SPOTLIGHT CD REVIEW: LOVE IS THE GOLDEN RULE- MICHAEL ENGLISH
SOUTHERN GOSPEL SPOTLIGHT PRESENTS:
CD REVIEW:
LOVE IS THE GOLDEN RULE
MICHAEL ENGLISH
RELEASE DATE: SEPTEMBER 15, 2017
LABEL: DAYWIND RECORDS
PRODUCER: JASON CLARK
SONG LIST:
My Love
Little Is Much
The Living Years
None Of Us Are Free
Finally Coming Home
One Drop Of Love
Cry Holy
Hello Happiness
Love Is The Golden Rule
Let Me Hold You
THOUGHTS:
One of Gospel Music’s most beloved artists, Michael English, is back with his second recording on Daywind Records. Love Is The Golden Rule, his first album in three years, features ten inspirational and Southern Gospel songs delivered as only he can. Jason Clark on the Nelons produced this fresh new recording that showcases the incredible voice that is Michael English.
This exciting new record opens with the pop style mid-tempo track “My Love,” which features David Phelps on background vocals. This song encourages us to shine the Light of Christ to all. His Love can change the world. One line that stood out in particular was: “The Light you see is the Christ in me. The Son will rise.” Next, “Little Is Much,” though not the classic song, echoes the same ideas of that track. This incredible lyric simply says, “Little is much when God is in it, Little is much when you place it in His Hands.” The bluegrass infused “The Living Years,” reminds us to cherish the time we have with our family. English puts his own spin (adding more of a pop style to it) on this hit song most recently covered by the Isaacs. Next, English covers the Ray Charles classic “None Of Us Free,” giving it a bluesy feel. This track simply says, “None of us are free if one of us is chained.” This is a timely lyric with the turmoil we are experiencing in today’s world. “Finally Coming Home,” is a beautiful ballad that talks about putting the past behind you. Even after all you’ve done, Christ wants you to come home to Him. You are never too far gone. No more running away, Lord I’m coming home. Another Ray Charles cover, “One Drop Of Love,” is full of Southern soul, for which English is known. This groovy song says the that His Love is what this world needs. “Cry Holy,” is another ballad that has a pop feel. This powerful lyric says: All I can do in the presence of Christ is fall down on my knees and cry Holy! Father, your Grace is greater than my sin. Also infused with this contemporary style, “Hello Happiness,” a groovy mid-tempo track, simply says: Don’t let shame, worry, guilt, take over your life. It’s time you let the Love of Christ in and welcome happiness back into your life. The title track, “Love Is The Golden Rule,” is a message that we need to hear today. English and his fellow Gaither Vocal Band alum Mark Lowry coincidently recorded this track for their albums this year. English’s version is not much different than Lowry’s and the passion and message is the same. Love one another. No matter where you come from or what you look like, we must all agree that hate has no place here. This great album closes with an incredible ballad entitled “Let Me Hold You.” This powerful track simply says: when it seems like there is no hope, there is someone there to hold you.
FINAL THOUGHTS:
MICHAEL ENGLISH BRINGS HIS SIGNATURE SOULFULNESS TO THIS EXCITING NEW RECORDING. THIS CD HAS IT ALL GREAT SONGS, GREAT VOCALS, AND GREAT PRODUCTION QUALITY. STANDOUT TRACKS INCLUDE: “LET ME HOLD YOU,” “LOVE IS THE GOLDEN RULE,” “CRY HOLY,” AND “LITTLE IS MUCH.” OVERALL, THIS ALBUM IS SURE TO DELIGHT FANS OF BOTH MICHAEL ENGLISH AND GOSPEL MUSIC IN GENERAL. ONE OF THE BEST OF THE YEAR.
4.8 OUT OF 5 STARS
FOR MORE INFORMATION: http://michaelenglishmusic.com/