I wanted to post this as a follow-up to the review I just posted on Mike’s CD.  You can listen to sound clips here:

http://www.mikeallenonline.com/songsamples.htm

You can order your copy of the CD with the information on the following page:

http://www.mikeallenonline.com/mikesmusic.htm

MIKE ALLEN
Way Down Deep

Let me start by saying I am typically not a fan of solo projects.  I usually find them rather boring because you have to listen to the same voice on every song.  There are a couple of artists, however, that I’ve enjoyed their solo efforts. These include Mike Bowling, Kirk Talley, Rick Strickland and now I can add Mike Allen to that list (Come to think of it, these artists would make an interesting quartet with Rick singing tenor, Kirk singing lead, Mike Bowling on Baritone and Mike Allen on Bass). 

This project by Mike Allen is great.  According to iTunes, I’ve listened to the CD completely through 17 times in the past month, and that is not counting my iPod playcount.  Needless to say, I really have enjoyed this project.  Mike is one of the few bass singers in Southern Gospel music that enunciates clearly even while hitting his lowest notes.  You won’t hear any growling coming from this bass singer.  You will hear the low notes that Mike can sing, and you can still understand the lyrics.

1. God Is With Us, Our Emmanuel (*****) – What a great upbeat song to begin the project with! 
2. Roll Away Troubled River (***) – Have never liked the song, but it fits Mike’s voice.  Not too many songs to choose from for a bass singers solo endeavor.
3. Way Down Deep (*****) – I remember first hearing this song on the radio and I was completely blown away.  I happen to know that this song was specifically written for Mike Allen and it fits his voice completely.  I can’t get enough of this track.  It’s slower paced, but I still enjoy this song.
4. So I Love Him Dearly (*****) - Another great song.  More upbeat than the previous track. 
5. Hold Me (***) – One of the few songs on the album that I tend to skip over.  Great vocals from Mike but to me it’s a boring song.
6. He Pilots My Ship (****)- Borrowed from a Gaither session, this track has Dean Hopper singing the first verse and Mike singing the second.  I really enjoy this song.
7. What I Have (**) – The low rating has nothing to do with Mike’s singing.  I’ve never liked this song originally recorded by The Bishops and I don’t think I ever will.  Too many words to try to keep up with.
8. Surely Goodness And Mercy (*****) – What a great performance on this song. 
9. I’ll Sail Away Home (****) – Fun song to listen to.
10. The Love Of The Lord (****) – It’s remarkable how much Mike reminds me of George Younce on this song.  
11. Child Of The King (****) – Classic song sang quite well.  Mike sings in a little higher register on this song and showcases his range.  I think this was borrowed from Gaither too.
12. I Believe, Help Thou My Unbelief (**) - Good vocals but I don’t like to hear this song more than once or twice.  It bores me.

Mike Allen is currently the bass singer for The Prophets Quartet. I was thrilled to get to meet Mike Allen at NQC this year.  What a great guy to talk to. 

Be sure to keep an eye out for the upcoming, new release by The Prophets Quartet. Thank you Paul Jackson for introducing me to Mike and for hooking me up with this awesome CD.  It has become one of the favorites in my collection.

CD RATING: 3.83 Stars out of 5

Revival & A Gold City Christmas were recently made available for download from www.emusic.com. Below is a complete listing for all Gold City projects available from emusic.

If you have never been an emusic subscriber, then here is a link that will give you 100 free downloads just for trying out emusic (www.emusic.com/ge) .  If you don’t want to become a paid monthly subscriber, then you can cancel your account before the trial period expires. You will, however, get to keep the 100 free songs in your music library. 

There are many other Southern Gospel projects available at emusic.  I typically search on “Daywind”, “Sonlite”, “Crossroads” & “Lamon” to pull up available music by record labels to see any new projects recently made available.  I’m sure you’ll find more than enough music here to keep you busy.

Greater Vision
Everyday People

Thanks to a recent thread on the Singing News Forums, I’ve decided to revisit Everyday People by Greater Vision and do a song-by-song rating.  I’ve enjoyed this project as much, if not more, than any new CD I’ve purchased this year and thought it only fitting to revisit it first.  Here goes:

1. It Means Just What It Says (*****) – Awesome song to begin the album.  It should be a big hit for Greater Vision.
2. God Will Pass By (*****) – Gerald Wolfe is excellent on this song!
3. Peace Like A River (****) – Mellow song, but very smooth.  Great harmony on this song.
4. The First And Last (*****) – Another great song talking about what Jesus was the first to do and what He will be the last one to do.
5. I Just Came To Talk With You Lord (*****) – Greater Vision’s remake of this song is wonderful.
6. Above And Beyond (****) – Good song, but one of the weaker songs on the project.  When the weak songs still get 4 stars, you know the album is good.
7. You Can (*****) – This song tells of what our Lord can do.  This line from the song may become my new motto: “When I can’t see a purpose or plan, You can!”  I seem to be having a lot of trials right now, so this song was extremely special to me.  Incredible lyrics and great vocals by Southern Gospel’s Tenor of the Year.  One of my favorite songs from the project.
8. As I Am (*****) – Another excellent song.  This tracke should also be a great song for Greater Vision.
9. Who Else Do You Need (****) – Another “weak” song, but still good enough for 4 stars.
10. Plain Ol’ Everday People (*****) – Love this version when compared to the Kingdom Heirs version a few years back.  Even better live….
11. Too Much To Gain To Lose (*****) – Greater Vision is spectacular on this track.  Although this song has been around for years, Gerald’s vocals give it a fresh sound that’s worth listening to.

I’ll say again that this release by Greater Vision is my favorite by them in a long time.  To be honest, I didn’t particularly care for their past 2-3 projects as their earlier releases, but this new CD is great……one of the few that I say is a must-buy for the year. 

CLICK HERE to order your copy directly from Greater Vision.

New Average Rating: 4.72 stars out of 5
(Old Rating: 4.5 stars out of 5)

Despair, Inc is currently offering these t-shirts for sale.  Too bad they weren’t available before the bloggers roundtable at NQC. 

Hee, hee, hee………