Ghost On The Canvas by Glen Campbell

Released Sept 2011

I read A Review by
By
Ernie R. McHone (Franklin, Ohio) -


This review is from: Ghost On The Canvas (Audio CD)
"One thing I know, the world's been good to me. A better place awaits, you'll see".

The opening track on "Ghost on the Canvas" of "A Better Place", paints a picture of a man who has seen many good and bad times throughout his life. He has accepted that the world has been good to him, and that a better place (Heaven and the twilight of his life) awaits. The title track which was penned by Glen Campbell and producer Julian Raymond sets the tone for this beautiful album.

"Ghost on the Canvas" has a real spiritual quality to it. It is really an open book, where the author (Glen Campbell) takes you on a journey through his life. He doesn't sugar coat his missteps or failings, but learns from them. I don't know if I've heard a more spiritual or heartfelt album than "Ghost on the Canvas".

I have been a fan of Glen Campbell's since I can remember. I was born in the mid eighties and was introduced to Glen as the voice of the rooster "Chaunticleer" from the animated film, "Rock A Doodle". I remember wondering, "Who is the guy that sings so well". It was Glen Campbell. As I grew older, I was introduced to one of his films, "True Grit" which placed him alongside the larger than life western legend, "John Wayne". I still think that his vocals from the title track are amongst his best.

In reality, for many years, from the late seventies through the 1990's, Glen Campbell was largely ignored by the music business and his peers. He was brushed off, as a has-been who couldn't decide whether he wanted to be country, rock, pop, or both. Glen Campbell is what he is, a one of a kind talent. Not only can he sing with the best of them, but plays the meanest and best guitar I have ever heard.

He is a Country and Musicians Hall of Famer, and I believe one day he will also be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Are "Gentle On My Mind", "Wichita Lineman" and "Galveston",classic rock and pop standards? Sure they are, and the very business that Glen Campbell devoted his talent and skill to, will one day, acknowledge his great contribution to it.

This album is lyrically sound from the likes of "I know a place between, life and death for you and me, best take hold on the threshold of eternity" to "Like a Ghost on a canvas, people don't see us, like a ghost on the canvas, people don't know, when their looking at soul" and "Nothing, Nothing, Nothing, but the whole wide world to gain".

The main treat is Glen's vocals. He sounds better here than he has since the likes of "Rhinestone Cowboy" and "Southern Nights". He is truly at the top of his game, and what better way to go, than when you're on the mountaintop. Highly Recommended. A+



Glen Campbell over the last 4 years has created the best two albums of his career since the mid-70's. 2008's, "Meet Glen Campbell" began his re-introduction to a new generation and "Ghost on the Canvas" is even stronger. In fact, in my opinion it will be a crime if this CD doesn't get Grammy consideration next year

He was diagnosed with Alzheimer's during the recording of this CD last year, and announced that this would be his last studio offering. There are not many who are allowed the opportunity to document on record the musings of life as they see the end coming. But Campbell not only gets that opportunity, but invites us to listen as he reflects on a life fully lived.

On the first song, "A Better Place", he encapsulates in less than two minutes his life…the ups and downs…the blessings and the hope of his future. From that point he takes us through a musical tour through his life with musical interludes (written by Roger Manning) that give a dreamlike effect as we pass from one song to the next. Longtime Campbell fans will smile at the musical nods to his past… at the staccato notes at the beginning of the title track that harken back to "Wichita Lineman" or the beginning bars of "Any Trouble" which remind a listener of "Gentle on my Mind".

The last three full songs ("Any Trouble", "Strong", "There's No Me…Without You") are my favorites and perhaps the best on the album. He gives some final reflections on hope, the storms of life, and finally a song for the woman who literally saved him from himself. The last three minutes brings us full circle as we get one more glimpse of the boy from rural Arkansas who loved to pick his guitar…and in the process gave us so much more.

Michael W Smith -Wonder Review

OCTOBER 2010


WONDER



Let me open by saying that I have every album Michael has ever made. That's right..amost.everything from "through this current offering. I've seen him in concert and feel the Great sense of the Holy Spirit ,The Smitty/Wayne Kirkpatrick songwriting duo was incredible. The lyrics fit the music, and still carried a moving message. Since Michael has started writing with others, I think the songwriting has suffered. Musically this album is rich and powerful...which is Michael's work, no doubt. But the lyrics just don't fit anymore. It's like he is trying to get these deep messages across, then copying someone's words onto music that doesn't complement it. On Wonder (Not Far Away) Michael is talking the verses, "Everybody has enough to bear / and everyone feels the strain / there's a lot that really isn't fair / but it isn't more than you can take." Not a bad topic for a song, but you can't just take lyrics and say them over some music. Michael did a similar song a decade ago with Kirkpatrick lyrics called "Give Me Love" but the quirky lyrics fit the rapid-fire delivery style. Not so with Wonder.

