SOUTHERN GOSPEL SPOTLIGHT PRESENTS:
CD REVIEW:
SOMETHING TO SHOUT ABOUT
DOWN EAST BOYS
LABEL: SONLITE RECORDS
PRODUCER:JASON WEBB
RELEASE DATE: OCTOBER 11, 2024
GROUP MEMBERS: RICKY CARDEN (LEAD), DOUG PITTMAN (TENOR), CAYDEN HOWELL (BARITONE), AND ALEX UTECH (BASS)
SONG LIST:
- When Believers Will Be Leaving (Chris Binion, Rdoney Griffin)
- Something To Shout About (Kenna Turner West, Jason Cox)
- Someone Like Me (Rodney Griffin, Dave Clark)
- Mercy River (Darren W. Lore, Sandy Bloemer)
- I Have A New Name (Rebecca J. Peck, Dianne Wilkinson)
- His Hand In Mine (Mosie Lister)
- Journey To His Throne (Dianne Wilkinson, Joseph Habedank)
- He Looked Beyond My Fault (Dottie Rambo)
- Go Tell (Matthew Browder, Daniel Lamere, Amber Taylor)
- That’s What Heaven Holds (Amy Sue Keffer, Caleb Collins, Karen Harding)
BREAKDOWN:
The Down East Boys are back with Something To Shout About! This stellar quartet has been a mainstay in Southern Gospel Music for decades. Ricky Carden continues to lead this group with grace and his signature lead vocal is unmistakable. He is joined by tenor Doug Pittman, baritone Cayden Howell, and bass singer Brandon Barry (who joined the group recently). However, on this recording former member Alex Utech’s bass vocals remain intact. Utech left the group prior to the release of this album. This album also is first with baritone and 2024 Favorite Young Artist Nominee, Cayden Howell. Howell’s smooth baritone is a perfect fit with the group. He has a rich, timeless tone and quality to his voice that is reminiscent of the early days of quartet music.
This exciting album opens with the high energy of “When Believers Will Be Leaving,” and the title track “Something To Shout About.” Both songs feature each vocalist and express the joy we have in Jesus and the excitement we have to be with Him in Heaven someday! Doug Pittman takes the lead on the moving ballad “Someone Like Me.” This well crafted song reminds us that Christ loved us so much that He died for us. Through Him, we have Eternal Life if we believe. I’m glad that He came down from Calvary’s Hill to gladly welcome someone like me even after all that I’ve done! Cayden Howell is featured on the up-tempo tune “Mercy River,” which praises Christ for His Life Saving Blood! “I Have A New Name” is a powerful mid-tempo tune featuring Ricky Carden that tells of the transforming power of Christ. He made me a new creation the day I got saved! I have a new name and God wrote it down!!! Carden delivers an incredible vocal on this great song. Cayden Howell shines on the beautifully arranged Mosie Lister classic “His Hand In Mine.” Howell’s smooth vocal fits this song perfectly. I can see this becoming his signature song. “Journey To His Throne” is a fun, up-tempo quartet tune about walking down the road to Heaven with Jesus. I am sure this song is going to be a hit in concert. Alex Utech shines on the verse of the Dottie Rambo classic “He Looked Beyond My Fault.” The arrangement, orchestration, and harmonies on this standard is simply incredible. “Go Tell” is a fun, up-tempo tune that encourages listeners to spread the Good News of the Gospel to everyone. Spread the word Jesus is coming soon! This stellar album closes with the beautiful ballad “That’s What Heaven Hold For Me.” This incredible song looks to Heaven and the Glory that awaits us there!
FINAL THOUGHTS:
THE DOWN EAST BOYS CONTINUE TO DELIVER TRULY SPECIAL RECORDINGS! THIS ALBUM IS AMONG MY TOP FAVORITES OF THE YEAR SO FAR. INCREDIBLE VOCALS, WELL CRAFTED SONGS, AND THE GOSPEL ON FULL DISPLAY. HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE: “HIS HAND IN MINE,” “I HAVE A NEW NAME,” “HE LOOKED BEYOND MY FAULT,” “WHEN BELIEVERS WILL BE LEAVING,” AND “SOMETHING TO SHOUT ABOUT.”
GO GET THIS CD ASAP!
5 OUT 5 STARS!
FOR MORE INFORMATION: www.downeastboys.com
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