Everyone says “first impressions” are very important, you’re first impression will play a key role in the way you form an opinion about a person, place or thing. I like to think it is the same way with an artist’s Cd. When the very first song grabs your attention, you are more apt to listen to the rest of the project, if the first song is a medium tempo/ fast song, that makes it even better . . . But, what makes a first song really impressive is when its message is a statement of faith.

1. I Know Just Where He Lives – The lyrics to this song are just what the above statement implies – they are a statement of faith. Just think if you gave this Cd to someone you know, who may not be saved? The first words that they would hear when this project was played would be, “For many years the heart of man has questioned if God is real, their eyes have searched for a living God and love that they can feel. We’ll I’ve got good news I’m livin’ proof if you could see inside, You’d find a Holy risen Lord and the place where He resides.” Would that not make an impression on you? It does on me! This song not only speaks about our God who is real, it tells us that we can know for certain where He is (or if you are not saved – where He can be found), and that is, in our very lives. This snappy tune starts off the Cd with a great message. 5.0

2. Dealing With Gold – Featuring Dallas Rogers (tenor), this slower song continues the major theme of this project (you may read about this in the conclusion). Written in a compare and contrast format, the verses of Dealing With Gold speak of all of the bad things that we have to “deal” with on earth, and contrasts them with all of the things in heaven. (Like laughter, everyone being together, gold, etc.) There is a lot to deal with in our short sojourn here on earth, but in heaven everything will change – and we won’t have to deal with anything on the negative end of things, anymore. (And all the SGM singers who have ever been criticized on a blog say, “amen.”) Ha, ha. 5.0

3. Stones Throw Away – This song is my personal favorite off of the entire project. The up-beat tempo combines perfectly with the message of victory in this number sung by Melton Campbell (baritone). Drawing from the story of David and Goliath, this song encourages us to resist what the Devil tries to tell us and pull our strength from the Lord. “There’s a giant in my way, I’ve been waiting for this day . . .victory’s just a stones throw away.” 5.0

4. The Son Came Down – Is yet another jewel from Dianne Wilkinson’s pen. This song not only can be sung as a Christmas song, but is appropriate all year long. In three short verses, the writer tells not only of the birth of Christ, but also of His death and resurrection. Surely, only a talented writer like Dianne can bring such a fresh new view on these three stories that we have heard countless number of times. Mike Holcomb (bass) has the lead on the second verse and David Ragan (lead) takes the lead on verse three. This song, also title song of the Cd, defiantly gets a 5.0 also!

5. Crown Him King – Have you ever wondered how long it will be until Christ returns? – This song says it can’t be much longer, all of the signs are in view! Mike has his solo on the second verse where it reminds us that Christ promised to come again for us. Here is your old fashion quartet style song where the tenor takes it up a notch on the chorus, along with your strong bass parts. 4.0

6. Heaven Knows Where I’ve Been – Featuring Mike Holcomb, this up-tempo song is kind of like a list of all of the places we as Christians have been at least once in our lifetime. As the song says, I’ve been lost – but I’ve also been at Calvary and the cross, I’ve been forgiven, I’ve been washed in Christ’s blood, and I’ve also been on my knees. All of these things are very meaningful to Believers, and it’s good to be reminded of them. 4.0

7. Thinking More Of Heaven – As implied by the title, this is a smooth, meditative song. It has a similar theme as Dealing With Gold, in that it speaks of loved ones who have gone on before us, and the longing to be with them. If you have ever lost someone, you probably have thought of Heaven in a different light, and in a new way. This song will echo the feelings in your heart. 4.5

8. The Potter – There are a lot of people in this world that judge others by their past actions. If you have ever been on the receiving end . . .this song is for you. As Melton Campbell sings, the soothing melody will grab your soul by its very cords. It speaks about God being the potter, and we being the clay. Slowly over time He will mold us into being what we can’t be on our own. The pivotal line in the song is . . . “I’m far from a masterpiece, but He washed me clean.” 5.0

9. Thank God I’ve Made It – This song is written in the joyous view of a person who just entered Heavens gates. Dallas Rogers sings this old fashion quartet song and brings it to life. (I personally saw him sing it live the night I bought this project, and can testify that it goes over very well in concert also.) This song will keep your toes tapping and your spirits high at just the mere thought of taking “a drink of living water.” 4.5

10. Walkin’ By Faith – Written by the Inspirations very own Melton Campbell and Darren Osborne, Walkin’ By Faith is the perfect song to end this Cd with. To be humming about the Lord’s guidance and not needing to have fear in life because of our faith . . .surely this is the best way to end a project. I would quote you all a little line or two, but to do the song justice, I would have to give you every word of the song – it’s that good. 5.0

Conclusion: All the songs on this project have very strong messages. With that in mind, I’m going to suggest that there are two themes in this project: a major theme and a minor theme. Our major theme is encouragement (containing six out of the ten songs) and the minor theme, Heaven (covering the other four songs). I Know Where He Lives, Stones Throw Away, The Son Came Down, Heaven Knows Where I’ve Been, The Potter, and Walkin’ By Faith are apart of the Encouragement/Major theme. In Stones Throw Away it’s in the line, “victory’s just a stones throw away”, in I Know Where He Lives it’s in the title of the song. The Son Came Down claims it when it says, “nothing on earth can take Him from us.” In Heaven Knows Where I’ve Been it’s the right choice at the crossroads. In The Potter, it’s the result of the artists work, and Walkin’ By Faith it is found in the assurance that no matter what lies ahead, our Lord is always with us. Our minor theme, about Heaven, is found in the three songs Crown Him King, Thinking More Of Heaven, and Thank God I’ve Made It. Simply, because all of these songs speak of going to Heaven and the sweet thought it brings. However, we still have one more song left . . .Dealing With Gold, this song is the bridge that binds these two themes together. This unique lyric uses the theme of Heaven to bring encouragement to us on earth. To put it in one category would be shortening its meaning, because it belongs in both. (It truly is a gem.) This project is a must for Southern Gospel Music lovers, and especially those who love quartets. For the messages that are conveyed through each song I give this project five out of five stars.