With the passing of Joe Cocker on Dec. 22, 2014, we have decided to pay tribute this rock veteran by reviewing his penultimate studio album released in 2012. Despite being on a new label with a new duo of producers and some of today's hottest songwriters on this new CD, this is still a patented Joe Cocker record.
moreIn an effort to reach the largest demographic, assumptions are often built into the psyche of worship songwriters as to what congregations like. Thus, it's commonly assumed that the majority of congregants are pop-rock music fans who like their music loud with blaring guitars quipped with grade six level vocabulary devoid of any metaphorical waxing.
moreChristmas albums are a tricky affair. Novelty, according to many who fork out the money to purchase a Christmas record, isn't necessarily a premium. Many today still want their Christmas music to abide to the tried and true yuletide carols. Yet, how many ways can you interpret the chestnuts such as "Joy to the World" or "Silent Night" and still sound fresh, invigorating and worthy of another rendition.
moreMoses seems to be a movie darling. Clinging onto big screen for as long as the birth of cinemas is Moses. The great Hebrew prophet, according to the Bible, lived for 120 years.
more"Jesus ain't worried 'bout tattoos and cigarettes/Or if you wear a golden cross around your neck." Lines like these from Rhett Walker Band's brand new album "Here's to the Ones" are going to throw a monkey wrench for many.
moreThis is one time we can safely deviate from the adage: "Do not judge a book by its cover."
moreEver since her triumphant win at the American Idol, Clarkson has been on autopilot driving her record making machine shooting off singles. Eleven years after her acceptance of her Idol diadem, with No.1s such as "Before Your Love," "My Life Would Suck Without You" and "Stronger," Clarkson has had more hits than misses.
moreZane and Donna King are great travelling companions. More perspicacious than "Lonely Planet," Zane and Donna King have a way of tracing the under workings of God through life's journey via their well-crafted songs.
moreYou won't find Marvin Sapp's "Christmas Card" in the discounted bins at your local Dollar Store. "Christian Card" is by no means one of those conveyor belt efforts. Unlike many manufactured Christmas albums, here you won't find a haphazardly thrown together assembly of obligatory carols merely stamped by Sapp's signature vocal ilk. In fact, none of these 12 tracks rings hollow with a predictable flair.
moreCarrie Underwood rode on the crest of the American Idol just at the right time. Nowadays, with the ebbing popularity of the TV singing contest show, most of its winners struggle to place even a respectable hit on the chart. Most tragic was year's winner Caleb Johnson; his debut album came and went without any rustle at all.
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