Producer: Donna King
Record Label: Independent
Website: www.anthonyfacello.com
Anthony began his professional career around 1994 with the group HeavenBound and quickly made a name for himself as a solid tenor with other groups such as Down East Boys, Journeymen, Mercy’s Mark as well as his own group, Beyond the Ashes. Now, at least for a season, Anthony has struck out on his own with a solo project that about as solid as they come. While the tracks for this recording weren’t made specifically for Anthony or this recording, they fit Anthony like a glove and he made these familiar tunes all his own! This isn’t what I would call Southern Gospel, but it’s great music, nonetheless.
The recording starts with the familiar sounds of the Phillips, Craig and Dean CCM classic tune, “MERCY CAME RUNNING”. The tempo then slows down slightly as Anthony delivers a powerful and stirring performance on one of my favorite songs from the past few years entitled, “I AM”.
The tempo picks back up for “MAGNIFY THE KING” before Anthony turns in a haunting performance on “LORD HAVE MERCY”. I hadn’t heard this song since Christ Church Choir recorded it probably 25 years ago and it’s still a very relevant prayer for today.
Anthony then turns in some excellent performances on a few recent CCM hits such as the Matt Redman tune, “NEVER ONCE”, Chris Tomlin’s “WHOM SHALL I FEAR”, Lincoln Brewster’s, “YOU ARE AMAZING” as well as an outstanding rendition of the Newsboys anthem, “WE BELIEVE”, which is a highlight of the recording.
The title song, “THERE IS HOPE”, is an older Mark Lowry penned tune and Anthony does a really great job with the song before the recording closes out with the patriotic themed, “BECAUSE OF THE BRAVE”.
While I was familiar with most of the songs on this recording, and though Anthony utilized pre-recorded tracks, oddly there was a good amount of continuity, originality and creativity found here. Anthony is already an amazing singer and these songs complimented his style perfectly! I don’t usually rate recordings of this nature very high, but I thoroughly enjoyed this recording and it’s one I find myself listening to over and over again.
Track Listing:
(stars denote personal favorites)
1 – Mercy Came Running*
2 – I Am*
3 – Magnify the King*
4 – Lord Have Mercy (Kyrie)
5 – Never Once*
6 – Whom Shall I Fear
7 – There is Hope*
8 – More than Amazing
9 – We Believe*
10-Because of the Brave
