Reviews
The Canton Spirituals - New Life
By Cherisse Stephens
Verity Records
The Canton Spirituals have been around for years bringing us some of the best traditional and quartet music in the world. These guys know how to have church and most importantly, make you have church too.
Their latest offering, New Life, was recorded live in Harvey, Illinois and as always, The Canton Spirituals make you shout, cry and wave your hands! Here’s a sneak peek at what you can expect!
New Life starts out with song God Can Work It Out, written by Harvey Watkins, Jr. Harvey is famous for his wonderful but “down to earth” stories about putting trust in God. They don’t disappoint on this one either. The song goes on to say “There were times in my life, it seemed that nothing would ever go right, tried the Lord and I’m a witness today that Jesus will always make a way!” Yes Lord…this song sets the stage for the rest of the service!
Stand Up and Be Counted written by Lee Floyd Johnson, Jr. features Ray Johnson. What I love about the Canton Spirituals is their ability to bring that quartet flavor with a lot of soul and most importantly, anointing. Johnson does an awesome job on lead vocals. This mid-tempo number has the group’s smooth harmonies, encouraging the believer to stand up and be counted!
That’s Enough is written by the legendary Dorothy Love Coates and the Cantons represent wonderfully on this tune. I remember the saints singing this song when I was just a little girl and now the Canton Spirituals put a fresh spin on it without losing the original flavor. I don’t know about you, but I’ve got Jesus and that’s enough. “If you press me down, He’ll pick me up, stand by me when the going gets tough! I’ve got Jesus, that’s enough” (repeat and clap and sway).
I Wouldn’t Be Satisfied features Bishop Neal Roberson and was written by L.J. Lowe. This is definitely one of those songs from the barbershop quartet days. The sweet sounds of the harmonica and band make you want to slap your knees and praise Him. The song simply says “I wouldn’t be satisfied if I couldn’t go to church on Sunday morning or tell the world about the crucifixion or the resurrection; you could lay the whole world by my side; I wouldn’t be satisfied.”
