Reviewed by Dave Brassington

For some years now Jeff and Sheri have been regular members of the Gaither Homecoming entourage, adding some down home country and bluegrass style to their shows. The duo come from the heartland of country music, indeed Sheri is the daughter of one of the Lewis family sisters, a stellar act in gospel bluegrass music over many years. Often known for some fast paced and lively music, the Easters, on this album, offer new material of a more reflective style than I expected. Some of it is more mainstream country with steel guitar fiddle and dobro and no five string banjo in earshot. The lively opener "A Little Bit Of Sunshine" gets the album off to a good start. All 12 tracks have strong lyrics but for me there are two standouts, the moving "I Wonder If He Ever Cries" which points directly to the suffering of Jesus on the cross and the very reflective "There Is A Purpose". Members of the growing Easter family guest on this project. "I Wonder If He Ever Cries" features one of their daughters on lead vocal, and a fine job she does but I can't tell you which one as the sleeve notes give no details. There is one downside to all the family involvement. Jeff and Sheri fall into a trap others in a similar situation have tumbled into by featuring a bad family choice - albeit a small one! In this case it's a grandchild who gives us a rather painful "Keep On The Sunny Side" as an intro to the final track "A Good Old Gospel Song", an indulgence that rather spoils an otherwise fine album.

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

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