Welcome to the annual feature where we at AbsolutelyGospel.com list our favorite recordings of the year. The albums here may not have been rated in our album reviews as the best of the year - but they were definitely among our favorite. Perennial favorites like the The Perrys, The Hoppers, and Booth Brothers show up again, as well as new faces like Beyond the Ashes, Mark209, and Back Home. Be sure and stop by throughout the month as other staff writers may be submitting their picks as well!
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Deon Unthank |
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The Isaacs From the Bluegrass rendition of "Hallelujah Turnpike" that got my motor running to their own rendition of the Gaither classic "I Believe In A Hill Called Mt Calvary", the Isaacs have put their own brand on these songs. The message on every song is so uplifting, and the title song "Why Can't We" really blesses me. When I listen to this project I get my itch of Southern Gospel and a little Bluegrass filled in one setting. |
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Karen Peck & New River Karen and her crew have stretched their muscles on this one. They really stepped out of the box ad hit a home-run. If there is one word that I would use to describe this CD it would be "commercial". The sound of this CD is as good as any secular CD on the market. I really like her variety of songs too. I really like her version of the old secular song "Reach Out And Touch". It reminds me of my high school days. I listen to "Banks of the Promise Land" over and over, but my favorite song is probably the progressive song "This Is What Mercy Does". New River out-did themselves on this one. |
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The Hoppers From Kim singing in the rafters and bringing the goosebumps on "It Is Well With My Soul" to Connie's rendition of 'Until Then", these old songs bring back memories and touch the heartstrings of everyone who listens. It's just something about the old hymns that bring comfort to the soul suffering through the tough roads of like. "That Land Where Living Waters Flow" just lifts up my spirit every time I hear it. |
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The Perrys While this CD is chuck full of great songs. "His Love Lights The Way Home", "Grace Doesn't Remember", and "Sounds Good To Me" all get the repeat button pushed. The whole CD would still be one of my favorites because of one song. "Celebrate Me Home" gives me encouragement to keep going. In the last two years, I have lost more than my share of loved ones, and when I feel like all hope is lost, this song reminds me of where they are and how much better they are than I am right now. |
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Booth Brothers The Booth Brothers have a unique way of taking an old song and making it theirs. Their cuts of "He's So Good To Me" and "Bread On The Water" are tremendous. They are familiar enough that I still recognize the old tunes in a way that brings back fond memories, yet have the finger print of these young guy all over them. I have to have a hanky near every time I listen to "She Still Remembers Jesus' Name", and "When You Bow At Jesus Feet" puts me in that worship frame of mind. This CD is nothing less than I would expect from The Booth Brothers. |
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Chris D. Unthank Editor-In-Chief |
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The Isaacs It's no secret that I've become a huge fan of The Isaacs over the last few years - mainly starting with their Heroes release - but it all started when I had church one day in my car while listening to "It Is Well (Elisha's Song)" on the radio. Why Can't We continues down the same musical territory as their last few albums - but things just seem to go up a notch as far as their writing and song selection this time around. This is a phenomenal album from start to finish. |
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Karen Peck & New River Much like The Isaacs, there's no denying my love for Karen Peck and the gang, andReach Out was another favorite from this trio. I always knew that Peck would have a hard time finding a replacement for Devin McGlamery - but Jeff Hawes has found his own voice in this group, and it's a breath of fresh air. I love "On the Banks of the Promised Land," however "This Is What Mercy Does" has been one of my favorite anthems this year. |
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Booth Brothers As much as I loved the traditional sounds displayed on Declaration, I was ecstatic to hear the guys went with a more blended approach on Let It Be Known. Again going with Lari Goss, the guys toned down a lot of the big orchestrations and settled more in on the tight harmonies and strong lyrics like on past releases. There's a lot of strong material on this release - such as "She Still Remembers Jesus' Name," "John Saw," and the critical darling "What About Now." |
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Bowling Family There wasn't a whole lot of buzz surrounding this release - after all it is just a custom project. No big deal, right? Wrong. This collection of worship, hymns, and songs of the church is just what the doctor ordered. The Bowling Family has managed to put songs that wouldn't normally stand well alongside each other together on this disc, and they do it masterfully. There's no reason why songs like "Thou Art Worthy," "Mercy & Grace," and "Jesus Messiah" can't be big hits at Southern Gospel radio - especially when a group as good as this one covers the songs. |
