SOUTHERN GOSPEL SPOTLIGHT PRESENTS:
CD REVIEW SPECIAL:
GROUP SPOTLIGHT:
RELIANCE TRIO
IT’S TIME TO SING (2016)
WALKIN’ THE WALK (2017)
MAKE A WAY, LORD (STEPHEN ANASTASIA SOLO PROJECT, 2016)
INFLUENCED (KEN HURLEY SOLO PROJECT, 2009)
GROUP MEMBERS: STEPHEN ANASTASIA (LEAD), KEN HURLEY (BARITONE/PIANIST), AND TYSON HARNESS (TENOR)
IT’S TIME TO SING
SONG LIST:
- Let Me Tell You ‘Bout Jesus
- The Power Of The Cross
- It’s Time To Sing
- Give Me Jesus
- When All The Family Gathers
- Jump Across Jordan
- Make A Way, Lord
- The Eastern Gate
- He Set Me Free
- I Made It Mine
- God Bless America Medley (Acapella)
BREAKDOWN:
Reliance Trio has been spreading the Gospel on the West Coast since 2011. Founded by Ken Hurley and based in Fresno, California, this powerhouse trio travels across the U.S. delighting audiences. Joining Ken Hurley (who sings baritone and plays piano) are tenor singer Tyson Harness and lead singer Stephen Anastasia. Harness is the son of the late John Harness, who was the group’s original tenor. This album is dedicated to John Harness, who was killed in a car accident in 2013.
This stellar album opens with “Let Me Tell You ‘Bout Jesus,” a fun song made popular by the LeFevre Quartet. “The Power Of The Cross” is a moving ballad that praises Christ for His ultimate Sacrifice. What A Savior! We stand forgiven at the Cross! “It’s Time To Sing” is a fun, groovy tune that praises Christ for the many blessings He gives. It reminds us to praise Him in every circumstance. The group’s beautiful harmonies are showcased on the tender hymn “Give Me Jesus.” Tyson Harness takes the lead on the mid-tempo, thoughtful “When All The Family Gathers.” This tender track looks forward to the day when we all gather in Heaven to live for eternity. “Jump Across Jordan” is a fun, energy filled tune that expresses the excitement of going to Heaven. Stephen Anastasia takes the lead on the beautiful ballad “Make A Way, Lord.” The group covers two classic Southern Gospel songs with “The Eastern Gate” and “He Set Me Free.” Ken Hurley takes the lead on the Liberty Quartet classic “I Made It Mine.” This incredible song tells of giving your life to Christ after witnessing another’s faith. This stellar album closes with a rousing America medley done in beautiful acapella harmony.
FINAL THOUGHTS:
A TRULY STELLAR ALBUM FROM THE IMMENSELY TALENTED TRIO.
HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE: “GIVE ME JESUS,” “I MADE IT MINE,” “IT’S TIME TO SING,” “LET ME TELL YOU ‘BOUT JESUS” AND “JUMP ACROSS JORDAN.”
4.5 out of 5 stars!
WALKIN’ THE WALK
PRODUCER: SHANE ROARK, JACK ALLEN
RELEASE DATE: 2017
SONG LIST:
- Walkin’ The Walk (Phil Morgan)
- Grace Is Never Far (Shane Roark)
- Hold On (Gina Vera)
- Dawn Of This New Morning (Ken Hurley)
- Lord Of The Raging Sea (Gerald Crabb, Sue C. Smith)
- Love And Only Love (Jason Cox, Lee Black)
- If There Ever Was A Time (Kenna West, Lee Black)
- One In A Million (Ken Hurley)
- On My Way (John Harness)
- Nothing Is Impossible With God (Marty Funderburk, Phil Morgan)
- Blessed Is He (John Harness)
- Take This Life Lord (Ken Hurley)
- Victory In Jesus (Public Domain)
BREAKDOWN:
Walkin’ The Walk is the latest album from Reliance Trio. This stellar album features the vocal talents of Ken Hurley, Tyson Harness, and Stephen Anastasia on thirteen incredible songs of hope and inspiration. Several songs were written by group founder Ken Hurley and the late John Harness.
