Between the Hills
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EUFAULA EUFAULA is the second project for Dallas born singer-songwriter Jordan Whitmore. Her first full-length record, released in December 2014, was recorded with Austin producer Brian Douglas Phillips. After...
Beyond Amazed
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Brian Free and Assurance Confession: while I genuinely love southern gospel music, I am not as prolific a listener as some.I had never heard Brian Free before listening to Beyond Amazed, which I now know is a shame.
Hope For All Nations
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Karen Peck & New River Karen Peck & New River has done a great job following up their 2015 album Pray Now, which garnered four #1 hits including "Pray Now," "I Am Blessed," "Calling"...
Americana Worship | Posted February-01-2018
EUFAULA is the second project for Dallas born singer-songwriter Jordan Whitmore. Her first full-length record, released in December 2014, was recorded with Austin producer Brian Douglas Phillips. After a successful Indiegogo campaign, she returned to the studio to work with Phillips using her middle name Eufaula as a new worship music identity to share songs inspired by scripture.
The 10 track album Between the Hills has a good mix of upbeat and reflective songs. Many of the songs are scripture or scriptural truths put to music as a way to process and heal from an especially difficult time in Whitmore's life. "Although it felt like my heart was breaking, I felt God nearer than ever," she has shared. "And through prayer and tears and meditating on God's promises, songs began to come to the surface."
"My Mountain" is thoughtful and meditative during the verses and brightens in the chorus: "He is the rock I stand on / when darkness covers the light / darkness covers the light." "I Am Loved" has an Ingrid Michaelson vibe with Whitmore showing off her vibrato while the song keeps a happy, chill, resting in God's love vibe. The electric guitar is used skillfully here, weaving in and out, filling out the song in certain places and taking other moments to add in riffs.
The second to last track "There is a Day" is led on the piano, and was inspired by John 16:33. This song encourages believers to look forward to the day "when we will weep no more / when all of our pain and sadness will turn to joy." Whitmore shares, "I think something special happens when we take a little bit to just focus on God and who he is. When we look to Him and remind our own hearts of His goodness and His faithfulness, it changes the way that we look at our situation and we find hope through that process." The chorus ends with the lyric "So we hold on hope / We know that there is a day."
The Bottom Line: EUFAULA's writing style leans toward Country/Americana, and her musical phrasing is reminiscent of Alison Krauss, although vocally she has a meatier, throaty sound. The lyrics of her new project Between the Hills marry both, resulting in an album that is heartfelt, offers hope and encouragement, and is an enjoyable listen.
Impactful, Quality Music | Posted October-05-2017
Confession: while I genuinely love southern gospel music, I am not as prolific a listener as some.I had never heard Brian Free before listening to Beyond Amazed, which I now know is a shame.
I've had the privilege of listening to the new Brian Free & Assurance album and letting it steep and settle in to my psyche for a week now, and it really is a privilege. The album starts off with the catchy "Anything Is Possible," and I caught myself singing along with the chorus by the end of song. Immediately following, Free takes the lead for the ballad "He Can Take It." The bright tone of Free's voice is shown off here, but also the immaculate blend between him, lead singer Bill Shivers and baritone Mike Rogers.
After reflecting on God's saving grace in the title track "Beyond Amazed," "Leave With Nothing Left" slows things down again and speaks to living each day to its fullest purpose. It is both a reminder and invitation to evangelism. I love the line "If somehow I could choose it / I'd be the one God uses / to make a difference in what forever means to you."
There's not a bad or even mediocre song on this album. From the production to the lyrics to the vocals and harmonies, Brian Free & Assurance offers the highest quality. In constructing all these parts and pieces seemingly effortlessly, what the listener experiences is simple genuineness. When they sing "Beyond Amazed," they sound (and you) seem to feel that wonder and amazement.
Other standouts include "Everything He Forgot" and "Sometimes You Need A Song." "Everything He Forgot" reminds me of Jason Crabb's "Walk Through The Fire," bridging the tender and introspective with relief and celebration. "Sometimes You Need A Song" illustrates the famous quote "where words fail, music speaks," while also honoring the spoken word: "One can't replace the other / you need both to carry on / Sometimes you need a sermon / Sometimes you need a song."
The Bottom Line: Brian Free & Assurance know how to make impactful, quality music and deliver it in a way that leaves listeners begging for more.
Song to Download Now:
"Sometimes You Need A Song" (Get it on iTunes here.)
Hope-Filled Gospel | Posted July-22-2017
Karen Peck & New River has done a great job following up their 2015 album Pray Now, which garnered four #1 hits including "Pray Now," "I Am Blessed," "Calling" and "I Choose Christ." Hope for All Nations includes 12 tracks and succeeds in its intention of inspiring and uplifting listeners in a season of hope and victory.
