Brian Free and Assurance - Greater Still Under God, CD Review

Sep

2003

Brian Free and Assurance - Greater Still Under God

Add this entry to Your Favorites | [0] Favorites

Label – Daywind
This first recording since the major group change was a big question mark in my mind, because I really liked the last combination of singers. My mind was quickly set at ease as listening to this group of young guys is sheer joy.

“On Damascus Road” has a real message in it for today, as we all are facing troubles and trials. Bill Shivers does a fantastic job on the feature. This would be a nice radio release. “Greater Still” has a message of comfort to all of us for where our sin may be great His grace is always greater still.

Another radio release that would be great is “I Don’t Mind My Journey”, featuring Brian Free. The track has a really nice rhythm to it and will settle the nerves of any rush hour driver. New Baritone Derrick Self shines on a beautiful ballad called “As If The Cross Was Not Enough” You can get blessed listening to this song. New Bass singer Keith Plott, has a young George Younce sound on “God Has A Plan”. This young man has a great future in SGM.

These guys do a tremendous job on “southernizing” the Babbie Mason song “Jesus, The One And Only”. This one will give you those “glory bumps”. “I Feel A Change In The Wind” is just a good ole quartet song that is fun to listen to. My foot was tapping before the end of the first verse.

I know that Brian has recorded this song several times, but until another song with this strong of a message comes out, I say good for Assurance by continuing with the heart-wrenching song about abortion “Only God Knows.”

Reader Comments

Sounds like a great project. Thanks for the great review & endorsement, Deon. I can hardly wait to get my copy.

God is good all the time & all the time God is good.

Elaine Harcourt

Commented by (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) On 09/06/2003

I received a pre release of this project a few weeks ago and was blown away by the great sound. Bill Shivers has got to be one of the finest lead singers I've ever heard, in fact the man could sing tenor if he wanted to. Also dont forget the producer Wayne Haun, he just keeps turning out great music, the man is awesome. I recommend this project to anyone who loves great quartet singing.

Commented by Singer57 On 09/06/2003

I just got my prelease copy and liked it very much. I'd heard them once since the personnel change, and the thing about this recording that stuck out to me was to bass part. Doing material that was arranged for the present group gave Kieth a chance to shine without trying to sing parts that Bill Lawrence had done...as was the case when I saw them live.
I agree with your comparison to George's sound.
With the turnover, and with Brian front and center on the cover, I figured this would be a project where he did the bulk of the lead work....not so! This is a balanced release with everyone getting a chance to shine. As usual for Brian & Assurance-both great performance and strong material.

Commented by (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) On 09/16/2003

I finally got my copy of GREATER STILL & love it. I had been concerned that with the change in producers there would be a change in style. If there was a change it was for the good.

The new guys sound great & Bill is really blossoming into a terrific lead singer. He compliments Brian very well. It was a project worth waiting for.

God is good all the time & all the time God is good.

Elaine Harcourt

Commented by (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) On 09/17/2003

I don't know if anyone else agrees or cares...but if I sang in a group, traveled the same miles, lifted the same equipment , and got less pay....I would want to be seen on the cover! I know Brian is the draw and "star" however if you want to have a "quartet" maybe you should not bwe 11 times larger on the cover! ( *note* the 11 times larger is a guess....not meant to be taken literal. I did not do an actual measurment! JOKE) Hving said that, I like... BRIAN FREE & assurance.... very much

Commented by Mark Forester On 09/22/2003

I agree with Mark very much. On past covers...I think it's called Mary Knew. Antway, it had that song on it, Brian has brouhg thimself to the front of the cover. If you look at some of JD Sumners photos, he is right with the quartet. Even though it was JD Sumner and the Stamps. I'm not here to critisize Brian because I LOVE his work. Just trying to make a point. I also don't think that this should be made a big deal. Remember, we are all brothers in Christ. We all need to get along. SO PLEASE don't make this all about the CD.

Commented by (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) On 09/22/2003

I would like to correct myself on the album cover. It is Timeless Hymnes and Classics.

Commented by (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) On 09/22/2003

I picked up the album last weekend. I think its a fine album. For those that have been clamoring to hear more of Bill Shivers(like me), this is a step in that direction as Bill gets quite a few solos on this one.

Greater Still is my favorite song on the cd.

The larger Brian is probably due to the high turnover in most SGM groups. Tony Gore also used this technique...at least one of his albums only had Tony on the cover. Each group suffers some when a member leaves and has to be replaced. He is probably protecting himself as well as marketing himself. Not many will recognize the names or faces of Bill, Derek, Keith, or Ricky. But, that may change with a little longevity.

Commented by (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) On 09/23/2003

I somewhat agree with James. Although, if the group totally relied on God, they wouldn't worry about how famous this person is and if they'll recognize this person. So there are two sides that are in it. I'm going to now end this conversation on my part. this is not what it is all about. The songs are great, and I like the new bass vocalist. Derek is awesome baritone. I used to see him all the time with the Dixie Melody Boys. Which I believe is the most solid quartet in SGM!

Commented by (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) On 09/23/2003

I think they are marketing the group visually to coincide with how the group is perceived by fans and by how they present themselves in concert. If you've ever seen them, it's very much BRIAN FREE and assurance. I'm not criticizing that . . . he's obviously very successful using this technique.

As for the J D Sumner comparison . . . he didn't have the problem of turnover in group members, so it wasn't a big deal how he was pictured on the cover. Yes, he was the star, but since chances were always strong that the two Eds would still be with him on the next project there was no need for him to be larger on the cover.

Commented by (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) On 09/23/2003

Page 1 of 3 Comment Pages 1 2 3 >

Add Comments

If you are seeing this form you are not a Member or have not logged in. Why not consider becoming a Member? All comments must be made with a valid email address. Comments with invalid email addresses are subject to removal.

Membership allows you to have a prepared signature of your choice applied to every comment you make, as well as the ability to choose an avatar to display next to your name to help identify your posts. Members are also given opportunity to vote weekly in our Weekly Chart as well as special Members Only contests, polls and giveaways during the year. If you are already a member, login here, otherwise please register here.

**Note: Forums membership is a seperate membership.

By posting you agree to our Comments Policy

Name:
Email:
Location:
URL:
Comment:
	Remember my personal information
	Notify me of follow-up comments?
Please enter the word you see in the image below: