SPOTLIGHT CD REVIEW: GLORY TO GOD IN THE HIGHEST- THE KINGDOM HEIRS
SOUTHERN GOSPEL SPOTLIGHT PRESENTS:
CD REVIEW:
GLORY TO GOD IN THE HIGHEST
THE KINGDOM HEIRS
RELEASE DATE: OCTOBER 7, 2016
LABEL: SONLITE RECORDS/ CROSSROADS
PRODUCER: ARTHUR RICE & JEFF COLLINS
MEMBERS: ARTHUR RICE (LEAD), JEFF CHAPMAN (BASS), JERRY MARTIN (TENOR), BRIAN ALVEY (BARITONE), DENNIS MURPHY (DRUMS), ANDY STRINGFIELD (PIANO), KREIS FRENCH (BASS GUITAR)
SONG LIST:
Jesus Is Born Today (It Is His Birthday) (Velton Ray Burch)
Glory To God In The Highest (Daryl K. Williams)
Mary Did You Know? (Mark Lowry, Lee R. Greene)
Singing To The King (Dianne Wilkinson)
Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas (Ralph Blane/ Hugh Martin)
Christmas Cookies (Aaron G. Barker)
Santa Claus Is Coming To Town (Fred J. Coots/ Haven Gillespe)
The Christmas Wish (Allison Speer/ Brian Alvey)
The King Of Eternity (Squire E. Parsons Jr.)
Jesus, Oh What A Wonderful Child (Mariah Carey/ Walter Afanasieff/ Loris Holland)
THOUGHTS:
It’s almost Christmas time again!! Dollywood’s own Kingdom Heirs have just the collection of songs to put you in the Christmas spirit. This solid lineup featuring Arthur Rice, Jerry Martin, Jeff Chapman, and Brian Alvey (who recently left the group) delivers holiday songs: some new and some classics. This CD is sure to be a favorite not just during the Christmas season!
First, this beloved quartet includes two brand new songs that are sure to become classics. Tenor Jerry Martin is featured on “Singing To The King,” written by the legendary Dianne Wilkinson. This mid- tempo song is a beautiful telling of the birth of Jesus. The other new track is the 1940s inspired “The Christmas Wish,” and also features Jerry Martin. Martin delivers the lyric written by Brian Alvey and Allison Speer with a warmth and tenderness.
Jeff Chapman shines on the classic “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas.” His rich bass voice fits this song perfectly. He is also featured on the standard “Glory To God In The Highest,” which also puts the group’s harmony front and center. Chapman also has step-out lines on the opening track “Jesus Is Born Today,” which was an Oak Ridge Boys classic.
Arthur Rice takes the lead on the fun track “Christmas Cookies,” which was previously covered by The Oak Ridge Boys and the Robertson Family to name a few. His powerful lead voice is also featured on “Jesus Is Born Today,” as well as the Squire Parson penned “The King Of Eternity,” which also features Andy Stringfield’s stellar piano playing.
Brian Alvey, who departed after the recording of this album, gives a stirring performance on the classic “Mary Did You Know?” This track truly showcases the incredible vocal talent of this group. Alvey also turns in a solid performance on the groovy “Jesus, Oh What A Wonderful Child” which closes out this fantastic album.
FINAL THOUGHTS:
CELEBRATE THE BIRTH OF OUR SAVIOR WITH THE KINGDOM HEIRS THIS YEAR! THIS COLLECTION OF CLASSIC CHRISTMAS SONGS WILL DEFINTELY BE ON REPEAT IN MY CHRISTMAS PLAYLIST. THE KINGDOM HEIRS CONTINUE TO RELEASE TOP QUALITY RECORDINGS AND THIS IS NO DIFFERENT. GREAT VOCALS, PRODUCTION QUALITY, AND SONGS!
4.5 OUT OF 5 STARS
FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT: www.kingdomheirs.com