Ivan Parker – Under Grace, CD Review

Apr

2006

Ivan Parker – Under Grace

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[18] Comments

Producer: Roger Talley
Label: Horizon Records
Website: www.ivanparker.com

Ivan Parker has one of the most loved and recognizable voices in Southern Gospel Music and he has set the standard for modern singers to follow in the Southern Gospel industry. Not since “Be Blessed” and “It’s True” has Ivan put out a recording that matches this one. “Under Grace” is a true masterpiece, and it’s great to hear Ivan singing with such a strong line up of tunes and turning in stellar performances on each one.

The progressive sound of “THE GRACE THAT I’M UNDER”, is somewhat of a departure musically, for Ivan, but it very efficiently sets the stage for the recording, and from the start you quickly realize this is going to be a great recording.

I love the musical intro to “I AM WHATEVER YOU NEED”, as the song provides great comfort that whatever we need, He will supply. I wouldn’t be surprised to see this hit radio later this year.

Things really slow down for the Woody Wright penned tune, “I WILL LEAD THE BLIND” before the pace picks back up for the Sandy Knight penned, “THE VERY FIRST THING”. Ivan has always found a niche with Knight’s tunes, and this song is no exception.

Penned by Steven Cheney and Tery Wilkins, Ivan does an excellent job on the power ballad, “LOVE CALLED MY NAME”, before moving on to the exciting Phil Cross penned, “MY LORD’S BEEN WITH ME”. Ivan even provides one of his own compositions with the fun tune, “MIRACLE RIVER”.

Powerful is the best way to describe, “EVERY KNEE SHALL BOW”. Ivan has always been able to churn out his finest performance on the power ballads, and this ranks as one of his finest. Too, just when you think the song is over, Ivan breaks into the chorus of “I Bowed on my Knees and Cried Holy.” This is more than just a song…it’s an experience.

Ivan kicks things back up with “I’M HAVING ONE OF THOSE DAYS” before turning in a very subtle rendition of the classic song, “I’D RATHER HAVE JESUS”, which bring the recording to a quiet and reflective close.

While Ivan’s last couple of recordings, “Just Imagine” and “Redeemer” have been great and I enjoyed them immensely, I think Ivan got into a bit of a slump musically that I really didn’t notice until I heard this recording. Sometimes you don’t realize what’s missing until you hear it again. Great song selection and excellent vocals combine for a fantastic recording that I will definitely be finding myself listening to over and over again.

Personal Favs: THE GRACE THAT I’M UNDER; I AM WHATEVER YOU NEED; THE VERY FIRST THING; LOVE CALLED MY NAME; MY LORD’S BEEN WITH ME; EVERY KNEE SHALL BOW

Reader Comments

This is one of my all time favorite CDs. My favorite songs are "The Grace that I'm under" and "I am whatever you need".

Commented by (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) On 04/04/2006

This is a great cd!! I think "Every Knee Shall Bow" is especially powerful and the upbeat numbers are awesome too!

Commented by (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) On 04/05/2006

This is another great Ivan Parker project. I think he has outdone himself on all of these great songs.

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 04/06/2006

Ivan is my favorite artist. Every new project he does has certain songs that minister to me personally. My favorites on this one are I Will Lead the Blind, When Love Called My name and Every Knee Shall Bow. Ivan is not only a singer; he is a minister.

Commented by (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) On 04/10/2006

Though a high profile review person dissed this recording as unfocused, I say congrats to Ivan and Roger for providing a diverse collection of material. I think more artists (especially soloists) and groups should stretch themselves from their same ole, same ole comfort zone and make recordings that include various styles under the Southern Gospel umbrella! After all, the body is made up of many parts!

WouldHeWrite

Commented by wouldhewrite On 04/11/2006

Ah, but it's possible to "stretch" musically and still retain a sense of continuity from song to song on a CD. See _It's So God_ by Brian Free and Assurance for a terrific example of this.

—Making hay while the sun shines—
sgnforum@musicscribe.com - BLOG - SGHistory.com

Commented by David Bruce Murray On 04/11/2006

Hello DBM!
Nice to see you are paying attention. I just thought I would see if I could rattle your cage a little! I am new here at SoGo! I see your point, but one of the most recurrent compliments on my "Woodrow Wilson Wright" project from a few years back has been that folks say they can track the whole CD and not feel like it was the same artist. They have said listening to it feels like a radio station or a jukebox. That tells me they are not just picking and choosing songs, but rather that they are enjoying the diversity, and tracking the whole CD. My recording used Quartet, County, P&W, Humor, a Love Song, R&B and Rockabilly styles (I said P&W because I didn't want anyone to think I had "gone wall").

Hey, keep up the good work, and I will look for a stellar review from you of my next project!!!

WouldHeWrite

Commented by wouldhewrite On 04/11/2006

This is to David Bruce Murray, Hey maybe we can have Southern Gospel artists record a bunch of stuff that always sounds the same, & sounds like what they have been doing for 20 years. Then maybe Southern Gospel would be the smallest market in Christian music. I commend I van for the edgey stuff he did, I thought those were by far the best song son the project, I thought some of the slow traditional stuff was just boring, If more artists would come out of the box & do some new stuff, we might actualy start winning people over to SG music.

Commented by (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) On 04/11/2006

I am a huge Ivan fan and actually have hosted him in concert twice. I don't see how each recording can just keep getting better and better. I love the upbeat songs but the song that really spoke to me was When Love Called My Name. Almost every recording he has done speaks to me and my heart personally. I always look forward to every new CD and When Love Called My Name should be the next song to radio.

Commented by grateone On 04/11/2006

I Totally agree with Mr. Wright ... and they don't give him that last name for just any reason. We need more artist to think outside the box. Not everysong that makes a recording is designed for radio play although it is nice if the song least likely to make it to radio does. These high caliber artist like Ivan and Woody and numerous others are also interested in their search for a song that will transcend the commercial aspect of radio and minister to the people that attend their concerts and church dates. So a well rounded album of great material, as well as various styles and nuances makes for a project that maintains its longevity on the artist table and in the overall market place. Whoever made the comment Woody ... obviously is from another planet. But know this ... I have not known Woody Wright to be wrong on this idea yet and that is why he has the last name (Wright). Also why he is sought after as a writer and an artist. Please people ... don't forget that one mans dislike of a song or a project may just very well be another mans treasure. And that is my feeling. But if you disagree ... you have the wright (pun intended) to be wrong.

Blessings to you all ...
Sincerely,
In Christ ... and so glad I am !!!

Steven Cheney

Commented by Steven Cheney On 04/12/2006

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