Customer Reviews

Testify to Love: The Very Best of Avalon

5 star:		(26)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This has to be the best CD ever. Avalon has really outdone themselves. The question as to why certain songs aren't on the CD is sinple. It is a "Best of" CD. Not to say that all of Avalon's stuff is awsome (Because it is), but this CD has 12 #1 hits. All of the song's (Besides the 3 new songs and the bonus cut) hit the #1 spot. They have a total of 17 #1 hits, but you can only fit so many songs onto 1 CD. I personally was hoping that I could see Undeniably You on this CD. But hey, that's OK. Not many artists can put together such a unique collection of songs. It's a great way to reflect on the 7 years that Avalon has been together and the hardships and trials that they endured. If you don't have it, get it, NOW. As for O2, it wasn't as bad as everyone said it was. It was the very first remix CD ever in the Christian music industry. I thought it was an awsome idea on how to reach the younger generation and the rest of the world. Keep going, Avalon. I'll be praying for you. : )

I love Avalon. Without them I would have never gotten into Christian Music. God has used them and I hope he continues to do so. I have all the Avalon CD's and I had to have this one. Melissa Greene will make an excellent edition to Avalon.

Buy this CD. You will not be dissapointed. It will probably make you want to get the other albums if you don't already have them.

This CD will rock off your socks. It is perfectly beautiful with not one song that I don't absolutely love. I've literally recommended it to friends around the world, including my writing manager in Australia.

You'll dance; you'll sing; you'll cry; you'll play it a bijillion times and never, ever get tired of it.

We sang "Everything to Me" in church and the folks were awestruck
by the lovely, and heart-touching lyrics.

Kids of all ages - from 5 to 55 will love this CD. I won't give it up.

Be assured - it will encourage you; and probably change your life. It did mine.

There is no doubt that this is a strong collection of songs from the foursome. However, it highlights the fact that Avalon's record company, Sparrow, does not always release the group's best material. Consequently, songs such as 'By Heart, By Soul' and 'Love Remains' (from the album 'Oxygen') and 'First Love' (from 'In A Different Light')are not included here. That said, the specially recorded tracks 'New Day' and ' Everything To Me', showcase the group at their best, thankfully avoiding the dance orientated sound that dogged their O2 Remix album of last year. With Janna and Jody both releasing solo albums in 2002, this compilation surely opens the door for longstanding member, Michael Passons, who is a driving force behind Avalon's unique sound, to release his own material.

After hearing Avalon's first best-of CD, you have to wonder, "Why aren't they HUGE in the music business?" They recently came into the public spotlight by winning an American Music Award (over Jars of Clay and P.O.D.), where Jody McBrayer quipped, "We know you don't know who we are." EVERYONE should know who they are. Super-tight vocals, led by McBrayer and Janna Long (two of the best voices in all of contemporary music), are woven through a mixture of energetic and heartfelt spiritual ballads. Nothing is missed here. Older material, such as "The Greatest Story," "In Not Of," and "Testify To Love," still sounds as fresh today as it did six or seven years ago. Avalon really hit its stride with the 2000 CD "Oxygen," and that vibe continues with three new tunes: "New Day," a positive anthem that seems perfect for this point in time; the current single, "Everything To Me," a spine-tingling ballad; and the funky "Pray," which blends dance and Spanish elements flawlessly. This group can SING, and it's evident throughout. It's interesting that each song is different in mood and production, yet Avalon's trademark vocals are consistent. McBrayer and Long have released excellent solo albums this last year, but Avalon lives on, strong as ever. There's something in this collection for everyone, even the added bonus track, "Don't Save It All For Christmas Day." If they sang secular music, they would be extremely successful; it's refreshing that they have stayed true to their ministry and created music of true spiritual worth. If you are a longtime fan, this is a great retrospective to add to your collection (and you can't help but wondering what they will do next). If you are new to Christian music or to Avalon, this is the perfect sampler. This will be spinning in my CD player for some time to come.

When I see an artists CD of whom I have not heard their music, I purchase, in general, the "Best of...." album. I do this because if the songs are on the "Best Hits of..." album, I know chances are there will be a song on the CD I would like ;-) On the Best of Avalon, I love ALL the songs. When I first placed the CD in the player, I was loving it.

