Nov 15

Top 100: #42 Windows of Home (Gold City)

Release Year: 1990

Album Rank for Group: #12 of 15

Here’s a blurb: On their fifth major album, the original Gold City super lineup sounded better than ever on Windows of Home.  The song quality and production were predecessors to what would come a few years later with Pillars of Faith.  The powerful “One Scarred Hand” was the first of the numerous successful Kyla Rowland songs the quartet would record, and it is this recording’s signature song.  That big ballad is balanced with several quality uptempo songs that make this album a joy throughout.

Knock my socks off: One Scarred Hand, Love Bigger Than Heaven

Don’t skip that one: Not Made with Hands, Do It by the Book, Nobody’s There, God Would Be Good for You

I could honestly do without: He Sat Down

Nov 14

Top 100: #43 Lovin’ God & Lovin’ Each Other (Gaither Vocal Band)

Release Year: 1997

Album Rank for Group: #4 of 7

Here’s a blurb: To me, Lovin’ God & Lovin’ Each Other kicked off a new era for the Gaither Vocal Band.  David Phelps hadn’t yet joined, but this recording follows the template used during the group’s glory days of Phelps and Penrod.  There is a sensational Gaither cover, several driving uptempo country-style tunes, and a dip or two into the black gospel/spiritual genre.  This lineup wasn’t able to do the things vocally that they would do after their next personnel change, but the song quality was already there with this album.

Knock my socks off: I Believe in a Hill Called Mount Calvary, My Lord and I

Don’t skip that one: Promises One by One, In That Great Gettin’ Up Morning, At the Cross, Palms of Victory, Singing with the Saints

I could honestly do without: Songs That Answer Questions, Tell Me

Nov 11

To Honor All Those Who Served

May we always remember to honor those heroes who gave of themselves that we might enjoy the freedoms we have today.  Thank you to all Veterans who made the commitment and sacrifice to serve and preserve our liberty in the USA and abroad.

God bless you all!!!

Nov 10

Top 100: #44 Goin’ in Style (Cathedrals)

Release Year: 1988

Album Rank for Group: #5 of 13

Here’s a blurb: The follow-up to the Cathedrals’ landmark Symphony of Praise recording was this one, which was also the last before Gerald Wolfe left for his solo career.  Like the album before it, Goin’ in Style was produced by Lari Goss, but this one takes a markably different approach.  This album is comprised mostly of up-tempo songs, with only “Daystar” possibly being classified as a power ballad.  This project doesn’t have as many real standout songs as the ones surrounding it in the Cathedrals’ discography, but it is one of the deepest in terms of songs that I enjoy.

Knock my socks off: I Can See the Hand

Don’t skip that one: Goin’ in Style, I’m Feeling Fine, Come On and Ride This Train, Sin Will Take You Farther, Back to Bethel, Hold Me, Daystar, God Is God

I could honestly do without: Remind Me of Calvary

 

Nov 08

Top 100: #45 Serving a Risen Savior (Greater Vision)

Release Year: 1994

Album Rank for Group: #7 of 13

Here’s a blurb: The first album released after Greater Vision’s first personnel change, Serving a Risen Savior certainly has more in common with the Mark Trammell-era recordings than the later Rodney Griffin-era projects.  The delightfully simple piano-and-strings country-leaning sound is still there on most songs, and the trio doesn’t lose too much on their fantastic blend with a change in baritones.  I don’t know if this album was released around Easter, but there is a strong indication of a Resurrection theme for the project.  With only one or two exceptions, this album is one of my personal favorites in terms of song selection.  And certainly bonus points are in order for the album cover.

Knock my socks off: Who Moved, He Rose Again, God Has Provided a Lamb

Don’t skip that one: When the Home Gates Swing Open, More and More Like You, A Risen Savior

I could honestly do without: God Has Built a Fortress

Nov 07

Top 100: #46 Testimony (Mark Trammell Quartet)

Release Year: 2010

Album Rank for Group: #4 of 8

Here’s a blurb: When the Mark Trammell Trio became a quartet in early 2010, many eagerly awaited their first main label album, hoping it would blow them away.  Patience, my friends.  This album was not a game-changer, but it is a very enjoyable recording overall, with a subtle nod to the quartet music Mark Trammell was making 25 years ago with the Cathedrals.  Lari Goss is once again the man behind the curtain, and he is most effective on one of the group’s biggest radio hits to date, the Cathedrals classic “It’s Almost Over”.

Knock my socks off: It’s Almost Over, Calvary Medley

Don’t skip that one: One Drop of Blood, Ransomed and Redeemed, I Wanna Know, Testimony

I could honestly do without: How Long Has It Been

Nov 04

Top 100: #47 Strong in the Strength (Legacy Five)

Release Year: 1999

Album Rank for Group: #1 of 2

Here’s a blurb: Legacy Five’s smash hit debut showed the southern gospel world that Scott Fowler and Roger Bennett weren’t just going to let the Cathedrals name carry them into the next decade.  Their quartet would wildly succeed on its own merits.  While L5 has risen to the top of the southern gospel genre, I still don’t think they have topped their debut album, which contains two of my favorite songs of theirs: “I Stand Redeemed” and “Strong in the Strength”.  This is just a tremendous traditional quartet album, all the way around.

Knock my socks off: I Stand Redeemed, Strong in the Strength

Don’t skip that one: Salvation is the Miracle to Me, That’s What Grace Is For, You’d Better Run, Ever Since He Came

I could honestly do without: Forgiveness