SPOTLIGHT CD REVIEW: PRESS ALONG- THE WILLIAMSONS
SOUTHERN GOSPEL SPOTLIGHT PRESENTS:
CD REVIEW:
PRESS ALONG
THE WILLIAMSONS
LABEL: FAMILY MUSIC GROUP
RELEASE DATE: MARCH 2020
GROUP MEMBERS: LISA WILLIAMSON (ALTO), DONNIE WILLIAMSON (BARITONE), DARIN HEBERT (BASS), BO CHESSER (TENOR/LEAD), AND OLIVIA WILLIAMSON (GUEST VOCALS)
SONG LIST:
When I Hear A Good Old Gospel Song (Lisa Williamson)
Press Along To Gloryland (James Rowe)
Waving On The Other Side (Ricky Atkinson, Jeff Steele)
I Stand Upon The Rock Of Ages (Squire Parsons Jr.)
The Blood (Raymond Gullett, Rhebbie Gullett)
He Looked Beyond My Fault (Dottie Rambo)
Jesus Is Coming Soon (R.E. Winsett)
In Christ Alone (Keith Getty, Stuart Townsend)
He’s A Personal Friend (Lee Roy Abernathy)
He Is Mine (Dianne Wilkinson)
THOUGHTS:
It’s been two years since The Williamsons have released new music. Since then, the group has added Bo Chesser (Lisa’s brother) in the tenor/lead position following the departure of Karl Rice. Lisa and Donnie’s daughter Olivia has also joined the group as a guest vocalist. Press Along features this new vocal dynamic on ten songs of faith.
This exciting new album opens with a fun quartet style song entitled “When I Hear A Good Old Gospel Song.” This catchy tune written by Lisa Williamson tells of the joy in hearing a classic Gospel song. “Press Along To Gloryland” showcases the quartet’s classic sound and encourages listeners to keep on the path to Heaven! Bo Chesser shines on “Waving On The Other Side,” a beautiful ballad reminding us that soon we will cross that finish line into Heaven! Chesser’s smooth tone fits well on this song of hope. Lisa Williamson takes the lead on the convention style “I Stand Upon The Rock Of Ages.” This fun quartet song reminds listeners that Christ is the solid rock and His promises are true. The a cappella reprise was simply stellar! The group’s stellar harmonies are also showcased on the mid-tempo tune “The Blood.” This well crafted song tells of Christ’s sacrifice and how He shed His Blood for us! In addition to singing, Bo Chesser also is an accomplished trumpet player. This talent is displayed on the classic “He Looked Beyond My Fault.” Speaking of classics, the group covers several including: “Jesus Is Coming Soon,” “In Christ Alone,” and “He’s A Personal Savior.” Each showcases the group’s incredible harmonies. Olivia Williamson shines on the second verse of “Jesus Is Coming Soon,” and on a well crafted a cappella arrangement of “He’s A Personal Savior.” Chesser delivers a great performance on the classic contemporary Christian anthem “In Christ Alone,” which reminds us that “no scheme of man can pluck me from His Hand.” This album closes with the Dianne Wilkinson penned mid-tempo track “He Is Mine.” Darin Hebert’s smooth bass is featured on this song that simply says: I have been blessed beyond all measure. I am His and He is mine.
FINAL THOUGHTS:
PRESS ALONG IS ANOTHER STRONG ALBUM FROM THE WILLIAMSONS. BO CHESSER AND OLIVIA WILLIAMSON ARE GREAT ADDITIONS TO THE GROUP AND ADD A FRESH NEW DYNAMIC. WHILE I FEEL THAT THEIR PREVIOUS ALBUMS TELL SOMEBODY AND GIVE THEM JESUS ARE STRONGER, I FOUND MYSELF ENJOYING THIS ALBUM MORE WITH EACH LISTEN. HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE: “WHEN I HEAR A GOOD OLD GOSPEL SONG,” “PRESS ALONG TO GLORYLAND,” “WAVING ON THE OTHER SIDE,” AND “I STAND UPON THE ROCK OF AGES.”
OVERALL, THIS WAS A HIGHLY ENJOYABLE ALBUM AND I LOOK FORWARD TO MORE FROM THIS NEW LINEUP!
3.9 OUT OF 5 STARS!
FOR MORE INFORMATION: www.williamsonsmusic.com