There is just a lot of "talking" going on, and not singing. The message on "Leave" is lost because there is really no melody at all. It's like reading a poem with music behind it. The trick to pop songwriting is to take words and craft them into a soaring melody - the words and the melody should be inseparable. Think of Michael's earlier works: Place in This World, Give it Away (perfect lyrical fit with that song), Secret Ambition, I'll Lead You Home, Never Been Unloved. These songs soar because the lyrics are lifted up by the melodies.

I appreciate that Smitty is trying to stay relevant in the Christian music scene, and that he is working with a variety of artists (Leeland, Matthew West).But change is good for Michael , I will Confess when i stated to play the album it blew me away because its such a great album like his earlier stuff in the 90's

songs like Save me from myself , Run to you , take my breathe away , one more time is some of the highlights of the album i like ......I give Michael 5 stars for this album

Newsboys (going back in time Review )

Famous Christian Band The Newsboys
ONE OF MY FAVORITE SONGS BY THE GROUP IS STAY STRONG

You're in the moment now
A bitter root
A wandering eye and then
The ties that bind start wearing thin, thin

You're in the moment now
When all you've been blessed with
Is not enough
Here's where the ground gets loose
Here's where the devils call your bluff

Stay strong
You are not lost
Come on and fix your eyes ahead
There's a new dawn to light our day, our day
You've gotta stay strong
You and I run
For the prize that lies ahead
We've come too far to lose our way, our way

We've seen the tragic flaws
The tortured souls
The saints with feet of clay
Here's where sin becomes cliche'

We've come through wilderness and watched
The cloud by day
The burning sky into dawn
Have you forgotten who you are?
Did you forget whose trip you're on?

Stay strong
You are not lost
Come on and fix your eyes ahead
There's a new dawn to light our day, our day
We've gotta stay strong
You and I run
For the prize that lies ahead
We've come too far to lose our way, our way

Get up, there's further to go
Get up, there's more to be done
Get up, this witness is sure
Get up, this race can be won
This race can be won

We've gotta stay strong
You are not lost
Come on and fix your eyes ahead
Our Father's dawn will light our day, our day
Come on and stay strong
His grip is sure
And His patience still endures
There'll be no letting go today, no way

Come on, and stay strong
You and I run
For the prize that lies ahead
We've come too far to lose our way, our way





lyrics by the newsboys



PS -2 Corinthians 4:16-18
Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. (NIV)

THE NEWSBOYS CREATED SOME OF THE BEST CHRISTIAN MUSIC IN CHRISTIAN MUSIC.
It's surprising to think that with the magnitude of a band like
Newsboys, it would take over twenty years for them to release their
first ever official live audio project. For 2008, the Aussie based pop
rock band brings their successful 2007 GO Tour to disc in a CD/DVD
packaging format.

This version of the GO Tour captures on CD and DVD a slightly
different presentation and song selection than their Spring '07 launch
of the GO Tour. The tour's set list primarily consists of tracks from
the band's latest studio effort, GO, with early runs of the tour
including "In Wonder" as well, instead of "Stay Strong" which replaced
it following the release of a new Greatest Hits compilation from their
former label. Also, the "medley" tease that is performed towards the
middle of the set included "Not Ashamed," "Million Pieces,"
"Entertaining Angels," and ended with "Where You Belong / Turn Your
Eyes Upon Jesus." Here, only "Not Ashamed" remains in the medley, and
"Reality," "Love Liberty Disco," and "Amazing Love" all appear
instead. But while "Entertaining Angels" was excluded from this
particular set list, it does appear in its entirety following the
medley, whereas "It Is You" was performed before.

The biggest drawback to this tour, as well as this recording, is
the lack of classic Newsboys tunes presented in their entirety. The
band has been performing an overlong cover of Matt Redman's "Blessed
Be Your Name" since the Adoration Tour years ago and for it to be
included here for nearly seven and a half minutes just feels a bit
like overkill. On the other hand, it always goes over well live and
makes for a lovely worshipful moment in their live set (which is
probably why they keep playing it), it's just that with such a catalog
of music as Newsboys have, it's a shame they couldn't represent more
of it live. And that brings us back to the classic medley, which
clocks in at over nine minutes but consists of only one performance of
a line from the chorus of each song (except for "Amazing Love," which
is another song that isn't a Newsboys classic). Most of the track is
Peter Furler's tongue-in-cheek retelling of the band's humble
beginnings set to Paul Colman's repetitious strumming -- something
that is delightful live, but tedious in recorded form if you plan to
listen to it over and over. When all is said and done, only really
eleven full songs are included on Newsboys Live: Houston We Are GO,
while many live records will load up the track list with many fan
favorites (TobyMac's recent Alive & Transported comes to mind).

