Customer Reviews

Inspirational Journey

5 star:		(35)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I really didn't expect to love this CD all that much. I've always liked Randy Travis' music, but a little bit was just right. However "Inspirational Journey" is astonishing. From "I Am Going" to "Baptism" all of the songs just catch your soul and send you soaring. I'm just hoping Randy Travis does another album like this in the near future.

"Feet on the Rock" will be a major hit. Matthew 7, Sermon on the Mount all in a very inspirational tune. The rest is solid Randy Travis.

Every aspect of this carefully chosen and crafted collection of inspirational songs is superb. The music will delight your ears and the words lift your spirit.
The musicianship is flawless, and Randy's tender, heartfelt interpretations filled with beauty. The simplicity of his "Amazing Grace" is a fitting final track; sung with minimal backing, it is a powerful rendition of this glorious hymn.
Randy co-wrote three of the songs, and all are wonderful: "The Carpenter" (w. Chip Taylor and Ron Avis), is a trio with Waylon Jennings and Jessi Colter, "Walk with Me" (w. Les Bohan), is a bouncy tune with words that are a lovely prayer, and "I Am Going" (w. Buck Moore), is about leaving this life with joy and no regrets.

Other favorites include two up-tempo songs: "Feet on the Rock" (Troy Seals/Buck Moore), "I put my feet on the rock, and my name on the roll~When it's called up yonder, I won't worry 'bout my soul", is a track where his entire band gets to shine, and "Which Way Will You Choose" (Ron Block), is an end-times admonition with fabulous fiddle work by Hank Singer.
The small booklet insert has the lyrics and recording info, and total time is 41'22.
If you like traditional country music, this CD is a musical journey well worth taking.

Randy has a unique gift to combine an experience with the Divine and the humor of our humanity. In the song "Baptism," as the words remind the listener of God's grace, Randy inserts the loss of a Buffalo nickel in the water of baptism. As I listened to him sing "Shallow Water" I was reminded that, with God, it's all Shallow Water . . . even when I think I'm drowning. "Drive Another Nail" starts with a carpenter's decision to retire from his work--and quickly becomes a story of his commitment to retire from what he does to hurt others.

My musical tastes tend to swing toward U2, Luther Vandross, and Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir. But the integrity that Randy lives comes through in his songs. His "Amazing Grace" is simple and unabashed praise. Do yourself a favor and bless yourself and others by buying this.

This is a great album. Firstly, almost all the songs have excellent messages (I would dispute "Don't Ever Sell Your Saddle"), the country music is awesome, and Randy sounds passionate.

Shallow Water is a beautifully harmonized opener, and it deals with the struggle of living a Christian life in an age of skepticism. Faith, by the grace of God, endures.

Drive Another Nail is poignant and very likable.

Doctor Jesus is excellent for its guitar, and just about everything else.

Amazing Grace ends the album up. How fitting to keep the focus on the grace of God unto the sinful man for redemption.

In short, the songs all sound good. A sure winner.

WOW! Put on your shoes, grab your car keys, and race over to the local record hut to get your own copy of Inspirational Journey.

First, there's Randy Travis's "authentic" voice. A voice which reels you in with the very first word, hooks you, and does not let go of you till the CD has whirled to a stop. This man could sing the Yukka Flats phonebook, if there is such a thing, and have you on the edge of your musical seat. The richness of his voice. The phrasing you can never anticipate. The sincerity.

Many very popular singers of today do verbal gymnastics like the Ukranian team warming up for the winter games and they don't "say" a thing. Randy Travis can sneeze and you've got the whole story.

Combine his voice and the incredible musicians/backup singers with brilliant writing in the country/gospel genre which would make any old Nashville dude sit up and take notice. You will be thinking about the meaning of these songs long after you hear the final word. Like a musical O. Henry.

Don't read the lyrics before you listen to Inspirational Journey the first time.

There will be some toe tapping, maybe some tears.

Genuine.

At the end of my review of Rise and Shine, I recommended Rise and Shine over this album. There's a caveat to that recommendation. If you like the traditional country music of Johnny Cash, George Jones, and The Oak Ridge Boys, then you might like this album better than the more contemporary and upbeat Rise and Shine.

Inspirational Journey reminds me a lot of the gospel quartet music that my grandfather used to play on Sunday morning, although the songs are mostly just Randy with occasional backup harmonies. The songs on this album sound like traditional gospel songs-they're fairly slow-paced and reflect a lot of inner passion. For the most part, you could play this CD and be praying at the same time without being distracted. I think that's what I didn't like about it as much when I got it at the same time as Rise and Shine because it can fade into the background. But, of course, that's also why I play it a lot when I need a little peace and contemplation.

The instrumentation on Inspirational Journey is simple and acoustic. Randy's amazing voice really stands out on this album with minimal backing by bass, piano, fiddle, drums, and the occasional steel guitar. There aren't a lot of highly memorable songs on this CD other than Don't Ever Sell Your Saddle. Still, the choruses of Feet on the Rock, Which Way Will You Choose, Doctor Jesus, and Drive Another Nail are all catchy. The Carpenter is a great recording with Waylon Jennings and Jessi Colter.

I made a new CD that combined my favorite songs from Rise and Shine and Inspirational Journey. Both albums could have been written in the same period with a savvy producer separating the songs by traditional (likes the popular 60s and 70s male vocalists) v. contemporary country. Both CDs are worth owning if you like gospel music and/or Randy Travis. Now, the third and newest CD is yet a third creature. It's mostly hymns and so even more traditional than Inspirational Journey.

I have always enjoyed music by Randy Travis and that beautiful pure voice that he uses so effortlessly, but Inspirational Journey blew me away!! From Shallow Water and Baptism to the uplifting rendition of Amazing Grace, this is classic country/gospel which highlights the best of both genres in an unbelivable collection of songs which will inspire you like no other. It will never be out of your CD player!!! - can't wait for the next one Randy!!

I was totally blown away by this CD. Randy Travis has a wonderful, expressive voice and he uses it most effectively on this collection of songs, especially "Shallow Water" and "Baptism". It's obvious that he believes the words he sings and that just makes the music even sweeter. Get this CD and listen to it for a real spiritual lift.

This is truly a great CD. It is Christian Country at its finest! My whole family, aged 39 years down to 5 years loves the music Randy Travis is singing and performing - his voice is fantastic! Some songs are more quiet and some are sing outloud right there in the car or where ever!! Amazing Grace is so sweet. There is no doubt that Randy Travis believes in his music and it sure is evident here. Highly Recommend this CD if you want to listen to something real and uplifting.