SPOTLIGHT CD REVIEWS: CHRISTMAS EDITION #2: DOWN EAST BOYS, MASTER'S VOICE, AND 11TH HOUR
SOUTHERN GOSPEL SPOTLIGHT PRESENTS:
CD REVIEWS:
CHRISTMAS EDITION #2:
COMFORT AND JOY
DOWN EAST BOYS
LABEL: SONLITE RECORDS
PRODUCER: JEFF COLLINS
RELEASE DATE: October 2019, AVAILABLE NOW!
GROUP MEMBERS: RICKY CARDEN (LEAD), DOUG PITTMAN (TENOR), DARYL PASCHAL (BARITONE), AND ZAC BARHAM (BASS)
SONG LIST:
Comfort And Joy
Glorious Impossible
Little Drummer Boy
Children Go Where I Send Thee
Wexford Carol
Carol Of The Bells Medley (God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen/We Three Kings/Carol Of The Bells)
THOUGHTS:
It’s that wonderful time of year once again and it’s time to celebrate Southern Gospel style! The Down East Boys are celebrating with their newest release: Comfort And Joy. This delightful CD only features six songs, but it packs a punch! The album opens with the Celtic styled title track which reminds listeners that Christ came to save us. Next, the group cover the Gaither Christmas classic “Glorious Impossible,” which features stellar harmonies.Tenor singer Doug Pittman takes the lead of the classic “Little Drummer Boy,” which is given a fresh, unique arrangement. The group kicks it up a notch with a high energy version of “Children Go Where I Send Thee,” led by baritone Daryl Paschal. Bass singer Zac Barham takes the lead on the Celtic styled “Wexford Carol,” which suits his smooth voice nicely. This short yet joyful project closes with an epic medley featuring three beloved Christmas classics.
Go get this CD ASAP!! It is a must have for your Christmas music collection! Excellent vocals, great songs and stellar production quality!
5 OUT OF 5 STARS!! FOR MORE INFORMATION: www.downeastboys.com
THE SEASON TO SING
MASTER’S VOICE
LABEL: SONLITE RECORDS
PRODUCER:JEFF COLLINS
RELEASE DATE: OCTOBER 2019, AVAILABLE NOW!
GROUP MEMBERS: RICKY CAPPS (TENOR), TJ EVANS (LEAD), DAVID FOLENIUS (BARITONE), JERRY PILGRIM (BASS), THERON PERRY (PIANO)
SONG LIST:
The Season To Sing (Dixie Phillips, Kevin Wineberger)
How Many Kings (Jason Germain, Marc Martel)
Reaching (William J. Gaither, Gloria Gaither)
Still Makes Me Sing (Dixie Phillips, Kevin Wineberger, Bradley Cox)
From Bethlehem To Calvary (Kathy Gipson, James White)
Come Make A Place In Me (Joel Lindsey, Sue C. Smith)
Beautiful Star Of Bethlehem (Adger M. Pace, R. Sisher Boyce)
Silent Night (Joseph Mohr)
Go Tell It On The Mountain (John Work Jr.)
Sweet Baby Jesus (Sheri Easter)
I’ll Be Home For Christmas (Kim Gannon, Walter Kent, Buck Ram)
THOUGHTS:
Master’s Voice gives listeners a gift in the form of The Season To Sing. The album features eleven stellar songs of Christmas cheer that remind us of the Greatest Gift we have ever received: Jesus!! Top notch vocals, production quality, and stellar mix of classics and new songs. The album opens with the up-tempo title track that sets the tone for the recording: this is the season to sing and celebrate the Birth of our King! Next, Ricky Capps’ tenor shines on the beautiful and clever lyric “How Many Kings.” This powerful ballad reminds us that only one Father gave up His Son to save us. The group delivers a beautiful cover of the Gaither Vocal Band Christmas ballad “Reaching.” Jerry Pilgrim’s smooth bass is showcased beautifully on the second verse of this great track tells of Christ’s Birth. “The Word of the Father became Mary’s little Son.” David Folenius’s soulful baritone is featured on the groovy “Still Makes Me Sing,” which tells of the joy the Christ brought down to us! Christ came down from Heaven and changed everything, After all this time, it still makes me sing. “From Bethlehem To Calvary,” featuring TJ Evans, is a beautiful ballad that reminds us that Christ can mend your broken life. Christ is the only way! Folenius is featured once again on “Come Make A Place In Me,” a tender, powerful prayer song made popular by Ernie Haase & Signature Sound. Ricky Capps is featured once again on a country styled version of the classic “Beautiful Star Of Bethlehem.” Jerry Pilgrim’s rich bass tones are heard once again on the classic “Silent Night,” which is given a simple yet beautiful arrangement here. Next, the group covers “Go Tell It On The Mountain,” but gives it a new, unique mid-tempo arrangement. “Sweet Baby Jesus,” penned by Sheri Easter, is tender tune that tells of the Birth of Christ. Ricky Capps take the lead on this praise filled song. This incredible album closes with a cover of the classic “I’ll Be Home For Christmas.”
Once again Master’s Voice deliver a stellar CD in every aspect. Great timeless songs, powerful message, incredible vocals, and top notch musicianship.
5 OUT OF 5 STARS!! FOR MORE INFORMATION: www.mastersvoice.com
GO GET THIS CD ASAP!!
THE GREATEST GIFT
11TH HOUR
LABEL: SONLITE RECORDS
PRODUCER: 11TH HOUR, JEFF COLLINS
RELEASE DATE: OCTOBER 2019, AVAILABLE NOW!
GROUP MEMBERS: AMBER EPPINETTE, JAQUITA LINDSEY, AND LOGAN SMITH
SONG LIST:
Angels We Have Heard On High
What Child Is This
Home For The Holidays
The Christmas Song
Christmas Waltz
Joy To The World
O Holy Night
Christmas Medley: Winter Wonderland, Sleigh Ride, White Christmas
Go Tell It On The Mountain
The Greatest Gift (Allan Eppinette)
THOUGHTS:
Rounding out the Sonlite Records Christmas trio is 11th Hour. This incredible trio celebrate the Christmas season with The Greatest Gift, which features nine holiday classics and one newer track penned by Eppinette. The album begins with the festive “Angels We Have Heard On High,” which showcases the talented soprano vocals of Amber Eppinette. Alto Jaquita Lindsey takes the lead on the somber classic “What Child Is This.” This song also showcases the trio’s stellar harmonies which are truly anointed. Logan Smith shines on the groovy, classic “Home For The Holidays,” which tells of the joys of celebrating Christmas at home with family. Next, the group covers several other Christmas classics including: “The Christmas Song,” “Christmas Waltz,” and “Joy To The World” (which is given a fun new arrangement). Amber Eppinetter is featured on the powerful Christmas standard “O Holy Night.” This is easily one of the highlights of this recording for me personally. Smith is featured once again the fun medley of classics including: “Winter Wonderland,” “Sleigh Ride,” and “White Christmas.” He is also featured on the classic “Go Tell It On The Mountain.” This version is surprisingly similar to the one done by Master’s Voice on their Christmas project (reviewed above). This delightful album closes with a song penned by Allan Eppinette entitled “The Greatest Gift,” which reminds us that the greatest gift we have ever received is Jesus Christ. He is the reason for the season!!
Top notch vocals, song selection, and musicianship!
4.5 OUT OF 5 STARS!
FOR MORE INFORMATION: www.11thhourgg.com
Please support these great groups and go get these incredible holiday albums!!