The album opens with the groovy title track, featuring Tyson Harness, that simply says: I’m walking each day with Jesus by my side. He always pulls me through! I’m following the steps of the Father. Stephen Anastasia takes the lead on the powerful anthem “Grace Is Never Far.” This incredible song, which has become a hit for the group, reminds us that when it seems all hope is gone, Christ’s Grace is never far from where I am. “Hold On” is a driving, energy filled tune that encourages listeners to hold on and keep the faith through the dark times in life. Ken Hurley is featured on a song he wrote entitled “Dawn Of This New Morning.” This great track tells of the promise that God will bring us through each valley into a new morning! Stephen Anastasia once again takes the lead on the groovy “Lord Of The Raging Sea,” which reminds us that Jesus is always in control! He’s a water walking God! “Love And Only Love” is a tender ballad that simply yet powerfully proclaims that Love is the only answer. I found all I ever needed in the arms of Jesus! It was His Love that changed me! “If There Ever Was A Time” once again features Tyson Harness’s soulful voice.This groovy tune asks God to show us how to make it through. Ken Hurley takes the lead on the tender ballad “One In A Million.” This beautiful song reminds us that God treasures us and loves us beyond our understanding. “On My Way” is a fun, up-tempo Southern Gospel style song that features each member and simply says we are on our way to Heaven, our forever home! “Nothing Is Impossible With God,” featuring Ken Hurley and Stephen Anastasia, is another incredible ballad that reminds us that nothing you face can stand against God and His Amazing Grace! “Blessed Is He” is a joyful mid-tempo tune that simply says: Blessed is He whose sin is forgiven and covered by the Blood of the Lamb. “Take This Life Lord” is another stellar Ken Hurley and Stephen Anastasia feature that simply says: Take my life, Lord and use me for your Glory! This incredible album closes with a rousing rendition of the classic “Victory In Jesus.”
FINAL THOUGHTS:
RELIANCE IS AN INCREDIBLY GIFTED TRIO. THEY ARE THE REAL DEAL. NOT ONLY ARE THEY FANTASTIC VOCALISTS, THEY ARE GREAT MEN OF GOD. I HAD THE PLEASURE OF MEETING STEPHEN AND KEN AT GREAT WESTERN FAN FESTIVAL BACK IN MAY AND HEARING THE GROUP LIVE FOR THE FIRST TIME. THEY ARE SIMPLY FANTASTIC!
THIS ALBUM FEATURES INCREDIBLE SONGS, STELLAR VOCALS, AND THE POWERFUL MESSAGE OF THE GOSPEL. HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE: “ON MY WAY,” “GRACE IS NEVER FAR,” “HOLD ON,” “WALKIN’ THE WALK,” “DAWN OF THIS NEW MORNING,” AND “VICTORY IN JESUS.”
5 OUT 5 STARS!
MAKE A WAY, LORD
STEPHEN ANASTASIA
PRODUCER: SHANE ROARK, CHAPEL VALLEY RECORDS
RELEASE DATE: 2016
BREAKDOWN:
Stephen Anastasia’s powerful lead vocal has been a fixture of Reliance Trio since 2015. With the help of Reliance founder Ken Hurley and the Chapel Valley Records team, he recorded a solo album entitled Make A Way, Lord. This ten song recording features a few recognizable Southern Gospel classics including: “Crown Him Lord Of All,” “The Lighthouse,” and “Bad News For The Blues.” Anastasia also does an incredible job with “No More Night,” a song made popular by David Phelps. I truly enjoyed his take on it as it is a difficult song to sing. Another highlight is his powerful rendition of the classic “In Christ, Alone.” This song is a personal favorite of mine as we sung it in chapel numerous times over the course of my time in both high school and college. His smooth lead vocal also shines on the easy listening style “Make A Way, Lord,” which encourages listeners to trust Christ, who is the Way Maker. “What Faith Can Do” is another more progressive tune that reminds us that Faith in Christ can move mountains. He will give you strength to rise up when you fall. “Lord, It’s The Journey” is a groovy tune that tells of life with Christ and how he’s brought us through. “There’s Not A Crown” and “It’s What He’s Done” round out this great solo project from one of California’s finest Gospel vocalists. Both songs remind us of Christ’s Love for us and His Sacrifice.
4 out of 5 stars!
INFLUENCED
KEN HURLEY
PRODUCER: KEN HURLEY
RELEASE DATE: 2009
BREAKDOWN:
Ken Hurley has been singing and playing piano for over four decades in Southern Gospel Music on the West Coast. Hurley founded Reliance Trio in 2011 and serves as manager, baritone, and pianist. This special project features ten Gospel classics done in stellar fashion by one of Gospel Music’s finest pianists. From the classic “Give The World A Smile,” to the epic “Exodus”, to the energy filled “Goodbye World Goodbye” this project is incredible! This is a must have project for Southern Gospel fans as well as piano music fans. Incredible piano playing and simply beautiful and lush arrangements.
SONG LIST:
- Give The World A Smile
- Exodus (This Land Is Mine)
- Goodbye World Goodbye
- How Great Thou Art
- Winging My Way Back Home
- Power In The Blood
- Nothing But The Blood
- The Comforter Has Come
- Lily Of The Valley
- What A Friend
5 out of 5 stars!
FOR MORE INFORMATION: www.relianceministry.com and www.theanastasiafamily.com
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