Early Years

First Call | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (November 28, 1995)
• Label: Word -- Word --
• ASIN: B00000319P
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #298,010 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars First Call is first rate., August 25, 2000

By 

Joel Caballero "joel344" (Arlington, Texas USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Early Years (Audio CD)

This is a must-have for fans of Take 6 or Manhattan Transfer. This is a greatest hits CD of their early material when they were a trio, consisting of Bonnie Keen, Marty McCall and Mel Tunney. The songs are from their first three album,"Undivided," "Somethin' Takes Over" and "God Is Good," which I think their albums are probably out of print by now. First Call's best songs are here, like "Undivided," "The Reason We Sing," "Sweet Love," "He's The Messiah," and more. I really love "O Sifuni Mungu (All Creatures Of Our God And King)" from their second release "Somethin' Takes Over." It has an African sound, great percussion and they sing in Swahili. Could have been lifted from Paul Simon's "Graceland." Another "Somethin'..." track "Lord Of All" is a definite praise and worship song that glorifies God. Mel,Bonnie & Marty's vocals on this tune are very reminicent of 2nd Chapter Of Acts, who are one of the early pioneers of Contemporary Christian Music. "Somethin' Takes Over," the title song, is a representation of their doo-wop vocal style like Manhattan Transfer. At times you can't understand what they are singing, except the chorus, which I can understand. You would have to listen to this song at least five or six times to pick up the words. "Snap To It" from "Undivided" showcases their a capella vocals ala Take 6. When First Call got started, they were singing commercial jingles and toured with Sandi Patty and Amy Grant, and were best known for their Christmas project, "An Evening In December," which they sang a capella and had special guest vocalists. A majority of their material are from thier third album "God Is Good," like "Breaking Through," "Someday," "True Love" and my favorite "Legacy." Even though Mel Tunney is no longer with the group, she left in 1990 after "God Is Good," this song to me is like a swan-song that she has left a legacy behind when they were at their prime. Now that it is just Bonnie and Marty, First Call's music will be remembered in the years to come for thier sweat harmonies and like the song says, "the reason we sing/is to praise the One/who gave His Son to Him/The Reason We Sing!" Happy listening!!!