Reviews

Southern Gospel Music Forum
RAY VESTER ~ I Cast My Bread Upon The Water
Artist: Ray Vester Project Title: I Cast My Bread Upon The Water Label: Independent Producers: Ray Vester
Ray Vester is someone that we have reviewed a few different times on this website. His latest effort is titled "I Cast My Bread Upon The Water" and it is another good effort from Ray.
The first song of the project is the title song of the project. "I Cast My Bread Upon The Water" is a familiar song in Gospel Music and I always enjoy hearing it again. When it comes to familiar and classic songs in Southern Gospel Music, it gets no more familiar than "Who Am I." I have always loved the message of this great song and the question that it asks. "God Delivers Again" is the next song on the project and this song does a wonderful reminding that God will deliver us from situations time after time. The next song on the project is a former number one song for Karen Peck and New River. It has been several years since I heard "Four Days Late." The song is still a great one and it was great to hear it again
"Come On In" picks up the tempo and reminds us that we can find rest in our Savior, Jesus Christ. Next on the project is a song titled "Out Of Bondage." It is a beautiful song with a tremendous message that will speak to the listener. Next up on the project is the upbeat song "Angels Step Back." The song talks of that day when we reach Heaven and what a great thought that is!
“Missed Opportunities" is the next song on the project and this is the second song on the project written by Ray. What a thought-provoking song and it talks of the times that we missed the opportunity to tell someone about Christ. It encourages us to always be faithful and bold in talking about Christ every time we are given a chance. Another favorite from a few years ago is next as Ray sings the classic "Shoutin' Time." That is always a fan favorite and I am guessing it will be a favorite of the listeners of this project too. "I Feel A Little Song Coming On" has long been a favorite of mine and I enjoyed Ray's version of this song too. A Carroll McGruder classic song is the next and Ray does a great job closing our this project with "I'm Going Home With Jesus."
As I said, we have reviewed a few of Ray Vester's projects over the years. This is probably the best one that I have heard to date. The song selection is good as it incorporates some known song, some classic songs and a couple of original songs. It also has a nice mix of up tempo and slower songs. My favorite songs from the project are "A Little Song Coming On," "Missed Opportunities" and "God Delivers Again." Ray has another good project here that will without a doubt make all his fans happy and perhaps get him a few more! You can get more information on Ray and information on ordering this project from Ray's website at www.rayvester.com.
Reviewed By: Scott Evans
Southern Gospel Music Forum
RAY VESTER ~ Free Indeed
Artist: Ray Vester Project Title: Free Indeed Label: Independent Producers: Ray Vester
The Southern Gospel Music Forum has been around for a few years and over those years we have met many new artists who have become regular features in our project reviews area. I am not exactly sure how many projects from Ray Vester have been reviewed by the various writers on the Southern Gospel Music Forum but it has been several. His latest project is another fine project that will be enjoyed many.
The project begins with an upbeat song “Free Indeed.” That song is also the title song for the project. “God Is Bigger Than All These Things” is the next song on the project and it slows things down as it reminds us that no matter what comes our way in life, God is bigger than that situation. “Everytime I See Your Face” is another upbeat song but it has a very touching message about God’s Grace. “Still Small Voice” give us a little bit different sound as it reminds us to always be listening for God’s still, small voice. The next song on the project is an upbeat song titled “I’m God’s Property.” It has a very good message reminding us that, as Christians, we are God’s property.
“Hide My Word In Your Heart” is a song that reminds us to hide God’s Word in our heart always. “I’m Not Giving Up Or Giving In” is a wonderful song that proclaims that no matter how hard life gets, we will not give up or give in. “Say I Do Reprise 2013” is the next song on the project and it is a remake of the great song “Say I Do” that I first remember hearing back in the 1970’s. It was great to hear that great old song again. “God Will Make A Way” is a song with a great truth. Many times as Christians, we tend to forget that God can and will make a way even when it looks impossible to us! The next song on the project is apparently a song about the tornado that ripped through Joplin, MO a couple of years ago. The song has a very good message about Jesus love, grace and mercy too! The title of the song is “Joplin Rises Again.”
“Daddy’s Feet” is an upbeat song that is next on the project and leads us right into “Home Where You Belong.” This song features Carol Chael and it is a unique song about coming back home to God. “The House Of The Lord” is another upbeat song from this project that the listener will enjoy. An old Rusty Goodman classic is next on the project as Ray sings “Had It Not Been.” It is a good version of that great song. The final song on the project is another familiar song! The title is “Look What The Lord Has Done” and this upbeat song is a great way to end this project.
