Liberty “It’s All About Grace” Album Review

Prime Cuts: Cornerstone, 'Til Mercy Sang, He Hears a Whisper

There are two ways an artist can approach recording an album.  They can superimpose their patented template of sound onto each song so that each song bears their own distinctive imprint.  Or they can treat each song as a living entity imbued with its own individuality and character.  Rather, than approaching the song with a preconceived sound, they take the time to get to know the song. Then they creatively don each song with musical garments tailor-made just for each song.  The latter is the appoach taken by Liberty or better known as the Liberty Quartet.  As a result, each of these 12 songs on their new album "It's All About Grace" bears their own distinctive identity and sound, never creating a soporific moment.

Liberty is a Gospel group based in the West with a full-time concert schedule. The members of Liberty are Royce Mitchell, bass; Philip Batton, tenor; Doug Wiley, lead/baritone; and Paul Ellis, baritone/lead. Liberty averages 50,000 to 70,000 miles a year, ministering in up to 150 performances for church services, nursing homes, prisons, and other ministries. They also sing at large conventions including Southwest Gospel Music Festival, Great Western Southern Gospel Fan Festival, and the Gospel Music Fan Festival in Canada. 

Diversity is definitely the trademark of this new record. Fans who love the rich layered harmony quartet sound will adore the traditional leaning "I Need a Drink" which is features some river-gushing-like piano riffs as an added bonus.  Those who love big ballads that come with those beautiful cinematic-sounding strings will love Liberty's tribute to Lari Goss, "Cornerstone." Taken at a slightly more accelerated country waltz pace before breaking into a bombastic chorus is "Come Home to Jesus," a modern re-telling of Jesus' Parable of the Prodigal Son.  Never forgetting to sing about the Cross of Jesus, a staple theme across all of Liberty's records, is the pensive "Til Mercy Sang."  

Unlike some Christian groups that are more out to entertain than to minister, Liberty has always ensured their every song speak to our life's circumstances.  Most touching in this regard is the album closer "He Hears a Whisper."  For those of us who sometimes wonder if God really cares about our tears and broken hearts, "He Hears a Whisper" gently puts such doubts to rest. Yet, not all is perfect, the title track "It's All About Grace" is a tad too over-produced giving the feeling that every element of the song tries to outdo each other in volume.  While "Rest in Me My Child" sounds a little too plebeian.

Nevertheless, this album is a labor of love.  Liberty has taken the time to live and love each song. The album shows that they have understood and articulated well the nuances of each song with large doses of empathy and care.   

 

 

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