CD Review: Point Of Grace – Directions Home

by | Apr 16, 2015 | CD Reviews, Reviews

point-of-grace---directions-homeProduced by: Andy Leftwich and Point Of Grace (except “Something In The Water” produced by Andy Leftwich, Stuart Dill and Point Of Grace and “The Climb” produced by Roger Ryan, Andy Leftwich and Point Of Grace)
Label: Curb Records
Website: www.pointofgrace.net
Rating: 4 1/2 Stars (scale of 1-5 Stars)

SONG TITLES: A Life That’s Good, Only Love, Directions Home (featuring Vince Gill), Something In The Water, Friend Of a Wounded Heart, Lord I Need You, Home, You’re Gonna Miss This, Two Roads (featuring Ricky Skaggs), The Climb

Aside from their Christmas holiday recordings, Point Of Grace’s past CDs have all been noted for introducing fresh, previously unheard music. It’s worked out nicely for them, too. They have 16 number one songs to their credit. Seven of their albums are certified gold sellers including two that went on to be certified platinum.

The subtitle for Directions Home is “Songs We Love, Songs You Know” to show that this new recording by Point Of Grace is a collection of cover songs, the title track being the only exception. The songs they’re covering come from diverse backgrounds, though, so I don’t know that the “songs you know” part of the subtitle will ring true for everyone. (Click HERE to review Kyle Boreing’s rant on subtitles from a few weeks ago.)

To co-produce Directions Home, Point Of Grace enlisted 20-something-year-old fiddler Andy Leftwich who plays in Ricky Skaggs’ band, Kentucky Thunder. Leftwich’s fiddle and/or mandolin can be heard on most of the tracks along with some of the best musicians Nashville has to offer. The result is a CD full of songs performed in a style that would sound right at home on a modern Southern Gospel playlist, even though the source material is completely drawn from other genres.

One of the big highlights is the only new song on the CD. “Directions Home” is written by Stephanie Chapman and features a guest vocal by Vince Gill. Lines like “I left you a trail of tears, ’cause I figured after all these years, you might need directions home” effectively paint the picture of a lost love returning. Directions Home also includes an excellent version of Carrie Underwood’s recent smash hit, “Something In The Water.” I prefer this one to Underwood’s version, in fact, but I question the decision by Curb Records to release it as the first radio single from this CD when Underwood’s version is still so fresh in everyone’s mind. They should have released the new title track instead.

The remake of Wayne Watson’s 1989 Dove Award winning Song Of The Year, “Friend Of A Wounded Heart” is another major highlight. This classic has lain forgotten on the shelf for way too long. It was refreshing to be reminded of lines like “Jesus, He meets you where you are. Jesus, He heals your secret scars.”

Point Of Grace has recorded what is now my favorite version of “Lord, I Need You,” originally released by Matt Maher. This song has stood out when I’ve reviewed it in choral anthem form in recent months, but it’s Point Of Grace’s harmony combined with a roots-based instrumentation that has elevated it to “favorite” status.

“Two Roads” is a bit of a diversion with an opening narration by Ricky Skaggs and an arrangement consisting of repetitive instrument loops with vocals and solo instrument lines layered on top. It’s not so far removed in style that it feels like it doesn’t belong, but it does provide quite a contrast to the closer, a remake of Miley Cyrus’ “The Climb.” A series of a cappella harmonies sets the tone for the song’s intro, then a simple piano is added for a foundation. That distinctive harmony that has always set Point Of Grace apart has never sounded better than it does here with just a piano. In a sad twist, this new version of “The Climb” reminds us that Cyrus’ fame is no longer based on singing wholesome lyrics like this.

Production and vocal quality on Directions Home exceeds the vast majority of the CDs I typically review here at MusicScribe. In terms of song selection, Directions Home is very good, but I’d contend that it could have been even better. There were no tracks that I disliked in particular, but not all rose quite to the level of the titles I’ve highlighted in this review. One or two more almost-forgotten CCM classics like “Friend Of A Wounded Heart” would have cemented Directions Home in place as a truly exceptional collection. (Steve Green’s “Find Us Faithful” and Harvest’s “Send Us To The World” are two that immediately come to mind.)

With that being said, Directions Home is still one of the best CDs I’ve reviewed lately, and I strongly recommend that my Southern Gospel friends give it a chance. Don’t immediately dismiss Point Of Grace just because they’ve had success in the past as a CCM artist (“one of them”). They deserve consideration when you are ready to buy Southern Gospel music, because that’s precisely what they’ve just recorded.

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David Bruce Murray

David Bruce Murray

David Bruce Murray is a church music director in Ellenboro, NC. He is the author of Murray's Encyclopedia Of Southern Gospel Music and the owner of both SGHistory.com and MusicScribe.com.

2 Comments

  1. Jackie

    I’ve always liked and listened to POG since the 90’s. This review sounds good and I will check it out. Thanks.
    There is a lot of great music out there. I never pay attention so much to genre anyway. I take great music wherever I find it. But I also know there are those who don’t. Their loss.

    Reply
  2. Diana Brantley

    I’m going to take your suggestion and try this CD, David!!

    Reply

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