As I said before, this project is not the first one that we have reviewed by Ray so we knew what to expect. Ray wrote or co-wrote eleven of the fifteen songs on the project and the entire project is very enjoyable. My favorite songs from the project are “I’m God’s Property,” “Say I Do Reprise 2013” and “God Will Make A Way.” The entire project has fifteen enjoyable songs and is exactly what we have come to expect from Ray Vester! You can get more information on Ray and information on ordering this project from Ray's website at www.rayvester.com.
Reviewed By: Scott Evans
Southern Gospel Music Forum
RAY VESTER ~ Southern Style
Artist: Ray Vester Project Title: Southern Style Label: Independent Producers: Ray Vester
We have written reviews on Ray Vester's music before here at the Southern Gospel Music Forum so we are not completely surprised by his music! The first thing we noticed about the project is that Ray wrote all twelve songs on the project. The first cut on the project is "Laugh Out Loud" and it takes a unique a different perspective on praising God but it is a true message and one you will enjoy. "What Would Jesus Do" is a song written around that popular phrase. It is a song with a great message reminding us to consider what Jesus would do in every situation we face. The next song in the project is "Right On Time" and it reminds us that God is always right on time for what we need. A quick glance at the liner notes tells us that Ray has had some rough times in the past years and that might explain the next song titled "Foreclosure Blues." The song reminds us simply that God is bigger than any problem we will face.
"Heavenly Minded" picks up the tempo quite a bit and this fast paced song will become a favorite. "Salute" is a song dedicated to the Veterans including a couple of Ray's relatives. The song is a wonderful song that does a great job of honoring out Veterans. The next song is titled "Jesus Was A Mountain Man" and this song leads us right into a song titled "Have A Little Faith." I always love a song about Faith in God and this song reminds us that we need to have some Faith to get through each day and each trial in life.
"Get Up" picks up the pace once again and the song encourages up to get up and Praise the Lord! It's a great message and something we should all strive to do. The next song on the project is "The Good News." The song is a reminder that no matter what all of the bad news is that we are constantly reminds us, Jesus is the Good News! With a title like "Patience" I figured the next song on the project had to be a good one. The message is very good. The final song on the project is "Rock On For Jesus Southern Style" and this upbeat song is a great way to end the project.
Ray has a good project here that will bless you. The project includes a good mix of songs in both style and tempo. The messages also vary from song to song and there is no doubt that anyone who listens will find a message to bless them. My favorite songs on the project are "Get Up," "Heavenly Minded" and "Have A Little Faith." You can get more information on Ray and information on ordering this project from Ray's website at www.rayvester.com.
Reviewed By: Abigail Wingate
Southern Gospel Music Forum
RAY VESTER ~ BACK AGAIN
3R1 MUSIC GROUP ~ PRODUCED BY: RAY VESTER
Singer and songwriter Ray Vester sent us a project for review a while back and it's chocked full of ten terrific songs and Ray had a hand in writing all of them!
TAKE THAT FINAL FLIGHT is a great song! It's upbeat and it talks of that day that we TAKE THAT FINAL FLIGHT to see Jesus! BACK AGAIN is a great song of rededication. DAD'S AT HOME WITH JESUS is a tribute to Ray's father who, according to the liner notes, passed away in 1999.
THE WELL OF LIVING WATER picks up the pace once again and it's an enjoyable, upbeat song! THE GREAT I AM slows it down again and is a great song of worship. The next two songs were co-written by Ray and his mom. The liner notes also revealed Ray's mom passed away in 2003. REJOICE IN HIS LOVE is a great song that I had a nice time listening too. JESUS IS MY EVERYTHING is a song that you can tell is a good one just by the title! It does not disappoint, the song is terrific.
GONNA BE JOY is a song that Ray does a great job on but the song sounds like a quartet song! I would love to hear one of today's Southern Gospel Quartet's record this song! THE GREATEST GIFT is the next song and it sends us right into the final song on the project. WHEN JESUS RIDES ON THE CLOUDS is a flat out barn burner! It's a great ending to this project and of course helps all Christians look forward to that great day when Jesus comes back to get His Saints.
Ray is, without question, a very talented guy. He is a good singer and a terrific songwriter. All ten songs on this project are lyrically strong and well produced. My favorite songs from the project are TAKE THAT FINAL FLIGHT, REJOICE IN HIS LOVE and THE GREAT I AM. I must admit that I am not real familiar with the music of Ray Vester but I am impressed with this project and have no problems recommending it to our readers! For more information on Ray, visit www.rayvester.com.
Written by: Scott Evans