The audio quality for the CD portion of the project is actually
really crisp and clear. On most of the tracks, the crowd is loud and
pronounced at the beginning and fade into the background when the core
vocals begin. Peter Furler's vocals are near perfect - at times almost
too perfect (some studio overdubbing?). While listening to the CD, it
meshes really well, but while watching the DVD, Furler's voice doesn't
seem to match the image as it sounds more like a studio recording than
a live one. And at times - like during "The Mission," we can see Paul
Colman or Jeff Frankenstein belting out background vocals into their
microphones while with the audio on the DVD especially, all we really
hear are Furler's leads. But regardless of how it was done, the audio
disc sounds great and fans will enjoy having these songs captured live
in high quality.

The real drawback to Newsboys Live: Houston We Are GO is actually
its DVD. With recent live projects from Third Day, TobyMac, and
Rebecca St. James having been presented in widescreen, I was really
expecting this to be a high resolution production. Sadly, it's hardly
that. The video is merely presented in standard full screen format.
While that's clearly forgivable, the quality of the captured video
varies from crystal clear to muddy or presented in much, much too high
contrast. Some of the camera angles are interesting, including some
shots from within the crowd, but the cameras seem to focus a little
bit too often on the audience members themselves, and not even in the
best screen quality either. The resolution varies from camera to
camera and it sometimes gives the presentation a truly amateur feel -
especially when some zoom shots are digital zoom and not optical zoom.
One of the highlights of the concert footage, however, is the
inclusion of the entire drumming duel between Duncan Phillips and
Peter Furler. It's a highlight of the live show and, while only forty
five seconds of it appears on the CD, fans get to experience it in its
unedited form on the DVD portion of the project. Lastly, the DVD
doesn't include any other bonus features besides the live concert
itself. This isn't really a big deal either, but some artist
interviews thrown in for good measure would have been a nice addition.

In the end, Newsboys Live: Houston We Are GO isn't quite
everything longtime Newsboys fans have been waiting for. The audio
quality is near fantastic which makes the project worth the fans'
purchase, but the DVD is rather disappointing. Still, even if you view
the DVD as a bonus to the live audio disc, Newsboys Live: Houston We
Are GO works well enough as a GO Tour souvenir. Now, all we need is
for the Newsboys to record a live CD/DVD project consisting of all fan
favorites from their extensive album collection and we'll be really
good to go.

- Review date: 9/29/08, written by John DiBiase


STAY STRONG I MENTION IS ON THE NEW CD AND DVD NEWSBOYS/LIVE
HOUSTON WE ARE GO...I PERSONALLY THINK THAT THE CD AND DVD WAS GREAT SOUNDING AND ALMOST MAKE YOU WANTED TO DANCE
THE DVD PROVES THAT AND FROM MY EXPERIENCE SEEING THEM IN THE 1990'S THAT IS WHAT I USE TO DO WHEN I SAW THEM AT KINGDOM BOND NEAR BUFFALO NY. THE NEWSBOYS WENT THROUGH MANY CHANCES PRETTY SAD TO SEE PETER LEAVE THE BAND .


STAY STRONG

Celine Dion having Twins Review and more

Céline Dion's dream to expand her family has come true.

The singer, 42, is pregnant with twins after undergoing her sixth in-vitro fertilization attempt and turning to acupuncture to improve her chances of a pregnancy, her rep Kim Jakwerth confirms.

Dion, mom to 9-year-old son René-Charles, is 14 weeks along. She will find out the gender of the twins next month.

"We're ecstatic," her husband/manager René Angelil tells PEOPLE. "Celine is just hoping for a healthy pregnancy. She was hoping for one baby and the news that we are having two is a double blessing." !"

EXCESS HOLLYWOOD STATED

Celine Dion: Twins On The Way!
Access Hollywood - May 31, 2010 1:55 AM PDT

*


Story photo: Celine Dion: Twins On The Way!Celine Dion with husband Rene and son Rene-Charles at the premiere of 'Celine - Through The Eyes Of The World' in Miami, Fla., on February 16, 2010Getty PremiumAccess Hollywood

LOS ANGELES, Calif. -- Celine Dion is pregnant with twins, a rep for the star confirmed to Access Hollywood.

The singer's husband and manager, Rene Angelil, announced the baby news to People on Sunday.


"We're ecstatic," he told the mag. "Celine is just hoping for a healthy pregnancy. She was hoping for one baby and the news that we are having two is a double blessing."

The 42-year-old mom-to-be is 14 weeks along.



Celine welcomed son Rene-Charles in 2001, and has made no secret of her quest to expand her family since.

In February, the Canadian star told Access that she had passed on performing at the Winter Olympics in Vancouver to focus on becoming pregnant.

"I'm going through some in vitro treatments - so that was my choice," Celine said at the time. "I'm trying to [grow] my family, be with my son and maybe be a mom for a second child, hopefully. That would be my biggest dream right now."



And last December, the star opened up to Access about her struggles to conceive.

"We were [pregnant]," she said of August 2009 reports that she was expecting once again. "About 4, 5 days after, they found out that it was not staying."






