LeFevre Quartet - Total Praise, CD Review

Oct

2007

LeFevre Quartet - Total Praise

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Producer: Gus Gaches & Tre' Corley (Tracks) and Gus Gaches, Mike LeFevre, & David Staton (Vocals)
Label: Song Garden Music Group
Website: http://www.lefevrequartet.com

The LeFevre Quartet's follow-up to their critically acclaimed debut album is Total Praise - an album of modern worship songs. It's not hard to see how this was a logical choice for the group as their next outing - considering the success the group has seen with "Days of Elijah" from their debut release.

Featuring a kaleidoscope of musical flavors, Total Praise kicks off with the Tim Hughes instant classic "Here I Am to Worship" which then leads into "Total Praise" (originally made popular by Richard Smallwood - though also covered by SG artists like the Talley Trio and more). The song works very well in a quartet setting for the fantastic build-up at the end of the song.

Current modern worship "it" songwriter Israel Houghton gets two cuts - "Friend of God" and "You Are Good" - which both translate well with a Southern Gospel vocal arrangement. "Come Now Is the Time to Worship" features a more contemporary musical backdrop and sounds like something the current Imperials would record.

I've always held the belief that the Phillips, Craig & Dean hit "You Are God Alone" would translate well into a Southern Gospel setting, and the LeFevre Quartet's version is a great example of a contemporary based song translated into Southern Gospel.

The lone original song on the album, "I Bless Your Name" (led by Gus Gaches) is a phenomenal number that surpasses any genre boundaries. This is the kind of song that could earn the LeFevre Quartet some success on Inspirational radio.

It's obvious that some Southern Gospel fans will be turned off by the release of Total Praise - but the release of an album like this makes perfect sense for an up and coming group like the LeFevre Quartet. They can reach people who wouldn't normally pick up a Southern Gospel album and be blessed by the progressive arrangements and undeniable Southern Gospel vocal delivery.

Hearing this group in this particular setting makes me anxious to see what they come up with next. This style fits the group well, and they can tackle traditional Southern Gospel with the best of them. Total Praise should open many doors for this great-sounding group.

Track listing:

Here I Am to Worship
Total Praise
Friend of God
Agnus Dei/Worthy
Come Now Is the Time to Worship
I Bless Your Name
You Are God Alone
Lord I Believe In You
How Great Is Our God
You Are Good

Reader Comments

I Bless Your Name was one of my favorites from Selah's CD as well. I have heard these guys version and it is great! Keep up the good work!

Commented by (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) On 10/15/2007

This CD has just enough southern gospel flavor to comfort the listener regarding it being a praise CD!!

The guys have done such an awesome job singing on the CD!! It is beautiful and powerful and I agree will reach out to people who do not usually listen to SG. I also believe it will strike a chord in their heart for a style of music they have been possibly closed to before!!

It just may open up their hearts to be richly blessed by SG in the future, and that is exciting indeed!!

Commented by (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) On 10/16/2007

I have to be honest: I didn't like this cd.

Now before you pound me, I loved "Days Of Elijah," but this cd lacked originality in all aspects. Bad, bad move for the group's overall SG appeal, IMO. No, the songs aren't "bad," but they're not "good" either. Just - blah. (my opinion)

Commented by (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) On 10/17/2007

Dear Bugle,

I listened to this CD, and have been a fan of the LeFevre Quartet for a couple years now. I loved the CD due in large part to the fact that I just love the group. That being said, you have to realize, the purpose of this CD was not to appeal to fans like you (I'm assuming you're a straight southern gospel fan) but rather to your younger/middle-age market who are more apt to enjoy the "progressive" genre. Yes, it lacks in originality, but then again I believe it's purposely meant to be a compilation of FAMILIAR praise & worship songs (to reiterate that they are a versitale group).

Commented by (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) On 10/17/2007

I thought it was very well done even though I'm not a fan of P&W;music as a whole. Of course, I love Mike & anything he does is always great. However, I still prefer a more traditional SGM sound.

Commented by (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) On 10/26/2007

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