REVIEW: Tommy Bates – God’s Got It

Producer: Jeremiah Yocom
Label: Independent Release
Website: www.tommybates.com

[yasr_overall_rating size=”medium”] I first discovered Pastor Tommy Bates a few years when I stumbled across one his services on television. I was enamored by his old fashioned charismatic style of preaching and then I heard his singing and was hooked. A popular preacher in Church of God and Pentecostal circles, Pastor Bates teams up with another popular personality in those same circles, Jeremiah Yocom, to produce a really great recording filled with songs in invigorate, uplift and encourage.

The invigorating, “I’VE GOT A MADE UP MIND” gets the recording off and running before slowing down slightly for the self-penned, “I’VE GOT PEACE”.

“RIDE OUT YOUR STORM” penned by Betty Jean Robinson is the crowning jewel of the recording. Recorded many times through the years by various artists, this is the best rendition of this song I’ve ever heard, as Pastor Bates delivers an authentic delivery of the song, letting you know he’s been there!

Things get kicked into high gear with the classic, “SHOUT AND SHINE”. Before the song is over, we are treated with a chorus of “We Shall Wear a Robe and Crown” before he slows back down for a laid back rendition of the hymn, “I’LL BE A FRIEND TO JESUS”.

Next Pastor Bates breaks into a trio of Rambo classics (two penned by Dottie). From the blues sound of “IS THAT THE LIGHTS OF HOME” to the Pentecostal flavor of “ONE MORE RIVER” and the medium tempo “THE HOLY HILLS OF HEAVEN CALL ME”, we are treated to 3 very different songs, each with their own personality and flawlessly sung in Pastor Bates inimitable style.

He then turns in a unique arrangement of the classic, “PALMS OF VICTORY” before closing out with the Pentecostal flare of the self-penned title song, “GOD’S GOT IT”.

From a quality perspective, despite the fact that all the instruments are played by 2 individuals and all BGVs are done by 2 individuals (with lots of stacks in places), I am impressed with the work presented here. While it’s not quite “Nashville Quality”, it’s a really great recording and if you like your gospel seasoned with a good dose of Pentecost and a bit of soul and country flare, this is right up your alley. This is one of those recordings that I can’t help but listen to over and over again! It’s like a good book that you just can’t put down and it’s definitely one of my favorite releases for 2016!

Track Listing:
(stars denote personal favorites)

1 – I’ve Got a Made Up Mind**
2 – I’ve Got Peace
3 – Ride Out Your Storm**
4 – I’ll Shout and Shine**
5 – I’ll Be a Friend to Jesus**
6 – Is That the Lights of Home
7 – One More River
8 – The Holy Hills of Heaven Call Me**
9 – Palms of Victory**
10 – God’s Got It

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