MUSIC



April 5, 2010
CELINE: THROUGH THE EYES OF THE WORLD, AN EXPANDED DVD EDITION OF THE ACCLAIMED DOCUMENTARY & TAKING CHANCES WORLD TOUR: THE CONCERT, A NEW LIVE DVD/CD, AVAILABLE IN MAY

Celine: Through the Eyes of the World, a home edition of the acclaimed feature film, newly expanded for its DVD release, and Taking Chances World Tour: The Concert, a DVD/CD of live performances from Celine's record-breaking world tour, will be released on Tuesday, May 4 in Canada and on May 11 in the USA.

Lensed during the Canadian superstar's 2008-2009 Taking Chances World Tour (the second highest-grossing ever for a solo artist), Celine: Through the Eyes of the World opens a window into the real life, both on-stage and off, of the best-selling female recording artist of all time.

Director Stéphane Laporte and team enjoyed unprecedented access to the decade's top performer as she played concerts in five continents, 25 countries and 93 cities, selling more than three million tickets during her first major tour in nine years.

"This was an amazing world tour, but there's a lot more than just concert footage on this film," said Celine. "I let the cameras follow me everywhere. There are a lot of ups and downs, and it's very personal.... It's definitely the most intimate journey that I've ever shared with my fans."

Clocking in at three hours, the home version of Celine: Through the Eyes of the World includes an additional hour's worth of footage not seen in the film's limited theatrical run in February 2010. A Blu-ray version will also be available on May 18.

Working with choreographer/director Jamie King, Celine Dion created a multi-media state-of-the-art production for the two-hour concerts on her monumental Taking Chances World Tour, the eleventh of her career. Running from February 2008 through February 2009, featuring both Anglophone and Francophone setlists, Celine's Taking Chances Tour broke attendance and box office records at venues around the world.

Taking Chances World Tour: The Concert, a DVD/CD souvenir combination set chronicling the event, will be available in both French and English. Both versions were recorded in Montreal and Boston.

A special limited edition deluxe two-DVD set -- featuring both Celine: Through the Eyes of the World and Taking Chances World Tour: The Concert and a 52 page booklet and fold-out souvenir postcards -- will be available direct-to-consumer through www.celinedion.com and via retail outlets on May 18.

The movie "... does more than highlight her performances during her last world tour, it also allows fans rare glimpses of her offstage life. The documentary shows Dion as a goofy jokester, a doting mother, a tender wife, a wide-eyed tourist, a devoted daughter and more. The cameras tag along for intimate moments the superstar is happy to share with fans." - MSNBC

"...whether frolicking with admirers in Johannesburg or accepting France's Legion of Honor metal in Paris, wowing throngs or greeting a sick child backstage, she (Celine) emerges as a paragon of greatness and goodness...Celine's film tour de force" - USA Today

"Celine is the James Brown of her generation -- the hardest working woman in show business." - Globe & Mail

"The film succeeds because it lets us in on Celine the person as much as Celine the performer." - Boston Herald

"... you can't help but be impressed by this fascinating portrait of a superstar trying very hard to keep her feet on earth while her career keeps soaring ever upward." - The Toronto Star

"Celine: Through the Eyes of the World a must-see... Dion's goal was for her world to remain human, real and authentic. Mission accomplished." - Le Journal de Montreal

"it also shows the behindthescenes action that an ordinary ticket holder would never get to see [...] fascinating." - The Sunday Telegraph

"A Celine we rarely see." - La Presse "You have the best seat in the house..." Chicago Tribune

Having sold more than 200 million albums around the world, Celine Dion is one of the most immediately recognized, widely respected and successful performers in pop music history. During her spectacular career Celine has been honored with over 1000 awards. She is a five time Grammy Award winner, including Album of the Year and Best Pop Album for Falling Into You (1996); and Record of the Year and Best Female Pop Vocal Performance for "My Heart Will Go On" (1998). Her recordings have won two Academy Awards®: Best Original Song in 1992 for the title song of Beauty and the Beast (with Peabo Bryson), and Best Original Song in 1998 for "My Heart Will Go On" (From Titanic). She has earned seven American Music Awards, 20 Juno Awards (Canada) and an astonishing 40 Felix Awards (Quebec). In 2004, Celine received the Diamond award at the World Music Awards recognizing her status as the best-selling female artist of all time. In 2007 she was honored with the Legend Award at World Music Awards in recognition of her global success and outstanding contribution to the music industry.

