SPOTLIGHT CD REVIEWS: UP ABOVE THE WORLD SO HIGH- THE INSPIRATIONS

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justingilmore1992
in

SOUTHERN GOSPEL SPOTLIGHT PRESENTS:

CD REVIEW:

UP ABOVE THE WORLD SO HIGH

THE INSPIRATIONS

LABEL: HORIZON RECORDS

PRODUCER: ROGER TALLEY

RELEASE DATE: JULY 18, 2025

GROUP MEMBERS: ISAAC MOORE (TENOR), ROLAND KESTERSON (LEAD), LUKE VAUGHT (BARITONE/PIANIST), AND WYATT AUSTIN (BASS)

SONG LIST:

  1. I’ll Wear A White Robe (Luther G. Pressley)
  2. Up Above The World So High (Hale Reeves)
  3. Thankful For The Blood (Sandy Blythe)
  4. Count Your Blessings (Johnson Oatman, Edwin O. Excell)
  5. Just To Know (William L. Carter)
  6. Press On, O Pilgrim, There Is Joy Ahead (Luther G. Pressley, V.O. Fossett)
  7. Sea Of Forgetfulness (Ronny Hinson)
  8. Jesus Lived Up To His Name (Ronny Hinson)
  9. I’ll Never Move Away (Gerald Sweatman)
  10. He’s Still The Same God (Barbara Arminda Garrett)
  11. I’ve Been Walking With The Lord (Fred Woodruff)
  12. Many Miles Behind Me (Lester G. Beasley, Roy W. Parkinson)

BREAKDOWN:

It is abundantly clear that the young men of the Inspirations Quartet not only love the Lord; they also have a deep respect and love for those who have paved the way in Southern Gospel music. They have beautifully captured the classic sound and style of yesteryear. Over the last few years, the beloved quartet has reached back in the vault and brought back several classic songs (even some from their own discography) giving them new life. In the same vein, the group has paid homage to their own past by recreating several classic Inspirations album covers. This new recording continues this great new tradition. The legendary group honors the past by recreating the album cover from 1969’s The Next Step You Take which was taken at Clingmans Dome (Kuwohi) in the Great Smoky Mountains. While the covers are almost identical, notable differences include: birds instead of footprints and the phrase “Like A Bird Someday I’ll Fly” where the original album featured several song titles. This exciting new album, produced by Roger Talley, entitled Up Above The World So High features twelve great songs of hope that are sure to be a blessing to all who listen.

This incredible album opens with the piano and steele-guitar driven “I’ll Wear A White Robe.” This traditional tune, featuring Isaac Moore’s signature tenor vocal, looks forward to the day when we enter Heaven to be restored. The title track is already proving to be a hit in concert services. This toe-tapping classic style song features the unmistakable Inspirations style harmonies and looks forward to the day of Christ’s Return and our home in Heaven. Roland Kesterson takes the lead on the Sandy Blythe penned song “Thankful For The Blood.” This mid-tempo track praises Christ for His Sacrifice and His Blood shed for me. I was lost and undone when I knelt at the Cross. Praise God for the Blood that washed away my sins. Wyatt Austin and Luke Vaught are featured on the quartet classic “Count Your Blessings.” This fun tune simply reminds us of God’s many blessings in our lives. “Just To Know,” featuring Isaac Moore, is a beautiful lyric that says: just to know that I will have eternal life with Christ is good enough for me. The fun, up-tempo quartet tune “Press On, O Pilgrim, There Is Joy Ahead” encourages listeners to keep on the straight and narrow way to Heaven. Wyatt Austin’s smooth bass voice is featured on the tender, Ronny Hinson penned tune “Sea Of Forgetfulness.” This incredible song reminds us that: we are forgiven, our yesterdays are gone, and our sin drowned in an ocean of Love. My record is clear and my sin disappeared in that sea of forgetfulness. “Jesus Lived Up To His Name,” another Ronny Hinson penned tune, features Roland Kesterson and praises Christ for His Faithfulness, Grace, and Mercy. The group delivers a stellar cover of the Singing Echoes tune “I’ll Never Move Away.” Originally featured on the Singing Echoes 1983 album Look For Me and written by Gerald Sweatman, this fun, quartet style tune looks forward to our Eternal Home in Heaven. “He’s Still The Same God,” featuring Isaac Moore, is a comforting reminder that God never changes. He is the same forevermore. He is forever faithful. “I’ve Been A Walking With My Lord” is a fun, up-tempo quartet tune that simply says: I am walking with my Lord and sharing His Love along the upward way. This stellar album closes with the tender mid-tempo tune “Many Miles Behind Me.” This contemplative lyric reflects on the journey of life. Eventually, our time here will come to an end. We must make the most of our time and use it for His Glory.

FINAL THOUGHTS:

ANOTHER INCREDIBLE RECORDING FROM THIS LEGENDARY QUARTET! STELLAR VOCALS, INCREDIBLE SONGS, AND TOP NOTCH PRODUCTION QUALITY. HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE: “UP ABOVE THE WORLD SO HIGH,” “SEA OF FORGETFULNESS,” “I’LL NEVER MOVE AWAY,” “HE’S STILL THE SAME GOD,” “COUNT YOUR BLESSINGS,” AND “PRESS ON, O PILGRIM, THERE IS JOY AHEAD.”

5 OUT OF 5 STARS! ONE OF THE BEST OF THE YEAR SO FAR!

FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT: www.theinspirations.com

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