CD Reviews

Shannon Bunch - Always a Song

Produced by: Shane Roark & Shannon Bunch
Website: http://www.shannonbunch.com

From Barbourville, KY, Shannon Bunch definately has his own way of doing things. This project was an obvious eclectic compilation of some of Shannon's favorite songs. Old and new, original and borrowed, traditional and inspirational.

My first impression of Shannon by looking at his album's packaging was that he looked like a nice guy. Someone that you just want to like. The design looked profesional, though not typically southern gospel. I was a little confused at first, and expected to hear a more contemporary flair to his music. However with songs like Dottie Rambo's "The Holy Hills of Heaven Call Me," "It Is Well" and "Send the Light" it definately IS southern Gospel. Shannon also recorded one of MY favorite hymns, "The Love of God." Such beautiful lyrics.

His vocal style is pleasant and reminicent of renound singer/songwriter Daryl Williams. Daryl and Shannon co-wrote a song on the project called "It All Starts With A Song." As I listened I pointed out to a friend of mine that it sounded like a tune Daryl would have penned, only to look at the back of the CD and find out that indeed he had.

Shannon did quite a bit of song writing on this album. Five of the songs have his name attached to them. "With My Song" opens the project revealing a bit of this artist's heart. The project's first single, "The Harvest is Ripe," "I Don't Walk Alone," and "One Day My Day Will Come" made me hope that we'll be hearing more of his songs recorded. He's a quality song writer.

His rendition of the ever popular "Long as I got King Jesus" was good, but my absolute favorite on the project was "Goin' Up Yonder." Previously recorded by the likes of Rusty Goodman, it has long been one of my favorite songs. I thought Shannon did the song justice and I appreciated his selection. Overall this was a nice album.

I have a few observations that I'd like to share with only the best of intentions. It's hard to make it in SG as a solo artist without one of two things, a name or incredible talent. Though I enjoyed Shannon vocally, I just kept thinking .. "This guy needs to find a group." His voice almost lends to a slightly more contemporary sound that I would like to hear him experiment with. If it weren't for the song selections I would be tempted to put him in the inspirational catagory. His look and his voice with his song writing and song selection just didn't seem to fit together. His songwriting as I mentioned earlier is impressive. He just seems a bit out of place to me. But that's just what I think. The man has talent. I do not deny that.