Taking Chances World Tour: The Concert (DVD)

1. I DROVE ALL NIGHT
2. THE POWER OF LOVE
3. TAKING CHANCES
4. HITS MEDLEY (IT'S ALL COMING BACK TO ME NOW, BECAUSE YOU LOVED ME, TO LOVE YOU MORE)
5. EYES ON ME
6. ALL BY MYSELF
7. I'M ALIVE
8. SHADOW OF LOVE
9. FADE AWAY
10. ALONE
11. MY LOVE
12. THE PRAYER
13. POUR QUE TU M'AIMES ENCORE
14. TRIBUTE TO QUEEN MEDLEY (WE WILL ROCK YOU, THE SHOW MUST GO ON)
15. SOUL MEDLEY (SEX MACHINE, SOUL MAN, LADY MARMALADE, SIR DUKE, RESPECT, I GOT THE FEELIN', I GOT YOU (I FEEL GOOD), IT'S A MAN'S MAN'S MAN'S WORLD)
16. LOVE CAN MOVE MOUNTAINS
17. RIVER DEEP, MOUNTAIN HIGH
18. MY HEART WILL GO ON

Taking Chances World Tour: The Concert (CD)

1. OPENING
2. I DROVE ALL NIGHT
3. THE POWER OF LOVE
4. TAKING CHANCES
5. IT'S ALL COMING BACK ME NOW
6. BECAUSE YOU LOVED ME
7. TO LOVE YOU MORE
8. NEW MEGO'S FLAMENCO
9. EYES ON ME
10. ALL BY MYSELF
11. SHADOW OF LOVE
12. ALONE
13. MY LOVE
14. THE PRAYER (duet with Andrea Bocelli)
15. SOUL MEDLEY (SEX MACHINE, SOUL MAN, LADY MARMALADE, SIR DUKE, RESPECT, I GOT THE FEELIN', I GOT YOU (I FEEL GOOD))
16. IT'S A MAN'S MAN'S MAN'S WORLD
17. LOVE CAN MOVE MOUNTAINS
18. RIVER DEEP, MOUNTAIN HIGH
19. MY HEART WILL GO ON



OLD NEWS 2003

CELINE DION SONG BANNED: 'TOO CHRISTIAN' FOR SCHOOL, FAITH UNDER FIRE
WorldNetDaily.com ^ | June 8, 2003 | staff

Posted on Sunday, June 08, 2003 7:41:08 PM by fight_truth_decay

Students' choice of music at graduation leads to legal scrap over 1st Amendment.

Celine Dion has been banned from a high school in Virginia for being too Christian – or at least one of her songs has.

Singer Celine Dion

Two students who wanted to sing an inspirational song at their graduation ceremony won't be hitting any high notes following a legal scuffle that erupted when school officials said their choice of music was too religious for a public school ceremony, reports the Hampton Roads Daily Press.

Anna Ashby and a friend volunteered to sing and chose ''The Prayer,'' a tune that's been recorded by Christian singers as well as mainstream artists like Celine Dion.

''The Prayer'' mentions God once and speaks of faith and the presence of a higher power. ''Lead us to a place, guide us with your grace. Give us faith so we'll be safe,'' the lyrics say.

Windsor High School in Windsor, Va.

The students showed the song to Windsor High School principal William Owen who gave the lyrics to Isle of Wight Superintendent Michael McPherson for a "second opinion."

McPherson then passed the lyrics along to the attorney for the school board who said allowing the song would violate the requirements for separation of church and state.

''That doesn't sit very well with me at all,'' said Ashby. ''The song isn't really like 'Holy God, praise you Jesus.' It was meant to be an inspiration for our classmates. It wasn't meant to say, 'Look at me, I'm a Christian,''' she told the newspaper.

WorldNetDaily discovered that in Windsor High's own statement of beliefs, the school says "a learning and teaching environment is most effective when it fosters the acceptance of cultural diversity and promotes positive interpersonal relations," and that "students are best prepared for the future when offered a variety of learning experiences."

Ashby and her father, a pastor, told school officials she had a First Amendment right to sing the song and then contacted the legal group the American Center for Law and Justice, which agreed denying the song did indeed step on Ashby's right to free speech.

When the ACLJ threatened school officials with federal litigation, the school responded by issuing a complete ban on singing at the ceremony, forcing the ACLJ to give up its fight.

''Students have no constitutional rights to have songs at their graduation,'' Stuart Roth, senior counsel for the ACLJ, which is affiliated with Pat Robertson's Regent University, told the newspaper.

Anna's father, Bishop James R. Ashby, says public displays of faith are important in rural communities like Isle of Wight.

''This is rural America,'' Ashby told the newspaper. ''This is not metropolitan USA. Religion is a vital part of the fabric of rural culture. I'm talking about where I live.''

The ACLJ's Roth says separation of church and state comes into play only when the school has a hand in choosing religious material. In this case, Roth said, Ashby volunteered to sing, chose the song and had a right to sing it.

''Is this really what the Founding Fathers intended?'' Roth told the paper. ''That a young lady could not get up and sing a song with a few references to God?''



