Staff Picks

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 11th Hour, The Isaacs, Tribute, and Gaither Vocal Band show up again, as well as new faces like Cana’s Voice, Second Half Quartet, and Jody McBrayer.

Deon Unthank President AbsolutelyGospel.com

Chris Freeman
The Hinson Side of Me
GoldenVine Records

Chris Freeman spent her early years with the Hinsons, in fact when you say Hinsons, I automatically think of the version with Chris Freeman involved. Just talk to her for a few moments and you sill see that she still has a great respect for her six years spent with the Hinsons. Chris is joined by several guest artists including Weston Hinson, Bo Hinson, Ronny Hinson, Mike Bowling, the Isaacs and others, as she puts her own spin on these Hinson classics. She certainly puts her own touch to these old classics which adds a fresh flavor to all of the songs. My favorites on the CD include “That I Could Still Go Free,” “Ain’t That What It’s All About,” and “I Never Shall Forget The Day.”

11th Hour
What a Moment
Sonlite Records/Crossroads Music Group

This bright young group is making great strides in their career in Gospel Music. They are vibrant and exciting to watch in person, but that same excitement comes through their recordings. Garnering two #1 songs from this CD is further evidence to where they are headed in this world of Southern Gospel Music. My favorites include “Mountain Moving Faith,” “Can You Burn,” and “When God Shows Up.”

Tribute
Here For You
Daywind Records

I truly love good quartet singing, but I really get into it when the quartet gets a little progressive in their sound and that is exactly what Tribute has done with this recording. They have kept a couple of three chords and a cloud of dust songs, but they have really shown that they can master far more sophisticated music than just four men and a piano. Riley Clark just simply does some pretty singing, while Josh Singletary shows he has developed into a singer who sings from his heart. Gary Casto keeps showing us what a Lead singer is supposed to do, and Anthony Davis shows out on some really nice, smooth Bass singing. My Favorites from this CD include “Nothing Stops The Savior’s Love,” “Never Forsaken,” and “That’s How I Know.”

HIGHROAD
Somwhere I’m Going
Somewhere I’m Going

This young group of ladies is making a big splash on the Southern Gospel/Bluegrass scene. Pairing with some of the heavyweight songwriters in the industry has proven to give them some dynamic songs to work with, and add to that mix Ben Isaacs producing the CD they have one easy to listen to project. With plenty of variety on this CD, it wasn’t hard to find several tunes that I really liked.  Adding their own touch to some of the arrangements makes this a CD that I want to listen to over and over again. My favs on this one include “Christ My Hope, My Glory” (featuring Jason Crabb),  “I’d Rather Have Jesus,” and “Don’t It Feel Good.”

The Isaacs
Nature’s Symphony in 432
Daywind Records

This family group never ceases to amaze me with their talents. This CD proves to be more than just an experiment in recording tuning, it proves to be an adventure in songs which reach out and touch hurting people in all of life’s circumstances. Passing through many of these circumstances themselves, the Isaacs lend a personal touch and feel to each song. My favorite songs include “I Love You More,” “Keep Breathing,” and “Rocks.”

Chris D. Unthank Editor-In-Chief

The Isaacs
Nature’s Symphony in 432
Daywind Records

I’ve never in my life heard a more gut-wrenching and emotional moving record in all my years of working in this field. The Isaacs’ delve deep in the world of hurt and pain and the healing that can only come through belief in Jesus Christ. Each vocalist emotes more than I’ve ever heard on a previous recording by this dynamic family band. Check out cuts like “I Love You More,” “If This Is What It Takes,” and “Keep Breathing” for some of this group’s best work to date.

Cana’s Voice
This Changes Everything
StowTown Records

What do you get when you add three dynamic performers who all have an impressive musical resume to begin with and put them in the studio together? A fun, engaging, and impressive debut album. Cana’s Voice’s debut can feel a big disjointed at times due to it’s varied musical styles, but when you get as great performers as Jody McBrayer, TaRanda Greene and Doug Anderson in on it, it’s nothing short of fantastic.

Jim Brady Trio
Promises
Daywind Records

The Jim Brady Trio, much like the Booth Brothers, do an amazing job of straddling the fence between traditional and progressive Southern Gospel music. Promises finds itself in the same vein and is the group’s stellar follow-up to the AGM Award-winning debut album A New Chapter. There’s a lot to like on Promises, particularly Melissa Brady’s vocal prowess and highly underrated songwriting skills. There’s a reason this group shot to the top so quickly, and Promises helps solidify their stay there.

The Nelons
Family Harmony
Daywind Records

The Nelons took a big leap of faith this year by releasing not one, but two new projects on Daywind Records. While both great recordings, Family Harmony managed to barely edge out it’s sister project Stronger Together. Jason Clark’s impeccable production work really helps this project stand out amidst a slew of new releases this year. It’s only a matter of time before he’s one of the premier producers in this arena.

Ball Brothers
Dynamic
Song Garden Music Group

While the Jim Brady Trio finds itself walking a fine line between traditional and progressive, the Ball Brothers are a leader when it comes to breaking new ground and making waves in the progressive SG world. Dynamic continues down the path that Breakthrough took them down, utilizing sounds like big band, pop, and standards to create a sound all their own.

Honorable Mentions
Doug Anderson – The Only One (StowTown Records)
11th Hour – What a Moment (Sonlite Records)
HIGHROAD – Somewhere I’m Going (Independent)
Tribute – Here For You (Daywind Records)
The Erwins – Only Faith Can See (StowTown Records)

James Hales Head Reviewer

Jody McBrayer
Keep Breathing
StowTown Records

I was a fan of Jody McBrayer back during his days with Avalon and was thrilled to see him back singing again.  This was an excellent piece of work by one of gospel music’s most stellar vocalists.  Featuring tremendous songs like “Only You (I Speak Your Name)”, “That’s What it Takes to Be a Savior”, “God is in Control”, “In the Presence of Jesus”, “When We Look Back”, “He Gave me More Love”, “This is a Son” and the title song, his testimony, “Keep Breathing”.  I look forward to the next release from Jody.

The Nelons
Family Harmony/Stronger Together
Daywind Records

The Nelons have a rich history in gospel music and this set of recordings further illustrates that and shows there is no stopping them.  While I am still scratching my head on the thought process behind releasing 2 CDs that are very similar in feel and dynamics…these recordings feature the vibrant and soaring harmonies that have been the hallmark of the Nelons sound for now 3 generations.
Featuring stellar arrangements of such great songs like “I Just Can’t Make it By Myself”, “Days of Jericho”, “In my Father’s House”, “I Think I’ll Read it Again”, “You Can’t Make Old Friends”, “Family Chain” and memorable remakes of the classics, “We Shall Behold Him” and “Then Came the Morning”.

The Livingstons
Unexpected Journey
Independent

It seems old groups are coming back up, fresh and new…Goodman Revival and the Perry Sisters are 2 recent examples.  Now we bring back the Livingstons!  This family is a welcomed re-addition to our vast array of talent in the SG family.  They have a lot to offer…a unique sound, heartfelt singing, wonderfully written songs that are flawlessly executed and a hunger to tell their story.  This recording is filled with wonderfully crafted and flawlessly executed original songs such as “Where I’ve Been”, “Unexpected Journey”, “The Prodigal”, “He’s All I Need” and “I Just Don’t Feel Like Giving Up”.

11th Hour
What a Moment
Sonlite Records/Crossroads Music Group

I have been a fan of 11^th Hour since the first time I heard them (prior to their association with Crossroads).  They have a special sound and genuine feel to their music.  It’s been fun watching their sound evolve and I really do enjoy what I hear.  Their sound is a fusion of a progressive Southern Gospel and old time, campmeeting fervor; and this latest release showcases that better than anything.  Without a doubt, this is a career recording and will be the measuring stick for all future endeavors by the group.  This release is filled with lots of great songs featuring excellent vocals and musicianship and enough variety to satisfy just about every musical palette featuring stellar tunes like “Mountain Moving Faith”, “Love Still Holds the Scars”, “He Welcomes the Beggar”, “When God Shows Up” and “Can You Burn”.

Hillary Scott & the Scott Family
Love Remains
EMI Nashville/Capitol Nashville

I will admit that I was unfamiliar with Hillary Scott when this recording came out, but me and my whole family fell in love with the song, “Thy Will” and I had to hear the rest of the recording and I was further impressed.  This recording is always playing in the car.  Filled with tremendous songs like a wonderful remake of the Dottie Rambo classic, “Sheltered in the Arms of God” as well as “Beautiful Messes”, “Still”, “The Faithful Love of Jesus” and “We March On”.

Honorable Mentions
Cana’s Voice – This Changes Everything (StowTown Records)
Legacy Five – In the Hands of the Carpenter (Daywind Records)
Master’s Voice – Undivided (Horizon Records)
The McKameys – Something Worth Saving (Horizon Records)
Hoskins Family – Unbreak the World (Chapel Valley Records)

Jennifer Wilkerson Staff Writer/Reviewer

The Isaacs
Nature’s Symphony in 432

11th Hour
What a Moment

HIGHROAD

Chris Freeman

Alan Kendall Monthly Contributor

Second Half Quartet
Refreshing
Daywind Records

Good quartet music has been few and far between these days. These pros have removed the bells and whistles and made an album that reminds us of why we fell in love with quartets in the first place. Good songs and good singing.

Janice Crow Monthly Columnist

Favorite albums this year are In the Hands of a Carpenter by Legacy Five, mostly because I love the title song (so cleverly written), and Matt Fouch does a great job on “Who Knew.”   I also loved Legacy’s table project, Talkin’ About Heaven because of the old-time quartet song choices.  Ivan Parker’s Dancing in the Rain was a nice surprise.  I loved “Mama’s Rockin’ Chair.”  Aaron Wilburn and Lee Black’s collaboration shines on that one, and Sandy Hagee Parker adds a nice touch. I wish she sang more.  Ball Brothers’ Dynamic CD is one of the best I’ve bought this year, and The Erwins’ project Only Faith Can See is one of my favorites as well as it keeps hope alive that the young love southern Gospel too.

Legacy Five
In the Hands of the Carpenter
Daywind Records

Ivan Parker
Dancing In the Rain
Difference Media

Ball Brothers
Dynamic
Song Garden Music Group

The Erwins
Only Faith Can See
StowTown Records