He Put the Color in the Rose

If it seems a bit incongruous to find "pass the grass" on the back of a new CD by a group whose members sing songs like "I'll Be a Friend to Jesus," that's probably because it is. The "grass" in question, however, is bluegrass, not the kind you smoke, and the joke's a good one. The Village Singers, while borrowing a number of instruments from bluegrass, are much closer to traditional Southern gospel. Harold Goad, Kathie Goad, Warren Goad, and Shirley Vaughn Lichtenberg are a well-integrated group, capable of multifaceted vocal arrangements that sound fresh and lively. Three of the members sing lead, but it's the vocal harmonies that really bring songs like "We Are Climbing" and "Just Over in the Glory Land" home. The talents of the various singers, from baritone to tenor, also provide a good bit of elasticity that gives the material variety. The arrangements have been filled out by a number of supporting players, including fiddlers Shad Cobb and Glen Duncan and mandolinist Bobby Osborne. The set list is a winner, too, including gospel classics like "Will There Be Any Stars in My Crown" and "One Day at a Time." For fans of authentic gospel lovingly performed, the Village Singers' He Put the Color in the Rose is the real deal. ~ Ronnie D. Lankford, Jr., Rovi