MY THOUGHTS

Iam so glad Celine sticks up for her faith in God she is blessed in fact having the Twins is livin prof God still does do miracles

Whitney Houston -I look to you (Review)

Whitney never gets away from her Christian roots when it comes to songs like I look to you and I didnt no my own strength which is my 2 favorite songs

The title song “I Look to You” was released as the first single in July 2009 giving Houston her first top 20 hit on the Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop Songs in nearly a decade.
The second single “Million Dollar Bill” is currently making its impact as the worldwide lead single.
“I Didn’t Know My Own Strength” debuted has peaked at number 32 on the Hot Dance Club Songs chart in the US despite never being officially released. It is due to be performed on the Oprah Winfrey Show during the two-show special dedicated to Houston.

The album contains a mixture of R&B, soft ballads and dance music.
Writing and production from the album includes contributions from Swizz Beatz, Johntá Austin, Alicia Keys, R. Kelly, Danja, as well as Houston herself, who for the first time in her career is accredited as producing and writing songs. Akon has production credits on two of the album’s songs as well as being the only featured artist.

Given the fact that this album just entered charts around the world at the number one position, it seems fair to say that this album is still a warm and surprising from an artist from whom not much was expected anymore. Welcome back, Whitney !



Released August 28, 2009


1. Million Dollar Bill
2. Nothin’ But Love
3. Call You Tonight
4. I Look To You
5. Like I Never Left
6. A Song For You
7. I Didn’t Know My Own Strength
8. Worth It
9. For The Lovers
10. I Got You
11. Salute

Whitney Houston I Look to You Album Review – “I Look to You” is the the sixth studio album from Whitney Houston that will be released on August 31st via Arista Records.This is supposed to be her big comeback after 7 years of hiatus on the charts.It took Whitney 2 whole years with the producers of the moment which include Danja, Tricky Stewart, Akon, Johnta Austin, Stargate, SwizzBeatz to produce only 11 titles for fans who have been waiting forever for this CD,so was it worth the wait?
If you consider tracks like “Million Dollar Bill” (song that was written by Alicia Keys) “I Look to You” and “Salute” (R.Kelly really saved the day ) or even “Like I Never Left” ,her captivating voice and the fact that she manages to bring the 90’s sound to 2009,well, you can say she has a hit on her hands.
But Whitney’s CD has no modern sound,no real club banger,will she be able to connect with the young crowd? Furthermore there are no refreshing topics explored on the record,one leitmotif : overcoming difficult moments.
Let me be real and say that this is not the sensational comeback album that I was hoping for,but then again according to her song “Salute” she has “always been there”.









With over 170 million combined albums, singles, and videos sold worldwide during her career with Arista Records, Whitney Houston has established a benchmark for superstardom that will quite simply never be eclipsed in the modern era. She is a singer's singer who has influenced countless other vocalists, male and female. Houston is triumphed by the Guinness Book of World Records as music's "Most Awarded Female Artist of All Time" with an amazing tally of 411 awards. She holds both the biggest-selling U.S. single of all-time (her career defining rendition of Dolly Parton's "I Will Always Love You") and one of the top 10 best-selling albums of all time (The Bodyguard soundtrack) to her many credits. She's also the only artist to chart seven consecutive #1 Billboard Hot 100 hits, hold seven consecutive multi-platinum albums. She reigns as the first female artist to have entered the Billboard 200 album chart at #1. Whitney's highly anticipated new studio album features a wide array of A-list producers including Stargate, R Kelly, Akon, Eric Hudson & Johnta Austin, Fernando Garabay & Harvey Mason Jr., Tricky Stewart, Swizz Beatz, David Foster and Diane Warren. On September 1, 2009, the Legend, the Icon, the Worldwide Superstar returns with her best work yet.

Mercyme -The Generous Mr. Lovewell Review

The Generous Mr. Lovewell” Gives Band Highest Chart Debut of their Career





NASHVILLE, TN…..5/12/10….Last week, INO Records’ multi-platinum and award-winning band MercyMe unleashed The Generous Mr. Lovewell, giving the band the highest chart debut of their career, bowing in at No. 3 in the nation on Billboard’s Top 200 SoundScan Chart, and No. 1 on the overall Contemporary Christian SoundScan chart. The album is the No. 1 selling record at Family Christian Stores, Lifeway, Mardel, Berean and most other Christian bookstores, has already hit No. 1 on iTunes® Christian Albums chart (No. 5 overall), and boasts the No. 1 single “All of Creation,” which continues to hold the top spot on both the Christian AC and Inspo charts after six weeks.

“I am excited about this sales debut by MercyMe,” remarked INO Records’ President Jeff Moseley. “To continually outdo themselves on each release is rare. In this business environment, a No. 3 debut by an artist is outstanding. We think it shows that the power of a song and a creative album still moves people and enhances their lives.”

