Search - Randy Travis :: Rise & Shine

One of Randy Travis' best albums

Rob Houser | Suwanee, GA USA | 04/22/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is a great CD if you like Country music, Christian music, and Randy Travis' distinctive bass voice. Is is melodramtic? You bet. Is it somewhat formula country? Probably. But do the songs sound great when Randy sings them and despite their melodrama do they tug at your heart a little and lift your soul--absolutely! Whether he's being serious as in When Mama Prayed; inspirtational as in Raise Him Up; or funny as in Pray for the Fish--you'll find Randy's take on a gospel album successful because the songs are perfect for his voice and style. Unlike many secular artists who make spiritual albums, Randy's sacred music reflects his well-known strengths as a musician while still being theologically sound. You can truly use this CD as part of your personal worship.The production on this CD is great. They use minimal and simple instruments and keep Randy's voice at the forefront. In my opinion, it's one of his best albums, including his secular music.If you're trying to decide between Rise and Shine versus his other spiritual album, Inspirational Journey, I'd go with Rise and Shine as the first pick."

Truly Inspiratonal

Linda Webb | Carrollton, TX USA | 11/07/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Truly Inspirational
"Rise and shine"
(Randy Travis)
This, the second gospel release from Randy Travis, his follow-up to "inspirational Journey", released in October of 2000, I found to personally be 'truly inspirational.
I feel it even goes "beyond" the Journey with its variety of offerings.From uptempo to the ballad of gospel, from the serious to the lighthearted, "Rise and Shine" offers something for everybody. With story lines of Three Wooden Crosses that tell a story of a teacher, preacher, farmer and hooker to "When Mama Prayed" telling how much prayer can do in the lives of those who do, you can't help but feel the true-to-life feeling these songs convey.From the serious side of "Jerusalem's Cry" and "Raise Him Up" which are focused on scripture, to the light-hearted "pray for the Fish," a story about a guy who is about to be baptized and the towns folk even bet on whether his soul will ever come clean adds various dimensions of musical talent and lyrics to this CD.Let it also be said the musical styles very from what Randy has himself termed as bar room gospel with the sounds of "I'M REady" to the bluesy sound of "Valley of Pain" and those of the gospel sounds of "That's Jesus."Even with the various musical styles, lyrics, etc., the one thing that remained constant was the artist himself who, I felt, put forth his heart and soul in his work delivering the message of each song as only he could deliver it. It truly is one of Randy's best works ever, if not the best and there is not one song on there that I feel doesn't say something to someone. ."

Excells 5 stars

Dolores Guyer | King George, Va USA | 10/19/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Randy seems to have found peace and gradification in the country gospel arena. His first offering "Inspirational Journey" introduced us to a side of Randy that had been hinted at now and then,throughout his country releases. Now with "Rise And Shine" the whole of Randy's soul is exposed.This is one stunning collection. A compilation of country-gospel offerings that weaves a tapestry of humanity in all its manifestations. From the joy in "Iam Ready" to the inner conflicts of "Valley Of Pain" The worry of parenthood with "Mama Prayed" The beautiful, but gut wrenching bedside farewell of a beloved grandfather,in "If You Only Knew". "Three Wooden Crosses" is a story of God's grace and ultimate blessings.This disc has a good mixture of uptempo tunes, as well as the heart wrending ballads, that Randy excells at. This is an album of sheer delight and enjoyment. Every choice here is steller, both in it's vocals, as well as the production. Be it country or gospel that you prefer, this will more than satisfy either appetite."