Shine Where You Live
3 For 1
Rating: 4 1/2 STARS
Label: Crossroads
Producer: Scott Barnett, Brad Hudson, Holly Blanton, and Jim Leonard
Website: www.3for1.com and www.crossroadsmusic.com
Song Titles: “I Will Carry On This Way,” “What Mercy Saw,” “Matter Of Time,” “1+2+3,” “Dreams Come True,” “It’s Almost Time To Fly,” “Did It Ever Occur To You?,” “He Is There,” “The Cross Love Chose To Bear,” “I’ve Got An Old Time Religion,” and “Grace”
Rating: 4 stars
3 For 1 offers a progressive Southern Gospel sound on their latest release, Shine Where You Live. Styles range from a light pop feel ("I Will Carry On This Way"), to inspirational anthems ("What Mercy Saw"), to a touch of country ("Matter Of Time") . . . and that’s just the first three tracks. With one exception, the remaining eight tracks generally fall into those categories.
“1+2+3” continues in the country/pop vein, and has one of the more interesting lyrics on this recording. Call it “gospel math” . . . “One man, two wooden beams. Three nails now and eternally leaves forgiveness times infinity. One plus two plus three equals love to me.” On “Dreams Come True,” Holly Blanton‘s sweet voice comes across to me as a less gritty version of Joyce Martin McCollough. Her smooth country quality suits this song perfectly. “It’s Almost Time To Fly” has a more driving beat and some nice trio harmonies. It’s my favorite uptempo tune on this CD. Next we take a nostaligic turn on “Did It Ever Occur To You?” There’s a western swing feel going on there.
“He Is There” is a bit of a stylistic departure from the rest of the CD. They’re attempting a Motown feel with a Rhodes piano and Hammond organ coming thru in the accompaniment, but it’s not quite as convincing as their country influenced styles. A more soulful sound in the vocals would have sold the song better. “I’ve Got An Old Time Religion” is a more or less typical Southern Gospel medium tempo tune with guitar and piano fills complimenting the vocals. The remaining two songs (tracks 9 and 11) are slower numbers. “The Cross Love Chose To Bear” starts soft and builds up in a typical inspirational style. “Grace” is particularly well written and performed expressively with Blanton singing the melody. It’s a great closing tune for the CD.
One other aspect of this project that deserves a mention is the artwork. The cover features interesting photographs of each trio member holding a tealight candle and shadows crossing their faces. The tray card has an image of the Americas superimposed over what looks like a steel marble. I’m not all that crazy about the blurred two panel photo inside the CD booklet, but there’s another shot of the trio on the back of the CD booklet that’s in keeping with the candles and shadow theme. 3 For 1 has always had interesting artwork on their CDs and in their marketing materials, and Shine Where You Live is no exception. More importantly, the graphic design work appropriately suits the style of their music (although it almost looks like a Christmas CD if you just glance at the cover).
by David Bruce Murray