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Jim Brady No, this isn't your typical solo release from one of Gospel music's most prolific songwriters. However, if you're engaged by the songwriting process or love the stories behind the songs, then this is your kind of release. Brady's demos are (for the most part) as solid as the actual artist cuts, and this is a welcome addition to fans of Brady, the Booth Brothers, or someone like Marshall Hall or Michael English. Bravo Jim (and Melissa for recommending this be made in the first place)! |
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James Hales Head Reviewer |
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Palmetto State Quartet The Palmetto State Quartet had pretty much gone defunct (as far as I was concerned) until I heard this latest release. Like the advertisements stated, “this is not your grandpa’s Palmetto State Quartet!” I was VERY impressed with their sound. No, their sound isn’t what I expect when I think “PSQ”, but I absolutely love this recording. With its definitive country sound (which normally isn’t my forte), I fell in love with the first single, “Don’t That Sound like Heaven” and had to go out and buy the CD. This recording is one I listen to quite often. |
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The Perrys I’ve been a fan of the Perrys for over 20 years. While I liked their music prior to 1988, I think their “God’s Little People” record sold me. Now, 23 years after that release, the Perrys have struck a new chord in me with this latest release. Reminiscent of that Goodman sound, this is definitely a fan pleaser and showcases the Perrys at their best. I hope to see “I Know What I’m Singing About” hit radio in 2012. That song hits all the right buttons for me, and so does this recording! |
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The Martins Produced by Jay DeMarcus (Rascal Flatts), this is probably the Martins finest work and should yield several tremendous radio songs and concert favorites. The arrangements are outstanding, the tracks are awesome, the songs definitely come from a deep place within and the vocals are passionate and fervent. As one of the most anticipated releases for 2011, New Day does not disappoint. I absolutely loved “Unredeemed” and I am surprised this song hasn’t done that well in the charts; it should be a #1 song! But it doesn’t deter me from emphatically shouting the praises of this recording. |
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Beyond the Ashes There aren’t many artists in our field that can blend traditional and progressive sounds in such a way that it appeals to a broad audience. Somehow, Beyond the Ashes were able to do it and they did it in such a classy way. I love how BTA blended classic songs with a few previously recorded tunes and mixed them up with some brand new material and offered fresh and exciting arrangements, splendid vocals and excellent music tracks to bring us an offering that is truly a “treasure unseen” or “unheard” rather, until now. BTA have definitely set a very high standard whereby all their other future musical endeavors will be measured by. |
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The Isaacs I think this is my favorite release for 2011. In a day when artists are trying to come up with clever arrangements, new clichés and outdo what they did with their last recording; it’s so refreshing to listen to a recording like this and simply enjoy it for what it is. On this latest release, The Isaacs’ earthy sound meets honest lyrics, and with that honesty comes some profound lyrics that speak the sentiment of all our hearts. In these dark and troubling times, it’s nice to sit back and reflect on what’s real and focus on where our faith and resilience lies. This is a deep recording, deeper than the average Southern Gospel release, and the Isaacs were honest enough to do it. In my opinion, the entire recording completely revolves around 3 songs... “Why Can’t We”, “Why” and “I Still Trust You”. All the other songs compliment those 3 songs and reiterate each message. I find this recording very emotional as well as highly enjoyable for me. |
Honorable Mentions: |
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Jennifer Wilkerson Staff Writer/Reviewer |
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Doug Anderson This project has fresh songs, incredible messages in each one, amazing vocals featuring Doug's velvet, rich and powerful tones and pretty awesome guest vocalists (Charlotte Ritchie, Collingsworth Family and Ernie Haase & Signature Sound). A wonderful debut solo effort! |
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The Martins |
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Collingsworth Family This was their first all vocal project and the maturity in the voices of the Collingsworth Kids is simply outstanding. Phil Jr is proving to be a force to be reckoned with and I am anxious to hear and see more. One of the greatest cuts of this project is their re-make of the classic hymn "At Calvary" |
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The Isaacs Why Can't We Gaither Music Group The Isaac's projects are always full of tight family harmony, incredible arrangements and fresh sounds. This project has some great songs including one of the best Becky Isaacs Bowman has ever delivered: "I Still Trust You." The popular "I'm Gonna Love You Through It" is another hit and proving to be a sucess for Sonya and Becky, who penned the song about the mother's own struggle with cancer. |
