SPOTLIGHT CD REVIEW: HERE COMES CHRISTMAS- ANTHEM EDITION
SOUTHERN GOSPEL SPOTLIGHT PRESENTS:
HERE COMES CHRISTMAS
ANTHEM EDITION
LABEL: SONLITE RECORDS
RELEASE DATE: NOVEMBER 3, 2023
GROUP MEMBERS: DOUG ROARK (BARITONE), TIM RACKLEY (LEAD), STEVE LADD (TENOR), AND ANDREW UTECH (BASS)
SONG LIST:
Here Comes Christmas
The Way It’s Always Been
Feliz Navidad
Thanks Giver
We Three Kings
The Greatest Gift
His Name Medley (Cherish That Name,What A Beautiful Name)
THOUGHTS:
The Old Paths have a new name and new member since their last album. The group decided to change their name to Anthem Edition due to other organizations laying claim to the name thus making it difficult to differentiate itself. Following the departure of Daniel Ashmore, Andrew Utech (twin brother of Alex Utech of the Down East Boys) joined the group as their new bass singer. Now, the group releases a new Christmas project just in time for the holiday season. This seven song project is the last to feature tenor singer Steve Ladd, who recently left the group to return to solo work.
This project opens with the fun title track which puts listeners in the Christmas spirit instantly as it describes the joyous atmosphere of this time of year. Andrew Utech delivers an incredible and heartfelt bass vocal on the sentimental tune “The Way It’s Always Been.” This beautiful song reminds us to cherish the time we have together because it won’t always be the way it’s been. The group covers the classic “Feliz Navidad,” which is always a fun song. “Thanks Giver,” originally by Crowder, is a song of gratitude that simply thanks Christ for making a saint out of this sinner. The quartet’s stellar harmonies are on full display on a great acapella version of “We Three Kings.” “The Greatest Gift” features both Andrew Utech and Steve Ladd and simply praises Christ for He is the greatest gift. There will be peace on Earth if we open our hearts to Him. The album closes with a powerful acapella rendition of the classic “Cherish That Name” combined with the hit “What A Beautiful Name.”
FINAL THOUGHTS:
ANTHEM EDITION DELIVERS AN EARLY CHRISTMAS GIFT TO LISTENERS WITH THIS PROJECT. ANDREW UTECH IS A GREAT ADDITION TO THE GROUP ROUNDING OUT THE QUARTET WITH A SMOOTH BASS VOICE. GREAT MIX OF CLASSIC AND NEW. HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE: “THE WAY IT’S ALWAYS BEEN,” “WE THREE KINGS,” AND “HIS NAME MEDLEY.”
4.5 OUT OF 5 STARS!
FOR MORE INFORMATIONS: www.anthemedition.com