My favorites are "Everything to Me", "Testify to Love", "Knockin on Heavens Door", "Take You At Your Word", "Adonai"...just to name a few that had me going up in praise. I am not one to get into the Christian Pop genre, but I have fallen in love with this album. I listen to the lyrics and find myself in praise and worship. "Everything to Me" reminded me of all the wonderful, merciful things God has done in my life. You think back and you begin to appreciate all that he has done for you. Including the things we find to be smaller...blowing breath into us daily, protecting us from the snares of Satan along with the many battles we have to fight.

This is definitely a "repeat all" CD. Place it in the player and put it all on repeat!! I pray that you will enjoy the CD. Listen and understand the words...and I promise it will bless your soul the same way it has blessed mine ;-)

I must say that Avalon has yet again failed to disappoint me. It seems like every song i listen to I end up calling it my favorite. This cd contains an awesome array of Avalon's greatest hits of all time and I must say the title says it all. Each one of their songs has a different tune and Avalon's voices blend perfectly together. My favorite songs on this cd have to be "New Day", "In Not Of", "Pray", "The Glory", "Wonder Why", "Everything to Me", "Testify to Love", "Give it Up", "Adonai", "Knockin' on Heaven's Door", and "Always have, Always will". After seeing this group perform in concert, I have to say that their performances are unlike any I have ever seen. Most times you go to a concert the voices of the artists sound very different from the original recording (meaning that the voices have been edited to make them sound better than they actually do). However, at the Avalon concert in Lake Charles, Louisiana, every song that Avalon sang sounded just like the original. Every note that they hit sounded just like the original. Words just can't describe how awesome and how talented this group really is!!!!!!!

This is just an awesome cd and anybody into christian music would love it. New Day and Testify to Love are my favorite songs on this cd.

OK, I'm almost 14, and I just started in Avalon . . . the awesome thing about it is that I just got this CD 2-days ago and since then, I couldn't leave it out of my CD player for 5-minutes together which allows me to write a review like this about it ALREADY!! I try not to exaggerate about a CD's "greatness" but in this case there is no need to and . . . Well, I'll just start from the beginning. I knew about Avalon since I got into Contemporary Christian Music about a year ago but THOUGHT I didn't like their style . . . well that is, until I heard Testify To Love among a few other of their songs. I had liked 2 of their songs from the WOW CDs, but it wasn't until I began to get tempted by Testify To Love and The Glory from the radio that I finally did check into them. I found that those songs and the other good ones I heard where all on their "best of" CD; so I decided to just listen to the samples with doubt that I'll like any of their music. But the funny thing is . . . when I was finished sampling them, I was already looking on the web for this CD! I stopped looking for the 2 other CDs I've been wanting and searched everywhere just for this one! All I wanted was this CD, and just those 30-second samples had made me see Avalon in a whole new light! Luckily, a local Christian music store coincidentally had it on sale - I got to tell you, though . . . I know my CD player's sick of it by now! Anyway, I'll get to the real review now - here's my opinion on each song . . .
(On a scale of 1-5)

NEW DAY [5/5] - This is, of course, a new recording for THIS CD . . . I don't know how it compares as I don't know much about their older stuff, but I think it's pretty good! It's definitely a great beginning that brings you in the Avalon groove and carries you into the next song with ease. It is a great song, and I'm sure, will become a favorite for you!

THE GREATEST STORY [2/5] - Slow . . . I like their slower songs, but I can't ell you why I don't really like this one TOO much . . . I don't know why myself, but it's still a good song - great message!

GIVE IT UP [3/5] - This is an OK song - I mean it just sounds kind of . . . empty to me. I'll probably come to like it the more I listen to it and regret the 3/5 rating, but for now it still remains "an OK song."

EVERYTHING TO ME [5/5] - OK, here's where the really good songs start. Definitely 5 for this one . . . it's just absolutely beautiful and amazing. I found myself brought to tears hearing it off of WOW Hits 2004. It has the most wonderful lyrics, and I NEVER skip this song when listening to the CD! This CD is partly worth it JUST for this song or at least WOW 2004 is! Listen and love it as I do every time!

