The Josh Martin Band: Alive 2005. Recorded at the Pleasureville Baptist Church, Pleasureville, KY. Band members: Josh Martin (lead vocals and rhythm guitar), Bert Lace (rhythm guitar), Doug Dearinger (lead guitar), Kelly Briscoe (piano and vocals), Derek Hughes (bass guitar and vocals), Andrew Dodson (drums and percussion). Contact at http://www.thejoshmartinband.com .
I will be honest: I am not a big fan of the normal fare of praise and worship music. To me, most of it is neither biblically nor musically stimulating. Much of it, I feel, tries to get me into some sort of pseudo-spiritual state rather than feeding my mind and soul with substantial nourishment.
Enter The Josh Martin Band’s Alive 2005. I’ve known Josh since I served as his minister of music at Pleasureville Baptist Church from 1995-1998. His passion for solid, biblical lyrics with a dynamite talent and a desire to lead a band that was not just committed to music but to the Word of God really spoke volumes to me. During one of his concerts here at Boone’s Creek, he noted that “when selecting band members, I wanted men playing on Sunday whom I didn’t have to worry about where they were on Saturday night.” This is a man after God’s own heart!
The Alive 2005 CD demonstrates a humility on Josh’s part as well as wonderful musicality and blend on the part of the band members. Live performances often expose the weaknesses of the band as a whole and, to a degree, the weaknesses of the individual members. This live performance exposes their strengths — and they are many. Silky smooth vocals, tight harmonies, and well-grounded bass and a terrific timekeeper — add all that together, and you will have a wonderful worship experience in the Lord. Quality music that does not hinder but actually enhances the lyrics.
In this CD, you will have popular quality praise choruses coupled with some of Josh’s original songs. The styles range from Southern Gospel and Rockabilly to Classic Rock style.
As I mentioned earlier, I do not normally listen to CDs of the P&W genre — but I listen to this CD almost daily (no exaggeration). Not only because I am fed spiritually and musically — but also because I know the man who fronts this band.
Log on to his website for more information about Josh and the band.
[...] Pastor Matt Perry of Boone’s Creek Baptist Church has put a short review of JMB’s Alive 2005 on his blog. Cool beans. Thanks Matt! [...]