He'll Stay With You

The last few months of 2002 were especially busy for the Twin Towers of E&J and Voyage Records.  With four different releases hitting from the beginning of December to the end of the year the quartet industry is still yet to realize the impact that these projects will make.  Presented in this review is by all means a group to watch in the year of 2003.  After making a cameo appearance on The Cantons Spirituals "Walking By Faith" release Rev. Roney Strong has now returned to the quartet scene with The Sensational Strong Family.  I must say as a disclaimer though, please don't let the "Family" name fool you, this project is straight up quartet. 

Before presenting this brief review we must speak about the releases that come from the Voyage and E&J camps.  While the vocals and harmonies are great, the production on each and every CD and group is superb. Even the most critical listener is hard pressed to find production flaws.  In terms of this CD, the project's sound has that patented Earl Myles production touch that literally makes everything shine like gold. 

Unlike many of the CDs reviewed here at Gloryland Gospel, this CD is not really a variety of contemporary and traditional sounds.  Rev. Roney Strong is a down home hard hitting preacher and singer and that's just what he does on this CD.  In fact the title cut is actually a two part sermonette in which Rev. Strong relays a intresting story about a bus of sinners at heaven's gate.  This one is definitely a must hear for those who enjoy stories in song and sermonettes.  In terms of influence and sound it would seem that Rev. Strong is the long lost brother of Rev. L.W. Bolton of the Bolton Brothers.  At times his hanging phrases, and vocal slurs are almost identical to the Bolton's lead man. 

This project comes complete with quartet drive songs like "Lord Help Me" which is a clever arrangement of the long time quartet favorite "Help Me To Hold Out" and "Come See About Me".  In terms of favorites I would have to go with "Come See About Me".  It has some really clever guitar licks that will remind you of the Sons of Wonder sound.  In terms of those infamous quartet tear jerkers, I would have to go with "Something Within".  This song is just straight up smooth.  Rev. Strong shows off his down home pipes in perfect fashion both on this selection and throughout the project.  On the actual CD this track is #4 and by this time the listener has already had some serious church. On this track you can really hear the smooth harmony of The Strong Family that really shines through especially on their slower numbers.  However, I do have to say they are one of the few group's that seem to have really tight harmony even on the faster "Drive" numbers.