The excitement about The Generous Mr. Lovewell began with great reviews from USA Today, Billboard, Christianity Todayand more, and then ignited a massive twitter groundswell as artists such as Chris Daughtry, The Jonas Brothers, Mandisa, TobyMac, Jeremy Camp, Michael W. Smith, Steven Curtis Chapman and more tweeted their support for MercyMe and The Generous Mr. Lovewell. In addition, fans all across the country have been sharing their stories of seeing Mr. Lovewell in action as they experience and watch good deeds take place all across the world.

“We have just been blown away by all the support from everyone for this album,” commented lead vocalist Bart Millard. “But more than that, it’s incredibly humbling to see the “love well” idea take flight – there are so many people out there living for Christ and truly living His love in the lives of others. I am in awe and incredibly thankful for the opportunity to witness it all!”

Named Billboard magazine’s “Christian Song Artist of the Decade,” MercyMe has been putting their message from The Generous Mr. Lovewell into action themselves over the past few weeks. Partnering with radio stations nationwide, they have made stops at Rescue Missions, serving food, washing dishes, and more, while also making personal visits to music fans, giving them intimate acoustic performances, fellowship and financial contributions to those in need. What is becoming known as the “Lovewell phenomenon” will continue on throughout the year as the band moves forward in their efforts and tours the country.



MercyMe started out in 1994 as just a bunch of guys who loved music, loved the Lord and wanted be able to support their families playing music for and about Jesus. Several Dove Awards, a few albums and over five million + CD and DVD sales later, a lot has changed. But they're still the same people - guys who love what they do and who they do it for.


Nearly a decade since "I Can Only Imagine," multiplatinumselling supergroup MercyMe dares to imagine the world as it should be in its brand new release, The Generous Mr. Lovewell. Produced by Brown Bannister (Amy Grant, Michael W. Smith) and Dan Muckala (Brandon Heath, Backstreet Boys), The Generous Mr. Lovewell fuses MercyMe fundamentals heart-provoking lyrics, powerful worship anthems, ballads and pounding, infectious melodies--with the simplest, yet greatest mandate of our lives as Christ followers: what it means to love well. "It almost goes without saying that we should love generously, that we should love like Jesus," Mike Scheuchzer of MercyMe says, "but does it?" Does hearing it make it real? It's so easy for us to live in our own little self-absorbed bubbles. We forget that above anything else we are called to love our neighbors, to reach out, to engage even the unlovable around us. It's not an option if we really want to be like Christ. The Generous Mr. Lovewell is a picture of the change we want to see in our own lives. Without love like this, everything we do, everything we are, is in vain."










Nashville, TN…May 6, 2010…Billboard magazine’s “Christian Song Artist of the Decade,” MercyMe’s brand new project, The Generous Mr. Lovewell, available now, has already peaked at No.1 on iTunes ® Christian Albums Chart and in the Top 5 on its overall album chart. Additionally, the album is currently the No.1 selling record at Family Christian Stores, Lifeway, Mardel, Berean and most other Christian bookstores. Furthermore, The Generous Mr. Lovewell is getting a lot of love from all who listen, including critics from Billboard, USA Today, Christianity Today, New Release Tuesday and more:

“MercyMe’s sixth studio album is a well conceived and beautifully executed record that celebrates the power of love to change the world. Frontman Bart Millard and the band have crafted a set of tunes that are sonically engaging and musically substantive. Music with a message has never sounded more lovely.”-Billboard

“MercyMe ups the musical ante with a whimsy-filled concept album about a balloon-carrying character who encourages people to, well, “love well,” using everything from random acts of kindness to intentional, determined commitment. The title track recalls Mr. Blue Sky-era Electric Light Orchestra, and the rest ranges from inspirational ballads to synth-pulsing anthems.”
- USA Today

Review of Amy Grants album Somwhere down the Road

Amy Grant's 'Somewhere Down the Road' to release March 30


Amy Grant to Release Somewhere Down the Road

The six-time Grammy Award-winner and Nashville native has her new release her latest album Somewhere Down the Road on March 30th, 2010.Although its late May
i just brought the album and its one of her best albums

Grant's latest project was recorded at Grant's studio in Nashville and promises to continue her legacy of producing Christian albums that cross boundaries with their messages of hope. Somewhere Down the Road will include four new songs from Grant as well as some previously unreleased tracks and a new version of “Arms of Love.”

Amy Grant Comments on Somewhere Down the Road

Reflecting on the sorrows and joys that produced the new album, Grant comments, “There have been times in my life that I was sitting in the cat bird seat and everything was going my way, but currently, this is a time [with] a lot of uncertainty within my extended family as we’ve experienced pain, loss, and joy.”

Grant, who has had to deal with aging parents and the loss of a close friend this past year, says, “This is the kind of record where it takes maturity to put out, so we went back and looked at old songs, unreleased songs, and new songs that fit together in a way that I think will make a really amazing and intriguing journey.”

