DABSTER GENTLEMEN - ANSWERS - CD REVIEW

       Once in a while, something new and cutting edge comes along, something which defies tradition and stands up in defiance against the mundane.  The much anticipated release of Dabster Gentlemen's  second album, Answers, is a refreshing breath of fresh air.  Answers remains true to the genre defying style fans fell in love with in Death or Life , this time, adding a little electric into the mix.  

       Uber talented master composer Myles Barfield creates a spirited musical experience, combined with the distinct vocals and lyrical profundity of the legendary Dale Thompson. Added to the mix is new comer Skipp Phipps, adding his talents to this already extraordinary collaboration to deliver something truly unique and most importantly, honoring to God. 

       From the first track - Take Me To The River, the listener is immersed in a fun, nostalgic, romp imbued with the innocence of the Jesus movement of the early 1970's.  A wise choice for an opener as it immediately catches the listener's attention. The most single worthy song on the album sets the pace for what is to come and what follows does not disappoint.

       First Breath Today, the second track has a definite southern rock/mountain music vibe. This fun rocker demonstrates the versatility in Barfield's compositional prowess.  

Next up, Strange Fire is rollicking fun, and a bit tongue in cheek, lyrically reminiscent of Thompson's solo work with the Kentucky Cadillacs. 

     Dabster slows down and gets serious for a moment with Miracle which is a bit darker and contemplative.  Single worthy in it's own right, Miracle demonstrates the depth and strength of the bands talent.

    Hallowed Be Thy Name is two parts sacred hymn one part praise and worship and evokes a style reminiscent of early Native American musical traditions. Definitely a top prospect for second single. 

     Three Don'ts gets a little Calypso.  A rollicking reminder of our standing in Jesus Christ.

      Jesus Knows Where We Are is a nod to Dale Thompson's roots as a rock and roll superstar, recounting a show so loud, the police came and shut it down.  This track sports a funky groove reminiscent of Bob Dylan's 115 Dream.  

       More Like Jesus is a veritable poetry slam set to a most fitting musical background.  

      Straight Is The Gate is an easy flowing jazzy piece reminiscent of Henry Mancini's Pink Panther work.  

      Of Halloween has an 80's pop rocker sound and takes a bold stand on a sometimes controversial subject.  This track musically captures a fun, eerie tone, evoking childhood memories of  Disney's Haunted Mansion.

     The album wraps up where it began with a little nostalgia.  Bonus track All Roads Lead Home, is a reminiscence of a more innocent time. Barfield lays the perfect musical foundation as we get a sneak peek into Dale Thompson's musical heritage.  


      Answers will appeal to the casual listener as well as the most discerning connoisseur.  Compositionally eclectic, Dabster Gentlemen daringly blends styles most would never deign attempt and they pull it off. Combining the, decidedly not hard rock, compositions with the raspy powerfully high range vocals of Dale Thompson  produces a fun yet musically mature experience no one could have predicted.   

        If you are looking for a musical experience like none other, or are looking to add to your Dabster Gentlemen collection click here

HAUNTED NO MORE VOLUME 1 - CD REVIEW

      So, what do you get when you take the beautifully dark musical composition of Myles Barfield and mix it with the multi-ranged talents of legendary vocalist Dale Thompson?  You get an amazing  audio experience called Haunted No More.  Brought to you by the same musical genius as Dabster Gentlemen , Haunted No More presents a musical experience of depth, meaning and contemplation.  

            Unlike the upbeat, genre defying, work of Dabster, HNM leads the listener down a quieter path of reflection touching on themes of the heart and focusing on the redemption and freedom which can only be found in a right relationship with Jesus Christ.  

