Jan 21

The Perrys – Blue Skies (with new baritone, Bryan Walker)

The Perrys are re-releasing their latest project with new vocals by Bryan Walker, who replaces Troy Peace at the baritone slot.  I really enjoyed Troy with The Perrys, but as is the case in the industry, change is inevitable.  Bryan Walker recently made national heads turn with his efforts on the hit show, American Idol.  He came very close to making the final cut, but unfortunately was cut on the final Hollywood round.  I am glad to see him singing SG music again and look forward to meeting him with The Perrys.

A kick drum and banjo introduce this new CD to us with the title track, Blue Skies, lead by Joseph Habedank.  The chorus is repeated after the second verse and modulated so that Libby can take over the lead vocals.  Libby does a great job on the vocals, but the mix sounds over-driven a bit on the last chorus almost to the point of distortion.  Not sure if this was to give it a stormy effect or not, but for me it made the song anti-climactic and it’s what kept the overall rating of this project from being a 5-star project.  (Note: this may be due to the fact that the CD I received is a pre-release and the mastering wasn’t completed….I’m keeping my fingers crossed!)

Great 4-part harmony are to expected from the Perrys and this new CD does not disappoint. With great mid-to-up tempo numbers such as “His Love Lights The Way”, “Nothing Was Burned” & “Sounds Good To Me” and ballads like “Grace Doesn’t Remember” & “Celebrate Me Home”, there enough of a mix of styles that everyone will find something to love about this CD.

I wasn’t given any songwriter information about this project, but I do know that Kyla Rowland wrote the song, “Rejoice, My Children, Rejoice” and The Perrys version is awesome.  My family has been singing this song as long as I can remember and it’s about time that a major group picked it up.  What a powerful song!  I can’t wait to hear this song in a live setting.  I do think it’s about time for the Perrys to cut another live project….hint, hint!

The Perrys continue their run of excellent productions with this latest effort and I believe  it will be considered one of the ‘must-own’ projects of the new year.  I think you will be very happy with Blue Skies as there is a great mix of styles and songs recorded on it. (Links are provided below that will offer the CD for purchase as soon as it is made available to the public)

Click below to hear a few soundclips from Blue Skies

Track List:

  1. Blue Skies Coming
  2. Grace Doesn’t Remember
  3. His Love Lights the Way
  4. Celebrate Me Home
  5. Nothing Was Burned
  6. Rejoice, Children, Rejoice
  7. Sounds Good to Me
  8. He Loves to Save
  9. Every Time I Need Him
  10. I Know What I’m Singing About
  11. The End of the Aisle

Final Rating: 4.5 stars

Produced by: Wayne Haun
Group Members: Libbi Perry Stuffle, Joseph Habedank, Bryan Walker, Tracy Stuffle
Available from: Daywind, The Perrys
Review copy provided

Dec 09

It’s Not The Size Of The Crowd Or The Offering

I was browsing the ‘net this morning and read this great article by Deon Unthank at AbsolutelyGospel.com.? It really hit home to me and I think you will enjoy it as well.? Here is a clip that I really liked:

It’s really hard to get book these days, because so many Pastors take that view. Our goal is NOT to see how many people we can get to attend. Our goal is to sing and minister to the ones that ARE attending. The singing ministry is a calling, much in the line of an Evangelist, and not allowing music ministries sing is depriving them of their opportunity to work in their calling. When it comes to Pastors, they just desire to minister and will travel hundreds of miles just for the opportunity to preach and minister and not worry about if they get a dime or not, but somehow think that they must get a big crowd before it’s fair to the group. That’s simply wrong thinking. Music ministers have that same yearning to minister to the people, and Pastors rob them of the opportunity to minister when they take this attitude. (SOURCE)

You can read the rest of the article here.

Thoughts???

Dec 09

New Mercy’s Mark Video (w/ Jay Parrack)

Thanks to the ever-traveling Diana Brantley, we get a glimpse of the return of Jay Parrack with Garry Jones & Josh Feemster as Mercy’s Mark makes a comeback:

Nov 25

Happy Thanksgiving!

We would like to wish everyone a very Happy Thanksgiving!

Take some time today to thank God from whom all blessings are given. We have so much to thank Him for and we will never begin to scratch the surface of giving Him the praise and thanks He deserves.

God bless you all!

Nov 17

Where to go….what to do

Several years ago when I launched this site, I was whole-heartedly involved with discussing and collecting SG music.? I was in awe of getting to know artists and being a small part of the industry.

Over the past year, I’ve got to evolve into less of a spectator and got to start traveling more & more with my family’s ministry.? While this is what we’ve been praying for and also what we wanted to do, it leaves little time to post in depth thoughts and reviews of current SG CDs and happenings.? I wouldn’t for a second, trade how I’m getting to serve God now, but sometimes I long for getting to devote a couple of hours to a project and give my thoughts on it.

I’m debating on writing on more stories from the road and giving mini-reviews of the projects I receive.? I have a backlog now of several projects that deserve reviewing, but with traveling to @120 bookings this year in 6 different states and working a full-time job as well, it’s hard to squeeze it all in.? Sorry I haven’t been online recently, but I’m not sorry for the calling that God has placed on my life.? Keep your eyes open for a fresh look for the site and hopefully, more postings as well. 🙂

Sep 21

Gold City Reunion At NQC 2010

This was one of the most anticipated events of the NQC this year and the Gold City alumni more than deliver the goods on this set, captured by none other than Diana Brantley of www.sgconcerts.com (She always has the best videos!)

(Nevermind….the video was removed by request of the powers that be of the NQC)

Jul 20

Videos of The Edwards Family

Our friend, Jackie Thomas, uploaded a couple of videos of my family singing at our local campmeeting on 7/15/10.? Never know what’ll show up on the ‘net. 🙂