I give this song an A+.

New music is being cranked out from some of your favorite gospel artists. Brian Free & Assurance, Taranda Greene, Joseph Habedank, Tribute Quartet and many more. Today I will focus on just a few and as always, I encourage you to listen to the music yourself and form your own opinions.

For nearly three months I have been anxiously waiting for Brian Free & Assurance (BFA) to release their new album. Today I got to listen to the first radio single, and I love it. BFA has a knack for getting the message of the gospel and hope in their albums over and over. Their yet to be released album “Looks Like Jesus” is no exception to this. The first single is “What the Cross Really Is”, as you would think, it does speak of the Cross of Christ, but it goes deeper. One line is “Looks like shackles being broken, like burdens being lifted…”, this lyric could stand alone, but given that it is delivered in their tight harmonic trio style and a still conservative style, I give it an “A +”. 

Taranda is up next, a large step away from conservative she sings in a Night Club style. Can the gospel really be presented in such a style? Technically, yes, but for my old soul it is not a pleasing combination. In this one song, you will almost smell the cigarette smoke, and see the reflection from the disco ball. “Somebody Told me ‘Bout Jesus” is delivered with a whisper at times and a repetitive backup singer doo-wap style throughout the song. Since I’m apparently grading songs in this article, I give it a “C-“. This album is a huge departing from when she sang with her late husband and the Greene’s.

Tribute Quartet is next with “Somebody Tell”. It does begin with an uneasy feel but it quickly brought back to a traditional Southern Gospel Sound… though not completely. It is from their 2019 album, “Living the Stories”, it does not have the newest voice of Bass singer, Ian Owens, but don’t let that stop you. The song, and album is a great pick me up and will please you by providing toe-tapping music, and a heart felt message. Oh, by the way, I guess I’ll give this one an “A”.

It pains me to be negative about an album, artist, or song, especially when it contains the Gospel. However, in my opinion if you have to wade through the muddied waters of instrument choice and musical style, and artistry to hear it, is it really sharing the Gospel message? It is highly likely that many of you that read this may disagree with me, some may agree but remember… this is just my Southern Gospel Point of View.

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