Customer Reviews

Bless the Broken Road: The Duets Album

5 star:		(22)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Prime Cuts: Bless the Broken Road (with Melodie Crittenden), I Will Sing of My Redeemer (with Barlowgirl), Gentle Healer (with Amy Perry)

Lead singers who define their group's personas place the entire ensemble in a lucrative position when they decide to depart. This was the predicament Selah faced when Nicol Sponberg had had decided to leave the trio. However, that is only half the group's vexation: country artist Melodie Crittenden who was supposed to be Sponberg's successor left late last year. In a move, albeit a wise one, to divert the attention away from the group's nonplused identity this duets CD was birth. With a heightened spotlight on the duet partners including luminaries such as Jason and Adam of the Crabb Family, Barlowgirl, Nicole Nordeman, Christy Nockels of Watermark, Kim Hill, Plumb among others, this allows Selah to buy time in order to re-construct their identity. This time instead of putting all of one's eggs in a basket, the group members as well as new member Amy Perry share around the microphone.

Musically, "Bless the Broken Road" is still consummate Selah. Their signature palette of hymn-like ballads with a contemporary edge still abound. Unlike many of their peers, these songs are spiritually meaty entrenched with deep theologically truth without resigning to those repetitive nondescript love songs to Jesus. Most spiritually penetrating is "Gentle Healer." The breathtakingly simple melody of this Michael Card ballad basks a carefully nuanced narrative that attests even handedly to the humanity and divinity of Christ. Not a group known to obviate the tough issues, Julie Miller's "All My Tears" (also covered by Jars of Clay) deal unapologetically with the issue of death. Kim Hill's Appalachian-sounding vocals add an added haunting element to this Americana-tingled ballad. Plumb, who has been known for her electronic-rock mores, offers her vocals and her pen to a surprising low-keyed Christmasy ballad "Mary Sweet Mary." While Barlowgirl add their reverential harmonies to the hymn-like newly composed "I Will Sing of My Redeemer." Also destined to be a Selah classic is the David Grow composed ballad "Be Thou Near to Me," a soft prayer that calls to mind the hymn "Pass Me Not O Gentle Savior" is a track the trio first recorded with Jim Brickman a year or so ago for his "Grace" CD.

When addressing the issue of human relationships "Bless the Broken Road" (a track first recorded by Nitty Gritty Dirt Band and turned into a monster hit by Rascal Flatts) is a breadth of fresh air. While many today rushed into relationships that are not God-ordained and mature, "Bless the Broken Road" tells about the advantage of waiting for the right one. Made even more poignant is Melodie Crittenden's first hand experience of having to live out this song. On this ballad heavy album, "Follow Jesus (Landa Yesu)" with its upbeat Congo-inspired beat is quite welcoming. Inspired by the missionary work in Africa, augmented with some chants in African, "Follow Jesus" is delightful and Nicole C. Mullen sounds equally at home with her vivacious vocal support. However, not everything works: "Ain't No Grave," a Russ Taff classic has been reprised here. Jason and Adam of the Crabb Family together with Todd Smith just do not have the soul to undertake this bluesy Gospel tune. They just do not have the grit and gravitas to let this tune soar. Christy Nockels of Watermark though is in fine vocal form, but her duet here "Faithful One" which clocks over 5 minutes is plain dull.

Nevertheless, as far as duet albums go, "Bless the Broken Road" paves a path that is sturdy and made sonically scenic via the duet partners. As with all Selah's albums, their tight harmonies lacing their signature hymn-like theologically informed ballads are in galore here. Most encouraging is that Todd Smith who takes up the lion share of the lead vocals sound more confident and his ability to engage with the various duet partners is accommodating. Here's looking forward to the reformed Selah on an outing of their own.

