Greater Vision

Not Alone
Daywind Music

“Not Alone” features six songs by Greater Vision’s prolific singer/songwriter, Rodney Griffin, including one co-written with Babbie Mason (“You Were Faithful Yesterday”). A Marty Funderburk/Steve Marshall collaboration and songs written individually by Ronny Hinson, Joe Diquattro and Bud Chambers are also included on this Lari Goss production. The familiar mix of songs ranges from slow ballads to up-tempo toe-tappers.

“I Want to Know That You Know” gets the juices flowing quickly with a full orchestration of strings, horns, banjo and other instruments. The classy “You Were Faithful Yesterday” is next, slowing to a walking pace. Several conditional comparisons are offered in Hinson’s “Meet Him at Calvary.” The hook is one example: “If we’re gonna meet Him in heaven, we gotta meet Him at Calvary.”

“It Pays to Pray” keeps the intensity relatively low with a classic orchestration. There’s an expected build in tension after the bridge, but nothing goes over the top. A B-3 organ and a gospel rhythm establish the tone for “Share It With Jesus.” “He Is Loved” is a leisurely paced track featuring new Greater Vision tenor Jacob Kitson. At the seventh position on “Not Alone,” “I’ve Been to the Bottom” is only the second upbeat track on the CD. Greater Vision usually include a familiar anthem of the Church on each recording. This time, they’ve covered “Born to Serve the Lord.” The final two tracks are titled “The Source of My Song” and “You’re Not Forsaken.”

“Not Alone” leans toward slow arrangements but avoids plodding. Kitson ably picks up where Jason Waldroup left off at the tenor slot. Greater Vision fans should be pleased to learn the “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” adage applies to this CD. Compelling lyrics, a fully orchestrated soundtrack and a pleasing vocal blend remain Greater Vision trademarks.

— David Bruce Murray