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Group Name: Providence Road
Website: www.providenceroadmusic.com
Album Title: Self-Titled
Song Titles:
1. If You Believe
2. Mountain Mover
3. Sustainer Of My Soul
4. When We All Get To Heaven with When The Roll Is Called Up Yonder
5. How Long Has It Been
6. Were You There
7. It Changes Everything
8. I Just Heard From Heaven
9. Let Some Drops Fall On Me
10. Hold On
11. ‘Til The Storm Passes By 

Providence Road is something that you don’t see much of in Southern Gospel these days- a ladies’ trio.  The group is based out of Nashville, TN, and consists of the following members: Laura Sue Brod, Christy Grant, and Lindsay Huggins.  It is also worth noting that Laura Sue Brod is the granddaughter of the great Mosie Lister.

This self-titled album is the group’s debut album.  All of the songs were written by either Mosie Lister or Barbara Lister Williams, Mosie’s daughter and Laura Sue’s mother.  The album cover is simply a picture of a road with the group name on the front.  I personally would have included a group photo somewhere.  Unless they’re purchasing the album after a group concert so that they know what kind of group is on the album, it’s going to be hard for people who have never heard of Providence Road to know what kind of group they’re going to be listening to before they purchase the album. 

Now, let’s take a look at each of the songs on the album.

The album starts off smooth, medium-tempo song called “If You Believe”.  This song has a slightly jazzy feel to it, featuring only a piano and a drum in the arrangement.  The tempo speeds up a little bit for the second song, “Mountain Mover”.  This is not the same song that has been made famous by the Talleys.  Rather, it’s more of a country-styled song that carries the same message as the Talleys’ song.  Song #3 is a slower ballad entitled “Sustainer Of My Soul”.  This is a smooth and beautiful song that has a hint of an Irish feel to it.  The flute and piano accompaniment fits perfectly.  Next up is a short, a cappella medley of two much-loved hymns: “When We All Get To Heaven” and “When The Roll Is Called Up Yonder”.  A cappella singing, to me, is the true test of a group’s vocals, blend, etc., and these ladies pass this test with flying colors.  Their voices are clear and true.

The fifth song is the familiar slower hymn, “How Long Has It Been”.  Most of the song is done solo, but the group sound shows up with just over a minute left.  This is a very nice arrangement, in my opinion.  Song #6 is an up-tempo, bluegrass-style song called “Were You There”.  This is the first true “barn burner” on the album, and this style fits these ladies almost perfectly.  It immediately ranks among my favorites from this album.  Next up is a slower ballad called “It Changes Everything”.  This is the group’s first radio release, and I anticipate a good response from listeners.  This song has a simple string arrangement that gives it somewhat of a country sound.  This leads into another jazzy, medium-tempo song called “I Just Heard From Heaven”. 

Song #9, “Let Some Drops Fall On Me”, speeds the tempo up once again.  This song has a traditional Southern Gospel sound to it that I think will catch peoples’ attention immediately.  This might be one to consider for a later radio release.  The tenth song is another a cappella offering, “Hold On”.  This classic song is performed flawlessly by these ladies, but there is one thing I would have changed.  I would have sped up the tempo just a bit to avoid possible “dragging”.  Finally the album closes with the ever-popular “’Til The Storm Passes By”. 

The first thing that hits you as you listen to this album is the very simple accompaniment used on each song.  In a day where large amounts of orchestration are the norm on most albums, this simpler approach is very refreshing.  Also, the vocals produced by these ladies are spot on.  Each of them has a clear, pleasant tone and knows how to sing within their range.  The only thing I noticed was that, at times, the highest soprano part was a bit hot in the mix.  This is fine if she has the lead vocals, but should be toned down just a bit when she doesn’t.  Other than that, you’d be hard-pressed to find better vocals from a ladies’ trio.  Overall, I would give this album a 9 out of a possible 10 microphones!

Favorites: “When We All Get To Heaven with When The Roll Is Called Up Yonder”, “Were You There”, and “Let Some Drops Fall On Me”