet‘s Stand By Me (January 2003). It looks like the Perrys are going to see that the song gets some chart action, though, since it’s to be their first single sent to radio from This Is The Day. I’m sure songwriter Joel Lindsey is happy. It is an excellent song that deserves the exposure.

With 12 selections, there’s an adequate mix of upbeat and slower inspirational numbers. My favorite up-tempo song is “I Wish I Could Have Been There,” because it doesn’t follow a predictable formula of beats per line. “Damascus Road” is a great deal of fun as well. Haun often employs an element of orchestra, and we’re treated to one of these arrangements with “Better Safe Than Sorry.” “Until I Start Looking Ahead” is one of those good inspirational tunes that could be the song you go away from a concert remembering as the highlight of the program. Hopefully, it won’t get lost in the shuffle before everything is said and done. “The Blood Of An Old Rugged Cross” has a similar treatment.

4 1/2 stars is my rating for this CD. A CD has to absolutely blow me away to get a 5, and this one comes real close to doing that. Of all the releases I’ve heard in 2003, I’ve only given two 5 star ratings (Gold City’s Walk The Talk and Greater Visions Quartets). Even though I couldn’t quite go for a 5 on this one, it’s still at least a “top five” contender for the year, and that ain’t shabby.

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