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Karen Peck & New River They always put out first class projects but to me, this one is special and just has a sweet touch to it. "On the Banks of the Promised Land" is already hitting airwaves strong and it's one of Karen's best deliveries. It's also Jeff Hawes first studio release with the group and he does an amazing job on the song "This is What Mercy Does." I personally think this album is packed with great songs! |
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Jeff Lowe Staff Writer/Reviewer |
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Kingdom Heirs I'm a huge Kingdom Heirs fan, and this CD is a compilation of some of the best Kindom Heir songs recorded. A fine example of their style. |
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The Hoppers |
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Tribute Quartet I never really listened to them until I had the opportunity to interview Gary Casto in November of this year. In preparation for the interview, I listened to The Waiting is Over, and I thought it was really good, but after talking with Gary and finding out how "real" that man is, I listened again and it became one of my favorites. |
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The Inspirations
God Makes No Mistakes Horizon Records This is where I learned to sing bass, listening to Mike Holcomb! Now they're reinvented with Jodi as their new tenor. This is a new Inspirations. Better than ever. |
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Dixie Melody Boys I like this album and made it one of my favorites because of the quality of the songs, and |
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Christina Dallas Jones Staff Writer |
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Crist Family They did a superb job on this album! The tracks and vocals are everything Christmas. I love their take on my favorite Christmas Songs...the only downer is the CD doesn't have enough songs on it! |
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Mark209 |
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Libbi Perry Stuffle Not coming from a Southern Gospel background, this CD is a special treat to hear some of the songs which made her so popular. I love her voice and spirit, and this is truly a fabulous album! |
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James W. Vaughn, Jr. Staff Writer/Reviewer |
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Greater Vision Greater Vision is more than just a top male trio. In my opinion, the ministry of Greater Vision
continues to have a greater impact on listeners and the industry alike. Rodney Griffin’s
songwriting abilities enable this group to share their heart in a very unique way.
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The Perrys |
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Back Home I love groups that I have never heard before come out of the gate with fresh songs, anointed lyrics and great harmonies. This husband and wife duo has these three qualities in their favor. Their sound reminds of country artist Little Big Town but the lyrics to the songs are quite different. The testimony of Back Home along with their music has been a hit with me since I first listened to the CD Faith Like That. |
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Valor III Keep On Singing Independent This trio from Statesville, NC is another project that stays on my iPod. The group consists of Jeff Rowland, Mark Moore, and Ronnie Moore and they have recently added former Blackwood Brother, Ken Turner to the lineup. The harmonies are unique and the majority of the songs are written in house by Jeff and Mark. On this recording, two songs were cover tunes. It amazes me how songs can still be written in the “convention style” yet still be brand new. These men have a knack for that. The CD is definitely a favorite due to the quality of talent, the songwriting abilities, and the fact that they are fairly new to the industry. |
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Jeff & Sheri Easter It is hard to remember exactly when I was introduced to the music of Jeff and Sheri Easter but I am so glad that I was! This CD takes the listener on a journey through 25 years of quality music that glorifies the Lord. Although, personnel may have changed over the years, I strongly feel that the goal of ministry has remained the same. I enjoyed listening to the love songs as well as the “classic” Jeff and Sheri songs. These songs are still on my IPod after reviewing this CD in February. I am always excited to see what is next for the ministry of Jeff and Sheri Easter. The couple has seen tough days and days full of joy and I believe that the best is yet to come for Jeff and Sheri Easter. |
Author: AGM
| Author's Website: http://absolutelygospel.com/
Written: 01/01/2012
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Comments: 2
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I have been looking and waiting for months now, and am wondering why there has not been a CD review done on Wilburn and Wilburn "Family Ties"?? There has been one done on all other review sites except this one! In fact it made #2 album of the year on one website. Just wonderd what the reason was? That site was sogospelbackrow.com.
Jared - AGM will review the CD when we receive a copy from either Wilburn & Wilburn or their record company. Thanks!
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