             The theme of HNM's debut, Volume 1, is recognizing the sufficiency of Christ and no longer being haunted by circumstances or the folly of others.  This is not only reflected in Thompson's powerful lyrics, but also captured in the piano laden compositions of Barfield, who somehow manages to evoke raw emotion through the music itself.  The listener cannot help but feel moved by the power of the marriage of heartfelt music and vocals.  Barfield and Thompson seem to have a Page and Plant chemistry as each artist's contribution to this album has a natural symbiosis where the listener experiences the themes of God's sufficiency even in the midst of trial and the chaos of a world opposed to God.  

             Psalm 73 and 2 Corinthians 12:1-10 lay the groundwork for HNM Vol 1. Though all may seem hopeless, in Christ hope abounds.  

       Neo-classical in style, HNM's music and message is very relevant and and fresh, and never veers off or distracts the listener from the idea of rediscovering hope and joy, even when all hope seems lost.  

     The first track, Midnight in the Middle of the Day, opens with light piano and rhythm leading into Thompson's contemplative and soulful vocals. From the first song, the listener will realize this album goes beyond merely entertaining into a realm of thoughtful reflection.  The musical composition soothes the spirit while the lyrics will draw introspection and a sense of God's awesome magnitude.  

       I Sleep (Internal Journey I) is up next, drawing the listener to the very edge of darkness.  With  light piano, some cymbals, and Thompson's layered vocals, demonstrating his amazing range, the recipe leaves hints of Moody Blues on the listener's palate.  

     Track number 3, The Miracle in You reminds us the sacrifice of Christ was a voluntary act of love.  This song sets the tone for the hope in the midst of hopelessness.  Very similar in musical composition to the previous tracks, one gets the sense of   a trilogy of songs where, first we are asked to contemplate the vastness of the universe, then contemplation turns inward to our spiritual need, while Miracle in You leads us to the one event in all of human history bringing hope to mankind.  

             I Wanna Have Church switches gears slightly, a mournful ode to local church lost to demolition when Dale Thompson was a youth. I Wanna Have Church is clearly the flagship song on this album.  The pairing of Barfield's composition and Thompson's vocal intonations is pure melodic magic. Somehow, a never heard before song manages to evoke a nostalgia for a place previously unknown to the listener.  Thompson sings in a lower register but layers in his signature sound behind the main vocal track, reminding the listener Thompson's range surpasses even Axel Rose.  

         Never Turned My Back on You remains true to the overall sound of HNM while giving fans of classic Bride ballads a taste of Thompson's signature rasp, only teased at in the previous track.  

        No End But God reminds us there is life beyond what we currently experience and reveals a purpose in suffering.

        From the Lord's Cup picks up the tempo slightly and starts off as a jaunty tune dealing with the theme of suffering as Jesus suffered for the Gospel.  The tempo, slows in the middle and picks back up in the third part. The tempo change ups seem to be revelatory of the Christian life, on which many embark with joy, yet may begin to question when persecution or resistance comes, only to see joy spring forth as understanding the purpose of suffering for the sake of the Gospel manifests.         
                  I Will Praise You reminds us of God's goodness, even in the midst of the storms of life. God is worthy of praise, not necessarily for the storm, but because of God's goodness beyond whatever circumstance in which we may find ourselves. 

      The Sky of Nothingness, a powerful piano ballad with a slight Floydian flavor, dealing with the topic of the meaning of life. The musical composition grabs the listener deep within.  Barfield's arrangement and presentation produces an emotional draw at the heartstrings that cannot be ignored.

         Filter (Internal Journey II) a warning to not filter our expression of God's image imprinted on us, nor the message of God's word.

         Not Every Story  reminds us not every story has a happy ending yet every thing from our past can serve as a lesson for our present.  Not Every Story could easily be a second single release. Musically, Barfield presents a powerful sound and Thompson reminds the listener he is a rock singer at heart.  Not Every Story finds both artists in the zone leaving no doubt each is doing what he was gifted by God to do.

         Into the Hole is a mournful recognition of the power of fear and depression in the frailty of the human heart. Our own power is insufficient to pull us out of the well of despair we often flee to as a respite from the trials of life. God's power and light is the only thing able to rescue us from pits of hopelessness.