I got this album knowing Nicol had left the group and was worrying about how much I would like it. No worries left. Yes, her voice is missed, but I think this album of duets with other artists is the perfect intro for Amy Perry. The fantastic Selah harmonies are still here, just a little different sounding. "God Bless the Broken Road" is a title track you can listen to repeatedly. "Gentle Healer," an old Michael Card song, is simply beautiful given the "Selah" treatment. "I Will Sing of My Redeemer" is a new hymn that the group wrote (with an added bonus of Todd Smith's little girls singing at the end). Russ Taff's "Ain't No Grave" is...well, just listen and check that one out! There is also a redo of the hymn "Be Thou Near to Me"--which appeared on Greatest Hymns with Jim Brickman, but this time Amy Perry is the female vocal. My two personal favorites are "Follow Jesus" and the final cut, "Softly and Tenderly"--Allan's duet with Cynthia Clawson. That song alone is worth the price of the CD, but every song on here is wonderful. Also, a great feature with Selah albums are the copious liner notes. You won't regret buying this!

Heard an early release of this newest album. If you are a Selah fan or general fan of Christian music, this album will be a must have! Great new songs along with fantastic performances by some "guest artists". Something for everyone! Selah continues to evolve their music so that it stays current yet provides the hallmark Selah sound that we love!

Prime Cuts: Bless the Broken Road (with Melodie Crittenden), I Will Sing of My Redeemer (with Barlowgirl), Gentle Healer (with Amy Perry)

Lead singers who define their group's personas place the entire ensemble in a lucrative position when they decide to depart. This was the predicament Selah faced when Nicol Sponberg had had decided to leave the trio. However, that is only half the group's vexation: country artist Melodie Crittenden who was supposed to be Sponberg's successor left late last year. In a move, albeit a wise one, to divert the attention away from the group's nonplused identity this duets CD was birth. With a heightened spotlight on the duet partners including luminaries such as Jason and Adam of the Crabb Family, Barlowgirl, Nicole Nordeman, Christy Nockels of Watermark, Kim Hill, Plumb among others, this allows Selah to buy time in order to re-construct their identity. This time instead of putting all of one's eggs in a basket, the group members as well as new member Amy Perry share around the microphone.

Musically, "Bless the Broken Road" is still consummate Selah. Their signature palette of hymn-like ballads with a contemporary edge still abound. Unlike many of their peers, these songs are spiritually meaty entrenched with deep theologically truth without resigning to those repetitive nondescript love songs to Jesus. Most spiritually penetrating is "Gentle Healer." The breathtakingly simple melody of this Michael Card ballad basks a carefully nuanced narrative that attests even handedly to the humanity and divinity of Christ. Not a group known to obviate the tough issues, Julie Miller's "All My Tears" (also covered by Jars of Clay) deal unapologetically with the issue of death. Kim Hill's Appalachian-sounding vocals add an added haunting element to this Americana-tingled ballad. Plumb, who has been known for her electronic-rock mores, offers her vocals and her pen to a surprising low-keyed Christmasy ballad "Mary Sweet Mary." While Barlowgirl add their reverential harmonies to the hymn-like newly composed "I Will Sing of My Redeemer." Also destined to be a Selah classic is the David Grow composed ballad "Be Thou Near to Me," a soft prayer that calls to mind the hymn "Pass Me Not O Gentle Savior" is a track the trio first recorded with Jim Brickman a year or so ago for his "Grace" CD.

When addressing the issue of human relationships "Bless the Broken Road" (a track first recorded by Nitty Gritty Dirt Band and turned into a monster hit by Rascal Flatts) is a breadth of fresh air. While many today rushed into relationships that are not God-ordained and mature, "Bless the Broken Road" tells about the advantage of waiting for the right one. Made even more poignant is Melodie Crittenden's first hand experience of having to live out this song. On this ballad heavy album, "Follow Jesus (Landa Yesu)" with its upbeat Congo-inspired beat is quite welcoming. Inspired by the missionary work in Africa, augmented with some chants in African, "Follow Jesus" is delightful and Nicole C. Mullen sounds equally at home with her vivacious vocal support. However, not everything works: "Ain't No Grave," a Russ Taff classic has been reprised here. Jason and Adam of the Crabb Family together with Todd Smith just do not have the soul to undertake this bluesy Gospel tune. They do not have the grit and gravitas to let this tune soar. Christy Nockels of Watermark though is in fine vocal form, but her duet here "Faithful One" which clocks over 5 minutes is plain dull.

Nevertheless, as far as duet albums go, "Bless the Broken Road" paves a path that is sturdy and made sonically scenic via the duet partners. As with all Selah's albums, their tight harmonies lacing their signature hymn-like theologically informed ballads are in galore here. Most encouraging is that Todd Smith who takes up the lion share of the lead vocals sound more confident and his ability to engage with the various duet partners is accommodating. Here's looking forward to the reformed Selah on an outing of their own.

