SPOTLIGHT CD REVIEW: IT'S REAL- THE OLD PATHS
SOUTHERN GOSPEL SPOTLIGHT PRESENTS:
CD REVIEW:
IT’S REAL
THE OLD PATHS
LABEL: SONLITE RECORDS
PRODUCER: JEFF COLLINS
RELEASE DATE: MARCH 22, 2019, AVAILABLE NOW WHERE MUSIC IS SOLD
GROUP MEMBERS: TIM RACKELY (LEAD), DOUG ROARK (BARITONE), DANIEL ASHMORE (BASS), AND STEVE LADD (TENOR)
SONG LIST:
I Need Jesus To Walk On The Water- (Sandy Knight)
The Truth Comes Shining Through- (Rebecca J. Peck, Dianne Wilkinson)
Lord Knows- (Kenna West, Jason Cox, Larry McCoy)
The God I Know- (Lee Black, Jerry Salley)
It’s Real- (Kenna West, Janice Crowe)
When It Comes To Jesus- (Rodney Birch)
Come Sunday Morning- (Kenna West, Jason Cox)
THOUGHTS:
The Old Paths are back with another EP featuring seven great songs by some of Southern Gospel’s best songwriters. I was really looking forward to this project and I must say it did not disappoint! This lineup has quickly become one of my favorites of this group. Steve Ladd has been an incredible addition to the quartet complimenting the others nicely. This recording is sure to be another hit for the group!
The EP kicks off with an uptempo, quartet song entitled “I Need Jesus To Walk On The Water.” Tim Rackley and Steve Ladd are featured on this fun, groovy track that reminds listeners that Jesus is our Lord in every storm. Steve Ladd gives a stellar performance on the uptempo groove “The Truth Comes Shining Through,” which praises Christ and His transforming power. This fun, yet powerful song proclaims: “I’m a walking, talking testimony of what the Lord will do. When an open heart meets and open Bible and the truth comes shining through.” Bass singer Daniel Ashmore is featured on the groovy “Lord Knows,” which is easily my favorite song on this recording. This song reminds us that the Lord knows what you’re going through and is always there with you. One line that particularly stood out for me was: “When you don’t have a clue how you’ll make it through, Lord knows.” My family and I have been faced with financial hardships as of late and this song has been a great encouragement to me. Ashmore is an underrated bass singer in my opinion and deserves more recognition. He not only can hit the low notes, but he is an exceptional singer. Next, Tim Rackely is featured on the only ballad on the project: “The God I Know.” This powerful song proclaims: the only answer for all of the questions in this life is the God I Know! Doug Roark’s smooth baritone is featured on the mid-tempo title track “It’s Real.” This fun, bouncy track is a song of celebration as Christ saved us and the joy we feel is is real! Tim Rackely is featured once again on another mid-tempo track “When It Comes to Jesus,” which proclaims: all of our fears turn to faith in the presence of Christ! The hurts of my past don’t hurt anymore when it comes to Jesus! This fantastic album closes with the powerful Easter song “Come Sunday Morning,” once again featuring the incredible tenor vocals of Steve Ladd. “On Friday, the Savior died on the Cross. Saturday it seemed like all hope was lost. Soon there would be cause for rejoicing/Cause everything changes come Sunday morning.” What a powerful song!!
FINAL THOUGHTS:
GO GET THIS CD ASAP! IT’S REAL IS SURE TO BE ANOTHER HIT FOR THE OLD PATHS. GREAT SONGS, GREAT VOCALS, AND GREAT PRODUCTION QUALITY. MY ONLY GRIPE WITH THIS OTHERWISE INCREDIBLE CD IS THAT I WOULD’VE LIKED AT LEAST THREE MORE SONGS! HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE: “LORD KNOWS,” “COME SUNDAY MORNING,” AND “IT’S REAL.” OVERALL, ONE OF THE BEST OF THE YEAR SO FAR!
4.8 OUT OF 5 STARS!!
FOR MORE INFORMATION: www.theoldpathsonline.com and www.crossroadsmusic.com