       Haunted No More brings forth an album which seems important. The listener will find relevance and purpose in each song.  Hauntingly beautiful and pregnant with purpose, Haunted No More has created an album for it's time, presenting the hope of God in an often dark and joyless world. 

      It has been my pleasure to listen to and review this album.  Highly recommended!

        Available to listen on Spotify, or, better yet, order your own copy here!


              

               

DABSTER GENTLEMEN CD REVIEW

     

      This week I received my much anticipated copy of Dabster Gentlemen Death or Life.  If you have not heard of Dabster Gentlemen, please allow me to introduce you to a unique sounding band with, what may be to some, familiar vocals.  
           
     Dabster Gentlemen, based in Amarillo Tx, is made up of  Myles Barfield and Dale Thompson.  (yeah, that Dale Thompson).  DG originally started out, more or less, as a Jazz outfit, but have implemented elements of Flamenco guitar, folk and rock to craft something that is hard to categorize but very fun to listen to. 

       The combination of the light and airy, yet masterfully complex, musical compositions of Barfield, coupled with the rock/metal infused vocals of Thompson somehow works in a way that has to be heard to be believed.  

       From the first track, Thick as Thieves, you will find yourself tapping your foot, well before Thompson's vocals kick in. Thick as Thieves is the perfect selection for an introductory song and sets the tone for what the listener can expect.  

           The second track, Animals, rolls a little toward funk with a fun piano foundation.   I love the organ giving way to the Flamenco sound of Rejoice. Darkness Falls actually sounds like it could have been included on Bride's Drop album, with very reflective and thought provoking lyrics.  

            No Signs of Life could easily have been released as a follow up single to Thick As Thieves if the state of Christian radio was not so abysmal.  Have You Met The Man has a bit a of a country vibe that brought me back to the good old days of Outlaw Country.  When The Preacher Stops Preaching kicked me into a Led Zeppelin III kind of vibe.  

          Lyrically, Death or Life is exactly what you would expect from any project to which Dale Thompson is connected.  Deep, meaningful, thought provoking, scripture based and God honoring.

             Overall, this album is a winner and should be on any music lovers rotation.  

            Have they invented a new genre of music? I will leave that up to you do decide. 

     If you would like to learn more about Dabster Gentlemen you can check out their Facebook page here.  
         

              This CD has a very limited release of only 100 units so if you want one, you may have to act fast. For digital downloads you can hit them up on Amazon or wherever good music sold digitally. Here is a sample of what you have been missing: Don't forget to play it loud!

Now, go live as Christ... and give the devil hell!

COOL HIP PRIEST - CONCERT AND CD REVIEW

     Rocktoberfest in Indianapolis Indiana 2016 was a once in a lifetime show.  Along with seeing Petra and Whitecross, I was pleasantly surprised by a newer talent, Cool Hip Priest.  The Friday night before the show, I saw a post about a band called Cool Hip Priest and thought, wow, what a name.  My daughter told me she thought she had remembered a band by that name doing bad rap at Winterjam and I was less than excited.  I looked for CHP on YouTube and found nothing but was able to find a Facebook page with very little info and only two acoustic clips of light rock covers. I thought, "ok, at least it's not rap..."  

      When CHP took the stage at Rocktoberfest, they immediately blew me away with a heavy wall of sound that caught my attention and held it through their entire set.  After their set, I went out and bought their EP Witness.  I also had the privilege of meeting Father Chris and DoniRox after the show, though our conversations were short, I was able to get a sense of their commitment to Christ and serving Him through their music.  Both were very down to earth and friendly.  Father Chris immediately asked me to pray for them, which is not the usual request in that situation.  Talent and commitment to Christ is a rare commodity. 