My first introduction to Selah was hearing "It Is Well With My Soul" on the radio. The Selah era with Nicole (Selah I) was VERY, VERY good.

The first time I saw Selah in concert was with Melodie Crittenden (Selah II). It was different from Selah I, but it was still VERY, VERY good.

Now I get to hear them with various other artists (including Amy Perry, who's addition creates Selah III). Once again, it's different from before, but it is still VERY, VERY good.

Don't buy this CD expecting to hear Selah as it was with Nicole or Melodie (even though Melodie has a cut on the CD).

What you do get when you buy this CD is the opportunity to hear Todd and Allan sing with some of the top female Christian vocalists out there. For me, it was well worth the money.

B.T.W. A previous reviewer stated ... "Jason and Adam of the Crabb Family together with Todd Smith just do not have the soul to undertake this [Ain't No Grave] bluesy Gospel tune." I respectfully have to disagree. They nail this song. I didn't realize this song was included on the CD when I bought it. If I had, "Ain't No Grave" would've been reason enough to make the purchase.

I will probably always be one to recommend a Selah album, because I grew up in a church visited yearly by Nicol and Todd's parents, Congo missionaries Jim and Nancy Smith and used to hear the whole family sing way back when (in fact, I think my parents have an old record of hymns the family put out years ago!). That being said, this album is amazing! I've been listening to it over and over the last couple of weeks, hearing new layers every time. I love beautifully written lyrics - the mix of these classics with the voices of the Selah members and their duet partners is matchless.

At first listen, "Bless the Broken Road" stood out as my favorite, but then I listened more closely to "All My Tears," which I'd surprisingly never heard before. Now it stands out as my favorite on the album, esp. with Kim Hill's folksy sound, and one of my favorite songs ever.

Completely a stand-out album - so much depth and breadth.

Oh - and for those that didn't know, Nicol stepped out to raise her family and support her husband at Moody Bible Institute's grad school. She's worked some on solo stuff, too.

Where Selah is going through some rough spots - with losing excellent female lead vocals - they still keep trying and this album is a reflection of that. "Bless the Broken Road" is a perfect title for this album.

Interesting enough the title track - which is a duet with Melodie Crittenden - has been recorded by her before. It was originally recorded by The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band on their "Acoustic" album in 1994 as "The Broken Road", by Melodie on her self titled "Melodie Crittenden" album in 1998 as "Broken Road" - her rendition was even featured on the Season 1 finale of Dawson's Creek - and again by Rascal Flatts on their 2004 album as "Bless the Broken Road".

It just goes to show you that a good song is a good song and it's perfect for this album. Selah is great at picking their songs and I've never heard a bad one and you won't find one here either.

I have found my new favorite Christian group. I bought this CD for myself and will be asking for a few of their other ones for Christmas.

Knowing that this wasn't going to be "pure Selah," I wasn't sure I'd like this new CD. Now that Nicol (Smith) Sponberg is gone from the trio, I was afraid of how the sound would change - and with so many other artists chiming in on this collection of duets, I didn't think it would sound all that Selah'y. Yes, I know that's not a word. :-)

I was delighted to find that my worry was all for naught! It's beautiful. Every track has something to offer - which is certainly a Selah tradition in my book.

The third track ("Glory," with Nichole Norderman) is so touching, it brings tears to my eyes regularly. Todd and Nichole sound so beautiful together. I like to sing it at the top of my lungs - but only when I am alone in my car or my hubby is not home!

I recently chose it to be one of the songs played for my late mother's memorial service. Coincidentally, I also chose another song of Nichole's (on her "Brave" album - not on this one) for the service. The song was "What If."

The third (and last) song played for the service was Elvis' rendition of Amazing Grace - a favorite of my mother's. I hope that the these songs were really heard by the attendees and that perhaps they helped someone who was needing to finally reach out to our savior, Jesus Christ. If "What If" can't change the mind of any agnostic, I don't know what can!

Fabulous CD...liked by old and young in our home! The Selah flavor we love adding a twist with the duets!