CD Reviews

McGruders - 2 of a Kind

Producer: Carroll McGruder/Kevin McManus
Label: Zion Music Group
Website: www.zionmusic.com

Having been a big fan of the McGruders since I first heard their music back in the late 1980’s, I’ve always said that there are few people in this industry I respect any more than Carroll & Priscilla McGruder. Even though they have curtailed their touring schedule, it’s good to know they are still recording. As the title implies, Carroll and Priscilla are two of a kind. Uniquely their own, they have released a very good recording filled with songs that are distinctively McGruder.

The country flavor of “HE’LL TAKE ME THROUGH” start things off as things moves effortlessly into the encouraging, “DON’T GIVE UP ON GOD’S LOVE”. The next song, “JUST A FEW MORE DAYS; HE’S COMING BACK AGAIN” keeps the pace the same and offers hope that Christ is coming again very soon.

The pace slows down as Priscilla turns in an excellent performance on the ballad, “ANYTHING THROUGH CHRIST” before things finally get kicked into high gear as Carroll delivers the high energy “MIRACLE IN THE HOUSE”.

Priscilla turns in another tender ballad with “HE’S BEEN GOD” before Carroll once again kicks things back up with “YOU’RE NOT TOO FAR DOWN (TO GET BACK UP)”. Priscilla turns in yet another ballad with the beautiful message in song entitled, “AT THE WELL” before Carroll turns in one more performance on the country swing style of, “I’LL BE A FOOL FOR YOU”, which is typical of Carroll’s writings.

Closing out the recording is Priscilla’s testimony in song, “STAND ON THE WORD”. Taken straight from her testimony of her healing from cancer, the song is probably the strongest on the entire recording.

All but one song was either written or co-written by Carroll. Carroll co-wrote with two other writers on this recording, Rick Hardgrove and Charles Isabell, and they are some of Carroll’s best offerings. While Carroll and Priscilla are quite capable of carrying on as a duet, and there are background vocals throughout the recording, I still miss the third part on several songs and wish that they could have secured the vocals of former McGruder members Stan Cook or Denny Autry to fill the third part. But nonetheless, fans of the McGruders will definitely want to get their hands on this recording.

Personal Favs: HE’LL TAKE ME THROUGH; DON’T GIVE UP ON GOD’S LOVE; JUST A FEW MORE DAYS, HE’S COMING BACK AGAIN; ANYTHING THROUGH CHRIST; YOU’RE NOT TOO FAR DOWN (TO GET BACK UP); STAND ON THEWORD