       On stage at Rocktoberfest, CHP consisted of Father Chris on lead vocals, DoniRox on vocals, Daren Short on drums, David Short on lead guitar (Daren and David Short are established musicians in their own right as members of Inianapolis glam band Rok Hollywood) and handling bass, the verstile and talented Stephen Tarak.  Father Chris wore a priest's Cossack while DoniRox had a New Orleans vibe going.   The set was musically flawless and these guys owned the stage.  

     Many bands opened the evening for Petra, Whitecross and Stryper, and all did a fine job but none grabbed my attention like CHP.  I expect this to be one of many glowing reviews this band will receive. Here is a clip of the show from CHP's YouTube channel: 

      According to their Facebook page: click here for CHP Facebook 
CHP began in 2010 as music ministers in an Indianapolis church.  As Father Chris and DoniRox honed their musical sound, they have managed to balance softer, worshipful songs alongside hard rocking metal for an eclectic mix of God honoring audio pleasure.

WITNESS

     Witness, CHP's EP mixes worshipful ballads and metal fury.  Track 1 Sing Hallelujah starts off on an almost retro worship sound that evokes 80's CCM when CCM was still fresh and innocent.  It put me in the mind of early Maranatha.  Sing Hallelujah brings a feeling of nostalgia and earnest worship.  The whole song evokes the  genuineness of CHP's devotion to the Savior.  Though I enjoyed all the tracks on Witness, the other song I want to mention is track 3 Betrayed With a Kiss.  BWAK is by far the hardest track on the 5 track EP.  All 5 songs are great in their own right, but BWAK alone, would have made the purchase worthwhile, even if the rest of the EP was terrible, which it is not. 

     Also of note is Father Chris's versatility and talent showcased throughout the recording as he handled all the instrumental work in the studio.  Father Chris's rock vocals, paired with DoniRox's softer sound offers a blend of opposites that somehow works very well. I encourage the purchase of Witness and hope it will be the first of many studio offerings from CHP.  

     If you get a chance to check these guys out live, do not miss it.  If you are looking to book a show, they are ready and willing to travel.  You can grab their EP on their Facebook page link above.  Cool Hip Priest  - rocking hard for Jesus Christ!

READY FOR RAIN - BAND REVIEW

        Recently, I had the pleasure of seeing Knoxville local Christian/folk band Ready For Rain. This was quite a blessing as Ready For Rain was able to both entertain and lead the audience into deep, meaningful worship. Ready For Rain performed mostly original compositions with a couple of modern worship standards thrown in for good measure.  Already getting attention from recording labels, I imagine this group of young people will make a big splash in the music industry as well as being a major impact for the Gospel of Christ.  It is tremendously refreshing to see young people so dedicated to God, on and off stage. Many of the band members are active in church music ministry, in addition to the many hours committed each week to RFR.  Also refreshing is the level of musicianship demonstrated by each member.  The Quality of talent is something you would expect from seasoned musicians with hundreds of touring hours under their belt, yet the average age of this band is only about 19 years old.  Each member is a serious musician, but none takes himself too seriously as they are not afraid to cut loose with kazoos, in one particularly fun number. The versatility of RFR is reminiscent of Fleetwood Mac as each member in the band could be a stand alone star, in their own right.  I highly recommend Ready For Rain and encourage any readers in the Knoxville area to check them out live. If you are out of the Knoxville area, just wait and I am sure it will not be long before RFR gets a recording contract and hits the road nationwide.

MEET THE BAND

  Jenna, a 17 year old phenom.  Jenna handles violin/fiddle, viola, cello and soprano vocals. Jenna has won major awards for her high level of musical ability and despite having played Carnegie Hall, chooses to use her talent to glorify her Lord.  Watching Jenna sing evokes images of a young Judy Garland. Jenna is a complete delight to watch perform.    

  Avery, guitarist, vocalist and spokesman for the band.  Avery takes center stage with his acoustic guitar and engages the audience like a seasoned pro.  Avery is an extremely talented songwriter, having written many of RFR's original compositions.  Avery, a college freshman, has a heart for worship and is committed to leading others to the throne room of God. Avery's love for God is obviously demonstrated.

