SPOTLIGHT CD REVIEW: THE LEGACY LIVES ON- THE GUARDIANS

SOUTHERN GOSPEL SPOTLIGHT PRESENTS:

CD REVIEW:

THE LEGACY LIVES ON

THE GUARDIANS

LABEL: DAYWIND RECORDS

RELEASE DATE: SEPTEMBER 2023

GROUP MEMBERS: JOHN DARIN ROWSEY (LEAD), SCOTT MULLINS (BARITONE), PAT BARKER (BASS), PAUL LANCASTER (TENOR), DEAN HICKMAN (TENOR)

SONG LIST:

1. It Ain’t Gonna Worry Me Long

2. Heartbeat

3. Something Good is About to Happen

4. Let My Heart Sing

5. There is a Love

6. Mercy Came Down

7. Remind Me Dear Lord

8. Going to the Promised Land

9. All The Praise

10. Alleluia

Bonus Cut: Thinkin Bout Home (Live)

THOUGHTS:

The last year brought some changes for the Guardians Quartet. The group signed with Daywind Records after a brief stint with StowTown Records. Later, tenor and founder Dean Hickman stepped back from the group following a cancer diagnosis. Hickman’s health has since improved and he now occasionally performs with the group. Southern Gospel veteran Paul Lancaster now fills the tenor position full time. The Legacy Lives On, the group’s second release on Daywind Records, features eleven great songs of inspiration and hope.

The group shines on the Gaither classic “I Just Feel Like Something Good Is About To Happen,” the groovy “It Ain’t Gonna Worry Me Long,” and energetic “Going To The Promised Land.” Scott Mullins takes the lead on “Heartbeat,” a powerful anthem that tells Christ’s Life and Love for us. Pat Barker’s smooth bass is featured on “Mercy Came Down,” a mid-tempo tune that thanks Christ for His mercy on us. We’ve been redeemed and set free by His Blood. Paul Lancaster delivers a fantastic tenor vocal on the tender “Remind Me Dear Lord,” which tells of the transforming power of Christ. It asks God to remind us of where He has brought us from and where we would be without Him. Lancaster is also featured on the beautiful ballad “Let My Heart Sing.”

Dean Hickman joins the group on a simply beautiful anthem entitled “All The Praise.” This powerful track is incredibly moving. He also is featured on the fun, mid-tempo tune “There Is A Love.” The stellar harmonies of this talented quartet are on full display on the acappella track “Alleluia.” The album closes with a live cut of the tender ballad “Thinkin Bout Home.” This incredible song, featuring Pat Barker and Paul Lancaster, looks to Heaven and our longing to go there.

FINAL THOUGHTS:

THE GUARDIANS CONTINUE TO DELIVER FANTASTIC RECORDINGS. THE LINEUP BLENDS TOGETHER QUITE WELL WITH NEW ADDITION PAUL LANCASTER, WHOM I HAD THE PLEASURE TO MEET WHEN HE WAS WITH THE BOOTH BROTHERS. TOP NOTCH ACROSS THE BOARD. HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE: “MERCY CAME DOWN,” “ALLELUIA,” “ALL THE PRAISE,” AND “REMIND ME, DEAR LORD.”

4.5 OUT OF 5 STARS!

FOR MORE INFORMATION: www.guardiansquartet.com