Right off the bat "Love Will Never Give Up" elevates the mood. It's upbeat, gets your toes tapping and sets the stage for the rest of the album. The fiddle and guitar play nicely off each other. The title track "Hope For All Nations" begins with keys and strings and really does embody hope lyrically and musically. The progression of this song is perfect: tender cello moving into a brighter chorus. By the bridge, the lyric just hits you: "The same great power that raised him from the dead is living within us / The church will rise with kingdom dreams again / Nothing can stop us." It begs to be repeated because this is what church is supposed to be: God mending marriages, bringing prodigal hearts home, giving hope to broken hearts that can't remember what hope is supposed to mean.
Powerhouse tenor Ricky Braddy leads next in a slow groove for "Who He Is, What He Does," then back to the group dynamic in "The Reason" and "Gotta Be Saved," which is twangy in the best way possible. "I'll Keep On Praying" features Karen's daughter Kari and Ricky Braddy in a sweet duet. Next, Karen leads the ballad "The River," which has enjoyable moments of unison and again features The Wilmington Celebration Choir. "Victory is Mine" intro reminds me of the beginning of Kirk Franklin's "Lean on Me" with the keys, but quickly comes into its own. Ricky's strong, solid vocals lead each verse and first two choruses, then flips to the tenor part while Karen takes lead on the last half.
"God's Got A Blessing" is another song with a country beat, and gives the electric guitar, bass, fiddle and other instruments the opportunity to have fun playing off of and with each other. The next two slow down a bit with "All You Need" poignantly examining the hard life, and "I Know I'll Be There" examining death. While "All You Need" runs the risk of being cliché with the phrase the song is built around ("If God is all you have / You have all you need"), I think the intention comes through. The bridge reiterates who God is regardless of our hearts: "He is greater / He is stronger / He's everlasting love." "I Know I'll Be There" is written to those left behind: "You won't have to wonder where I'll be / I know I'll be there."
The album wraps up with "I'm Gonna Love My Neighbor" getting help from some of Karen Peck and New River's Southern Gospel artist friends. Listen to that four-part harmony on the choruses! It's a flawless ending bringing the global aspect to the forefront.
The Bottom Line: There's just something about Southern Gospel music that is unique and exciting. For me, what makes it fun to listen to is that it is so easy to sing with. Can't hit the high notes? Find the alto. Early morning frog in your throat? There's a tenor part that's reachable. Really warmed up? Wail right along with that soprano praising Jesus! Seriously though, besides being a lesson in vocal ability, harmonies, blend and the technical acuity required to pull off gospel music so well, the stories woven through songs in Southern Gospel stick with you like no other genre. Karen Peck & New River do all the above flawlessly, making Hope for All Nations a must-have this summer.
Leading Into the Throne Room | Posted June-26-2017
While Lead Me to You is Evergreen Music's first release, worship leader Zach Dietz is no stranger to the music scene. Dietz fronted the band A Road Less Traveled for nearly 13 years and released a few albums under that name. Exchanging alternative rock for worship, Dietz now leads the team at Evergreen Baptist Church near Tulsa, OK each week.
The album overall has a cohesive sound, keeping things simple with instruments you'd hear on a Sunday morning. It is easy on listener's ears, featuring artists Lindsey Dail, Cole Bayer and Sara Hawley. Each artist offers not only a fresh sound but also brings a unique invitation to worship and engage with each lyric.
The first and last songs bookend Lead Me to You perfectly. "My Soul Sings" starts up-tempo. It sets up the album with thankfulness and lyrically is thoughtful and clever. Verse one offers thanks for things God has done, while verse two gives thanks to God, who overcomes the grave, whose kingdom never fades. The chorus then bursts exuberantly into the lyrics "I sing to the God of forever / I sing to the God who redeems / Yes my soul sings / Oh My soul sings!"
"Psalm 23 (I Need You Jesus)" closes the album with a personal paraphrase of the Psalm which adds the chorus "I need you Jesus / Yes I need you / If I have you Jesus / No I don't need a thing."
The Bottom Line: In seeking God, Evergreen Music leads others into God's throne room as well with Lead Me to You.
A Heartfelt Sunday Set | Posted May-24-2017
"This soul once torn and beaten / left without reason to move on / Then you reached down and brought me / up from the valley of dry bones." These beginning lyrics do well to set up the album God That Saves.
Through the title track, Iron Bell Music conveys in this album the believer's position in Christ. "God That Saves" could easily be incorporated in churches' Sunday morning worship sets across the nation with its simple instrumentation that builds throughout the song. "Your Love is a Fortress" picks up the tempo, declaring fearlessness in Jesus.
