Gettin’ Ready
Pinecastle Records
I’m not sure this CD could be improved upon in anyway. The singing is fantastic. The instrumentation is fabulous. Even the CD insert is great. The insert has great pictures, song lyrics and a one-page introduction by bluegrass historian Jon Weisberger that is just perfect.
And if you’ve ever been to the Blue Ridge Mountains, you’ll have to agree that even the group name would be hard to improve upon. The new BlueRidge gospel CD “Gettin’ Ready” takes on the majestic characteristics of the mountain range for which the group is named and contains the strong high peaks that any real mountain range will have, as well as the lush, green, flowing valleys.
The “mighty, majestic peaks” include the songs “Don’t You Want to Go There,” “He Will Set Your Fields on Fire,” “The Bridge” and “This Journey I’m On.”
The lush, beautiful valleys include “Light in the Forest” and “Lead Me Not,” complete with the Earl Scruggs’ fingerpicking guitar style.
Personal favorites include “Won’t They Be Surprised,” featuring guest vocalist Sonya Isaacs. I hope Pinecastle decides to send this to southern gospel radio. “Won’t They Be Surprised” is a story that many will be able to identify with. It is a must listen.
“I’m Goin’ up When He Starts Down” is bluegrass quartet 101. I hit the replay button on this song frequently. Finally “Do You Call That Religion” has a haunting, moderate tempo with mandolin and acoustic guitar accompaniment that is one of my favorite “feels” in bluegrass music. It’s another must listen.
There are 12 songs in total, including a great gospel medley, a capella quartet singing and more.
BlueRidge is composed of Alan Bibey, Junior Sisk, Alan Johnson, Eddie Biggerstaff and Joey Cox.
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