Reach

Warren Barfield

Product Details

• Audio CD (March 7, 2006)
• Original Release Date: March 7, 2006
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Essential
• ASIN: B000EDWM5Y
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #144,202 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
One glance at the song titles on Warren Barfield's Reach, and you get the sense that he's an optimist. Tracks like "I'll Be Alright," "Head Held High," "Come Alive," and "Saved" paint a portrait of a young man who has wrestled some major challenges into submission.

When you consider that Barfield lost a close family friend, his record contract (label folded), and nearly lost his sister in the last three years, it's no wonder we find a much different artist from the freshly scrubbed, Steven Curtis Chapman-wannabe we heard on his self-titled debut. The soul is there and producer Marshall Altman (Marc Broussard, Zebrahead) brings it out masterfully on "I'll Be Alright" and "Head Held High." There's also the clever and catchy hooks of radio-ready tracks like "Saved" and "Come Alive," acoustic pop that shows a nice maturation for Barfield's songwriting as well as a good sense for ear candy. Going deeper, "Beyond the Walls" is a fine example of beautiful melodies and forthright lyrics as Barfield acknowledges there's more to his cause: "I'm a temporary thing/My 15 minutes are ticking away/But I'm living for something more." Soulful ballads like "Closer" and "Take My Life" prove to be the right bookends with their nice-and-easy, comfortable tempos.

With confidence and a little world-weary wisdom now in him, Barfield has a more believable voice in the Christian world as he has risen above his doubts to find hope and reclaim faith. Now that's a message we all need to hear. --Michael Lyttle

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Warren Barfield is the genuine article... really., April 11, 2006

By	Mita Pogue "Mita's POV" (Tennessee) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I recently met with Warren and had a chance to chat with him about everything from his early childhood to an authentic Christian walk to advice for aspiring artists. Not only was Warren charming, but he has a real grasp on what God's purpose for his life is... simply put, to act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with God.

Warren's music? Wow. Passionate, purposeful, intense. R&B and Blues influences are particularly evident, and evidence of East Coast Pentecostal roots shows itself throughout the album. Some people think he sounds a bit like Steven Curtis Chapman, and that isn't anything to sneeze at since Chapman just won his 50th Dove Award. Still, Warren's lyrics and instrumentation holds an individuality which both defies the usual stereotypical comparisons and also anchors him solidly in the mainstream Christian pop/contemporary genre.

Lyrically Warren draws you in with the imperative "C'Mon! Get out of your comfort zone and touch the world... Be a conduit. Don't wait until you're more perfect or more holy... get busy!" He expertly balances the real world Christian life with the spiritual walk and challenges the believer to "go and do likewise."

If you enjoy Steven Curtis Chapman, Shaun Groves, Age of Faith, Big Tent Revival, Brian Duncan, and other artists of that ilk, you'll probably really enjoy Warren Barfield's "Reach"... I mean really, really like it. That's my opinion and I'm stickin' to it.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One To "Reach" For, March 14, 2006

By	A. Arnold - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This project was absolutely worth the three-year wait! Warren Barfield's growth and development is obvious. This project demonstrates a freedom that was not evident on his first offering -- it's more gutsy, and more fun, especially with songs like "I'll Be Alright" and "Unleashed". "Closer" as well as the title cut are cries from the heart, and by the time the cd was done playing I just wanted hit play and go through it all over again! If you like music that is going to make you think without making you depressed as well, Reach should definitely be on your list.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Pleasant surprise..., April 20, 2006

By	J. Watson "Jessica" (South Central Indiana) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

My mother and I decided we wanted to purchase this CD after hearing Warren Barfield sing "Saved" on "The Logan Show." That night we went to Wal-Mart and purchased the CD. On the way home we put the CD in to listen to "Saved," assuming that it would be the only track we really cared for. After, we sample each track and were surprised to find that we enjoyed each one. There is something truly captivating about his music.

While listening to his music, I couldn't help but be reminded of Darius Rucker from Hootie and the Blowfish. Though the music style is different and the voices are different, there is a similarity in how pure their voices are. It seems as if their bodies produce beautiful voices without the slightest effort on their part. Mr. Barfield is truly blessed with his talent. This CD alone shows the range that he has.