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Producer: Kenny & Amanda Smith
Label: Rebel Records
Website: http://www.kenny-amandasmith.com

I first became aware of this group through an article I read sometime back on current Bluegrass music. As one who is always eager to listen to new music, I sought out getting me a copy of this new CD. Even though Bluegrass isn't necessarily my musical forte, I'm glad I discovered the music of the Kenny & Amanda Smith Band. They have a very nice sound that is easy on the ears and it was kind of neat hearing them churn out their own renditions of several Southern Gospel songs from the 1970s.

It's obvious to me that these guys have been listening to the music of the Inspirations from that era, as there are several tunes the Inspirations sang in the mid to late 1970's on this recording. Those songs include, "SHOUTIN' TIME", "SOMEDAY SOON", "STEPPING ON THE CLOUDS", the Jack Campbell classic, "I'VE GOT MORE TO GO HEAVEN FOR" and "FREE INDEED". Another tune recorded quite a few years ago is the song, "A GREAT BIG HAND", that Squire Parsons wrote and released as a single through his own group.

While many of the songs included here are cover tunes, there are a few very notable new or newer tunes on this recording. One such tune is the striking ballad, "MARY HAD A LITTLE BOY". Building on the scripture reminding us that if we raise a child in the way they should go that they will not depart from it; the song tells the story of a young mother who neglected going to church and in the end, she wishes she had because her son ended up with a life deep in sin and had nothing to do with God.

Featuring a beautiful fiddle and guitar track, the song "I KNOW WHY" reminds us that it was for all of us that Christ came and died for us, while the closing song (from which the title of the recording comes from), "TELL SOMEONE HOW PRECIOUS HE IS", penned by Reagan Riddle, challenges all of us to tell someone what Christ means and what He did for us and all of mankind.

I was impressed with the cover photo of the recording; it really fits them and this recording. The musicianship represented on this recording is outstanding as well as the vocal work of Kenny and Amanda. There is nothing flashy on here, just solid music and singing and a good list of songs as well. It's no wonder these guys have been the talk of the Bluegrass field, and it's no wonder that people in our industry are talking about them as well. This is good stuff!

Song List:
1 - Shoutin' Time
2 - Someday Soon
3 - Mary Had a Little Boy
4 - Stepping on the Clouds
5 - Angels Calling at my Door
6 - One More Chance, Lord
7 - I Know Why
8 - I've Got More to Go to Heaven For
9 - Free Indeed
10 - A Great Big Hand
11 - Till I Get Home
12 - I Can't Sit Down
13 - Tell Someone How Precious He Is

Reader Comments

This is a fantastic project. I loved their covers of the Hoppers tunes "SHoutin' Time" and "Stepping On the Clouds." Both songs translated very well in a bluegrass setting.

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