Vicki Yohe I’m at Peace
Opening up with an introduction from Corey “Coco Brother” Condrey, Vicki Yohe’s 10th CD packs a praise punch right from the start. The live recording took place at Bethel World Outreach Church in Tennessee and the first track “Somebody Worship” is a fast paced, horn infused, hand clapper that delivers on a feel good praise and worship sound. Yohe’s crystal clear vocals shine on the song and start things off right for the entire project. The wonderful voices of the choir fill each track and allow Yohe to take a feature performer role on some of the songs which is fine because even when she is not singing the lead her vocals are so powerful they still resonate on the song. This is very apparent on the track “Fill This Place” where the choir really shines and has a dominating presence on the song. There are quite a few standouts on the Kendall Duffie produced project including the tune “So Many Reasons” which features Canton Jones. Canton sounds slightly like Wes Morgan on the song. It’s a great duet and one that I think should be a favorite for Gospel radio. After 20 years in the business Yohe is proving to all that good music and talent always endures. I look forward to hearing what she has to give us for the next 20 years to come. You can learn more about Vicki Yohe at www.vickiyohe.org




Selah Hope of the Broken World
Coming off several personal tragedies and setbacks the members of the group Selah give us a great project full of the smooth harmonies and encouraging songs of hope that we have come to love and expect from them. Selah’s Todd Smith and his family regained hope in God’s promise following the loss of his daughter, Audrey, after only two hours of life. “Every April 7th is a difficult day,” the lead singer vulnerably admits. “We don’t know whether to celebrate or mourn, so we do both.” He stated on the groups’ website. For Allan Hall and Amy Perry the remaining two members of the group, weight and health issues were obstacles they had to overcome. After pressing through these matters the group grew stronger and found a new hope in the Lord. That is what birth Hope of the Broken World. The CD opens with the song “On the Mountain” and the melodic blending vocals of Selah sparkle on each lyric they sing. The three time Dove Award winners southern gospel flavor really shine on the Dolly Parton classic ‘Coat of Many Colors” and on the sweet ballad “Moments Like These.” Selah gets to the heart of a song with ease, their rendition of the Whitney Houston “I Look to You” takes the soulful tune to a totally different level that is pure and easy. A really great and solid project is Hope and one that should be a favorite for fans of this group. Check the songs out for yourself at their website www.selahonline.com




Judith McAlister Sound the Trumpet
If you love the call and answer worship style and the power pack vocals of Judith Christie McAllister then you should love this latest CD. The fact that this project is more of the same that we know to be McAlister is my only real complaint about the CD. There really isn’t anything of difference on the entire package. However it is a solid CD and one her fans should enjoy. Opening with a live recording of the title track, McAllister calls on everyone to sound the alarm and “go to battle with praise on your lips” this is a commanding tune and opens the project up with a forceful worship right from the start. The Chris Tomlin classic “How Great Is Our God” is jazzed up and her strong vocals perk up the song tremendously. Her blend of “How Great Thou Art” with “How Great is Our God” makes the Tomlin version almost unrecognizable and to me was something that didn’t needed to be added to the tune. Although much of this rock-solid CD is really just more of the same for McAlister there are a few stands outs including the island flavored calypso sounding “Fire” featuring T.C. Bereal and the sweet acoustic ballad “Thank You for the Healing” featuring Markita Knight. The latter tune had me singing ‘you are good” all day after listening to it. Check out Sound the Trumpet for yourself at www.shanachie.com