Guitar Slinger

Vince Gill has earned the most Grammy® awards for a male Country artist with nineteen. That is an incredible feat! His newest album, Guitar Slinger, features the song, “Threaten Me With Heaven,” which is also nominated for a Grammy®. Gill’s latest album is fantastic. His pure, tenor vocal sounds as good as it ever has. The title track, “Guitar Slinger,” is an autobiographical rocker that he wrote. This song also showcases Gills’ amazing guitar chops. “Threaten Me With Heaven” is a mid-tempo song about having faith that Heaven exists. This magical song is the stand-out track on the album and epitomizes the work of Vince Gill – great lyric, great production, great voice, and soaring guitar parts. “When Lonely Comes Around” is another great song on this album that was written by Gill, Amy Grant (his wife), and Will Owsley. Gill and Amy Grant sing a duet, “True Love,” that sounds like their true story. It’s rare you get to hear a married couple sing a duet like this – you can almost feel the love coming out of the speakers – not to mention, their voices blend beautifully. “Bread And Water” is a moving ballad written by Gill and Leslie Satcher about a homeless man, who wonders into a mission and is ultimately saved. Gill is a master in this business as he continues to make classy, meaningful music that the world loves. This new album is no different. Great music!

At His Feet

Mary James is the 2010 ICM Faith, Family & Country™ Female Vocalist of the Year and proves her accolades on her new album, At His Feet. This live album, which was recorded at the Church at Rancho Bernardo, is a collection of thirteen songs that truly show the passion Mary James has for the Lord. James’ background is a true testament that she was called to sing. Living through an adoption and other personal issues, James eventually found her voice, and now she is using it better than most people! “Hosanna,” for example, is a mid-tempo song about praise where James’ spacious vocal really soars. “You Are,” a ballad written by Mark Roach, is a really touching and tender moment on this album. James’ vulnerable vocal is bound to move you! “Sweet Jesus” is another stand-out song on the album that is worth listening to. Rarely do live albums stand up against studio albums in the Praise and Worship format; however, Mary James has recorded a great live album that deserves to be heard by many!

Somebody’s Coming

For over thirty years, the Southern Gospel group, Gold City, has been singing and performing all over the country. Having formed in Dahlonega, Georgia, Gold City has great vocal harmonies and takes pride in singing songs about God. Their latest album, Somebody’s Coming, was produced by Christian artist Michael English and Daniel Riley. The list of musicians on this album represents some of Nashville’s finest. Songs like “I Get Down” show a humorous and fun side to the group, while also showcasing an amazing bass vocal. “Showers Of Blessings” is a tempo song that almost sounds like a Contemporary Country song in instrumentation and treatment. To have such talented singers and great songs on one album really makes for a special body of work. Other stand-out songs are “Somebody’s Coming” and “I Have An Anchor.” If you like Southern Gospel music, you will love this album. The vocals are amazing. The songs are great, and the production is impeccable!

Where I’m Going

Larissa, who hails from South Dakota, has completed a lifelong dream of hers: to record an album in Nashville. It’s a really good album, too. With hints of Miranda Lambert, Lori McKenna, and even Carole King at times, Larissa co-wrote every song on this album. The opening song, “It Ain’t Gonna Be Like This Forever,” is an anthem stating that ‘it’s gonna get better.’ This groovy song sounds like a hit single! The ballad, “God’s Still On The Throne,” showcases Larissa’s voice, but also shows her ability to sell a song through her expression. You can tell she has lived these songs in the way she delivers each vocal. In fact, the album is split into three sections: “Where I Was;” “Where I Am;” and “Where I’m Going.” To see the progression of her personal life and the progression of her as an artist is inspiring. The production on this album is great, as well. Larissa is an artist to keep an eye on!

Thank God For People

Eerie, Pennsylvania, native Tyson Bowman, has been trying to cut through the crowds of Country music to have a hit single and successful career. His first album, Thank God For People, is full of great Country songs. From songs like “I Can’t Live Without Loving You” to “Sunshine At Midnight,” Bowman has an immediately recognizable voice, which is a necessity to get through the masses of Country music hopefuls. Bowman also co-wrote every song on the album. When artists write their own material, you can sometimes get a better picture of whom that artist really is. The best song on the album, however, is the up-tempo rocker, “Diggin’ On A Country Girl.” With moments reminiscent of early Tim McGraw, Bowman delivers this fun song with passion and style. The production on this song is radio-ready, as well! Bowman also has Christian-based songs on the album, which add a nice touch. Bowman should be proud of this album – keep an eye out for Tyson Bowman.

