Producer: Information Not Provided
Record Label: StowTown Records
Website: www.rambomcguire.com
Rambo McGuire recently signed with StowTown Records, and Rambo Classics is the debut release from this group made up of legendary singers Reba Rambo McGuire, Dony McGuire, and their daughter Destiny Rambo McGuire on the label. This also is the last recording to feature Buck Rambo before his death last year.
The album starts off with, “Build My Mansion Next Door To Jesus”. The vocals get a little drowned out by the music on this song. The mix could have definitely been better. It is followed by “If That Isn’t Love”. The mix is better on this one. The soloist, which is Dottie’s granddaughter Destiny, did a good job. I believe Dottie would be proud. This is just a beautiful song. There are some pitch issues with the harmony vocals, but overall it was pretty good. “Sheltered In The Arms Of God” is one we all know and love. It is a pretty rendition and one of my favorite Dottie Rambo songs, “I’ve Never Been This Homesick Before” picks the pace up. Buck is the lead on this song. The modulation on the last chorus brings it up to where it needs to be dynamically.
“The Holy Hills Of Heaven Call Me” starts off with everyone singing. This brings a nice change. The music on this song was mixed too loudly again, though. The male lead on the second verse is very hard to hear. “I Go To The Rock”, in my opinion, is the best song on this whole album. Destiny did a great job on it! They gave it a good, black spiritual feel. “For What Earthly Reason” slows things down. The track is very pretty. It is crazy how much Reba sounds like her mom, Dottie, on this song. It is followed by “On The Sunny Banks.” I really don’t like how they slide into every other line. It gets monotonous after a while. Dony’s vocals are very raspy. It’s not my preference, but a lot of people enjoy that.
“There’s Nothing My God Can’t Do” is another lead by Reba. They sing the first verse together, then she takes the second verse lead. There are pretty harmonies on this song. Good job!
“One More Valley” is next. Every time Buck has a lead, he’s not loud enough. He has a very soft, weak voice. This is not his fault. It’s a mixing issue. It’s a good song for him to have the lead on, though. “In The Valley He Restoreth My Soul” is a pretty song, with a great message. “Precious Jesus” follows, taking you back to a slow, black spiritual feel. The mix is good. Harmonies are tight on this song. The classic Rambo song, “Tears Will Never Stain The Street” keeps the tempo slow. This one is done well. They end the record with “He Looked Beyond My Fault And Saw My Need.” In my opinion, I would have chosen a different lead for this song. I think it sounds better with a female lead. They made it work, though.
Overall, the mix could have been better throughout. There were also pitch problems on several different songs. Most of the song selection is slow, which can make for a long CD. Every song on this album is a classic Dottie Rambo song. If you were a Rambo fan, I think you’d enjoy this album. They’re doing a good job keeping Dottie’s memory alive.
Track Listing:
Build My Mansion Next Door to Jesus
If That Isn’t Love
Sheltered In the Arms of God
I’ve Never Been This Homesick Before
The Holy Hills of Heaven Call Me
I Go to the Rock
For What Earthly Reason
On the Sunny Banks
There’s Nothing My God Can’t Do
One More Valley
In the Valley He Restoreth My Soul
Precious Jesus
Tears Will Never Stain the Streets of That City
He Looked Beyond My Fault and Saw My Need
READER RATING:
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