SPOTLIGHT CD REVIEW: ENCORE!- LIBERTY QUARTET

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by

justingilmore1992
in

SOUTHERN GOSPEL SPOTLIGHT PRESENTS:

CD REVIEW:

ENCORE!

LIBERTY QUARTET

RELEASE DATE: JANUARY 1, 2025

GROUP MEMBERS: ROYCE MITCHELL (BASS), PAUL ELLIS (LEAD), WILL ARASMITH (BARITONE), DORAN RITCHEY (PIANIST/BARITONE), AND PEYTON OLIVE (TENOR)

SONG LIST:

  1. I Need A Fresh Drink (Dianne Wilkinson, Scott Inman)
  2. How Great Thou Art (Stuart K. Hine)
  3. Amazed At The Change (Rodney Griffin)
  4. Love Medley
  5. But For A Cross (Marty Funderburk, Caleb Collins)
  6. Based Upon The Word (Scott Inman, Barbara Huffman)
  7. One Holy Lamb (Phil Cross, Cindi Ballard)
  8. There Is A River (David Sapp, Max Sapp)
  9. Thank You Now (Joel Lindsey, Lee Black)
  10. He’s My Lighthouse (Danny Funderburk)
  11. Peace Like A River (Ben Storie)
  12. Cornerstone (Lari Goss)
  13. The Journey (Doran Ritchey)
  14. Up & Away (Ben Storie)

BREAKDOWN:

2025 kicks off with a surprise album from Liberty Quartet! This exciting new recording, from one of finest quartets on the road today, features fourteen songs which were previously recorded by the group. The current lineup of Royce Mitchell, Paul Ellis, Will Arasmith, Doran Ritchey, and Peyton Olive put a fresh new spin on these Liberty favorites and other classics on this special recording.

This incredible album opens with the up-tempo, traditional quartet style tune “I Need A Fresh Drink.” This fan favorite song, originally recorded on 2015’s It’s All About Grace, features Royce Mitchell’s smooth bass and tells the story of the prodigal son. This updated version features fresh new harmonies and step-out lines added to the later choruses and ending. Next, the group delivers a simply beautiful new arrangement of the classic “How Great Thou Art.” Each member is featured on this powerful, deeply moving, and lushly arranged hymn. They originally recorded this popular hymn on their Classic Hymns album released in 2013. “Amazed At The Change,” featuring Paul Ellis, is a mid-tempo tune that praises Christ for the change He has made in our lives. He changed me forever! This version stays faithful to the original cut featured on the 2008 recording Amazed.  The “Love Medley” is a beautiful mash-up of the classics “Oh How I Love Jesus,” and “Oh How He Loves You And Me.” Paul Ellis takes the lead on the powerful anthem “But For A Cross.” This incredible song, originally appearing on 2011’s God’s Been Faithful, boldly proclaims: Where would I be today, but for Jesus’ Sacrifice! “Based Upon The Word,” from 2015’s It’s All About Grace, is a fun, up-tempo tune that proclaims: based upon the Word, I am forgiven. I am redeemed by His Blood and Sanctified. Based upon the Word, I will testify! Will Arasmith does a great job on this favorite. “One Holy Lamb,” from 2010’s The First 15, is an incredible anthem that was written and made popular by Phil Cross & Poet Voices. One Holy Lamb washed my sins away! Peyton Olive delivers an incredibly moving vocal on the classic “There Is A River.” I had the pleasure of hearing him sing this in concert at the Great Western Fan Festival and was blown away by his voice. He is already an incredible tenor at only twenty years old. Doran Richey takes the lead on “Thank You Now.” This beautiful ballad, originally appearing on 2011’s God’s Been Faithful, thanks God for His Mercies that see us through each day. He gives us Grace to bring us through each trial we face. Even though I can’t see the reason why or understand just how, the Lord is faithful and I know he will bring me through. “He’s My Lighthouse” is a fun, mid-tempo quartet tune written by legendary tenor singer Danny Funderburk that praises Christ as our never failing rock we can stand upon. Will Arasmith’s smooth baritone is featured on the first verse and Royce Mitchell gets some fun step-out lines on the later choruses. Peyton Olive takes the lead once again on “Peace Like A River,” a beautiful and thoughtful song also from 2011’s God’s Been Faithful. Next, the group revisits the Lari Goss penned classic “Cornerstone,” which they originally recorded on 2015’s It’s All About Grace. This powerful anthem proclaims Jesus as our Cornerstone. He is the Rock of Ages and in Him we are secure! “The Journey” is another favorite, from their 2009 album of the same name, that says: Jesus gives us strength for the journey. He never said it would be easy, but He will supply all that I need. His Grace goes the distance. This stellar album closes with a personal favorite of mine: “Up & Away” once again from God’s Been Faithful. This groovy tune looks forward to the day when we go up to Heaven! Like the opening song, this Liberty favorite is given a fresh update with Royce getting a few fun step-out lines on one of the choruses and the ending is slightly different as well.

FINAL THOUGHTS:

ONCE AGAIN, LIBERTY QUARTET KNOCKS IT OUT OF THE PARK! INCREDIBLE SONGS, STELLAR VOCALS, AND TOP NOTCH MUSICIANSHIP! HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE: “HE’S MY LIGHTHOUSE,” “UP & AWAY,” “THERE IS A RIVER,” “I NEED A FRESH DRINK,” “HOW GREAT THOU ART,” AND “BUT FOR A CROSS.”

ALSO, WILL ARASMITH DID AN INCREDIBLE JOB MIXING, MASTERING, AND EDITING THIS PROJECT.

5 OUT OF 5 STARS! GO GET THIS CD ASAP!

FOR MORE INFORMATION: http://www.libertyquartet.com

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