|
|
This month, we take a close look at
the newest release from
Dr. Andrew Cheairs & The Songbirds.
The CD is on the group's Emmanuel Records Label.
Over fifty years ago, in Grand
Junction, Tennessee, The Songbirds (formerly The Seven Star Juniors) began as a
family-based Quartet group. Their music provides avenues for future generations
to learn what it really means to serve our Savior in the highest magnitude, with
added attention to mentorship.
The Songbirds are under the direction of acclaimed Gospel songwriter and
producer Dr. Andrew Cheairs, Pastor of St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church in
Byhalia, Mississippi. The members of the group are Reverend Dr. Andrew Cheairs,
his sisters Anjelina and Patricia Chears, and their cousin Priscilla Polk.
Additional family members are Randy Polk, Andrew K. Cheairs and Maurice “Boo”
Cheairs. Along with Maurice Boo Cheairs and Randy Polk, the other band members
are Mario Walker and Michael Johnson.
Together, they have released studio recordings as well as some of the best live
gospel recording ever to be presented to the public. They released Live In
Mississippi in 1997. In 1999, the Songbirds released the CD He
Will Provide. In 2003, they released I’ve Been There. And
in 2006, they released Make Up Your Mind. The year 2011, finds the
group with a brand new project titled Makeover. There are ten (10)
songs on this project.
The project begins with the title track. "Makeover" conveys, with
an upbeat tempo, a message of what happens when you allow God to take over in
your life. For fans of the group, the song will remind all why
Rev. Cheairs & The Songbirds
often rejoice in confirming that they belong to “the noisy crew.” What a
powerful song to open with on the new project.
The project slows down with "One More Day." One of the unsung
talents of Dr. Cheairs is his ability to handle ballads. Die-hard fans of this
genre, as they hang on to every word of "One More Day," will think
they are, at times, listening to the legendary Clarence Fountain and the late
Archie Brownlee. This is without a doubt the best song on the project. It may
not have you clapping your hands or tapping your feet, but it will surely have
you pausing to thank our Lord and Savior for just "One More Day."
The tempo picks up a little with "God Will." The song appears to
be an extension of the song "God Will Provide" from the group’s
Make Up Your Mind project. The theme of both songs is the same –
trust in Jesus and He will provide.
The next song on the project is "Grateful." It is followed by
Randy Polk and Dr. Cheairs sharing lead duties on "I Can’t Make It."
Thereafter, the background singers showcase their talents with "God Is."
The song, God Is, was actually on the group’s Live in Mississippi
project. That version was over seven (7) minutes in length. The current
version may very well cause this song to, once again, become popular with choirs
across the nation.
Dr. Cheairs next demonstrate the bluesy downhome delta influence on his musical
style with "I Know It Was The Blood." During this song, Dr. Cheairs delivers
vocals that will immediately have the listener thinking of the incomparable
Spencer Taylor of The Highway QC’s.
The project picks up again with "Let’s Praise The Lord." This
almost ‘drive’ song was also the group’s project I’ve Been There.
It is followed by Anjilena Cheairs sharing lead duties with her twin, Dr.
Cheairs, on "Help Is On The Way." This song was on the
group’s project He Will Provide.
The CD ends with the song "Journey." The song presents a brief
history (challenges, ups and down) of the journey of the group. Everyone will
relate to the history. For, even if you are not a recording artist, your journey
entails many of the ups and down reflected in this song. What a great ending to
and outstanding project.
To sum it up, one of the first things you will notice when you put this CD into
the player is the energy that the group brings to the project. Secondly, you
will notice that the group has stayed true to their roots – Traditional Gospel
Quartet Music. And probably more importantly, you will realize that this project
really ministers to you. Even with four (4) previously recorded songs on it, you
will find that from the opening track, "Moveover," to the ending
track, "Journey," you are being ministered to every step of the
way.
Overall this is an outstanding project by
Dr. Andrew Cheairs & The Songbirds. You should be able to find
this CD in your local record store and online. We give
Dr. Andrew Cheairs & The Songbirds’
Makeover a 9 out of 10. Click
HERE
to purchase the CD online. Click on the
title to hear
"One
More Day." |
|