TESTIFY TO LOVE [5/5] - Of course . . . nothing less than 5, this is a classic! Anyone who likes Avalon LOVES this song and now I'm part of that! I'm also very grateful to it for giving me that last push into interest. Is it very common, though, that EVERYONE who likes a group happens to like the SAME song? I don't think so . . . by now you must be suspecting something very exceptional about this song and, of course, there is!! The melody is absolutely marvelous and the lyrics . . . well that's another story. This is another one of those songs that gives you an excuse for getting the entire CD. After I got the CD I realized and said aloud to my sister, "Now I can listen to `Testify To Love' as many times as I want." Now, if you're STILL wondering what's the big deal about this song, I have one more question . . . why do you think their "BEST OF" is called "Testify To Love?"

ADONAI [1/5] - Alright, one songs I have to give a 1. The lyrics are great and everything, but I personally don't like the song . . . I don't know why, yet it's very pretty. Maybe I'll come to like it sometime.

KNOCKIN' ON HEAVEN'S DOOR [4/5] - I actually didn't like this when hearing the sample, but now I've changed my mind a bit and think it's not to bad - great song actually!

TAKE YOU AT YOUR WORD [5/5] - This song reminds me of a 70s/80s song - I don't know why . . . like a song from my Dad's 2nd Chapter Of Acts or something. I don't know but anyway, I do like this song. Another great one - wouldn't skip it.

CAN'T LIVE A DAY [5/5] - This song is another beautiful one - I love the melody + lyrics ". . . I can't live a day without you . . ."

ALWAYS HAVE, ALWAYS WILL [5/5] - I LOVE this song!! It's a little different than their typical beat/style . . . it's unique in a way and I'll never skip it . . . you got to love this one! Probably one of my "absolute favorites!"

IF NOT OF [4/5] - This one's a little weird sounding to me . . . a not-so-bad weird, though. I like it, I really do and the words are great! Never fail to listen to it on my way through the CD.

PRAY [5/5] - I really like this one, also . . . another new recording, and it's fantastic! Jody McBrayer's voice is amazing on this one . . . well, actually his voice is great on all the songs (forgot to mention that)! I have noticed that every singer has a song called "Pray," and they all sound the same to me . . . but this one is pretty cool sounding to me - different!

THE GLORY [5/5] - Another classic, another one that got me into the group, and of course, another excellent one! This one also brought me to tears upon hearing even the sample . . . it's, I'll say again, beautiful!! The lyrics are just absolutely amazing, and I never skip it - you'll LOVE it!!

WONDER WHY [5/5] - The first time I heard this song was on WOW 2002, and I immediately loved it! It has to be a pretty good song to catch me upon "first listen," and of course, this one did it. I had listened to it so much from WOW 2002 that I nearly had it memorized before I got this CD - you'll LOVE this one too - typical Avalon!

I DON'T WANT TO GO [2/5] - This one's OK . . . pretty slow yet pretty good. VERY nice but not a favorite.
DON'T SAVE IT ALL FOR CHRISTMAS DAY [1/5] - OK, sorry . . . I DO not like this one AT all!! Everyone else seemed to like it a lot, but I can't! It's the ONLY song on the CD I don't listen to at all. I really don't like when groups make up their own Christmas songs, and this is definitely no exception . . . but hey, look at that . . . I like every other song so just one doesn't hurt. Luckily, it's at the end so I don't have to skip it.

I don't even have to touch my CD player once this disc is in . . . now let me know of another CD that's lets you do that! I don't have many like that, and it's very rare for me to find one! I couldn't ask for a better group and what's more, a better CD! ALL of their songs are wonderful, and I highly recommend this CD to anyone of any age. They spread God's word and love in such amazing, powerful, beautiful, and convincing ways . . . that's what Christian music is supposed to be! The lyrics are the best, and I actually hand-wrote them out before I even got the CD (unfortunately, the booklet only includes the lyrics to the 3 new recordings). SO, with brilliant lyrics, wonderful artists, and captivating melodies - Avalon makes everything a perfect CCM group needs to be . . . this is a keeper! Buy it right away (check on half.com), and listen on your way to work, sing along in your room, play it as back-round music, or let it entertain you while you're doing those chores . . . whatever you choose, but it's perfect for any time and mood. It will brighten your day and carry you away into a new world of music you've never discovered before!
Thanks so much for reading my review . . . I really hope it helped!
Here's something cool to check out . . . all about Avalon - www.christianmusiclighthouse.com/main/artistlist/avalon/
THANKS {:o)

Avalon has done it agian. This CD is great. They've taken all of their most encouraging and inspirational songs and put them together in one CD and, it also has 3 great new songs too! I strongly recommend this CD.