2002/Cathedral Records
It was a sad day in September 2001 in the world of Southern Gospel Music when one of the most beloved groups in the industry retired. With the retirement of the Bishops, came a new ministry for Mark Bishop. For those who fear that the music of the Bishops died in September 2001, never fear! You can obviously tell that Mark and his record company worked extremely hard to preserve that much loved Bishops sound. If you loved the Bishops last recording “Stories”, you will love Mark’s debut release, “Faith, Family & Friends.” There are no real surprises with this CD, and is pretty much what I expected from Mark. Laid back, and with almost a James Taylor quality, Mark Bishop shows the whole Southern Gospel Music world, he’s got what it takes!
Starting off the CD is the soulful sounding “I KNOW WHERE I STAND.” The organ solo intro makes you think…‘Hmmm, this should be interesting!’ This would be an excellent cut to release to radio and I hope they eventually do. This is my favorite song for the entire recording.
Mark is such a different songwriter. He writes things from a totally different perspective than the average Southern Gospel writer. “THE NAIL THAT NOBODY SAW” follows suit with many of Mark’s songs and gives us a chance to really look at things in a different way. From the way Mark sees it, there were really 4 nails, instead of 3 used on crucifixion day; with the fourth nail piercing the Father’s heart.
Mark always seems to know how to pull on our heartstrings with his special songs about family and home. Such as the case with “MAMA WAS SINGING TO JESUS” and “GROW UP BABY, GOOD AND STRONG.” Both songs will surely bring a tear in your eye and a lump in your throat.
The spirited “JESUS CAN LIFT YOU UP” is Mark’s first single release, and it should do very well for him. Through this song, Mark reminds us that though life throws us some hard blows sometimes, Jesus can lift you up!
”WHEN A CHRISTIAN GOES HOME” is a reflective and comforting song reminding us that life, for a Child of God, does not end in death. But rather the Angels and God Himself rejoice when another Child makes it Home.
Mark is also sporting 2 medleys on this recording. One features old hymns of the church called “SONGS OF THE CHURCH MEDLEY” (Featuring: He Abides, He Set me Free, I’m in a New World, Just Over in the Gloryland, Everybody Will be Happy Over There and Where the Soul Never Dies) and one featuring past hit songs recorded by the Bishops and written by Mark called, “MARK’S MEDLEY” (Featuring: Reach the World, Great Things, When Jesus is All That I Have, Let’s Celebrate Jesus, When You Change Your Mind, What I Have and You Can’t Ask too Much of my God).
If the late Country and Western singer Marty Robbins sang Southern Gospel, I can’t help but think he would have sung “BEFORE ME, BEHIND ME, BESIDE ME.” This song drips of Marty Robbins, and Mark does a super job on this song reminding us the Lord always goes before us, behind us and is always walking beside us.
The thought provoking, yet humbling “I DON’T KNOW HOW YOU HEARD ONE VOICE” is next. This is one of those simple songs that reminds us just how complex and awesome our God is…“I believe you’re there and listening, to our hopes and dreams and cares, and I’m amazed as I look back and I see all those answered prayers, there must have been a million pleas from folks down on their bended knees, but you keep coming to my rescue again and again, I don’t know how you heard one voice, but you did.”
Mark really showcases his humorous side in the last three songs “THINGS ARE GETTIN’ MIGHTY WEIRD”, “BOTTLED WATER” and “PARABLE IN F.” Just these 3 songs alone are worth the price of this CD. A lot of truth is found in these songs, and are presented in an extremely lighthearted manner. These are guaranteed to bring a smile to your face.
Mark has done a super job on this recording. I wish Mark the best, and anxiously await the release of his next recording.
Personal Favs: I KNOW WHERE I STAND; THE NAIL THAT NOBODY SAW; BEFORE ME, BEHIND ME, BESIDE ME; I DON’T KNOW HOW YOU HEARD ONE VOICE
Rating: 
James Hales
Author: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Written: 08/30/2002
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Category: CD Reviews
Comments: 3
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Mark Bishop did a wonderful job on this latest recording. I especially like "Jesus Can Lift You Up" (my favorite) and "I Know Where I Stand". Way to go Mark!
hi i loved the bishops.. MAY GOD BLESS ALL YOU PUT YOUR HAND TO.
IT IS MY BELIEF THAT MARK BISHOP HAS HIS HAND ON THE PULSE OF TODAYS CHRISTIAN MUSIC. WITH A VERY SOLID BACKGROUND IT OLD TIME SOUTHERN GOSPEL MATCHED ONLY WITH AN UNDERSTANDING OF CONTEMPARY CHRISTIAN MUSIC, IT IS VERY EASY TO SEE YET, HARD TO WAIT ON FURTURE RELEASES.
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