Gold City - First Class, ReviewsCD Review

Oct

2004

Gold City - First Class

Add this entry to Your Favorites | [0] Favorites

[14] Comments

Produced by Doug Riley
Recorded at Goldmine Recording, Gadsden, AL
Label – Cathedrals Records

First Class is a fitting title for this new Gold City project. This is the first project with Tenor Steve Ladd, but you would think by listening to this CD that Steve had been with them for years. The style and class of this recording is nothing less than spectacular. The harmony and timing are near perfect.

You get plenty of Tim Riley on this project. He is featured on five songs including, “My Child Enter In,” “Flying First Class,” “He'll Never Let Go Of My Hand,” “The Gospel Truth,” and “When He Blessed My Soul.” Tim does some mighty fine Bass singing on these songs, very classy, if you will.

Steve Ladd gets the feature on “About The Cross.” Sue and Belinda Smith write some great songs and this is one of them. Steve expresses this strong ballad well. What a testimony in this song.

I love the rag-time feel of “It's Only Faith.” The message is great too. Faith is nothing unless you walk in it. “It's Just Another Red Sea,” penned by Sonya Isaacs and Rebecca Isaacs Bowman has an interesting feel to it also. Danny Riley and Jonathan Wilburn do some nice solo work on this cut. Tim also does some nice Bass fill-ins here as well. Group member and drummer Doug Riley wrote “He Threw Out A Lifeline.” This is a nice tune also with a message of encouragement. “This Poor Man Cried,” was authored by Rebecca Peck. Is there no style that this great writer cannot do, and do well? Jonathan does a great job with this upbeat tune. This has got to be a radio release, or they will be missing a hit. Danny Riley gets a real feel for the stirring song “I'm Willing To Live For Him.” Get your hanky ready this song will bless you. Another pick for radio from this CD would be “I'm Losing My Mind,” featuring Steve Ladd. Written by Babbie Mason, this song has a little movement to it, but the message is unique and catchy.

It is hard to believe that a group can continue to put out great projects time and again, but First Class is no cliche for this award winning group and this CD proves once again that Gold City is "First Class" all the way.

Reader Comments

This is an awesome project & I have played it over & over again. Steve Ladd does a great job on ABOUT THE CROSS. I'm so glad that Tim re-recorded HE'LL NEVER LET GO OF MY HAND. Another outstanding project from an always outstanding group.

God is good all the time & all the time God is good.

Elaine Harcourt

Commented by On 10/04/2004

Hmmm. I'm a bit leery of picking up this project, mainly because I'm wondering whether Steve Ladd is up to the job of replacing Jay Parrack. No offense to Steve . . . but Jay left some pretty huge shoes to fill. Does anyone who has heard the record have any response to this?

Commented by On 10/06/2004

Did you not read in my review that the shoes are filled? There is no gap, Gold City has not missed a step. IF Jay Parrack left some huge shoes to fill, then all I can say is that Steve Ladd have some huge feet. If find it hard to understand that you would criticize my review when you haven't even listened to the CD.

Deon Unthank
SoGospelNews.com
My Blog

Some people are like Slinkys… Not really good for anything, but they
still bring a smile to your face when you push them down a flight of stairs - Author Unknown

Commented by On 10/06/2004

Don't worry about any shoes being unfilled. This project is awesome. i totally agree with the 5 stars. this is a better recording that "walk the talk"

Commented by On 10/06/2004

Sorry, Deon, no criticism of your review intended. I'll take your word for it.

Commented by On 10/07/2004

Being one of the biggest Gold City fans ever started after Jay had joined the group. I loved Jay and his talents! When he left I just knew that I was going to hate any tenor who took his spot. But i met steve at the NQC. One of the nicest guys you will ever meet. And he sounds awsome. Jay is still my fav tenor ever, but Steve is now my 2nd and BELONGS with Gold City...And oh yea, The project is AWSOME!!!

Commented by Adam Forsythe On 10/07/2004

I've had this CD for a couple of weeks and like it better the more I listen to it. As a long time fan of Gold City, I was apprehensive when Jay left, as he was an integral part of their sound. Steve Ladd more than admirably fills in the tenor spot. I was very impressed. There isn't a song that just grabs you immediately on this CD (Midnight Cry, God Handled It All), but all the songs are very good. Gold City did themselves proud, and top to bottom, this is a better CD than "Walk the Talk".

Commented by Wes Burke On 10/07/2004

I've been listening to this CD since I got it at NQC. I'm liking it more and more. I like it better than "Walk the Talk" also. It took a while to get used to Steve's voice with Gold City, but he did do a good job. I miss Jay, but I've always liked Steve anyway. I don't know what song they will release first, but my choice would be "Its Another Red Sea".

Commented by jopace29 On 10/08/2004

Strong, strong CD from beginning to end. Gold City has not lost even a half step! I am as big a Jay Parrack fan as anyone, but Steve does an exceptional job on this CD.

5 Stars is right on the money.

Commented by On 10/12/2004

I, too, was anxious to hear this CD to hear Steve with the group. Remember how we wondered how Jay could fill Brian's shoes years ago? Steve has done a fabulous job, and at times when the entire group is singing I almost forgot it wasn't Jay singing. Steve's solo segments are very good, particularly on "About The Cross", a really great song. My personal favorite, however, is "I'm Willing To Live For Him" featuring Danny Riley. What an awesome song! This makes 29 Gold City CD's in my library, and I'm already waiting for the next one!

Commented by On 10/14/2004

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: