Mosaic

Ricky Skaggs has been making records for nearly three decades. He has won 14 Grammy’s and is now the proud owner of the record label, Skaggs Family Records. His latest effort, Mosaic, certainly meets the high expectations. Produced by Gordon Kennedy and Skaggs himself, the album covers many Christian topics, including the song, “I Can’t Shake Jesus,” which talks about the sacrifice that Jesus made for all mankind. This album, however, is not what you would expect from a Bluegrass legend. Skaggs, however, proves his amazing talent and his ability to grow as an artist. The entire tone of the album is that of pure heart and pure faith. The fifth song on this album, “Instead,” sounds like we’ve heard the first version of a standard that will last many generations. The production and arrangement are both breathtaking. Skaggs’ vocals sound better than ever. His tone, his pitch and his unique style have won him many accolades, and his performance on this album is his best to date. Gordon Kennedy, who also co-wrote most of the album, really brings the songs to life. The openness of the production lets Skaggs’ vocal stand out front. Furthermore, to hear Skaggs on songs that are not Bluegrass at all is such a treat. The song, “You’ll Find God,” incorporates a bouncy melody, kept alive by piano, hooky electric guitar work and harmonies that are quite haunting. Ironically, the song reassures us all that we’ll find God in the hardest of times. This album is such a gem that everyone needs to hear. In a time when the world can be so unforgiving, Mosaic is able to give you hope and make you smile. It reminds us how lucky we are to have artists like Ricky Skaggs in the world. This is an album that we all will be talking about for decades to come.

Songbird

Laura Dodd has a remarkably sultry, southern voice with attitude and conviction. Hailing from Gadsden, Alabama, Laura grew up singing in the church. Combining Country, Blues, and even a hint of Jazz, Dodd shows she can sing on every track. The album, Songbird, opens with the song, “Good Time Gone Wrong,” which is a fun Bluesy song where Laura’s vocal really stands out. The bare-bone production (Dodd co-produced the album with Tom Walker) lets Laura shine. With mostly acoustic guitar and piano arrangements, the focus on this album is on the quality of songs. It’s refreshing to hear a singer who doesn’t need vocal tuners or effects to make her sound like a star. Laura has a maturity and uniqueness to her sound that separates her from all other female singers. Her attitude and confidence shows in the song, “2X Heartache.” About a cheating guy, hiding his wedding ring in his shirt pocket, Dodd tells the guy to “get lost!” The album is a great collection of songs. Keep an eye out for this upcoming Country star!

2nd Avenue

With seven top 10 singles and two No. 1’s at Texas radio, No Justice is no newcomer to making great music. Their newest release, 2nd Avenue, was produced by Dex Green, who also co-produced Collective Soul. Although pre-dominantly a Texas and Oklahoma band, No Justice recorded this effort in Nashville, Tennessee. The album kicks off with a slamming, up-tempo song in “Going Nowhere.” Lead singer, Steve Rice, sounds great on this track. He exemplifies the cool, vocal tone of a Texas road band. Playing over 200 dates a year, he certainly gets his practice! The third song (and title track), “2nd Avenue,” opens with Steve Rice’s vocals, a synthesizer and an acoustic guitar. It creates a really nice vibe for the song. The chorus comes booming in when it hits and screams out of the speakers. “Coming Up The River” displays the roots side of this 5-piece band from Stillwater, Oklahoma. “Gone Ain’t Far Enough” really sticks out, as well. The vocals on this ballad are superb. The entire album is a great combination of Rock, Country, roots and Blues. You should definitely check this album out!

I Believe

Judahseed formed in 2001 in Crystal Springs, Mississippi, and just released their first album, I Believe. This album opens with a groovy, Rock song, “Behold The Glory,” that has great electric guitar work and a chorus reminiscent of Southern Rock or that of a jam band. The trio wrote all 10 tracks on this album, which really shows diversity in their musical style. The third track, “I Believe,” is the title track to the album and is a really moving ballad about the bands’ faith and belief in the Lord. The harmonies are very nice on this song. It sounds like a Worship song we should all be singing! “Nobody Like You” is yet another example of Judahseed’s great writing. The hooky, sing-along chorus is quite infectious, and the guitar work that dances underneath the track on this song creates a sound that is only identifiable as Judahseed. Overall, this album is worth listening to. The blend of Rock, Southern Rock and Blues, mixed with lyrics based on worship, really makes for a unique album.

The Springs

The Spings’ self-titled album starts off a with a Rockin’ southern-pride song, “Don’t Mean I Am.” This song sets the tone for the rest of this Country album that was produced by Lamar Morris. The Springs are a crossover band – from Christian Country to Mainstream Country – and the second track, “Back When,” focuses on the lack of real Country stars and the time ‘back when Hank sang the blues.’ The vocals on the album are quite pitchy at some points. The Springs are a group that should focus on the Southern Rock side of their personality; that is where the best tracks on this album lie. A great example of this is heard in the song, “Keep On Keeping On.” The song is about being down and out and working as hard as you can, but still falling behind in bills, etc. The singer’s grandmother gives great advice, “when life gets hard, just keep on keeping on.” The Springs should follow this advice – keep on playing, keep on keeping on and one day they will be a great act.