"Belong to You" softens, opening tenderly. Iron Bell writer Stephen McWhirter has shared that as he was writing this song, it was like spiritual warfare. "I was putting a stake in the ground and saying no. What God says about me is what defines me, and the enemy can't 'Take what I have / Change who I am. / I belong to You.'"
"My Confidence" is an anthem about Jesus. It starts with synth and acoustic guitar and finds a groove with the drum and banjo. "Fall Away" is keys-driven behind an honest cry inviting God's presence.
The tempo picks up slightly with "Faithfulness" and "Burn for You." "On and On" has an organ base and highlights the love of God. It ends with a lilting drum. "Son and Daughters" is a waltz sung from the Father's perspective, featuring Joel Gerdis. It continues weaving the thread of identity and God's pursuit of His children. "I sought you, you were lost / You were worth the cost."
"Free in You" is a celebration. A boom-clap drum beat joined by the banjo and fiddle proclaims freedom--think Braveheart in Kentucky. The banjo carries through to the final song and wraps up the evening of worship with "Your Face is Beautiful," a simple response to a complex, loving, worthy Lord.
The Bottom Line: Iron Bell Music's hope to speak to the believer's identity comes through in a heartfelt collection of songs.
A Full Worship Experience | Posted April-24-2017
I had to get familiar with Covenant Worship's history, because sadly I wasn't in the know prior to listening to Sand and Stars. Of course God's timing is perfect; there's always the possibility that now is when the lesson would sink in and stick, so now is when we get to discover it.
The beginning invitation "Gate of Heaven" takes its name directly from Genesis 28:17, when Jacob dreams of a ladder of "Angels going up / angels coming down." It sets the tone for the entire album: "Surely the Lord is here / here in this place / as we worship."
"All Things" is the first track on the album to treat the listener to Nicole Binion's vocals. Other NRT reviewers have described them as "angelic" and "Darlene Zschech-like." I thought they were reminiscent of Celtic Women, and I love the ability to punch it up to evoke a lot of passion. "Back To The Father" takes a waltzy turn and employs the rich history of hymns with the outro, "Softly and tenderly, Jesus is calling."
The tempo picks up in "Song of My Heart," "Love Has Overcome" and "Highest Praise." The drummer sounds like he is having fun in this mini-set, and we get a bit of a Rend Collective vibe. If you like a beat and want to get your blood moving, listen to these three.
The weakest and the strongest tracks on Sand and Stars are back to back. "Persuaded" has great lyrics and starts with a fine shuffle beat, but the instrumental prior to the bridge feels kitschy cowboy with the bass line. After that, we're back to fantastic with the title track "Sand and Stars."
Based on Scripture from Genesis and God's promise to Abraham, "Sand and Stars" builds, soars, creates anticipation and culminates in expressive praise to the Father who loves big and shows it to us in extravagance. This song is tender and powerful, a healing salve to hearts that are weary and worn: "From the dust, You breathed on us / Speaking hope and destiny / Love revealed, Your promises / Breathing life, to every dream." The lyrics remind us that we aren't forgotten. On the contrary, we're cherished, so deeply and so completely.
"All Honor" is dreamy, with a synth base and string and acoustic picking overlaid. It's a nice breath of praise and response after "Sand and Stars." It transitions seamlessly into the "Doxology," which honors the original and builds on it. The bridge reminds of Israel Houghton (who produced their 2014 album Kingdom).
The Bottom Line: Sand and Stars is a cohesive worship experience with an invitation, teaching, response and expressive praise. Covenant Worship has given an offering of encouragement to the body of Christ, encouraging the people of God to pursue His presence.
A Picture of the Character of God | Posted March-10-2017
Greg Sykes, a new Integrity Music signee, is presenting a picture of the character of God with his Reverse EP.
"Just the Beginning" speaks of God's redeeming love. On the surface, this song celebrates with a new believer. But it can also easily apply to the veteran Christian, weary and worn, as an encouragement that God is still in the business of restoring broken people to Himself. "This is just, just the beginning / this is love / this is the journey / so keep running, keep running. / It's a brand new day / reach out and grab it / you've been raised up from the ashes / this is the start of the rest of your life."
The title track is based on Luke 13:30 which says, "This is the Great Reversal: the last in line put at the head of the line, and the so-called first ending up last." Its uplifting sound and lyrics are perfect for radio, and I can only hope that it will reach a wide audience.
While the rest of the three songs are all strong, "All I Need to Know" is personal. Sykes recently shared with his Facebook fans, "I have struggled with insecurity and fear my whole life. But now, I'm learning to stand tall, confident and courageous because I know what God thinks of me. This is my testimony in a song."
