Review: Another winner from Sweet Deliverance! What we especially like about this sweet-harmonizing Contemporary Christian group is the fact that they write, compose and arrange almost all of their tunes. These 12 songs, for instance, feature the thought-provoking "Defending Your Life" by Bob Allsup and Gary Ferguson, "Praisin' the Lord" and "Let It Flow" by Allsup and Russ Wooten, "Jesus is Trying to Tell You Something," "I Gotta Feeling" and "Only Son" are by Allsup individually. Kevin Percival writes "He Shows Me Everything," "You'll Save His Name," and "Useless Hammer;" and Russ Wooten writes "Back to the Bible." Upbeat, inspirational, highly creative stuff here-tap your feel to a joyous song like "I Gotta Feelin'," then be touched by the deep faith found in "You'll Say His Name." "Let It Flow" is a winner from beginning to end.

Songlist: Defending your Life, Praisin' the Lord, Let it Flow, He Shows Me Everything, Jesus is Trying to Tell you Something, Back to the Bible, I Gotta Feelin', You'll Say His Name, Only Son, Useless Hammer, As the Deer Pants, Awesome Power

Review: The musical ministry of Keith Lancaster's Acappella Company continues with the Contemporary Christian male a cappella quartet Sweet Deliverance. Included in our favorites of these 10 songs are originals by group members Bob Allsup, "I'm Here to Tell You," "No Condemnation," "You Need Love;" and with Russ Wooten "Only You are God" and "Move Over," and with Gary Ferguson, "Defending Your Life." Kevin Percival writes and composes the lovely "Father Please," and "He Made His Own Mountain." One other favorite we haven't heard is Steven Chapman and Geoff Moore's thought-provoking "Home Run." Very good new material, beautifully sung by talented Sweet Deliverance!

Songlist: I'm Here to Tell You, Defending Your Life, Father, Please, Only You Are God, No Condemnation, You Need Love, Poor Wayfaring Stranger, Move Over, He Made is Own Mountain, Home Run

Review: "Sweet Sweet Spirit" is one of the first recordings, from 1990, by male Contemporary Christian quartet Sweet Deliverance, issued by their own company, Sweet Deliverance Ministries. Later albums were recorded with Keith Lancaster's Acappella Company. The group is now a sextet based in the San Francisco bay area, which received a very strong ovation from the audience at the 2008 Harmony Sweeps Bay Area Regional, where they placed second. But "Sweet Sweet Spirit," although a wonderfully harmonic collection of 10 songs, gives us very little information on the liner notes or the group's website, about who wrote and compose the songs, for instance. As the group is known for its beautiful group-written and composed material, we will assume that some of these songs are originals, but there are many very nice covers here also: Elisha Hoffman's "Are You Washed In The Blood," Randy Simpson's "Had It Not Been," the Gospel standard "I've Been Changed," "Swing Down Sweet Chariot," the traditional hymn "When The Roll is Called Up Yonder," Goodman and Davis' "Wouldn't Take Nothin' for My Journey," and Doris Akers' title tune. Thus, the tunes "This Man" and "Just A Little While" might be written by group members such as Bob Allsup and Kevin Percival. But the bottom line is, "Sweet Sweet Spirit" is a beautiful, heartfelt early collection by a group that has since released 7 excellent albums and grown in their ministry to join the elite Contemporary Christian groups, and become one of our personal favorites!

Songlist: Are you washed in the Blood, Had it not Been, I've Been Changed, Passover, Swing Down Sweet Chariot, When the Roll is Called up Yonder, Wouldn't Take Nothin' for my Journy, This Man, Just a Little While, Sweet Sweet Spirit

Review: "Take His Hand" is more good stuff from this sweet-harmonizing male a cappella quartet, part of the ministry of Keith Lancaster's amazing, prolific Acappella Company. These 10 songs are all originals written and composed by group members. Bob Allsup contributes the very nice title tune, "Read the Writings," "Don't Hesitate" and "Talk to Me." Kevin Percival writes the foot-tapping "Phillip's Song," "Is it Me Lord," "Walking the Way," "Simon's Lament" and "Hear Our Prayer," and Gary Ferguson gives us "The Man On The Mountain." These are all wonderfully creative, thought-provoking songs that illumine and enrich the Christian experience. Beautifully sung and inspirational!

Songlist: Take This Hand, Philip's Song, Is It Me Lord (Am I The One), Read the Writings, Don't Hesitate, Walking The Way, The Man on the Mountain, Talk to Me, Simon's Lament, Hear Our Prayers

Review: Listening to Sweet Deliverance's 'Walk On' was a pleasant experience. This four part Christian a cappella group is blessed with harmonious talent and solid blending. Apart from 'Jesus is Just Alright' and 'Amazing Grace,' this entire effort is all original music which is something to be proud of . The entire CD has a pop tendency, but also demonstrates the influences of jazz and doo-wop, with a speckling of reggae. The arrangements are perfectly suited to their vocal styles, giving the entire work a smooth, balanced and light authenticity. Sweet Deliverance sing with great rhythmic and lyrical inflection, focusing on the importance of the words and the message they are sending.

Songlist: Jesus Is Just Alright, Walk On, We Were There, With Her Eyes, My Ship Came In, Amazing Grace, Open Mind, Open Bible, Peace, Be Still, Missionary Man, His People

Review: We have just enjoyed a wonderful performance by all-male Contemporary Christian quintet Sweet Deliverance at the '08 Harmony Sweeps Bay Area Regional, which earned them a very close 2nd place finish (to winner Where's Gesualdo?). "You're My Rock" includes 8 originals by the group, Bass Bob Allsup collaborating with 1st tenor Kevin Percival on the title tune, the Beach Boys-inspired "Thank You," the rocking "It's Alright," the inspirational "God of Hope and Love" and "The Only Way," the foot-tapper "We Sing Holy," the testifying "I Need You." Allsup gets together with tenor Gary Ferguson on the final original, the touching "Broken Heart," before finishing with a very fine 3-song medley, Walt Harrah's "Think About His Love," Russell Fragar's "Show Me Your Ways" and Billy James Foote's "Amazing Love" (You are My King). Every one of these songs uplifts and celebrates the faith of these talented singers, especially their excellent original material. Treat yourself to "You're My Rock," one of the best albums we've heard this year!

Songlist: You're My Rock, I Just Want to Celebrate, Thank You, It's Alright, God of Hope and Love, The Only Way, We Sing Holy, I Need You, Broken Heart, Think About His Love, Show Me Your Ways, Amazing Love (You are my King)