Staff Picks for the Year 2005, Feature Article

Jan

2006

Staff Picks for the Year 2005

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David Bruce Murray
	A New Chapter - Dixie Echoes The critic in me hears several technical flaws in A New Chapter, but the music lover in me doesn't mind. This CD wasn't made with a large budget, but I still found myself listening to it several times because of the song selection and vocal performances. I particularly like hearing Randy Shelnut get up in his upper register for "Close To The Master."
	Anything But Ordinary, Everything But Typical - Dove Brothers Anyone who knows anything about my year will naturally expect me to include this CD in my Top Five favorites. Back in June 2005, I was invited by McCray Dove to come sit in the studio and listen as the group recorded vocals for this project. It's a new sound for the Dove Brothers. They have several memorable tracks that I love including "It's Waiting For Me," "It's Called Heaven," and the title track.
	Heaven - Gold City Heaven is a "custom" project that I enjoyed this past year. Although it was made without the backing of a major record label, Gold City spent time in the studio getting it right rather than rushing through it quickly. It also didn't hurt that they included some of my favorite songs like the title cut, "Wayfaring Stranger," and "Way Down Deep In My Soul."
	Sweet Forever - Ruppes The Ruppes hit a home run with Sweet Forever. While I gravitated to the more upbeat tracks ("God Did It"), I've also been enjoying one of the slower songs. "Some Things Never Change" grabs my attention every time it come on.
	The Blind Man Saw It All - Booth Brothers The song "He Saw It All" is grabbing all the attention right now, but this CD is a lot of fun from beginning to end. From the "preacher" before the song "Testify" to the energy of "Living For The Moment" to more inspirational songs like "The Blood," this CD has something for everyone.
James Hales
	Kingsmen - The Past is Past This album brought the sound back that has always been identified with the Kingsmen. I never thought they'd ever beat the energy and power of their heyday…but they did it with this recording. Full of life and energy and great songs, this definitely ranks as one of the best recordings for 2005. When I think of the best for 2005, this was a no-brainer for me.
	Taranda Greene - A Thing Called Love I have been a fan of Taranda's for several years. I will admit, when she first joined the Greenes, she didn't do much for me as a singer. But very quickly, I fell in love with her singing and she is such a wonderful interpreter and is one of the few singers who can pull off a solo album. Her previous solo recording was great…but this one is definitely the one whereby all her subsequent works will be measured against.
	Gordon Mote - There's No Place That Love Can't Reach I never knew Gordon Mote could sing until I popped this CD in my CD player. He has a very smooth country style and I love it. The song selection on this recording is superb and the whole general feel of this recording is fun and enjoyable. I can't listen to this recording and not smile.
	Jimmy Fortune - I Believe I have to include this one because my little girl makes me listen to this at least once a week. But that's okay, because it is a great piece of work. This isn't what one would call an elaborate recording, but rather one with an earthy feel to it. There is a raw emotion that comes with this recording that draws you in and you can't help but enjoy it.
	Promise - Wonders Never Cease This recording has it all…classics, big power ballads, energetic uptempo tunes, Praise & Worship songs, and even some colorful tunes. This recording is about as diversified as a Southern Gospel recording can get. Each song is a pleasant surprise, as you just never know what they'll do next. Jeanie, Larry and Jean can sing just about anything, absolutely flawlessly.
	Honorable Mentions: I can't let this go without mentioning a few others that are never, ever far from my CD player… Perrys - Remembering the Happy Goodmans Johnny Minick - The Sweetest Song I Know-A Tribute to the Happy Goodmans Paid in Full - Lovin' Out Loud McRaes - Perfect Love Whisnants - New Day Dawning Mark Bishop - There is Love, Then There is His Love Three Bridges - Believe Charlotte Ritchie - Closer Sons Family - When I Get There
John Scheideman
	Crystal River Quartet - For The First Time A really nice debut project from a group of young men who obviously enjoy traditional male quartet singing...but with the ability to stretch that traditional sound into new shapes and forms. From songs like "I've Got That Feeling" to "When I Thank Him" to "At The Bottom Of The Hill", the CRQ runs the gamut in material and style, and gives a very good account of what modern gospel quartet sounds like. Be on the lookout for these guys in 2006!
	Hope's Call - Beyond The Music: An A Cappella Collection Another great example of modern Southern Gospel music is this dynamic trio from Nashville. This extremely well-done a cappella project features songs from long ago("Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing")to 20th-century hymns("How Great Thou Art")to fairly contemporary sounding numbers(Larry Norman's "Sweet Song of Salvation")and pulls them all together with striking arangements and tight harmonies. Producer Kevin Ward and the group hit a "home run" with this recording.
	Booth Brothers - The Blind Man Saw It All With a song that was #1 on most charts for most of 2005("He Saw It All"), this collection by one of Southern Gospel's most dynamic performing groups is a project that will be talked about and remembered for years to come. In recent years, the Booths have expanded beyond mere traditional sounds to more current ones without losing their appeal with their longtime fanbase. With songs like "Father" and "Through The Eyes of Heaven", the Booths show their stylistic versatility. The Booth Brothers have blessed gospel fans for many years now, and look to continue to make their mark in Southern Gospel with recordings such as this one.