Circle Of Grace

Billy Chernoff is and has been a Country artist for many years. Chernoff, who is from Canada, has raced horses, worked in oil fields, and even spent a stint as a rodeo clown. He draws from all of these experiences and applies them to his songs, which are full of imagery, real life and hope. Chernoff’s vocal has years of living and experience in it, making it one of the more believable voices in music today. His album, Circle Of Grace, contains songs that reflect his life and his faith. The song, “Take All Your Troubles To Jesus,” offers a great reminder to all of us in times of worry – give your troubles to Jesus, He will take care of us and lighten the load of our burdens. The rugged Country production of the album really fits both Chernoff and his songs, especially in the autobiographical song, “Can’t Sing Gospel Music In A Bar.” Chernoff has certainly made the right decision in his career. He’s here “on the business of the King,” and we’re glad he is!

Black Mountain Special

Rich In Tradition hails from the Mt. Airy–Galax area in northwest North Carolina and Southwest Virginia, where they cut their teeth on Bluegrass and Gospel music. This studio album was recorded in Cana, Virginia, and was produced by acoustic guitar player and singer, Mickey Galyean. The picking on this album is fantastic. The harmonies are tight and really shine on “Red And Green Signal Lights.” The album combines both secular songs and Gospel songs. Rich In Tradition transitions through these different formats flawlessly and will certainly be award winners in the near future. The instrumental, “Prillaman’s Switch,” shows the musicianship of this five-piece band. The fiddle player, Tim Martin, showcases his talent on this song, as does banjo picker, Jay Adams, and mandolin player, Greg Jones. Brad Hiatt, the bass player, really shines on “Preachin’ For Prayin’.” This album is one of the best Bluegrass albums in quite a while. The music makes you feel as if you’re driving down the Blue Ridge Parkway in the fall, windows down, enjoying the mountain air. Don’t miss this album, Bluegrass-lovers!

Redemption

Flynnville Train opens this album with the song, “Home,” that combines down-home Country music with hard Rock, reminiscent of AC/DC. The energy of the track and the tight vocals of this opener set the tone for the rest of the album. Recorded in Glasgow, Kentucky, and produced by David Barrick, Flynnville Train brings a new twist to the Country format. Lyrically, “Home” speaks of “shotgun shells, screen doors, and home-grown cooking in grandma’s kitchen” – and you don’t get much more Country than that. Brian and Brett Flynn co-wrote 4 of the 11 tracks on this album, Redemption, including the Southern Rock song, “33 Steps.” This ballad reminds you of something Lynyrd Skynrd would have written and recorded. The harmonies on this song are great, as is the mellow, twangy electric guitar solo. Track 10, “Scratch Me Where I’m Itchin’,” was written by Blues-harp man, Jimmy Hall, and highly acclaimed Country songwriter, Jeffrey Steele. This track combines Country, Blues and some heavy guitar work. This song definitely rocks and really displays the musicianship of this group. All the Southern Rockers out there will definitely love this album!

Fireflies

Tim Lovell is no stranger to songwriting. Having won 9 songwriting awards from the Tennessee Country Music Association, 5 from NACMAI and 2 from the Oklahoma Songwriter's Association, as well as winning in the Gospel category in the Great American Song Contest, his writing on this album really excels. The first track, “The River Sin,” sets the tone for this Bluegrass album. The mandolin work is extraordinary on this song. The mandolin player, Adam Steffey, has been named Mandolin Player of the Year 6 times by the IBMA and is a multiple Grammy® award winner. He is a virtuoso and really carries this album. Tim’s folk approach to Gospel songs, in both his arrangements and his melodies, are really unique and define the term, artist. Tim’s vocal does not have the best tone and is quite pitchy at times, but it certainly represents the music of Appalachia quite well. The songwriting and instrumentation of this album really help hold it up, and the writing makes the album worth the listen!

Faith & Memories

Eddie Ray was born in North Carolina, but moved to Palestine, Texas, at the age of 5, and he has been there ever since. His new album, Faith & Memories, was recorded just outside of Nashville, in Hendersonville, Tennessee. Eddie Ray co-produced this Country-Gospel album with Gene Higgins. The Country sound of this album is a great reminder that Country music is still alive. The swingin’ song, “Where Could I Go,” will make you tap your foot and want to praise the Lord! In fact, nearly every song on this album is about the faith Eddie has in the Savior. One of the standout tracks, “House Of Gold,” is a song written by the legendary Hank Williams. The electric guitar solo takes you back to a time when Country music was Country! Eddie also covers another Hank Williams classic, “I Saw The Light.” Overall, this album is a nice tribute to Country and Gospel. While Eddie’s vocal is not exactly polished, it is his honesty and conviction that make this album worthwhile!