  Matthew, 21 year old bassist, vocalist and ukulele player. While most bass players are content to stand in the background, laying down rhythm, Matthew is up front and active in each performance.  Adding vocals and switching to ukulele Matthew shows versatility not found in most bass players.  Having performed internationally, Matthew brings experience and talent beyond his years to RFR.  

  Robert, multi-talented musician and vocalist.  Robert has mastery over guitar, mandolin, keyboard and banlo.  Robert's crisp vocals combined with his high level of talent on every instrument he plays is sure to impress and entertain.  Robert's commitment to Christ shows in his singing performance. As highly talented as Matthew is, he is not adverse to getting silly with a kazoo, bringing levity and fun to the audience.

  Kyle, 16 year old drummer and sound tech. Don't let Kyle's age fool you, he is quite a talented drummer, who also plays in his church worship band. Kyle's passion shows in his joyful countenance.  Keeping up with sound and playing alongside accomplished musicians is a testimony to the level of talent and commitment Kyle has at such a young age.

  Jordan, 23 year old guitar aficionado. Jordan is the rock and roll of RFR, riffing on electric guitar and laying down technical leads.  Switching to acoustic, Jordan is not afraid to demonstrate he has vocal ability, as well.  Also, playing for his church worship band, Jordan has a high commitment to his faith and uses his grand talent to bring glory to Jesus Christ. 

  Audrey, 19 year old alto vocalist.  Audrey's vocal talent shines whether she solos or accompanies other RFR singers.  Audrey has performed in opera and had the lead in a production of Cinderella, yet her commitment to Christ has led her to RFR.  Hearing Audrey perform is truly a treat to the ears. Her heart for ministry is evident in her stage presence, and in the that she is a member of her church worship team.

     I am definitely looking forward to seeing Ready For Rain again.  To experience the level of talent exhibited by these young musicians, utilized for service to the King, is inspiring.  If you are looking for a band that can get you out of your seat, put a smile on your face and lead you to a place of adoration towards the Creator, you will find it with Ready For Rain.  

RISEN - A MOVIE REVIEW

     I went to see the movie Risen last night, having high expectations.  I was not disappointed!  Risen is the retelling of the events of the resurrection of Christ, as seen through the eyes of a Roman soldier.  I tend to watch films that depict Biblical events with a very critical eye for accuracy.  The two or three inaccuracies I caught were so minor, they are not even worth mentioning.  The fact that the integrity of the events surrounding Christ's resurrection were protected by the plot and script is truly refreshing, especially after having wasted good money to sit through 2014's Son of God.  CLICK HERE for review of Son of God  

     Risen tells the story of an up and coming Roman soldier, Clavius(Joseph Fiennes), who, under the direct command of Pontius Pilate, is charged with bringing order back to Jerusalem after the death and resurrection of Christ.  Clavius witnesses the already crucified Christ, moments after His death and unwittingly participates in key elements of the Gospel narrative.  Pilate then entrusts the guarding of Jesus' tomb to Clavius, to ensure Christ's followers do not steal His body and claim a resurrection.  Once Christ does rise, Clavius is given the duty to locate the stolen body of Christ and enforce peace in Jerusalem which is on the brink of utter chaos.  While searching for the body of Christ, and the disciples believed to have stolen it, Clavius must confront issues he cannot reconcile in his mind concerning "the Nazarene".  

     Risen is a high quality production with fine acting, script and plot.  Fiennes is utterly believable in the role of Clavius and gives an award worthy performance.  While Clavius is obviously not part of any gospel narrative, his presence in the story changes none of the key elements of history, nor does it affect the overall message of Christ's sacrifice.  I almost had the feeling that Clavius was reading the Gospel accounts and imagining himself there and participating to a certain extant. Inserting a fictional character into an historical account is often disastrous in terms of maintaining the integrity of the historical event.  The makers of Risen do a fantastic job of telling a fictional tale within the confines of true history, without losing the accuracy of the history itself.  Kudos to the writers, directors and producers for finding a way to entertain and educate.  