	Dove Brothers - Anything But Ordinary, Everything But Typical More known for being popularizers and practitioners than trendsetters, this latest Dove Brothers release may be their finest yet. The title is apt, for the Doves take a leave from their "safety zone" and produce a project that highlights their all-around abilities to a greater extent than any of their previous projects. Songs like the title track and "Gossip The Gospel" show them stretching their traditional sound into a more current direction. And the new version of "Masterpiece" is just that. The Doves are to be commended for moving in this welcome direction, without renouncing the style in shich they first became popular.
	Melody Boys Quartet - Someone To Throw The Rock Perhaps more than even the Doves, the Melody Boys have shown the ability to maintain a classic, traditional approach to quartet singing while moving with the times. This project is a fine example of what makes them such a fine group. While on the one hand recording old favorites such as "O What A Savior" and "Victory In Jesus" in tasteful and traditional ways, to throwing in old favorites such as "Up A Winding Trail" and "He's Everywhere", and even tackling songs out of their normal repertoire such as "I've Got Confidence" and "My Tribute" and putting their distinctive stamp on them, the Melody Boys show with this project that they are still a force to be reckoned with as 2006 approaches.
Chris Unthank Since I have been involved in SG - this has - without a doubt been the best year for quality recordings in the industry. This was hard to narrow down - but I was able to get it down to five with some honorable mentions thrown in as well.
	McRaes - Perfect Love This is the most rockin' Southern Gospel CD I've ever heard. The girls absolutely kick some major tail with Perfect Love. Annie's songwriting is at an all time high - and as always, her vocals are some of the best in the industry. The most rewarding aspect of this album is Kelly's impressive vocal work. She sounds like an all new, confident in what she does, vocalist. Bubba Smith (the producer) took these girls from "awesome" to "awesomer". (Yes, I know that's not a word, but I made it one anyway.)
	Booth Brothers - The Blind Man Saw It All This is without a doubt the Booth Brothers' career recording. Instead of recording vocals around the tracks, the Brothers Booth recorded vocals first, and then producer Barry Weeks wrapped the tracks around the already recorded vocals. The result was truly magnificent. "He Saw It All", "The Blood", "Testify" and Michael Booth's "Father" all have "classic status" potential.
	Jody Brown Indian Family - Come Ride With Me I've always held the belief that JBIF has never been able to capture the energy and beauty of their live performances on a studio recording. Even last year's phenominal God Writes Our Story wasn't able to really show what the group was all about. My attitude has changed drastically since I heard the exceptional Come Ride With Me. JBIF has solidified themselves as artistic leaders in this genre with this album. It's truly a great work. "Of Calvary Love" has to be Stephanie Brown's best lyric to date.
	Karen Peck & New River - Good To Be Free KPNR has always - and possibly will always - be my absolute favorite Southern Gospel group - so this might seem a bit biased. Karen Peck Gooch has never ceased to amaze me. To me, her talent is unmatched in this industry, and this new album helps to prove that point. "Just One Touch" will go down as a KPNR classic, while other tunes like "River of Peace", "I'm Gonna Get Up", and "Give It to Jesus" are some of my favorite cuts on the album. I already can't wait to hear what Karen has up her sleave for the next album - I just hope it will feature a little more of Devin next time.
	Gordon Mote - There Is No Place That Love Can't Reach Wow. That's all I can say. I've always known that Gordon was an excellent musician as he was one of the most requested studio players in Southern Gospel. What I didn't know was that he's a great singer. There Is No Place That Love Can't Reach is a fun, pop country record. The album just makes me smile when I hear it. Mote looks to have a very bright future.
	Just missed the cut: (in no particular order) Hoskins Family - It's Over...Let Eternity Begin Ruppes - Sweet Forever Embrace - Walk His Way Charlotte Ritchie - Closer Three Bridges - Believe
Deon Unthank
	Signature Sound - Self Titled This CD is just full of energy and exciting new sounds from a young group not afraid to look a little different in order to bring their Southern Gospel music to new areas.
	The Collingsworth Family - God Is Faithful One word describes this wonderful CD..... Variety. Lots of close family harmony. There are traditional songs, progressive songs that the kids do, and lots of great instrumentals.
	Booth Brothers - The Blind Man Saw It All This one song, "The Blind Man Saw It All" is enough to make this CD one of the top five for the year, but there are plenty of other great songs on this CD. Of course the outstanding harmony of the Booth Brothers is predominant in this CD.
	Gold City - Heaven Though this CD started off as a table project while between labels, it has ended up as a great CD. You can hear Gold City singing some that I'm sure they wish they had recorded first. This is just an example that great groups just do not produce bad projects, even with low budgets.
	LeFevre Quartet - Legacy From the traditional song "That's Why I Sing Gospel Music" to the very progressive "Days Of Elijah", there simply isn't a bad song on this CD. This is one that I listen to, just to enjoy listening to good SGM.

