Andrew Cheairs & The Songbirds CD Review

Rev. Andrew Cheairs & The Songbirds

Make Up Your Mind

This month we review the new release from Rev. Andrew Cheairs & The Songbirds. The title of the project is Make Up Your Mind. This is a live recording. It was recorded at Ebenezer Missionary Baptist Church.

When you hear the name Rev. Andrew Cheairs, you immediately think of one of the hardest singing minister in gospel music. You also remember the phrase - "I Belong To The Noisy Crew." Who can forget the Rev. Andrew Cheairs & The Songbrids' classic recording "Move For The Lord."

Well, Rev. Andrew Cheairs & The Songbirds are back and ready to minister to you. As stated above, their new CD is titled Make Up Your Mind. Interestingly, the scripture references for this exciting project (Joshua 24:15 and I King 18:21) are actually stated on the front of the CD cover. In Joshua we are told “But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your forefathers served beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD." And in I King “Elijah went before the people and said, "How long will you waiver between two opinions? If the LORD is God, follow him; but if Baal is God, follow him." But the people said nothing.” What powerful messages are contained in these two scriptures.

In other words, it is time to Make Up Your Mind who you will serve. The Songbirds give us twelve (12) songs that clearly minister to you in a manner that will have you realizing that there is only one choice to make and that is choosing to serve our Lord and Savior. As you listen to this new CD, you will conclude that “God Will Provde” and that “Living For Jesus” is the right thing to do.

This is the Songbirds' fourth nationally released recording. In 1997, they released Live In Mississippi. In 1999, we were blessed with the recording He Will Provide. In 2003, they released one of their best recordings to date – I’ve Been There. And now in 2006, they bless us with the release of Make Up Your Mind. This project, like several of the previous ones, was released on the group's own label - Emmanuel Records.

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.

There are eleven songs (twelve tracks because "No Wrong" is divided into 2 tracks) on the CD. Each has a strong biblical message and the signature Songbirds’ tight vocal harmony and disciplined musicianship of the Songbirds band. Some of the songs that we must highlight are “No Wrong,” “My Last Time,” “Run On,” “All Right,” “Make Up Your Mind,” and “It’s A Blessing.”

The live recording begins with “My Last Time.” This song immediately lets you know that you are in for an awesome live recording. The song is everything you would expect from The Songbirds.

Randy Polk shares the lead duties with Rev. Cheairs on “Run On.” Randy is following in Rev. Cheairs footsteps as a balladeer. The harmony on this song is one of the best on the project. “All Right” was written by Harvey Watkins, Jr. The song simply says no matter what is going on in your life, it will be All Right. This ballad may have you in tears. What a great song.

The title track, "Make Up Your Mind," actually challenges all nonbelievers and backsliders to do the right thing - make up your mind to turn your life over to God and serve God now. The musicians provide just the right amount of instrumentation for this song. The upbeat tempo will cause this song to reverberate with you well after you stop listening to the CD.

Anjelina Cheairs takes over lead duty on “It’s A Blessing.” With much finesse she moves from narration to singing without skipping a beat. There is a great arrangement to this song. And the background singers and musicians really make this a song that should get much airplay.

The song “No Wrong” is divided into 2 tracks. This is one of those songs in gospel music that will never grow old. Although previously recorded by The Songbirds, this live recording has a freshness to it that just enhances your appreciation for the song. This song also showcases Rev. Cheairs' storytelling ability. WOW!

For fans of good traditional quartet gospel music you will love this new CD. By the way, the project is also available on DVD. We give Rev. Andrew Cheairs & The Songbirds’ Make Up Your Mind a 9.5 out of a possible 10. To order your copies of the CD or DVD click HERE. Click on the song title to hear "Living For Jesus".

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