Artist: Inspirations
Project Title: No Two Ways About It
Label: Crossroads
Producers: Crossroads

This is my first project review, but just the same, I have the honor of writing the review on a group that I have thoroughly enjoyed listening to through the years. Their music is upbeat, with tight harmonies in the upper three voices, and one of the deepest bass singers in the industry, and their music has the right focus:  our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  If you were hoping to get something else, you will be sorely mistaken.  Just a quick glimpse at the titles will indicate where the focus of this project lies.  You will not be disappointed with this project; in fact, it will be one you will cherish for many years to come, lest the Lord tarry, Amen!  

The project begins with an upbeat song focused on the Christian knowing for sure where they will be going to once they leave this temporal world.  The song is titled “Saved, Sealed and Going.” It describes how we all search for truth in this world, but know when we find Jesus who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life, that what that truth brings, assurance of our eternal life with HIM. We are also reminded once we are saved that nothing can separate us from Him and His love for us, hence the Sealed! (Romans 8:39, Hebrews 12:24) 

Next on the project is a song that reminds us of one of the great promises that God has made with us that being “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9) This song is titled “You Can Still Find Forgiveness.” In addition to the forgiveness God promises us if we come to him, we are also reminded in this song, that though we live in a new age, it is still the blood that saves from sin.  This song is an encouragement to all of us, because we do come short of God’s Glory, but when we do, we are reminded that there is a place that we can go and He meets us there, at the foot of the cross. 

“I’ll Be a Friend to Jesus” is the next amazing song on this project.  It reminds us of when Jesus stood before Pilate just before his crucifixion and that he stood there with no friends with him.  But, this song shares that we can be his friend and that there is a lifelong commitment to be his friend.  We love Him because He first loved us (1 John 4:19) and “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends” John 15:13, but goes on to say in the next verse that we are his friend if we do whatsoever He commands us.  I want to be Jesus’ friend, don’t you?  This song gives reason to be His friend.

The next song on this project is titled “He Made a Change.” Not to be confused with a song done by other artists (i.e., The Cathedrals and Ernie Haase and Signature Sound) the song does convey the similar message that we are born in this world as a sinner, but when we come to know Jesus, “…he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new” (2 Corinthians 5:17.)  Further, we are no longer standing on sinking sand, but a firm foundation in the Lord Jesus is what we stand on when we come to know Him as Savior. 

“I’ll Never Get Over” is the next song on this project and what an amazing message in this great song.  The world cannot understand what was done on the old rugged cross at Calvary, and it is most amazing to me, saved and born again, of the love that God has for us to redeem us back to Him through the blood of Jesus.

The next song on the project is an oldie but a goodie. “Just a Little Talk with Jesus.”  This is the song upon which formed our group.  Same message, slightly different vocal and instrumental arrangement made popular by The Master’s V with JD Sumner and other great groups through the years. Big Mike Holcomb takes “bass singer liberty” (as we fellow bass singers tend to do on occasion!) and not only demonstrates his vocal range on this by going down in the “bassment” of the first octave on the key board, but later is up in the baritone range towards the end of this arrangement.  You will love it! Most importantly, we were all once lost in sin, but Jesus took us in.  We do have doubts and fears, and we get sad, but Jesus is a friend, and no better friend do we have than him.  The song encourages us to come to Him and have a little talk with him when we are down, and He will make it right! Amen!

“Jesus is Coming Soon” is the next song on this project.  It is a reminder that Jesus is coming, we know not what time of the day, but when He does we will join him, and to Heaven we will ultimately go.  This song has been presented by many previous groups (The Oak Ridge Boys, The Blackwood Quartet, and was a superhit by The Inspirations back in 1968!), and this arrangement retains the classical Inspirations “sound.” 

The next song is what the project takes its name from “No Two Ways.”  The world will tell you, if you ask it how to get to heaven, which just like Rome, there are many roads that lead to Heaven and choose the one that best fits you.  That is flawed theology.  There is only one way that leads to heaven, and one must go through the blood.  Awesome tune that incorporates words from traditional hymns to convey the message that the way to heaven involves walking on the “straight and narrow” and passing through the blood of Jesus.  Jesus is the Way the Truth and the Life, no man comes to the Father but through him (paraphrased from John 14:6)!

The second to last song on this project is titled “On Heaven’s Bright Shore” which was taken from their 1976 Album with the same name.  Many Gospel Bluegrass groups have also presented this song (Allison Kraus, Dailey and Vincent and others.)  Awesome message describing what was revealed to John the Revelator about what Heaven will be like:  no dying, no graves, no tears, no saying goodbyes, just singing Jesus’ praise on Heaven’s Bright Shore!

The last song on this project, “I’ve Got That Old Time Religion,” not to be confused with “I’ve Got That Old Time Religion in My Heart” that many groups have done through the years, retains that classic, upbeat, peppy, featuring the piano and steel guitar on the instrumentals that The Inspirations presents.  Its message focuses on the basics of Christianity:  the old rugged cross, loving our Savior, and loving everyone.  A timeless, wholesome message.

All 10 songs on this project are great.  Some new music, some old music, all with the Gospel message!!  My favorite songs from this project include: “I’ve Got that Old Time Religion”, “No Two Ways”, “I’ll be a Friend to Jesus” and of course I cannot leave out our group’s “signature song” “Just a Little Talk With Jesus.”  All in all it is a project with 10 amazing songs that are presented professionally, in the timeless The Inspirations signature, and convey the consistent message of the Good News of Jesus.  You will love this project! For more information on The Inspirations, please visit their website at www.theinspirations.com