SPOTLIGHT CD REVIEW: AUTHENTIC- GOLD CITY
SOUTHERN GOSPEL SPOTLIGHT PRESENTS:
SPOTLIGHT CD REVIEW:
AUTHENTIC
GOLD CITY
RELEASE DATE: 2016
LABEL: INDEPENDENT/ IN HOUSE
PRODUCER: DANIEL RILEY
MEMBERS: DANIEL RILEY (BARITONE), CHIP PULLEN (LEAD), CHRIS WEST (BASS), THOMAS NALLEY (TENOR), AND BRYAN ELLIOT (PIANIST)
SONG LIST:
We're Gonna Rise (from 1988’s Portrait)
Windows Of Home (from 1990’s Windows of Home)
How Deep Is The Water (from 1983’s I Think I’ll Read It Again)
Heaven (from 2005’s Heaven)
God Of All Gods (from 1994’s Renewed)
Way Down Deep In My Soul (from 2005’s Heaven)
My Hiding Place (from 2005’s Heaven)
Holy Anointing from 1987’s Movin’ Up)
I'm Never Alone (from 2005’s Heaven)
Gettin' Ready To Leave (from 1982)
THOUGHTS:
In 1980, five men in Dahlonega, Georgia came together to form what is now one of the most celebrated and most beloved Southern Gospel groups, Gold City. Now in 2016, this legendary group is back with a recording which can only be described with its title Authentic. This soon to be released project features ten classic Gold City songs re-recorded by the current lineup which has now solidified after several personnel changes. Daniel Riley (Baritone/Manager) is now joined by Chip Pullen (Lead), Chris West (Bass), Thomas Nalley (Tenor), and Bryan Elliot (Piano). Pullen joined the group in 2013 replacing Jerry Pelfrey, while West joined the following year replacing Tim Riley. Nalley is the latest addition to the quartet having joined last year. In my opinion, this lineup is the best Gold City has had in years. This CD truly breathes new life into these amazing songs and it will surely be a blessing to listeners.
Daniel Riley’s warm, soulful baritone is featured on two songs from the 2005 project Heaven, “I’m Never Alone,” and “Heaven.” The former is a country flavored ballad about the faithfulness of Jesus Christ. We have been through many dark valleys and hard times, but we are never alone. Christ is always with us! Riley gives a powerful performance on this beautifully written anthem. Riley shines on the mid-tempo track “Heaven” which has that infectious groove to it. This fun tune simply reminds us of the joys of Heaven. One of these days we are going there! I highly enjoyed the tag of this song where Nalley and West hit incredible notes on their step out lines. The classic song from 1987’s Movin’ Up, “Holy Anointing,” also features Riley as well as a fresh musical track. This groovy old song simply talks about the transforming power of Christ. The new lineup knocks this song out of the park!! Chris West nails his step out lines sounding similar to the legendary Tim Riley and Thomas Nalley’s crystal clear tenor reminds me a lot of Brian Free.
Lead singer Chip Pullen is featured on several songs including the classic country flavored “Getting’ Ready To Leave,” the Rowland penned “Windows Of Home,” the convention styled “My Hiding Place,” and has step out lines on the convention classic “Way Down Deep In My Soul.” I am greatly impressed by Pullen’s voice which is right in line with those classic Gold City leads. The standout for me of his features is the tender ballad “Windows Of Home.” This powerful song was first recorded in 1990 by the Free/Parker/LeFevre/Riley lineup. Pullen gives a simply stellar performance on this song of praise. Soon we will see the face of our Savior and live with Him in our home in Heaven. This incredible lyric was given a fresh updated musical track as well. The amazing harmonies and blend from the quartet on this track get me excited about the future of this lineup.
New tenor Thomas Nalley is no stranger to Gospel music having performed with several groups most recently the LeFevre Quartet. He came off the road for brief time due to vocal issues, but you would never know it listening to this recording. Nalley is one of the best tenors this group has had since Steve Ladd. His voice reminds me a lot of both Brian Free and Jay Parrack as he has great range and a light clear tone. Nalley’s main feature on this project is on the powerful ballad “God Of All Gods” which originally appeared on Renewed in 1994. This beautifully written and composed anthem, originally featuring Jay Parrack, starts off soft but builds to a simply incredible ending. The message is powerful. God is supreme over everything, but yet He chose to give His Son so that we could live. Amen!! Nalley has never sounded better in my opinion, than he does on this track. He nails the crazy high notes and delivers the lyric with great emotion and conviction. Nalley also nails the third verse of the Gold City classic “How Deep Is The Water,” which is given a new music track on this recording. This is one of my absolute favorite Gold City songs.
This recording marks the first for new bass Chris West and though his only true feature is on “How Deep Is The Water,” his Tim Riley-esque voice rattles the subwoofers throughout. He has low note step-out lines on “Heaven,” “Way Down Deep In My Soul,” and “Holy Anointing.” He hits an unbelievable low not in the final chorus of the newly refreshed classic “We’re Gonna Rise” which originally appeared on Portrait (1988). This fun mid-tempo tune features each member on step-out lines and truly recaptures that old Gold City magic as does this CD overall.
FINAL THOUGHTS:
THIS CD IS TRULY SPECTACULAR!! THIS TABLE PROJECT COLLECTS AND REVIVES TEN CLASSIC GOLD CITY STANDARDS. THE NEW LINEUP SIMPLY NAILS THESE INCREDIBLE SONGS. NEWCOMERS THOMAS NALLEY AND CHRIS WEST PROVE ON THIS RECORDING THAT THEY ARE MEANT TO BE IN THIS GROUP. WEST IS THE PERFECT “REPLACEMENT” FOR TIM RILEY IN MY HUMBLE OPINION, AS THIS RECORD PROVES. NALLEY’S TENOR FITS PERFECTLY WITH THE QUARTET AND IS REMINSCENT OF BRIAN FREE, JAY PARRACK, AND STEVE LADD. I TRULY LOOK FORWARD TO MORE FROM THIS EXCITING NEW LINEUP!! GO GET THIS CD ASAP!! YOU WILL NOT REGRET IT!!
5 OUT OF 5 STARS
FOR MORE INFO AND TO PURCHASE, VISIT http://www.goldcityqt.com/