SPOTLIGHT CD REVIEW: PARABLES- THE JOYLANDERS
SOUTHERN GOSPEL SPOTLIGHT PRESENTS:
CD REVIEW:
PARABLES
THE JOYLANDERS
RELEASE DATE: SEPTEMBER 9, 2016
LABEL: SKYLAND RECORDS
PRODUCER: JEFF COLLINS
MEMBERS: JASON & VANESSA GRIGGS, JAY GRIGGS, ALLISON GRIGGS, NELL & PERRY WIMBERLEY
SONG LIST:
Why Don’t You Try Jesus (Marcelyn E. Kelsey)
Leave It There (Charles A. Tindley)
Without Grace (Allen Guyer, Kristy Guyer, Rebecca Peck)
There’s No Other God (Mary Louise Spencer)
I’m Checkin’ Out (Dianne Wilkinson)
Heaven’s Ridge (Regina Walden)
I Know Where Home Is (Ricky Atkinson, Dianne Wilkinson)
Come To The Water (Larry Hinson)
Sunday’s Comin’ (Marlene Childress, Teresa C. Lutz, Shannon Childress)
Down In The Valley (Jay Griggs, Jason Griggs, Vanessa Griggs)
Dry Ground (Jerry Hedrick)
America, Bless God (Regina Walden)
The Old Rugged Cross (George Bennard)
Now I Have Everything (Charlie Yandell, David Ingles)
THOUGHTS:
Family harmony is alive and well in 2016! Hailing from Trenton, TN, the Joylanders are an exciting mixed group that is sure to take Gospel music by storm. Though the group may be new to audiences, this talented family group (founded in 1971) has been singing (in this formation) since 1995. The group is comprised of Nell and Perry Wimberley, their daughter Vanessa Griggs, Vanessa’s husband Jason Griggs, and their children Jay and Allison. Parables is their first national release on the Skyland Records label and includes a variety of different styles from hymns, to jazz, and more.
The record kicks off with the upbeat song called “Why Don’t You Try Jesus,” featuring Allison and Jay. This track, written by Marcelyn Kelsey, simply says that Jesus is all you need! He is everything you have ever needed!! Jason Griggs is featured on the classic hymn “Leave It There.” The group puts their own spin on the song complete with a jazzy, swinging rhythm. Next, Jason and Vanessa are featured on the verses of the powerful ballad, “Without Grace.” This thoughtful lyric written by Rebecca Peck, as well as Kristy and Allen Guyer, asks the question “where would we be without God’s Grace?” This song is definitely a major highlight of this record in my opinion. The harmonies are stellar on this incredible song!
Sixteen year old Allison Griggs takes the lead on the mid-tempo traditional Southern Gospel style track, “There’s No Other God.” This song declares that there is no other God who can deliver us!! Allison’s brother Jay is let loose on the groovy “I’m Checkin’ Out,” written by Gospel songwriting legend Dianne Wilkinson. This upbeat, brass filled number conveys the message that this life is not the end. Our real home is Heaven!! Jay delivers a strong lead on the first single from the project.
Allison is featured once again on the tender, Celtic style ballad “Heaven’s Ridge.” This beautiful lyric penned by Regina Walden has a similar melody to the popular worship anthem “In Christ Alone,” and deals with the theme of Eternal life. Allison’s performance is simply outstanding. She is definitely one of the brightest young talents in the field.
Jason’s lead is heard once again on the country styled track “I Know Where Home Is,” which talks about our home in Heaven. “Come To The Water,” a mid-tempo track featuring Vanessa, tells of Christ’s life giving water. The family harmonies shine on this traditional style track. The ensemble harmonies are showcased on the unique guitar led song of Resurrection “Sunday’s Comin’.” “Down In The Valley,” written by Jay, Jason and Vanessa, tells of Christ’s faithfulness. Nell Wimberley shines on the upbeat country gospel styled “Dry Ground,” which tells the story of Moses. The Lord led them through and gave them dry ground to walk on!
Next, “America, Bless God,” is a beautiful patriotic anthem featuring Jason’s powerful lead. This song asks for the Lord’s healing over this land. We must take a stand and keep the faith! Jay is featured again on a simple yet powerful rendition of the classic hymn “The Old Rugged Cross.” This incredible recording closes with the tender country ballad “Now I Have Everything,” featuring patriarch Perry Wimberley. Perry’s performance is one of my favorites on this project. This song reminds us that Jesus is all we truly need.
FINAL THOUGHTS:
THE JOYLANDERS ARE NEW TO ME AND ARE A REFRESHING AND WELCOME ADDITION TO MY EVER GROWING CATALOGUE OF ARTISTS. I WAS VERY IMPRESSED WITH THE FAMILY’S HARMONIES AND BLEND AS WELL AS EACH VOCALIST’S SOLO FEATURES. BOTH YOUNGER MEMBERS ALLISON AND JAY GRIGGS REPRESENT THE FUTURE OF SOUTHERN GOSPEL WITH THEIR INCREDIBLE VOCAL TALENT. THIS CD IS FULL OF HEART, TALENT, GREAT SONGS AND VOCALS.
MUST BUY!!
5 OUT OF 5 STARS
FOR MORE INFORMATION: http://www.thejoylanders.com/