Artist: Sherry Anne
Project Title: Keep On Prayin'
Label: Independent
Producer: Gordon Mote
Reviewed By: Scott Evans

Every successful artist in music can look back to a recorded project that was the turning point for their career.  I believe that the brand new project from Sherry Anne may be that project for this incredibly talented soloist from Utica, NY!  Sherry Anne’s brand new project includes twelve wonderful song and a great mix of songs and styles of music!

The project begins with the upbeat song “God Made A Way.”  I love this song for several reasons.  First, the upbeat tempo, but I also love the message of the song that God did make a way for us to be saved!  I hope everyone reading this knows that and has accepted God's way as the only way to Heaven.  The next song is a very personal song for Sherry Anne.  You see, Sherry Anne was born with a substantial hearing loss in both of her ears and a speech impairment.  The next song is titled “Silent Prayer” and it is a beautiful song and melody that only is enhanced by Sherry Anne’s testimony.  No project is complete, in my opinion, without a bona fide classic song on it and Sherry Anne recorded the Tracy Dartt classic, “God On The Mountain” next.  This has always been a favorite song of mine and I love Sherry Anne’s version.  “Keep On Prayin’” is the title song of the project and this upbeat song is a favorite around my household!  Personally, I love the message of the song to keep on praying about those trials in your life until God sends the answer.  And yes, that tempo and beat is pretty awesome too!

Artist: Oak Ridge Boys
Project Title: Back Home Again
Label: Gaither Music Group
Producer: Ben Isaacs
Reviewed By: Scott Evans

I first started listening to the Oak Ridge Boys back in the early 1970’s.  I had the honor of reviewing their first Spring Hill recording about 10 years ago and I have been enjoying the group’s return to Southern Gospel Music through their additional recording and appearances on the Gaither Homecoming DVD’s since that time.  All of this has led to their latest Gospel Music release on the Gaither Music label titled “Back Home Again.”  While this is a recording of twelve Gospel Music favorites, these are all brand new, original recordings of these songs from the Oak Ridge Boys.  Producer Ben Isaacs has brought out the best in the “Boys” and this recording is one that you will want to hear.

“Lead Me To That Rock” is a rousing start to this recording, The Oak Ridge Boys sang this song on a Gaither Video a little bit ago and this is that same arrangement.  It is a rousing start to this project as the guys crank it up on this up tempo song and what a great job they do!  The song asks to lead us to that Rock that is higher than we are.  God can, and will, help us if we just go to Him.  Next on the project is not a Gospel song.  William Lee Golden takes the lead on the John Denver classic, “Back Home Again.”  The song is a great song and fits right into this project like a glove.  In fact, it fit so well, they named the project after it!  “Led Out Of Bondage” is an old song in history of Southern Gospel Music.  I first heard the Cathedrals sing this song but the Oak Ridge Boys version is on that same level.  The unique song has long been a favorite in Southern Gospel Music and I am sure it will be a favorite of the listeners of this project as well.  “I Get To” is a neat song that brought back some memories for me.  I can remember when I was going up how I constantly said I had to do things like go to church and spend time with my parents.  Of course, I’m older now and with a different perspective on life and now I get to go to church and would give just about anything to spend time with my parents who are both deceased.  It is a great song with a tremendous message.

Artist: Matt Felts
Project Title: Angels On The Battlefield
Label: Unknown
Producer: Matt Felts
Reviewed By: Scott Evans

You know, I have a lot of various and diverse interests in life.  Obviously, Southern Gospel Music is one of those interests but another of those interests is American History and especially the Civil War Era.  I have visited numerous battlefields from that era over the years and especially Gettysburg, PA.  I have read many books on the Civil War and those who shaped the history of that era.  Well, Matt Felts, who sings with the Dixie Melody Boys, has combined music with history on this brand new project titled “Angels On The Battlefield; Songs And Stories Of Faith From The Civil War.”  Matt was joined in the studio on this project by Johnny Minick, Mike Allen and Aaron Minick.

The project has wonderful narration throughout the project which tells the stories of the songs.  The songs and stories tell a poignant story of one of the most turbulent times in our nation’s history as our nation celebrates the 150th anniversary of the war.  The first track sets up the project and tells about the importance that faith in God played in those times.  The second track is the familiar “Battle Hymn Of The Republic.”  Of course, this is a song that is still a favorite today and this is a great version of the song.  “The Prayers OF Stonewall Jackson” tells a story of the faith of that familiar figure in American History.  It is a great story of faith in God that we can all learn from.  Another familiar hymn is next with “I Love To Tell The Story.”  This hymn has one of the great messages of the story of Christ and what it has done and can do.  “Angels On The Battlefield” is the title of the project and the title of the next story on the project.  It is a great story about a Confederate Soldier showing mercy to wounded Union Soldiers on the battlefield.

Artist: Talleys
Project Title: Love Won
Label: Crossroads
Producer: Roger Talley
Reviewed By: Scott Evans

I have reviewed several projects over the years recorded by the Talleys.  Some of them were the original Talleys, others the Talley Trio and even some solo projects from some of the various members of the group.  However, this is the first review I have ever done of a Talleys project that includes Brian Alvey, Lauren Talley’s husband and the newest member of the Talley family.  Of course, Brian is no stranger to Southern Gospel Music having sung with the Tribute Quartet and having written several songs, including some on this brand new project.

The Talleys sound has always had a progressive Southern Gospel Music sound and that has not changed.  The Talleys have also always been known for their incredible and sometimes complex harmonies.  The harmony of the group shines right away with “We Want To Thank You.”  What a beautiful song thanking God for His mercy and grace in our lives.  “Love Won” is the title of the project as well as the next song and this has a unique sound and feel but I certainly enjoyed the song.  The message is excellent as well too as it reminds us of that day when love won when Christ died and rose again!  Next on the project is a song titled “Make Way For The Master.”  This is a great reminded of how God can touch a life when He passes by and you reach out to Him.  “Broken World” was one of those songs I was pretty sure I was going to like.  I love this song and the message of how we won’t have to live in this broken world for much longer because this broken world is cradled by a Savior.