This week, I was fortunate to listen to two new-to-me artists, both very different in style.
The only thing these albums have in common is the artists’ obvious love for Jesus.
Travis Greene is a gospel artist. His latest project, Broken Record, is produced by Greene and Brunes Charles and released from Provident Distribution. Greene’s style reminds me of a blend of traditional gospel sounds and contemporary worship artists.
Several songs on this album captured my interest. Great Jehovah is a fully enjoyable, hand-clapping, banjo-picking song of praise. Loved By You is a modern take on the gospel ballad that speaks to the wonder that God can love us just as we are: “You know me/ You see me… I am enough for You/ I am loved by You, just as I am.”
Broken Vessels is the final track on Broken Record. The title opens with a simple acoustic guitar and a male chorus. It generally builds into full chorus and maintains simple instrumentation. The straightforward message is that “We are broken vessels/ You are a Potter/ We’re living a story/ You are the Author… We’ll give the honour/ from Broken Vessels to our Father.”
A couple of songs on Broken Record struck a different type of chord as I listened to Greene singing as the voice of God. Good and Loved and All Things New are both written in this style. Had the voice been turned toward God, these songs would have resonated with me deeply.
HIGH ROAD
In a totally opposite style, I also listened to High Road. The self-titled fourth album from a women’s country gospel quartet was produced by Ben Isaacs (of The Isaacs) and released from Daywinds’ New Day Records.
These four young women have a decidedly bluegrass style in both their vocals and their instrumentation. Formed in 2010 by leader Sarah Davison, the group consists of Kristen Bearfield (mandolin, guitar, banjo, vocals), Kinsey Rose (guitar, vocals) and Lauren Conklin (fiddle).
High Road is an album that contains all the elements that I particularly enjoy in a project: clear lyrics, a focused message, beautiful soaring melodies and simple, effective instrumentation.
The album opens with Nothing At All, a laid-back country tune that repeats the song’s primary message, “If you ain’t got Jesus, you ain’t got nothing at all.”
Second Chances is a typical country ballad that sings, as expected, of “the God of second chances.” The quartet also presents a beautiful rendition of the classic gospel tune, Precious Lord, Take My Hand. Two Coats is a bluegrass number that tells the story of a choice: “I tell you the best thing I ever did do/ I took off the old coat and put on the new……my Saviour…brought me this new coat, you now see me wear.”
Depending on the style a listener prefers, either of these albums would be enjoyable, I think. A country fan would absolutely thrill to the harmonies and stylings of High Road, while a gospel music lover would almost certainly enjoy Travis Greene’s Broken Record. No matter your choice, it would be a good one.
Tracey Evison, a musician and educator on P.E.I., writes this column for The Guardian every second Saturday. She can be contacted by email at [email protected].