SPOTLIGHT CD REVIEW: VINTAGE- MASTER'S VOICE
SOUTHERN GOSPEL SPOTLIGHT PRESENTS:
CD REVIEW:
VINTAGE
MASTER’S VOICE
LABEL: SONLITE RECORDS
RELEASE DATE: MAY 10, 2019, AVAILABLE ON ITUNES AND WHEREVER GOSPEL MUSIC IS SOLD
PRODUCER: JEFF COLLINS
GROUP MEMBERS: RICKY CAPPS (TENOR), T.J. EVANS (LEAD), DAVID FOLENIUS (BARITONE), JERRY PILGRIM (BASS), THERON PERRY (PIANIST)
SONG LIST:
The Sweetest Song I Know
Just As I Am
You Must Make Up Your Mind
Come In The Prayer Room
I Thirst
Over The Moon
No One Ever Cared For Me Like Jesus
Jesus Paid It All/There Is A Fountain
When God Dips His Love In My Heart
It Is Well With My Soul
City Coming Down
In The Garden
THOUGHTS:
The fantastic harmonies of Master’s Voice paired with twelve classic Southern Gospel songs is a match made in Heaven! Vintage is the first album to feature new baritone David Folenius, who previously sang with groups including the Williamsons. Folenius joins the classic tenor of founder Ricky Capps, the soulful lead of TJ Evans, and the booming bass of Jerry Pilgrim as they deliver another hit record in my opinion.
I always enjoy when groups revisit the classics especially when they cover songs that aren’t typical recorded a lot. This exciting album has popular songs of course, but is perfectly mixed with a few other gems.
The record opens with a rousing rendition of “The Sweetest Song I Know,” which showcases the group’s top notch harmonies as well as Folenius’s smooth baritone. The smooth bass voice of Jerry Pilgrim is featured on a beautiful stripped down version of the hymn “Just As I Am.” The harmonies on this song are simply fantastic. TJ Evans is featured on the 50s style “You Must Make Up Your Mind,” which simply says: Choose Christ and your life will be saved. Evans nails the old timey style of the song. Folenius takes the lead the fun,uptempo, bouncy tune “Come In The Prayer Room.” This catchy song simply encourages listeners to call upon Christ for He is all you need. Jerry is featured once again on the bass singer classic “I Thirst,” made popular by George Younce. Pilgrim turns in an amazing performance on this incredible song. His smooth bass fits the song perfectly. The quartet’s rendition of “Over The Moon” stays true to the original and highlights the clear, resonant tenor of Ricky Capps to shine. In a nice touch, a crackle effect is even added to the beginning to call back to the old radio days. TJ takes the lead on the classic “No One Ever Cared For Me Like Jesus,” which reminds us of Christ’s Love for us. Ricky and TJ trade off on the lead on a unique a cappella mashup of “Jesus Paid It All,” and “There Is Fountain.” The group’s intricate, incredible harmonies are on full display here. “When God Dips His Love In My Heart,” perhaps my favorite song on the album, features great harmonies, TJ’s soulful lead on the second verse, and several incredible low notes from Pilgrim. Next, the quartet delivers a beautiful rendition of the classic “It Is Well With My Soul.” Ricky is featured on this rousing anthem that reminds listeners of transforming joy that Christ provides us through His Sacrifice. Tied for my favorite track on the album is Jerry’s other feature “City Coming Down,” originally made popular by the Speer Family. I want to thank Master’s Voice for bringing this gem back. This fun uptempo Heaven focused tune is one of the my favorite Brock Speer features. This incredible album closes with a tender, stripped down version of the hymn “In The Garden,” which once again features the group’s fantastic harmonies.
FINAL THOUGHTS:
ONE OF MY FAVORITE ALBUMS OF THE YEAR SO FAR. MASTER’S VOICE CONTINUE TO IMPRESS ME WITH EACH RELEASE. THEIR VOCAL DYNAMIC AND BLEND IS INCREDIBLE IN MY OPINION. GREAT VOCALS, PRODUCTION QUALITY, AND SONG SELECTION. IF YOU ARE A FAN OF CLASSIC HYMNS AND SOUTHERN GOSPEL MUSIC, GO GET THIS CD ASAP.
5 OUT OF 5 STARS!
FOR MORE INFORMATION: www.mastersvoice.com