SPOTLIGHT CD REVIEW: YOU'VE ARRIVED- GREATER VISION
SOUTHERN GOSPEL SPOTLIGHT PRESENTS:
CD REVIEW
YOU’VE ARRIVED
GREATER VISION
LABEL: DAYWIND RECORDS
RELEASE DATE: AUGUST 16, 2019, AVAILABLE NOW!
PRODUCER: TREY IVEY
GROUP MEMBERS: GERALD WOLFE (PIANO, VOCALS), CHRIS ALLMAN (TENOR), RODNEY GRIFFIN (LEAD), JON EPLEY (BARITONE)
SONG LIST:
You’ve Arrived (Marcia Henry, Sue C. Smith, Kenna West)
That Blind Man Was Me (Chris Allman)
I’ve Been Washed Clean (Chris Allman)
That Temporary Place (Rodney Griffin)
A Song About The Blood (Lee Black, Scott Inman, Sue C. Smith)
I Remember The Fish (Rodney Griffin)
Love, Pray, Smile, Pause, Repeat (Regina Walden)
Stronger Than The Storm (Rodney Griffin)
Sing Jesus (Wayne Haun, Joel Lindsey)
God Has Built A Fortress (Dianne Wilkinson)
THOUGHTS:
Greater Vision “has arrived” with another well crafted and truly anointed album. You’ve Arrived is the third recording featuring Jon Epley (who joined in 2017). This lineup has blended well together and this album showcases their incredible harmonies. This exciting new record features incredible songs from the pens of some of Southern Gospel’s finest writers including: Sue Smith, Lee Black, Kenna West, and Dianne Wilkinson. Produced by Trey Ivey, this recording also features the writing talents of group members Rodney Griffin and Chris Allman.
The album opens with the title track: a catchy up-tempo tune that encourages listeners to look no further than the love of the Father. “That Blind Man Was Me,” is a beautifully orchestrated mid-tempo track featuring Jon Epley. Epley’s smooth baritone voice shines on this song that tells of the transforming power of Christ. This song written by Chris Allman reminds us that “you don’t have to lose your sight to be blind.” “You can see but still be in the dark.” Peace cannot be found until you give Him your heart! “I’ve Been Washed Clean,” features the classic tenor stylings of Chris Allman and tells of the cleansing power of Christ’s blood. “His Blood has paid the debt for me. I’m no longer lost; I’ve been washed clean!” Rodney Griffin takes the lead on a traditional Southern Gospel style song “That Temporary Place.” This fun tune, written by Griffin, says when Jesus comes back, we will bid farewell to that “temporary place they refer to as a grave.” Epley takes the lead once again on “A Song About The Blood,” a mid-tempo track that simply says: I will sing about the Blood until my life is done. “There’s nothing wrong about a song about the blood.” “I Remember The Fish,” is perhaps my favorite track on the album. Written by Rodney Griffin, this profound ballad tells the story of the boy and the loaves and fish from a new perspective. This great song reminds us that miracles will happen when you give God all you have. Epley takes the lead on the groovy “Love, Pray, Smile, Pause, Repeat,” a fun song that simply encourages listeners to follow the Word and give love, pray, and spread His Word to all you meet. Another highlight of this album for me is the powerful ballad “Stronger Than The Storm.” Rodney Griffin shines on this well crafted song that proclaims: I am safe in the arms of Christ. The storms of life may blow, but I am shielded by His Arms, the place that is stronger than the storms. “Sing Jesus,” features Chris Allman and simply says: when life gets tough, sing Jesus. This incredible album closes with “God Has Built A Fortress,” an organ infused track that reminds us that God has it all under control. God is on our side. He has a place for us waiting in Heaven if we believe.
FINAL THOUGHTS:
THIS IS MUST BUY NOT ONLY FOR FANS OF GREATER VISION AND SOUTHERN GOSPEL MUSIC, BUT CHRISTIAN MUSIC IN GENERAL. YOU’VE ARRIVED DELIVERS IN ALL ASPECTS: GREAT PRODUCTION QUALITY, STELLAR VOCALS, AND POWERFUL LYRICS. HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE: “I REMEMBER THE FISH,” “STRONGER THAN THE STORM,” “THAT TEMPORARY PLACE,” AND “YOU’VE ARRIVED.” I MUST ADMIT THAT THIS WAS MY FIRST TIME LISTENING TO THIS CURRENT LINEUP OF GREATER VISION. I MUST SAY I’M IMPRESSED! JON EPLEY HAS OVER THE LAST TWO YEARS FIT IN PERFECTLY WITH THE GROUP. OVERALL, THIS IS MOST DEFINITELY ONE OF THE BEST CDS OF THE YEAR!
5 OUT OF 5 STARS!
FOR MORE INFORMATION: www.greatervisionmusic.com