As Aristotle said, "The whole is greater than the sum of its parts." Each song will stand on its own as a deep encouragement to someone. But together, the Reverse EP cuts to the core. God's timing is perfect. How else could release dates sync up so seamlessly with current life circumstances and lessons? Reverse EP moved me. In a time with many competing voices, these five songs reinforced God's character to me. God can be trusted. He does want good for us, and nothing is beyond hope.
The Bottom Line: Greg Sykes' Reverse EP serves as a reminder that you can face today with confidence, knowing you are always loved by God.
An Array of Sounds | Posted March-03-2017
Ayiesha Woods was noticed by TobyMac the moment he first heard her, and it's easy to understand why. On top of having a smoky sound and great vocal control, Woods is extremely versatile in her sound. Many of her albums don't fall easily into one genre, and new release The Runway Project is no exception.
Woods' project starts with an island beat in "Humbling," includes contemporary styles with "Runway" and "Don't Miss Me,"and explores Southern Gospel and Country with "Jesus Lovin' People" and "This Side of Life." She shows off her eclectic range and excels with each style she tackles. While some may find The Runway Project disjointed, others will love the mix tape variety.
The Bottom Line: Ayiesha Woods has a great sound and the capacity to reach an array of fans. This diverse collection of songs and subject matter will cater to a smorgasbord of people.
His Word Remains | Posted February-16-2017
Whether it's my personal current season of life or the recent political climate, Lauren Talley's The Gospel is refreshing. As a Christian I'm encouraged and reminded through her lyrics that "God is who he says He is," and His Word remains. And that's just in the first song.
The rest of the album is equally poignant and uplifting. From Janet Paschal's classic "I Am Not Ashamed" to "What Grace Is Mine" (set to the old Irish tune "Londonderry Air"), a recurring theme is God's faithfulness. Multiple tracks speak of His eternal nature. In "The God Who Never Changes," Talley sings, "but oh in a world that's going crazy / I can count on the God who never changes / oh when nothing stays the same/ I know I can count on the God who never changes."
"The Blood of Jesus Speaks for Me" stands out not only because the lyrics penetrate so deeply, but also because it sounds different. Atypical for most new music, the song sounds like an old hymn, powerful and reverent. The last verse bursts with realized expectation: "O let my soul arise and sing / My confidence is not in vain / The One who fights for me is King / His oath, His covenant remain / No condemnation now I dread / Eternal hope is mine instead / His Word will stand, I stand redeemed / The blood of Jesus speaks for me." As the songwriter David Moffit describes, "Rest. Peace. Freedom. Confidence. Assurance. Into everything scrambled. Into everything confused. He is fighting for us. He is King and the Word He speaks will forever stand." Lauren Talley takes this beautifully written opus and breathes even more artistry and honesty into it with her vocals.
The Bottom Line: Lauren Talley is passionate about empowering and encouraging people to live a victorious, joyful and purposeful Christian life. The Gospel does exactly that by reminding us who God is and how we can respond.
Song to Download Now:
"The Blood Of Jesus Speaks For Me" (Get it on iTunes here.)
A Summery Outlook | Posted November-15-2016
Sommer Floyd is a new artist with a sound reminiscent of a young Lee Ann Womack. With her sweet, innocent vocals, one might not realize the depth of life experience that Floyd has.
While she has all the credentials of an All American (honor roll student, gifted athlete, beauty queen and cheerleader), Sommer is the first to admit she has made her share of mistakes. It is from this place that Floyd's songwriting shines. She explains, "putting my brokenness on paper helped to get me through the hard times, and the lyrics started to turn into worship."
Listeners will explore joy in the title track, be uplifted with "Let it Rain" and "Little Boy," get drawn into the worshipful "I Need You" and join in praise on "He is Good." In "He is Good," Floyd gives us a glimpse of her story as well as her response of praise: "He is good / He's so good / He's the master of creation / He carries you and me. / He is good / He's so good / The Fulfiller of the empty / The sound of joyful praise."
"Great is Thy Faithfulness" is the only song on the album that Floyd didn't write. With tender acoustic guitar picking and gentle strings, the arrangement of this classic hymn allows Floyd's heart to be heard. She sings as though this song has brought her personal strength and resolve.
Because there is much to applaud about Floyd's first studio album, one can only imagine what the future will bring: perhaps more confidence and strength in her vocals and phrasing, and more of the genuineness she so honestly and vulnerably writes with already.
Ray of Light is masterfully produced by multi-Dove Award winning Steven V. Taylor (Michael W. Smith, Matt Redman, Veggie Tales) and was recorded at the renowned Dark Horse Studios. It is available to buy now on Floyd's website at sommerfloyd.com.
The Bottom Line: Sommer Floyd's sound is young and fresh. Her upbeat yet poignant songs inspire a summery outlook that's sure to brighten the airwaves.
SarahBassett_NRT's Music and Book Reviews 