Amy Grant Enjoys New Experiences with "Somewhere Down the Road"

Somewhere Down the Road has provided Amy Grant with several first time experiences including: recording for the first time in the new studio she and husband Vince Gill built in their Nashville home; contributing one of her own paintings as part of the project's cover art; and recording a duet on the song “Overnight” for the first time with one of her children, 17-year-old-daughter Sarah (named after Sarah Cannon/Minnie Pearl).

“From a work stand point, I’ve had the amazing opportunity that anything I’ve ever wanted to try, for some reason, the door has opened. I love music as much as I always have, but I feel very contented when it comes to work. What brings the sizzle back to me is a great idea and it can be somebody saying, ‘hey, I have this idea for a song!’ As soon as they speak the words I go, ‘Ahhh, that’s great. We’ve got to sit down and do it right now.’ That’s how I felt about this project.”

The first single from the new album, “Better Than a Hallelujah,” is Grant’s first new radio single since she released “Simple Things” in 2003.

Somewhere Down the Road Track Listing:

1) Better Than A Hallelujah
2) Overnight
3) Hard Times
4) Unafraid
5) What Is The Chance Of That
6) Come Into My World
7) Oh How The Years Go By (previously unreleased version)
8) Arms Of Love (new recording)
9) Somewhere Down The Road
10) Cry A River
11) Do You Remember The Time
12) Every Road



Another Review applied


Entertainment

Amy Grant sings of life's journey in Somewhere Down the Road



Six-time Grammy Award winner and 30 million-plus selling artist Amy Grant is set to release Somewhere Down the Road on March 30.

The thematic project features the poignant single “Better Than A Hallelujah” plus seven new songs including “Haiti”, “Unafraid", “Hard Times” and “Overnight” where Grant teams up with 17-year-old daughter Sarah. Somewhere Down the Road was produced by Dan Muckala and husband Vince Gill.

While Grant could easily rest on her considerable laurels, the dawning of a new decade finds her as passionate as ever.

“It’s all about the idea,” she says. “I love the song ‘Better Than A Hallelujah’. I love the opportunity to get to do a song with my daughter. I love the concept of Somewhere Down the Road.

"I am personally moved by the concept of our journey through life and because of all the years that have come before, I find myself in a unique and somewhat rare position to be able to sing about that journey, and that’s an opportunity I don’t want to miss.”

Grant’s newest release on Sparrow Records will be the next work to add to the over 25 million albums sold worldwide, including 1 quintuple platinum album, 1 triple platinum and 1 double platinum album, as well as additional 6 platinum and 4 gold albums.




The Bottom Line
We've waited seven years for Amy Grant to release new material and after several listens to Somewhere Down The Road, I've decided that it was worth the wait. The album is a journey through life, not always pretty, but always real and with God always by our sides.


Amy Grant kicks off her first new release in seven years with the piano driven "Better than a Hallelujah" and this is one of those songs that even the naysayers that question if her faith is "enough" will have no doubts about. The beautiful tune is one that we can all relate to because we've all gone to God with our cries, tears and fears, wondering if He hears as clearly since we're not praising and rejoicing. As Amy puts it so aptly, "It's better than a Hallelujah."

The album continues the theme with new songs, previously unreleased songs and new recordings of some of her best-loved classics. Lyrics that are as raw as they are thoughtful and personal make the songs relatable to anyone who has struggled with questions that have no answers while still holding on to their faith.

"Find What You're Looking For" is the human condition in a song. 'Cause there's so much good in the worst of us. So much bad in the best of us. It never makes sense for any of us to criticize the rest of us. We'll just find what we're looking for. For those of us who suffer from the human quality known as impatience (aka - I want it yesterday), Amy's "Overnight" (featuring her daughter Sarah Chapman) is a gentle reminder that patience is a virtue for a reason. If it all just happened overnight, you would never know how much it means. "Hard Times," with a very Sheryl Crow sound, recognizes that hard times are a part of being a human being and we all face them. Hard times will come until we're done with this life and are rejoicing in Heaven so the question isn't "Will they come?" but instead it is "How will you measure up when they do?"

The re-recording of "Arms of Love" is one that I just don't have words for. Let me just say that this song was a classic for a reason and somehow, Amy Grant has made it sound even better in 2010.

The bottom line for me is that out of 12 songs, there isn't a throw-away tune to be found. This release was good the first listen, really good the second listen and by listen number three, all I could do was shake my head. Amy Grant opened up her soul when she wrote her new songs and left a piece of her heart in the studio when she recorded them. For those reviewers who have said this album is too dark and too slow, I just have to congratulate them on living lives full of nothing but roses and rainbows. For the rest of us, dark moments come and it is during those times that God's glory shines through the brightest.



MY THOUGHTS

I have been a fan of Amy Grant for years and i thought this album has reminded
me as a piece of many of her albums in the past . One of my favorites is Hard Times
kind of have feeling of Lead me on Album and over all she always surprises us with Grant music . This New Album Somewhere down the Road is a deep touch to it and makes you think thanks Amy .