SPOTLIGHT CD REVIEW: RANSOMED- DOWN EAST BOYS
SOUTHERN GOSPEL SPOTLIGHT PRESENTS
CD REVIEW
RANSOMED
DOWN EAST BOYS
RELEASE DATE: MARCH 18, 2016
LABEL: SONLITE RECORDS
PRODUCER: JEFF COLLINS
MEMBERS: STEVE LIXEY (TENOR), RICKY CARDEN (LEAD), DARYL PASCHAL (BARITONE), RICK WALLS (BASS)
SONG LIST:
A Reason To Sing- featuring Ricky Carden
Somebody Left The Door Wide Open- featuring Ricky Carden
I Still Remember- featuring Ricky Carden, Daryl Paschal, and Steve Lixey
The Song Of The Ransomed- featuring Steve Lixey
That’s What You Get For Loving Him- featuring Daryl Paschal
A Thieves’ Paradise- featuring Steve Lixey
One Way, One Name, One Door- featuring Daryl Paschal
That Wonderful Land- featuring Ensemble
The Cross Speaks Louder- featuring Daryl Paschal
Now A Witness Am I- featuring Steve Lixey
Pray- featuring Ensemble
THOUGHTS:
“Ransomed” is defined as being restored or renewed. This theme of deliverance and renewal is a part of the very fabric of this new recording from the Down East Boys. This dynamic quartet brings great energy to eleven incredible songs showcasing their tight harmonies. Since 1986, the group has been true to the call and their recordings reflect it! This new project is no different as not only entertains, but also makes you think.
The project begins with a fun up-tempo tune called “A Reason To Sing,” featuring lead singer Ricky Carden, which simply says that loving Jesus brings us uncontainable joy. He is our reason to sing! Carden has served as the lead singer as well as manager since 1990. The group “takes us to church” with the groovy “Somebody Left The Door Wide Open” complete with choir. This energetic song proclaims the Good News that Jesus’ sacrifice opened the door to Heaven! Daryl Paschal, Ricky Carden and Steve Lixey are featured on this fun tune! Next, “I Still Remember” showcases the incredible harmony and blend that the group possesses. This mid-tempo quartet track is a joyful proclamation of our freedom in Christ. I remember the day when He saved my soul!! He brought me out of darkness and into the light of life. Lixey shines on the final chorus as does bass singer Rick Walls who hits an impressive low note at the close of the song. Lixey and Walls joined the quartet in 2014 and 2015 respectively and have added great talent to the group. Steve Lixey’s clear resonant tenor is featured on the powerful ballad “The Song Of The Ransomed.” This song of hope and forgiveness is definitely a highlight of this project in my opinion. Daryl Paschal, who has served as baritone since 2006, is featured on the groovy mid-tempo “That’s What You Get For Loving Him” which tells of the happiness and peace of mind you get for loving Jesus.
The tender, thoughtful ballad “A Thieves’ Paradise” is a standout feature for tenor Steve Lixey. This incredible lyric tells of the thief on the cross who was redeemed. His wasted life was changed by Christ as he was dying on the cross. He said remember me and awakened with Christ in paradise. Paschal is featured again on the country flavored up-tempo tune “One Way, One Name, One Door.” This fun song simply says there is only way to get to Heaven and that is Jesus Christ. He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. Amen!! Next, “That Wonderful Land” tells of Heaven’s splendor and once again shines a spotlight on the group’s excellent harmonies. Daryl Paschal shines once again on the beautiful ballad “The Cross Speaks Louder,” which tells of the power of the Cross. Our sins are washed away by Christ’s death on the Cross. Amen! His sacrifice speaks louder than our sins ever can. Next, “Now A Witness Am I” is a up-tempo quartet number which features Steve Lixey on the second verse. This energetic tune describes the transforming power of Christ. Once a doubter, now a witness am I!! This wonderful musical journey concludes with the mid-tempo track “Pray” which features all four members beginning with bass singer Rick Walls. This anthem simply says to get down on your knees and pray. The Lord answers prayer!
FINAL THOUGHTS:
THIS RECORD IS THOUGHT PROVOKING AND WELL PRODUCED. THE VOCALS ARE ABSOLUTLEY OUTSTANDING! THIS RECORD FEATURES SOME INCREDIBLY WELL WRITTEN SONGS AND WELL CRAFTED MUSICAL ARRANGMENTS AS WELL. MY ONLY COMPLAINT, THOUGH IT’S NOT REALLY A COMPLAINT, IS THAT BASS SINGER RICK WALLS IS BARELY FEATURED APART FROM HIS BREIF SOLO ON THE FINAL SONG. THIS HOWEVER, DOES NOT TAKE AWAY FROM THIS GREAT PROJECT AT ALL.
4 OUT OF 5 STARS!! GO OUT AND GET THIS CD NOW! TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE QUARTET AND TO PURCHASE THIS RECORD, VISIT www.downeastboys.com