Mercy's Well has made a name for themselves due to their Hymns series that started a couple years ago with the release Hymns: Stories of Life...Stories That Live - a stunning tribute to the songs of the church in a piano-only setting. They followed that up with December: Hymns Where the Story Began that was, if one could believe it, an even stronger release than the first recording.
After releasing the mainline project Skywriting - the group is back with the third chapter of their popular Hymns series - Songbook: Where Hymns & Harmony Live. This third chapter is a tribute to convention style music - a beginning point for much of what we call Southern Gospel music today.
One thing's for sure about this release - if you loved the first two in this series - you will surely love what Songbook has to offer this time around. Featuring the golden fingers of stellar pianists David Huntsinger and Gordon Mote - the piano work is absolutely stellar on this release - putting it a notch above the last two releases out the gate.
The album kicks off with the upbeat and happy "He Will Surely Make It Right" before kicking into one of the album highlights "God Put a Rainbow In the Cloud." This is a particularly strong cut that features an interlude into the popular "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" - a production technique not heard of often in Southern Gospel music. "Jesus Love Has Made a Change" has a real Broadway feel to it.
"Sin's Dark Sea" is the first slow tune featuring Gene McDonald and an additional layer of B3 Organ - a fitting touch to an already strong cut. Continuing on the theater-esque feel is "Life Will Be (with Sweet As the Days Go By)." The Anchormen's Paul Harkey shows up on the Dixie Echoes sounding "I'm a Goin'." Gene McDonald shows back up on the slightly bluesed up "He Was a Preachin' Man." The album closes with the barn-burner "When They Ring the Bells of Heaven (with Everybody Will Be Happy Over There)."
Overall, Storybook: Where Hymns & Harmony Live, Chapter 3 is another standout release from Mercy's Well. The group is on point with their vocals, and Donna Beauvais and Brad Strider's vocal arrangements are top notch again. The utilization of B3 Organ and some guest bass vocalists really enhance the CD. This Hymns series by Mercy's Well is not to be missed. Some of the industry's biggest names may want to take a look at the Mercy's Well playbook to see how things should be done. They're doing everything right at this point in their career.
Author: Chris D. Unthank
| Author's Website: http://southernspin.com
Written: 12/01/2009
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Category: Reviews
Comments: 1
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