Producer: Jon Lester
Label: Independent Release
Website: www.thelesters.com
The Lesters are one of the oldest names in the industry, having just recently celebrated 90 years in ministry. Featuring 3rd and 4th generation Lesters, Brian Lester and Jon Lester, respectively, along with former tenor Matt Felts, the group, for the first time in their history, is a male trio. This recording is actually and live video/CD combo, and for the sake of this review, I am reviewing the CD portion of the combo, which was recorded live from Boston, Massachusetts, in front of an enthusiastic crowd.
The recording starts off with the uptempo, “CARRY THE MESSAGE” before kicking it up a bit more with, “SURELY GOODNESS AND MERCY” and “HIS REDEEMED”. The tempo slows down as Matt sings the oft recorded, “OH WHAT A SAVIOR”.
The tempo gets kicked back into high gear for the favorite classic, “MY LORD WILL LEAD ME HOME”. I always enjoy hearing this song and glad to see the Lesters revive this classic! The Lesters also revive 2 other classics by providing a fusion of “WHEN THE MORNING COMES” and “WE’LL SOON BE DONE”, which is very well done.
“I’LL SEE YOU AGAIN” is a song that has long been a part of the Lesters repertoire and the group does a really job continuing the legacy of this great song before picking up the pace again with the favorite, “ROCKS DROPPIN’”.
No Lesters concert would be complete without “HE DIDN’T THROW THE CLAY AWAY” and they didn’t disappoint here before closing out with two classics, “IT’S GONNA BE WONDERFUL” and “WHEN WE ALL GET TO HEAVEN”.
The recording features mostly recent and classic cuts of songs the Lesters are known for and doesn’t feature any new material. The guys do a great job with the songs and the overall quality of the recording is good, though not something you would expect on a mainline live recording release. Fans of the group will definitely enjoy the recording and will thoroughly enjoy hearing these songs in an enthusiastic live setting.
Song titles: (stars denote personal favorites)
1 – Carry the Message**
2 – Surely Goodness and Mercy**
3 – His Redeemed**
4 – Oh What a Savior
5 – My Lord will Lead me Home**
6 – When Morning Comes/We’ll Soon Be Done
7 – I’ll See You Again**
8 – Rocks Droppin’
9 – He Didn’t Throw the Clay Away**
10-It’s Gonna Be Wonderful**
11-When We All Get to Heaven
