CD REVIEW: TELL SOMEBODY- THE WILLIAMSONS
CD REVIEW:
TELL SOMEBODY- THE WILLIAMSONS
RELEASED: 2014
LABEL: FAMILY MUSIC GROUP/ BUTLER MUSIC GROUP
PRODUCED BY: DONNA KING
MEMBERS: DONNIE WILLIAMSON (BARITONE), LISA WILLIAMSON (ALTO), DARIN HEBERT (BASS), KARL RICE (LEAD)
REVIEW COPY PROVIDED
TRACK LIST:
It Was The Word- Lisa Chesser Williamson, featuring Karl, Ensemble
That’s What I’m Talking About- Lee Black, Ricky Free, Kenna West, featuring Karl, Ensemble
All Our Hope- Kyla Rowland, featuring Karl
Shout- Lee Black, Gina Boe, featuring Karl, Darin, and Lisa
Monday- Lisa Chesser Williamson, featuring Lisa
He Lived To Tell It- Dianne Wilkinson, featuring Darin
No Umbrellas- Lisa Chesser Williamson, featuring Karl
I Laid It All Down- Joel Hemphill, featuring Donnie
Healing For The Hurting- Karl Rice, Donna King, featuring Karl
I’ve Got To Tell Somebody- Lisa Chesser Williamson, featuring Lisa
While Ages Roll- Mosie Lister, featuring Darin, Lisa
THOUGHTS:
This CD represents what I love about this music! As a fan, I love discovering new groups or groups that I’ve never heard before. The Williamsons are a perfect example of this as I was not familiar with them until recently. This stellar quartet was founded in 1998 as the Homesteaders Quartet, but in 2010 changed their name to The Williamsons. The group is led by Donnie and Lisa Williamson, who sing baritone and alto respectively. Donnie’s standout solo feature is an easy going mid-tempo country style song called “I Laid It All Down.” This song talks about laying your burdens down at the feet of Jesus and being restored by the grace of God. His wife Lisa’s immense talent is evident in this record and her voice shines on several tracks. Williamson wrote four of the eleven songs on the project including their chart topping first single “It Was The Word,” a toe tapping pure Southern Gospel song emphasizing the transforming power of God through His Word. Also among these songs is the tender ballad called “Monday” which is written from the perspective of a child to their parents asking for spiritual guidance. This is a beautiful song that pulls on the heartstrings and puts into perspective what life is about: God and family. Parents must be an example of Christ to their children. The song says you don't have to preach a sermon to show a child "how a Christian lives on Monday." Lisa is also featured on the up-tempo title track called “I’ve Got To Tell Somebody” which expresses the desire to tell everyone of the joy of the Lord. To echo George Younce: If this doesn’t make you want to move in praise, then I don’t know what will!!
Lead singer Karl Rice is no stranger to gospel music most notably serving as the tenor for the Anchormen for a number of years. Rice now serves as lead for this great group and his powerful and stellar voice can be heard throughout this record. He has several features on this project including the tender, worship filled “No Umbrellas,” the upbeat “It Was The Word,” the groovy “That’s What I’m Talking About,” and the moving ballad “Healing For The Hurting” which beautifully describes God’s love for all of us. The song says that God is just a prayer away and that no matter how far you’ve strayed that God cares for you. It also addresses the need for God’s love acted out in this world. We, as believers in Christ, should live in such a way that reflects Jesus. We should love our neighbor and shine the light of Christ in our broken and hurting world. This is the great commission: spread the Gospel to all people and be a light in the world. Another powerful song featuring Karl is the moving ballad titled “All Our Hope.” This powerful anthem praises the mighty Savior of all, Jesus Christ!! All our hope is in the one who has no end, no limits, and in Him all things are possible. Amen!!
As you know, I personally love the bass part of a quartet and Darin Hebert is one of the best young bass singers in the field today. Hebert’s rich bass voice can be heard on the groovy, midtempo song “He Lived To Tell It” written by the great Dianne Wilkinson. This tune is similar in style to that of the Kingdom Heirs and talks about the resurrection of Christ. His other standout features include: the classic Mosie Lister song “While Ages Roll,” and the mid-tempo anthem “Shout” which resembles a Hoppers style sound. This song says to lift your praise to the Lord and Shout it out!! Hebert is definitely one to watch and has an incredible bass voice.
All in all, this is a quality recording in all aspects! The songs are beautifully written, the vocals are top notch, and the message is clear. While I would have liked to hear Donnie featured a little more, it doesn’t diminish my enjoyment of the CD at all or its quality. This group is true to the call and has a unique sound that will be sure to make a mark on the field of Southern Gospel Music. This record is the perfect introduction to this group if you haven’t heard them before. Go pick up this amazing recording and go TELL SOMEBODY about it!!
5 Stars
For more information on the Williamsons, visit their website: http://williamsonsmusic.com/