This month's CD review literally needs no introduction.  However, a few words will suffice to get us in the mood for talking.  After a long three year hiatus from the recording scene the Canton Spirituals have returned with their third release for the Verity record label.  The major question for all Canton fans was can Harvey and the fellas do it again with this new release.  While we will leave it up to you to answer that question, much can be said about the individual selections on this release. 

From the opening strum of the guitar on the classic Canton sounding drive selection "I Feel The Spirit" the listener knows without a doubt the Canton sound is back in full force.  Their patented low key background style is in full force as Harvey leads the group higher and higher with each run.  By the time the Cantons enter into the actual drive of the song Harvey is literally waiting for the group to catch him.  Talk about a way to open a CD!!  The project then changes style slightly with one of the five Dwayne lead selections "Home Church".  It is with this selection that one notices the various combinations of background vocals.  In fact throughout the project literally every selection has a different background combination.  This selection tells of the splendor and joy of returning to one's roots.  The song is good but lacks the Spiritual depth that many of the other selections enjoy. 

The project then shifts back to the classic Canton sound with one of my favorites "Church Is Gonna Make It".  In the tradition of "Hello Mother", and "I Want You To Move" this bluesy mid-tempo selection is filled with scriptural implications literally telling in song the entire conversation between Jesus and Peter in the famed passage found in Matthew 16:13-18.  Of course Harvey adds some clever twists and turns to really drive the selection into a deeper groove.  This song is sure to be a fan favorite in "Live" concert.  Harvey then breaks things down with the beautiful hymn "Softly And Tenderly".  This song showcases the Cantons beautiful harmonies and shows why they are one of the top ballad singing groups in the Country today.  Harvey's always spirited lead voice is once again at the helm leading his group through this selection that literally builds with each reading of the chorus.  By the end of the selection it's clear that Harvey's  feeling the power of the Holy Spirit and makes no effort to quench it's movement. 

Once again the Cantons return to the Bible as they put in song II Timothy 2:15 with the selection entitled "Show Ourselves Approved".  This song finds Dwayne Watkins on lead with probably his best effort on the project.  The song has a powerful message and Dwayne weaves his way through this call to Christian commitment perfectly.  When listening to this selection pay close attention to the vamp where the group says "Study the word, read it now".  You will notice the similarity to "Come On Down" from the Cantons Live Experience 1999 release.  "Never let Go" brings in the first set of guest vocalists on this project with two Legends in their own right Genobia Jeter and Glen Jones.  Many will remember Genobia Jeter as the great anchor to the background vocals with the late Rev. Julius "June" Cheeks.  As for Glen Jones he fronted one of the hottest groups on the road during the 1980s Glen Jones & The Modulations.  While both have spent time in the secular field this project finds them both back with their roots.  The selection is decent but seems to be a little to progressive for the Cantons and is a stark contrast to many of the more traditional Canton sounding songs on the project.

Other songs of note on this project include the beautiful ballads "Stand On His Word" and "Redeemed", and also the serious drive selection "Satisfied".  While "Stand On His Word" could literally be called "He's There All The Time" part 2, "Redeemed" brings something a little different to the table.  This selection closes the project out and really finds Harvey and guest lead vocalist Rev. Roney Strong testifin' in heart wrenching fashion.  In fact the song literally ends with Harvey praisin' God causing the listener to search the CD for more to the song.  As was aforementioned "Satisfied" is nothing short of a serious drive song.  In classic Canton fashion this song builds from a somewhat country sounding mid-tempo drag to no holds bared killer drive song tempo.  Harvey leads the group through various dips and dives until it's finally time to really drive the selection to Billboard standards which is exactly where it will probably be.  

While literally every selection could be mentioned we would be remised to end this review without speaking about two selections that really introduce some new sounds for the Cantons on this project.  The two selections that definitely fit into that category are "Been Good" and "Holy Ghost Guitar". "Been Good" sounds like something that would be more suitable for the Blind Boys of Alabama's Grammy winning project "Spirit of The Century".  This selection has all the makings of a Blues hit yet the premise and words are spiritual in character.  In fact it seems to grow on the listener with each return to it.  The song is sung in classic 1970s Canton fashion and probably would have been much better without the harmonica throughout.  All criticism aside this is a good selection with a unique style.  On the other end of the spectrum is "Holy Ghost Guitar".  This selection seems to cross into near Rock & Roll territory for the Cantons.  This song is literally like nothing Canton fans have ever heard.  In fact this is one of those songs you just have to hear for yourself.