Indescribable

The Chigger Hills Boys & Terri released their latest album, Indescribable, on October 25, 2011. The album is a collection of Contemporary hits that the group has added their own personal spin on. The unique blend of Bluegrass and Praise & Worship is something really special. “Enough,” “Your Name,” and “Lead Me To The Cross” are all stand-out songs; however, every song on this album is worth listening to. Terri has a great a voice and it really proves strong on “Enough.” “In Christ Alone” has an amazingly haunting sound that makes you feel as if you’re sitting in an old church in the Appalachian Mountains. There is something so special about the treatment of these songs that you almost have to hear them to understand them. In other words, this album is ‘Indescribable,’ but in an amazing way. If you like Bluegrass music and Praise & Worship music, buy this album.

Prime Tyme

On October 25, 2011, Russell Moore & IIIrd Tyme Out released their latest effort, Prime Tyme. This multi-award winning Bluegrass group has really recorded a great album to celebrate their twenty years as a band. With great songs like “Goodbye Old Missoula” and “Moon Magic,” this new album by Russell Moore & IIIrd Tyme Out is a great mix of traditional songs and sounds, as well as banks on the great songwriters of the genre, like Ronnie Bowman and Bill Castle. “Moon Magic,” which was written by David Norris, has a swing feel that showcases the great musicianship of this band. The mandolin playing by Wayne Benson on this track is spectacular. Russell Moore also continues to show why he is the three-time winner of the IBMA Male Vocalist of the Year. Furthermore, the harmonies are incredible, which also explains why this group has seven consecutive wins for IBMA Vocal Group of the Year. This is one of the best Bluegrass albums of the year – check it out!

Unforgiven

Tate Music Group has released a new album on up-and-coming artist Nial Hay titled Unforgiven. This young Contemporary artist recorded eleven songs, all of which he co-wrote with Tucker Hopper, Craig Damon, Chloe Oliver, and Kazual. Hay seems to like telling stories in his songs, like in “We Fell In Love,” which describes him seeing a girl on Sunday morning that he falls in love with. While some of Nial Hays’ songs are a bit wordy, they cover a lot of ground, which keeps the listener interested. “Fighting” is another stand-out relationship song on the album. The sparse production on this song is predominantly acoustic, which fits Hay’s vocal very well. The most commercial song on this album is “Just One Look.” Hay starts the song in his lower register, which is a nice contrast to some of the other songs. As Hay grows as an artist and a young man, he is capable of making great records.

Gone

Twenty-three-year-old singer, Amanda Nagurney released her first album this year. The six-song album covers a lot of ground – from love to independence, to the power of music and to American pride. “You Can Make It On Your Own” is the second song on the album, and it describes a parent’s advice to their child. This song really captures a side of Nagurney that is special. The open, Country production allows the listener to focus on the lyric, and Nagurney’s vocal. Any child who has left home, or any parent who has had to say goodbye to their child, can relate to this song. “It Ain’t Just Music” is another strong song that anyone who believes in the power of music will relate to. For a twenty-three-year-old to tackle a song like this really shows maturity. Having opened concerts for Gretchen Wilson and The Band Perry, Amanda Nagurney is on the way to a Country career!

Far Away Places

For six years, Australian Country act Jetty Road has been paving their pathway onto the Country music scene. Being the first Australian act to have a charted single in Canada is one of their major accomplishments; however, their new album is certainly a feat to be praised. “Let It Out” is a definitely a stand-out single on this album. This up-tempo song shows the groups’ harmonies and has a driving beat that might make you get a speeding ticket! “Bye Bye Baby” is another great song on this album. The opening harmonies are really special. The Bluegrass instrumentation in this song really lets these singers shine. The song, which is about saying goodbye to someone you love (perhaps a child), really deserves a slot on Country radio. The great songs, the great production, and the phenomenal singing by Jetty Road all make for a great album. This group is going to make it!