Title: "Things Are Different Now"
Description: Inspirations
Chadley - July 30, 2007 05:34 PM (GMT)
Group Name: The Inspirations
Website: www.theinspirations.com
Album Title: “Things Are Different Now”
Song Titles:
1. All Washed Away
2. It’s The Cross That Carries Me
3. That’s Just God (Doing What He Does)
4. I’ll Have A New Life
5. Time Always Changes But God Never Will
6. Old Campmeeting Time
7. In The Shelter Of His Arms
8. My Lord’s Been Walking
9. Glory To God In the Highest
10. It’s Different Now
For over 40 years now, the Inspirations have been a mainstay in Southern Gospel Music. This North Carolina-based group is, by most folks’ admission, one that you either really like or really don’t like. Their sound is very traditional, old-style Southern/bluegrass Gospel, and I’ll be the first to admit that I am one of those who enjoys it. Current group members are as follows: Archie Watkins (tenor), Martin Cook (pianist), Mike Holcomb (bass), Matt Dibler (lead), Melton Campbell (baritone), Myron Cook (upright bass), and Jack Laws (vocals/rhythm guitar).
The newest in a long line of Inspirations’ albums is “Things Are Different Now”. Inspirations’ fans will find that this album is a continuation of the style and quality of music for which the group has become famous. Listeners will find some familiar songs as well as some new ones on this album. The cover art depicts a beautiful wooded sunset theme with the album title, group name, and an individual picture of each group member. As always, I looked to see if the song lyrics were printed inside the cover, and they were.
Now, let’s take a look at each of the songs on the album.
The album starts off with the somewhat up-tempo “All Washed Away”. The blend and harmony generated by the group are classic Inspirations- straightforward and quality. The tempo slows down a bit for Song #2, “It’s The Cross That Carries Me”. The words to this song are very true and powerful. It’s a song that will cause you to want to just spend some time praising the Lord for His protection and provision.
Song #3 is the medium-tempo “That’s Just God (Doing What He Does)”. This is a nice, smooth song with an appealing arrangement. This song also gives tenor Archie Watkins the opportunity to take the lead, and his distinctive voice really provides a strong foundation for the group’s sound. This leads into the fourth song, an up-tempo old standard called “I’ll Have A New Life”. This is a common song for bass singers to do lead vocals, and Mike Holcomb takes the opportunity to do just that. I am a firm believer that bass singing is not all about how low you can constantly go, and if I have any complaint about the Inspirations’ vocal arrangements it’s that Holcomb tends to spend way too much time in his lowest register. He has one of the lowest ranges in Southern Gospel, but it’s sometimes hard to understand lead or solo vocals sung that low. On the first chorus of the song, Mike sings the lead bass part an octave below where most basses would have sung it, but he brings it up an octave for the last two choruses. I enjoyed those last two choruses much better because the words were clearer and because Holcomb has a good upper register.
The fifth song is a slower ballad entitled “Time Always Changes But God Never Will”. Mike Holcomb is once again featured, and we get to hear how smooth he can be in a standard bass register. He really is one of the more talented basses in Southern Gospel. The tempo speeds back up again for Song #6, “Old Campmeeting Time”. The arrangement of this song makes it one of my favorites on the album.
Song #7 is another slower ballad called, “In The Shelter Of His Arms”. This is yet another beautifully-done song that I’m sure will become a favorite of Inspirations fans everywhere. This is followed by the eighth song, the medium-tempo “My Lord’s Been Walking”. Once again we get to hear Archie Watkins take the lead. Watkins is the only tenor singer the group has ever had, and his is one of the most recognizable voices in Southern Gospel today.
“Glory To God In The Highest” is the ninth song. It is an up-tempo number that has been done by groups such as Brian Free & Assurance and the Booth Brothers- both more on the progressive end of Southern Gospel. That being the case, I was interested to hear the Inspirations’ take on it. Well, I really like what I heard. The arrangement was more traditional and straightforward than the others I mentioned- again, vintage Inspirations. Secondly, Mike Holcomb’s walkdowns on the chorus phrases “peace on Earth, good will to men” and “He was born to save the world from sin” are excellent examples of how a bass with a strong low register can feature it. Finally, I like how they still repeated the chorus a couple of times arranged so that every part is singing something different while all of them are singing at the same time. (Think of the Cathedrals’ arrangement of “Heavenly Parade”.) All in all, this is definitely another of my favorites from this album.
The album closes with the song from which the album title was taken. It’s a slow ballad entitled “It’s Different Now”. The prominent mandolin in the accompaniment give this song a distinct bluegrass feel. However, I don’t feel that this song was the best choice to close out the album. I personally think that honor should have gone to “Glory To God In The Highest”.
One thing can be said about the Inspirations: they know what style they like, and they do it well. Even if you’re not a fan of their style, you can’t help but appreciate the work they put into their music to make it the best that it can be. Inspirations’ fans will definitely be pleased with this album, and I can honestly say that I enjoyed it as well. I didn’t get the chance to mention lead singer Matt Dibler and baritone singer Melton Campbell much, but it’s enough to say that these may be the strongest voices in the entire group. I would say that this album deserves a rating of 8 out of a possible 10 microphones!
Personal Favorites: “It’s The Cross That Carries Me”, “Old Campmeeting Time”, and “Glory To God In The Highest”