     Risen is an inspiring tale that is suitable for all but the youngest of viewers as there is some graphic violence and disturbing scenes of dead bodies in various stages of decay.  The film is PG-13 and is suitable for ages 13 and up, in my opinion. 

    I highly endorse and recommend this film and plan on owning it when it comes out on DVD.  Go see Risen this Resurrection Day season, you will not be disappointed.  

STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS - REVIEW AND COMMENTARY -- WARNING **SPOILERS**

         THE PERFECT MIX OF OLD AND NEW CHARACTERS                BRINGS BALANCE TO THE FORCE AWAKENS
                                     
                                               

 went to see The Force Awakens with my boys.  5 stars, two thumbs up, and any other A+ rating a movie can earn.  If you are hesitant to see the new Star Wars Episode VII, do not hesitate, GO SEE IT!  J.J. Abrams has recreated every thing you ever loved about the Star Wars universe and seems to have gotten it right on every level.  I liked Episode VII as much as, if not more, than Episodes V and VI. This is a very worthy sequel  to A New Hope.

      The Force Awakens feels like Star Wars and captures the magic of the original trilogy.  The opening scroll and large ship of the first minutes of the film made me feel as if I was visiting a place of nostalgia and gave me a warm feeling, immediately going into the film. The new characters are likable and well developed, while the presence of many of original cast "brings balance" to The Force Awakens.  J.J. Abrams has done for Star Wars what Peter Jackson did for Lord of the Rings.  While Lucas defecated on his own source material, Abrams stayed true to the original formula and gave the new Trilogy relevance where Episodes I-III are nearly complete throw aways.

     Story line wise, the plot if Episode VII has many similarities to the original Episode IV but the main plot of finding Luke Skywalker is fresh and keeps with the original plot of Episodes IV-VI, which were really the story of Luke Skywalker.  The humor is not overlplayed nor annoying but is a welcome break in the tension created by the new villain, Kylo Ren, grandson of Darth Vader.  The most shocking moment in the film is not discovering that Kylo Ren is Han Solo's son Ben, but that Ren so easily murders Han Solo.  Harrison Ford had campaigned to kill off Han Solo back in Episode V but Lucas did not want to harm merchandising opportunities. Ford finally got his wish in a very spectacular scene, here in Episode VII.

   
     TFA picks up a number of years in the future from ROTJ.  Solo and Leia have married and produce a child, Luke became a Jedi Master, training a new generation of Jedi until the evil empire re-emerges as the First Order and Ben Solo is recruited by the dark side of the force and kills all the young Jedi.  At this point, Luke does as his previous masters did before him, he flees to another planet to live in seclusion.  A young orphan and a renegade Storm Trooper team up and join the search for Skywalker.  Han Solo, Chewbacca, R2D2, C3PO, Luke, and even the voice of Obi Wan make a comeback and none disappoint.  Coming in at just over 2 hours and 15 minutes, TFA holds your attention throughout, even during my second viewing, right up to the last scene where we finally see Luke Skywalker in his seclusion.  Though the scene was completely predictable, it still riveted the viewers and garnered cheers from the sell out theater crowd.


      The Force Awakens brought old characters you know and love, while introducing new characters that do not annoy.  No Jar Jars in this film!  After the first viewing, I went 2 days later with my wife. Yeah, it was that good.

     When I first saw Peter Jackson's LOTR, I left the theater and went to the book store.  I could not wait 3 years to find out how LOTR ended.  I do not have that luxury with the new Star Wars films.  I have no choice but to wait as Abrams and Disney craft the rest of the films.  I am anxiously awaiting the next installment.  Abrams has restored balance to the Star Wars universe and revived a beloved franchise that was almost destroyed by it's own creator.  My wife said, after viewing TFA, that she is more of a Star Wars fan than ever before!