The Inspirations are “Sounding Sweeter”

          A few weeks ago, when I received the new album from The Inspirations, I had mixed feelings. For over 30 years I have been an avid listener to Southern Gospel Music (SGM), and The Inspirations have been a staple in my library. I have been disappointed lately in their sound and song selection, so I began listening with high hopes and I must say, I’m impressed.

I am 40 years old, and in those years, I’ve found myself needing an escape from time to time, particularly that escape was in the lines and melodies of SGM dating back to the ‘60’s and ‘70’s. My library includes music by the Stamps, the Blackwoods, Masters V, Naomi and The Segos and many more, but two groups occupy the most space, The McKameys and The Inspirations.

Once I began listening to the Inspirations they were well into their 3rd decade of recording SGM. The first song I remember hearing was “When I wake Up” from 1973. I was around 10 years old at the time, and they were the best of the best. The high notes of Archie Watkins and the Lows of Mike Holcomb were the standard by which I judged every other group I heard. 

Though there have been personnel and ownership changes, the sound I grew up with is back. In their new album “Ever Old, Ever New”, all of the men do a tremendous job, but Archie Watkins sounds his best in years. The new album is slated to release April 10, 2020, and will be available on CD, digital download and streaming platforms. 

Eddie Dietz though has my favorite song “Knowing you’re there”. A song that allows us to picture a man in prayer, not asking for a thing and having no troubles, just communing with the Lord. “1945” transports us back to churches with wood slat pews, old-fashioned mourner benches, and leather-lunged preachers. Luke Vaught gets to show off on “I’ll Fly Away”, he plays all of the instruments on the track. As someone who loves bluegrass, he gets high marks on the banjo, dobro, fiddle, and mandolin. 

If you love tradition quartet Southern Gospel, you will love this album with a refreshing sound and stirring lyrics, but that’s just my Southern Gospel Point of View. 

For more Southern Gospel news, visit www.southerngospelpov.com.

Taking a trip with Endless Highway

             Just outside of Milan, Tennessee is… What’s that? You’ve never heard of Milan? What about Greenfield? No? Okay, about 30 miles north of Jackson Tennessee somewhere between Nashville and Memphis is Trenton, the home of the 31 miles per hour speed limit and Endless Highway. 

Endless Highway is not some forsaken stretch of road in Tennessee. It’s the name of a Southern Gospel group with Jason & Vanessa Griggs and their children, Jay & Allison. When asked about the group name, Jason responded “This name connects our generations of ministry that will be endless until the return of the Lord as we go into the highways and hedges and compel the lost to come to Him. The basis for the name is found in Isaiah 35:8-10”

On March 20, 2020, the group will release their 3^rd album, “Countless”. It is available for pre-order now, but I’ll give you a sneak peek of a few of the songs. “Keep looking up” is first up with carefully placed lyrics that will encourage and uplift the listener to continue in the faith by encouraging them to Keep on keepin’ on. “Countless”, the title track allows the listener to think of God’s love for us. “All that remains to be seen”, a favorite on this album is an upbeat song about the changes that are not only needed but promised for the believer. I begin to stray a little on the next song, “26 Cents” is a fresh cut on the 1999 country song by the Wilkinsons. There’s nothing inherently wrong with the song, it’s neither spiritual nor scriptural, but a lot can be said about the sentimental subject of a mother’s love.  “Somebody’s World Changed Today” will stir the heart with an emotional message that takes us to the home of a newborn baby and to the family saying their last goodbye. Another track is “Til They Came Home”, it gives us a poignant picture of the lives of families torn by service to our country. 

There are only 6 songs on the album, but they are packed with lyrics that will fill your heart with remembrance and music that will have your toes tapping, but that’s just my Southern Gospel Point of View. 

For more Southern Gospel news, visit www.southerngospelpov.com.