Buryl Red

Review: Many guest artists plus a full orchestra join The CenturyMen, formed of professional musicians who are directors of music at Baptist churches all over the country on this magnificent (all accompanied) album. The Broadway Inspirational Voices, conducted by Michael McElroy, tenor Darius de Haas, Renay Peters Joubert, soprano, the Nashville Children's Choir and Walt Whitman's Soul Children of Chicago join TCM on these 16, well, anthems is a good word! Favorites are inspirational songs like "The Impossible Dream," "Climb Every Mountain," "When You Wish Upon a Star," "Not While I'm Around," and spiritually uplifting tunes like "Total Praise" "As the Deer," "Holy, Holy, Holy," "For Every Mountain," "Jesus, Keep Me Near the Cross," "Free at Last," "Just a Little Talk," "My Tribute," and "Holy Ground." Then there's the quintessential upbeat, optimistic anthem from "Oklahoma," "Oh, What a Beautiful Mornin'." This is a feel good collection from one of the best men's choruses we've heard, and a stellar group of guest artists.

Songlist: Total Praise, The Impossible Dream, As the Deer, Oh, What A Beautiful Mornin', Holy, Holy, Holy, Not While I'm Around, Climb Every Mountain, For Every Mountain, Jesus, Keep Me Near the Cross, When You Wish Upon a Star, Free at Last, Just a Little Talk, My Tribute, Who Can I Turn To?, Morning Glow, Holy Ground

Review: Established in 1969, the CenturyMen is an auditioned men's chorus of professional musicians who are directors of music in Baptist churches across the country. The group has extensively toured the US, and has performed in churches, concert halls and on nationwide telecasts. Concert tours in foreign countries include Brazil, Russia, China, Poland, the Czech Republic, Spain, Portugal, Greece, Switzerland, Israel and Turkey. "Beautiful Star" is a Christmas album, heavily accompanied by piano, Hammond and pip organ, electric piano, mandolin, guitar and percussion, that features 21 songs. Many of the songs are beautifully-arranged standards such as "O Holy Night," "Angels We Have Heard on High," "Wexford Carol," "O Come All Ye Faithful," "Rise Up Shepherd/Go Tell It on the Mountain," "Silent Night," "Joy to the World" the spirited round "This Little Babe" and "O Come, O Come, Emmanuel," are all wonderfully done by this veteran chorus. A few are new to us, the joyous "O Jerusalem in the Morning," the lovely, waltz-like "O Beautiful Star of Bethlehem," the dramatic "What You Gonna Name Your Pretty Little Baby" and the rhythmic "Ain't That a-Rockin'," and these are the hits of the album. The CenturyMen have a powerful, rich harmonic sound (which we would love to hear unaccompanied) that rivals that of the best Barbershop Harmony Society choruses, and "Beautiful Star" is a joy from beginning to end!

Songlist: O Holy Night, Angels We Have Heard On High, Mosaic Noel 1 "Fear not: for, behold...", Wexford Carol, Glory, Glory, Hallelujah, Mosaic Noel 2 "...I bring you good tidings of great joy..., O Jerusalem in the Morning, Beautiful Star of Bethlehem, Mosaic Noel 3 "...which shall be to all people..., What You Gonna Name Your Pretty Little Baby, This Little Babe, Mosaic Noel 4 "...For unto you is born this day..., Ain't That a-Rockin', O Come All Ye Faithful, Mosaic Noel 5 "in the city of David a Savior..., Rise Up, Shepherd/Go Tell It on the Mountain, Silent Night, Christmas Triptych, Mosaic Noel 6 "...which is Christ the Lord.", Joy to the World, O Come, O Come, Emmanuel: A Digital Reflection

Review: "Offerings of Peace" is an epic collection of 16 Hymns, Spirituals and Gospel Songs from the 100 Baptist Music Directors who comprise The CenturyMen, a full Symphony Orchestra, and a Gospel choir of Broadway performers. It's hard to pick favorites, but "Be Still, My Soul," the a cappella "Peace! Be Still!," "Peace Like a River," "It Is Well with My Soul," "Oh, How I Love Jesus," "Softly and Tenderly Jesus is Calling," "When I Survey the Wondrous Cross," "All Creatures of Our God and King" and "Close to Thee" are all powerful and excellent. A beautiful, moving album by The CenturyMen and guests!

Songlist: Be Still, My Soul, Peace Like A River, My Father's House, Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing, It Is Well with My Soul, Oh, How I Love Jesus, Peace! Be Still!, A Passion Mosaic, O Sacred Head, Now Wounded, Softly and Tenderly Jesus Is Calling, Savior, Like a Shepherd Lead Us, When I Survey the Wondrous Cross, All Creatures of Our God and King, Close to Thee, God Be With You Till We Meet Again, Encore: Give the World a Smile