SPOTLIGHT CD REVIEW: WALK WORTHY- MASTER'S VOICE
SOUTHERN GOSPEL SPOTLIGHT PRESENTS:
CD REVIEW:
WALK WORTHY
MASTER’S VOICE
RELEASE DATE: JULY 14, 2017
LABEL: SONLITE RECORDS
PRODUCER: JEFF COLLINS
MEMBERS: STEVE CAPPS (TENOR), T.J. EVANS (LEAD), STAN WATSON (BARITONE), JERRY PILGRIM (BASS), AND THERON PERRY (PIANIST)
SONG LIST:
1. He Saw Me- (Phil Cross, Tony Jarman)- ft. TJ Evans
2. Another One Like Me- (Gina Vera, Marty Funderburk)- ft. Jerry Pilgrim
3. Love Goes A Mighty Long Way- (Dianne Wilkinson, Joseph Habedank, David Edwards)- ft. TJ Evans, Ensemble
4. One Day Longer- (Steve Chapman, Joseph Habedank, Lindsey Williams)- ft. Ricky Capps
5. Yes He Did, Yes He Does, Yes He Will- (Jerry Salley, Dianne Wilkinson)- ft. Jerry Pilgrim, Stan Watson, Ensemble
6. Without You, I Haven’t Got A Prayer- (Peter L. Jeffries, Robert McGee, Jeffrey S. Rath)-ft. Stan Watson
7. More Than Enough- (Dianne Wilkinson)- ft. Ricky Capps
8. Sowing The Good Seed- (Jennifer F. Berens, Phil Cross)- ft. TJ Evans
9. Do What Jesus Did- (Rachel McCutcheon)-ft. Ensemble
10. Burdens Are Lifted At Calvary- (John M. Moore)- ft. Jerry Pilgrim, TJ Evans, Ricky Capps
11. Where My Savior Is- (Rachel McCutcheon)- ft. Ensemble
12. Lift Up Your Hands When You Can’t- (Mark Schultz, Benji Cowart)- ft. TJ Evans
THOUGHTS:
“Walk Worthy is both the title of the sophomore release by Master’s Voice and this Christian quartet’s mission.” -Crossroads Press Release
This is definitely true. Master’s Voice is back with a fresh, exciting new recording featuring some traditional quartet songs, hymns, and more contemporary tracks. This talented group includes Steve Capps (Tenor), Stan Watson (Baritone), Jerry Pilgrim (Bass), Theron Perry (Pianist), and new lead singer T.J. Evans, formerly of Allegiance Trio.
This was one of my most anticipated CDs of this year and it did not disappoint. Master’s Voice is one of the best newer groups in Southern Gospel Music in my humble opinion. With this new recording, they have firmly cemented their place as one of my favorite quartets currently on the road. This incredible album opens with the mid-tempo track “He Saw Me,” which says that God knows where you are, and will never give up on you! He is always there for you! New lead singer T.J. Evans fits seamlessly with the group and shines on this great song. “Another On Like Him,” features the impressive low notes of Jerry Pilgrim. Pilgrim’s smooth bass voice is perfect for this fun, jazzy tune that says there will never be anyone like Jesus Christ! Evans takes the lead once again on the groovy “Love Goes A Mighty Long Way,” which tells of God’s ultimate act of Love. Only God can give a sinner hope beyond the grave! This song features some incredible harmonies as well as an basement rattling low note from Pilgrim. Tenor Ricky Capps shines on the poignant, tender “One Day Longer,” which tells of a couple dealing with the effects of Alzheimer’s. This song hits home for me as my grandmother had dementia which is a form of this disease. “Yes He Did, Yes He Does, Yes He Will,” is a fun, up-tempo quartet song featuring Jerry, Stan Watson, and Ricky and affirms the works of Christ!! Yes He did come from Glory. Yes He does plead for sinners until the final battle is won. Yes He will come again and give us Eternal Life. Baritone Stan Watson is featured on the country style “Without Him, I Haven’t Got A Prayer.” This mid-tempo track reminds us that without Christ, our lives can’t reach full potential. Ricky Capps is featured once again on “More Than Enough,” a fun, jazzy tune that simply tells of God’s overwhelming and transforming love. Capps is a tragically underrated tenor in my opinion and this song along with his previous feature showcase his incredible vocals. T.J delivers the important lyrics of “Sowing The Good Seed,” which sounds like an old Poet Voices song (which isn’t surprising considering Phil Cross co-wrote it). This song encourages listeners to share the Gospel to all and spread His Love and Kindness. Don’t be discouraged! Keep on sowing the good seed! “Do What Jesus Did,” also featuring T.J., says my mission is to follow Christ and show others Christ through me. “The world won’t care how much we know, until they know how much we care.” So let us shine His Light everywhere!! Next, the quartet covers the classic hymn “Burdens Are Lifted At Calvary.” This is quite possibly one of the best versions of this song I have ever heard. Their harmony on this track is top notch. The arrangement is simple yet deeply moving. The group sings the final chorus a cappella and it is simply breathtaking. Next, the group picks it back up with their first single from the album “Where My Savior Is.” This traditional quartet song written by Rachel McCutcheon simply says that wherever I need Him, My Lord and Savior is there! He will never leave us no matter the circumstances! The recording closes with a powerful anthem of encouragement entitle “Lift Up Your Hands When You Can’t.” T.J. Evans delivers the lyric with emotion and conviction. This song speaks to those who can’t find the strength to put aside the distractions in order to worship. Let me lift up your hands when you can’t!”
FINAL THOUGHTS:
MASTER’S VOICE IS AN INCREDIBLE QUARTET THAT WITH STELLAR VOCALS, DYNAMIC ARRANGEMENTS, AND POWERFUL MESSAGES OF HOPE AND ENCOURAGEMENT, SOLIDIFIES THEMSELVES AS ONE OF THE PREMIERE GROUPS IN SOUTHERN GOSPEL. EACH VOCALIST SHINES ON THIS ALBUM DELIVERING BRILLIANT PERFORMANCES INCLUDING: RICKY CAPPS ON “ONE DAY LONGER,” JERRY PILGRIM ON “ANOTHER ONE LIKE HIM,” TJ EVANS ON “LIFT UP YOUR HANDS WHEN YOU CAN’T,” AND STAN WATSON ON “WITHOUT HIM, I HAVEN’T GOT A PRAYER.”
THIS IS A MUST BUY, NO QUESTION ABOUT IT!
5 OUT OF 5
ONE OF THE BEST ALBUMS OF THE YEAR!
FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT: www.mastersvoice.com