I Feel Like Traveling On
Mercy's Heart
Producer: Ron Papizan, Monty Milikin, and Mark Balzinger
Song Titles: "I Feel Like Traveling On," "I'm Going Higher," "He Went All The Way," "He's My Everything," "Mercy Meet Me (sic)," "I Feel His Promise," "Give The Bible A Try," "Build On Jesus," "When We Meet With The Saints," "You'll Never Thirst Again," and "I Am Home"
Very good production quality and an overall upbeat feel combine to make I Feel Like Traveling On by Mercy's Heart a fun CD. Even though this CD isn't released with the backing of a record label, they've used recognizable studio players like Danny Crawford and David Johnson to achieve a good sound. The vocals on I Feel Like Traveling On are mixed more like a soloist with two background singers. They have a good balance of expression and blend.
If concerts by Mercy's Heart are as energetic and uptempo as this CD would indicate, they must have some amazing energy. Of the first nine tracks, "He Went All The Way" and "Mercy Met Me" are the only non-barn burners, but I'd still call them medium tempo. They finally catch their breath with slower songs on tracks 10 and 11. The CD could have had more variety in terms of pacing if those two tunes had been positioned earlier, but at the same time, it's always nice to end on a more reflective number.
We get a nice dose of originality as well. Nine of the 11 tunes are written by group baritone and co-producer Monty Milikin . His songwriting skills are good, but a few more lyrical hooks would help each tune stand on its own more. I would probably have enjoyed this CD even more if they had used two or three songs from different writers just for the sake of variety.
Overall, I enjoyed listening to this CD and appreciated the uplifting melodies. To be an independently produced product, it has an excellent sound.
Rating: 3 1/2 Stars--- David Bruce Murray