Crabb Family - Blur the Lines, CD Review

May

2006

Crabb Family - Blur the Lines

Add this entry to Your Favorites | [0] Favorites

[11] Comments

Producer: Bubba Smith/Crabb Family
Label: Clear Cool Music
Website: www.thecrabbfamily.com

The Crabb Family should change their name to the "Trailblazers", as they continue to blaze new trails with each recording they release. This latest recording is no different. Not staying content with where they are musically, they continue to evolve into something new and exciting. Going beyond who they have been musically, they also went beyond what is typically Southern Gospel and have put together a recording of songs that other people have written and have all been recorded before at one time or other. Pulling from all genre's within gospel music, the Crabb Family are making a bold statement with this recording by blurring the lines between musical styles and are in some ways creating their own genre as they mesh together Southern Gospel with Praise & Worship, CCM, Country, Black Gospel and blues.

The now P&W classic "FRIEND OF GOD" gets things underway, and from the start, you know you're not listening to your grandma's Southern Gospel as the kids really prove who they are both musically and vocally, before they turn in a stellar performance on the CCM classic, "REDEEMER", which has also been a staple in Crabb concerts across the country for the last couple of years.

Kelly is featured on the blues/funk sounding "ONE DAY" before Aaron sings a country rendition of "HOLDING OUT HOPE TO YOU", made popular in CCM by Michael English over a dozen years ago.

Terah turns in a soulful performance on the Dottie Rambo classic, "I GO TO THE ROCK" before Jason turns in his own rendition of the P&W classic, "SHOUT TO THE LORD", which is a little different than any other version I've heard to date. (And there are A LOT of versions out there!)

Although this is the first single release from this recording, "NOTHING BUT THE BLOOD" is probably my least favorite on the recording. This arrangement just doesn't work for me, but I love their arrangement of the Nicole C. Mullen tune, "CALL ON JESUS".

Adam turns in a stirring rendition of the Southern Gospel classic, "CHAMPION OF LOVE" (ironically, I could really hear Rock group Queen doing this version) before Black Gospel sounds abound with one of my personal favorites, "CAN'T NOBODY DO ME LIKE JESUS". Filled with Pentecostal fervor, the Crabb Family pulls the song off without a hitch.

A former hit song for CCM artist Avalon, the Crabbs put their own spin on "I CAN'T LIVE A DAY" before Jason turns in a powerful performance on the old hymn, "I'D RATHER HAVE JESUS". Closing out the recording is a Spanish version of the first track titled, "AMIGO DE DEIO".

I love how the Crabbs took these songs (some having been recorded numerous times with numerous arrangements) and breathed new life into these tunes and totally made each song their own. Not just any group could pull this feat off, but the Crabbs seemingly have done it flawlessly. With a recording like this, they may lose a few fans that long for the old style of the group, but I think they will win far more fans than they'd lose. Whether that's a good thing or bad thing is entirely up to each individual.

Personal Favs:FRIEND OF GOD; REDEEMER; ONE DAY; HOLDING OUT HOPE TO YOU; CALL ON JESUS; CAN'T NOBODY DO ME LIKE JESUS; I'D RATHER HAVE JESUS

Reader Comments

I have heard this CD, and I wasn't very impressed with it. I guess you could say I belong in the set that think the Crabb Family should have stuck with their old style. I'm not thrilled with their "new" sound.

Commented by On 05/17/2006

I love the LORD so therefore I love the GOSPEL of JESUS so therefore I love gospel music, especially the CRABB FAMILY kind. Anything they sing is good in any style that they sing it in. It is great to know that over thousands of years of changes in the world that the plan of salvation is still the same. So no matter if it is 2006 or 1702 or 400bc or whatever the years is it changes nothing in the bible but rather continues to prove the Gospel can hold its own in this changing world. GO CRABBS!

Commented by On 05/17/2006

i love it. the saturday before Easter i heard the Crabbs in concert for the first time.I LOVED IT. they sang a lot of stuff from this project. Holding Out Hope To You is my favorite song on this project and of course Redeemer. WAY TO GO CRABB FAMILY! this project is great.

Commented by skmc1190 On 05/18/2006

This is a good cd. Its different but I think that is what they meant by blurr the lines.

Commented by On 05/21/2006

I just bought this CD last week after listening to a few cuts at a Christian bookstore. I really like the way they offer such a variety of styles on this cd.

Commented by On 05/31/2006

This CD is has a very good qualitu sound, it has alot of cool arrangements on it too. This is a very good CD.

Commented by On 06/03/2006

how many of the songs on their new CD were written by Gerald Crabb?

"Trailblazers"? What trail are they going down? I don't know if I want to go there.

Commented by On 06/06/2006

I think "Driven" was a far cry above this recording. What's up with only 2 or 3 SG songs on the entire recording? If the Crabbs are SG then they better record SG. Otherwise go join the CCM crowd. BTW, have they completely stopped recording Gerald's songs now that he's remarried?

Commented by On 06/06/2006

Sorry, but there is not a song on this project that would qualify as SG style. I agree with Matt either record your roots or go promote yourself as something else. Don't try to re-define SG to suit your own tastes. I gave the CD away to ccm fan. Funny, they were not impressed either.

Commented by On 06/08/2006

I absolutely love this CD. I had trouble accepting it at first because it has no songs from the Gerald Crabb on it. But, it don't matter who a song is written by; you just have to listen to the words and let them sink deep in your heart and you will find the CD is beautiful. The gospel is not limited by and genre barriers. I mean i love songs such as "Please Forgive Me" and "Through The Fire". But, i heard "I'd Rather Have Jesus" for the first time on this CD. I thought i was going to cry. It is a very beautiful song if you ask me. It is a heart song that cannot be limited by genres.

Commented by On 06/12/2006

Page 1 of 2 Comment Pages 1 2 >

Add Comments

If you are seeing this form you are not a Member or have not logged in. Why not consider becoming a Member? All comments must be made with a valid email address. Comments with invalid email addresses are subject to removal.

Membership allows you to have a prepared signature of your choice applied to every comment you make, as well as the ability to choose an avatar to display next to your name to help identify your posts. Members are also given opportunity to vote weekly in our Weekly Chart as well as special Members Only contests, polls and giveaways during the year. If you are already a member, login here, otherwise please register here.

**Note: Forums membership is a seperate membership.

By posting you agree to our Comments Policy

Name:
Email:
Location:
URL:
Comment:
	Remember my personal information
	Notify me of follow-up comments?
Please enter the word you see in the image below: