SPOTLIGHT CD REVIEW: EVER OLD, EVER NEW- THE INSPIRATIONS
SOUTHERN GOSPEL SPOTLIGHT PRESENTS:
EVER OLD, EVER NEW
THE INSPIRATIONS
PRODUCER: JEFF COLLINS
LABEL: HORIZON RECORDS
RELEASE DATE: APRIL 10, 2020
GROUP MEMBERS: ARCHIE WATKINS (TENOR), EDDIE DIETZ (BARITONE), MARLIN SHUBERT (BASS), ROLAND KESTERSON (LEAD), LUKE VAUGHT (GUITAR), WYATT AUSTIN (PIANIST, BASS VOCALS)
SONG LIST:
He Turned When I Touched Him (Sandy Knight)
Home Is Sounding Sweeter (Roland and Jewell Kesterson)
Show Them Love (Sandy Knight, Robert J. Collins)
Enter In (Chris Wriston)
Then What (Regina Walden)
Forever Settled (Rebecca J. Peck, Dianne Wilkinson)
Knowing You’re There (Billy Fields)
1945 (Rebecca J. Peck, Dianne Wilkinson)
I’ll Fly Away (Albert E. Brumley)
I Like The Songs That Mam Sang The Best (Dennis Bradley)
On The Right Side (Johney Raines)
THOUGHTS:
The classic harmonies of The Inspirations are back! This legendary group shines on songs that long for a simpler time and encourage listeners to keep the traditions of the Church alive. Ever Old, Ever New features eleven songs of faith and hope that will sure to be a blessing to all listeners.
This stellar album opens with the mid-tempo tune “He Turned When I Touched Him,” featuring Archie Watkins. Watkins’s signature tenor shines on this song which tells of the transforming power of Christ. He can heal you and make you whole! “Home Is Sounding Sweeter” features lead singer Roland Kesterson (who also co-wrote the song) longs for Heaven, our true home. Marlin Shubert takes the lead on the mid-tempo tune “Show Them Love,” which simply encourages us to show Christ’s Love to all people. Shubert is, in my opinion, an underrated bass singer. His rich tone and smooth lows are impressive. Speaking of bass singing, group musician Wyatt Austin steps into the bass position for the fun, quartet style tune “Enter In.” Austin, who sang bass for the Chuck Wagon Gang, shines on the step out lines of this catchy tune that looks to Heaven. One day when our race is run, we will hear His voice say enter in, my child well done! Archie Watkins takes the lead once again on the powerful story song “Then What.” This well crafted lyric simply, yet powerfully reminds us that this life is not all there is! It asks: “Have you thought about the date you have with destiny?” “Are you prepared to step into Eternity?” “As you made your plans to live, have you planned to live again?” “Forever Settled,” featuring Roland Kesterson and Marlin Shubert, is a fun, quartet style track that inspired the album title. It simply says: God’s Word never changes. His truth remains the same! The smooth baritone of Eddie Dietz is featured on the mid-tempo “Knowing You’re There,” a song that simply says: It just feels good knowing You are there Lord! “1945”, “I’ll Fly Away,” and “I Like The Songs That Mama Sang The Best,” all look back on the good old days. Watkins shines on “1945,” which tells of the revivals of old and keeping the traditions of the Church alive today. Please send that spirit of revival down in this troubling time Lord! Luke Vaught shines on an instrumental version of the classic hymn “I’ll Fly Away,” which features his incredible ability on guitar, keyboards, pedal steel, upright bass, mandolin, banjo, and fiddle! “I Like The Songs That Mama Sang The Best,” featuring Roland Kesterson, is a remake of a classic Inspirations tune that reminds us of the power of the old hymns. This incredible album closes with “On The Right Side,” which tells of the crucifixion and finding salvation through Christ. Eddie Dietz shines once again on this powerful mid-tempo track.
FINAL THOUGHTS:
EVER OLD, EVER NEW IS ONE OF THE INSPIRATIONS’ FINEST ALBUMS IN RECENT YEARS. THEIR HARMONIES AND BLEND IS BETTER THAN EVER! THIS ALBUM FEATURES STELLAR VOCALS, POWERFUL SONGS, AND TOP NOTCH MUSICIANSHIP! HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE: “ENTER IN,” “FOREVER SETTLED,” “SHOW THEM LOVE,” “1945”, AND “THEN WHAT.”
4.5 OUT OF 5 STARS!
FOR MORE INFORMATION: www.theinspirationsquartet.com
****REVIEW COPY PROVIDE BY CROSSROADS MUSIC GROUP****