SPOTLIGHT CD REVIEW: HOPE FOR THE JOURNEY- GOLD CITY
SOUTHERN GOSPEL SPOTLIGHT PRESENTS:
CD REVIEW:
HOPE FOR THE JOURNEY
GOLD CITY
GROUP MEMBERS: DANIEL RILEY (BARITONE), CHRIS WEST (BASS), THOMAS NALLEY (TENOR), SCOTT BRAND (LEAD), AND GW SOUTHARD (PIANO)
LABEL: NEW HAVEN RECORDS
PRODUCERS: DANIEL RILEY, KEN HARDING, MICHAEL SYKES
RELEASE DATE: NOVEMBER 2, 2018, AVAILABLE NOW!!!
SONG LIST:
I Can Tell You Why
Those Same Hands
Someday
Same God
I Will Not Be Shaken
Alabama Mud
Jesus Frees The Fallen
A Bible Loving Man
All My Hope
Resting Place
THOUGHTS:
Gold City is back with another exciting new project entitled Hope For The Journey. This recording showcases that classic, incredible sound that fans come to expect from Gold City. The album also is the first full mainline project to feature Scott Brand, who joined the group in 2016. I had the pleasure of hearing a few of the new songs live in concert when the group came here to Southern California two weeks ago. In my opinion, this recording is one the group’s best in recent years.
Baritone and Emcee, Daniel Riley takes the lead on several tracks including the powerful ballad “Those Same Hands,” the driving rhythm filled “I Will Not Be Shaken,” which proclaims unwavering faith in Christ, and the emotion filled ballad “Jesus Frees The Fallen.” “Those Same Hands,” reminds us that the same hands that performed miracles extend from Calvary. Christ mends broken hearts and lives. Similarly, “Jesus Frees The Fallen,” encourages listeners that no one is too far gone to be saved by Christ. He extends His Love and Mercy to all. He frees the fallen from the wrong they’ve done. Riley’s smooth, powerful baritone still anchors the group’s sound nicely. He delivers each song with conviction and top notch vocal ability.
Thomas Nalley’s impressive tenor vocals are on full display on the opening track “I Can Tell You Why,” the mid-tempo country tune “Alabama Mud,” and the fun, bouncy “A Bible Loving Man.” The latter is a remake of the old song recorded by the Florida Boys which simply says: I’m gonna read the Bible and learn all about God. Nalley has been a great fit for the group in my opinion. His clear, resonant tenor reminds me a lot of former Gold City tenor Brian Free.
Bass singer Chris West turns in incredible vocal performances on “A Bible Loving Man,” and “All My Hope,” a cover of the modern worship anthem by Crowder. This incredible song also features Riley and powerfully proclaims: “All my hope is in Jesus. Thank God my yesterday's gone! All my sins are forgiven! I’ve been washed by the Blood!” West’s smooth bass voice is felt throughout the album with him hitting impressive low notes on “I Can Tell You Why,” and “I Will Not Be Shaken.”
Lead singer Scott Brand has an incredible voice and reminds me a lot of former Gold City lead Ivan Parker as well as Jason Crabb. Brand is featured on the energetic, Dianne Wilkinson penned track “I Can Tell You Why,” which simply says: Jesus suffered for you and me to save us from sin. Jesus saved us when the world just passed us by which shows His Unending Love. The doo wop styled “Someday” while showcasing the group’s harmonies, still features Brand prominently in the mix. This light, mid-tempo track simply encourages listeners that someday we’ll see Heaven someday. Brand is also featured on incredible ballad “Same God,” and the beautiful a cappella hymn “Resting Place.” “Same God,” reminds us of God’s faithfulness saying: “When we’re blessed, when we’re broken, You’re there in each moment. The constant in every change. You’re the same God.” This is my favorite track on this CD. This is such a powerful statement in a beautifully crafted lyric by Kenna West, Lee Black, and Tony Wood.
FINAL THOUGHTS:
GOLD CITY HAS DELIVERED YET ANOTHER TOP NOTCH RECORDING WITH HOPE FOR THE JOURNEY. EACH VOCALIST GIVES INCREDIBLE PERFORMANCES ON SOME SIMPLY INCREDIBLE SONGS. THIS LINEUP IS QUICKLY BECOMING ONE OF MY FAVORITES IN THE GROUP’S HISTORY. THE BLEND AND HARMONIES ARE OUTSTANDING. THE MESSAGES OF THIS CD ARE TRULY ENCOURAGING IN THIS CRAZY TIME. GOD IS THE CONSTANT IN EVERY CHANGE. HE EXTENDS FORGIVENESS TO ALL AND ALL OUR HOPE IS IN HIM. OVERALL, THIS CD IS ONE OF THE BEST OF THE YEAR.
5 OF 5 STARS.
FOR MORE INFORMATION: www.goldcityqt.com