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Troy Sneed

Emtro Records (2012)

By Bob Marovich for The Black Gospel Blog.

If, to paraphrase the subtitle of Anthony Heilbut’s The Gospel Sound, gospel music is good news in bad times, Troy Sneed’s All Is Well fits the definition.

Snuggled in on Sneed’s new album, among a handful of songs expressing praise and gratitude, are poignant and relevant gospels that search for answers to today’s pressing problems.  On the title track, Sneed tells of his own confrontation with bad times and reminds listeners that to find the good news, they need to “give it all to Jesus.”  On the current single, “Lay It Down,” Sneed recommends laying problems “at the feet of Jesus.”  While the ubiquitous James Fortune interjects in assent, Sneed expresses his inner search in the prayerful, “I Know You Hear Me.”

The Grammy-nominated Sneed is one of the most consistent gospel singers around.  Not a histrionic singer by any stretch—the finest arrow in his quiver is an impressive soaring falsetto—Sneed croons troubles over.  Although he wrote the title track, he relies on a stable of songwriters to fill out his album.  Producer James Johnson, who delivers a crisp product, is among the songwriters.  An especially fine contribution from him is “God Will Show Up.” It is a Sunday song about faith and belief with the timeless quality of a contemporary hymn by Donald Lawrence.

Dr. Leonard Scott’s “Bless the Lord,” a tuneful praise song with jazz in its DNA, is blessed by the brassy work of Mo’ Horns.  Give me real horns over synthetically produced brass on a keyboard any day.

With relevant lyrics and a Sunshine State breeziness, it’s hard to find anything to not like about Troy Sneed’s All Is Well.  All is well, indeed.

Picks: “Lay It Down,” “God Will Show Up.” 

2012-09-25 21:25:17

Source: http://www.theblackgospelblog.com/2012/09/troy-sneed-all-is-well.html