Reader Comments

Great picks! But I have to say...I am in more agreement with Chris Unthank's list!

Commented by Jamie Carter On 01/03/2006

Very cool that RSI, who only has about 3 artists on their roster has 2 represented on this list. Congrats to Gordon Mote and Charlotte Ritchie and Bob Rodgers (visionary) for their success. You might also want to check out the other group on the label. Harvest's "John 4:35" is a very well done Bluegrass CD and well worth the money.

Commented by (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) On 01/13/2006

Could you explain something to me please? LordSong never left your chart all year long, was in the top 20 almost all year, had one of the top 5 songs on your chart for the entire year, but didnt get the first nomination HUMM. Sounds a little strange to me.

Commented by Terry Franks On 01/31/2006

Terry,

These are not award nominations. They are personal favorites from several staff members. The SGN Award Nominations will be posted tomorrow.

Commented by SGN On 01/31/2006

Mr. Franks,

No, LordSong did not get a nomination this year. They just did not get enough votes to earn any this year. However, they are one of the most nominated artists in the history of our awards. 2005 was just an off year for the group due to no new release. That's ok. It happens to a lot of great groups. Karen Peck & New River and Greater Vision didn't recieve a single nomination last year - yet they were all over the charts as well. It just happens some times.

Commented by (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) On 02/01/2006

This is not for posting. I just wanted to thank Mr. Murray and Mr. Unthank for chosing Heaven by Gold City as one of their favorites. It was my pleasure to have been a part of that project (behind the scenes) during my time as house engineer at Goldmine. I have since left the business but also think it was an excellent album. Thank you for your opinions.

Commented by (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) On 01/20/2008

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