The Messengers
The Messengers
Presen In Church With The
Messengers
If you remember
Willie Banks and The Messengers
then you are already familiar with
The Messengers.
Willie Mitchell was second lead before Mr. Banks' death. Mitchell has keep
Banks' legacy alive by continuing to deliver great Gospel Music. Since Mr.
Banks’ death, the group has released, including the current CD, five CDs.
Their latest, The Messengers Presents In Church With The Messengers,
is the subject of this review. The other CDs recorded by the group are
Pressing Toward The Mark, Angels, Special
Delivery and It Makes Me Cry.
On the whole this release from
The Messenger is a
great project. We give The Messengers' The Messengers Present In
Church With The Messengers a solid 9.5 out of 10. To order this project
go to www.lowrush.com. Click on the title to hear
"Reach Out."
Copyright © 1997 - 2008 Gloryland Gospel Music
Soteria Management and
Consultants, LLC
All rights reserved. Do not duplicate or redistribute in any form.
The current members of the group are Willie Mitchell, Charles Blakely, Henry
Wesley, Brad Black, Maurice Surrell, Jr., Anthony Brice, and Tramaine Jones.
And, there is a guest appearance on the new CD by Pastor Nathaniel V. Booker of
New Galilean Baptist Church, Jackson, Mississippi, on Down On My Knees and When
I Move.
The liner notes accurately reflect that the new CD contains “inspiring and
uplifting songs.” This CD will certainly minister to you.
The CD begins with Willie Mitchell and Charles Blakely sharing lead duties on "Angels
Watching." These guys voices blend so well until it is difficult
to determine when one takeover lead duties from the other. The song is a
reminder that Angels are always watching us.
The second song is "It’s Another Day To Be Blessed." Charles
Blakely sings lead on this song. This upbeat song is sure to become a
favor of radio angels. The background harmony on this song is smooth.
Listen closely and you will appreciate the reminder that each day is another day
to be blessed.
"No Hope" is also led by Charles Blakely. Mr. Blakely seems
to be at this best on ballads like this song. It is almost as if he is
delivering a sermonette. The arrangement to this song will also have you
reflecting on the group as it was with the late Mr. Banks.
"Down On My Knees" is the next song. As stated above, this is one
of two songs, the other being "When I Move," wherein Pastor
Nathaniel Booker sings lead. He blends right in with the guys. If you were
not told that he was making a guest appearance, you would think that he is a
member of the group and that he has been singing with them for a very long time.
Henry Wesley takes over on "Jesus I Love You." This song has
a ‘country and western’ flavor to the arrangement. Like all of the songs,
this one has a powerful message. This is a great praise and worship song.
It would not be a surprise to hear choirs (and praise and worship leaders), with
a different arrangement singing this song.
Charles Blakely returns to lead duty with "Reach Out." The
song simply encourages everyone to ‘help someone’ and show love to your brothers
and sisters. This is another song that should become a favor among radio
angels. "Reach Out" is followed by "What I Got To Do."
Willie Mitchell sings lead on this track. This is another song that will
probably remind you of the group as it was with the late Mr. Banks.
"Funny Bone" is a song that was written by Joe Tex. It will
bring a smile to you face. The song borrowers from the cliché of “trying to keep
up with the Jones.” The guys share lead duties on this track and delivers a very
inspiring, yet thought provoking, song.
Charles Blakely picks up the tempo with "Do Everything But Fail."
Blakely reminds us in this song that nothing is to hard for God. The
background harmony on this song is one of the best on this CD. After the
second song by Pastor Booker, Blakely moves to the ballad "More For Jesus"
and he closes the CD with "The Power of God."
As you can see from the comments above, the guys share lead duties throughout
the CD. However, we must admit that it is, at times, difficult to distinguish
just who is singing lead. That just mean that these guys have jelled to the
point that they vocalize as one solid unit.