| The On-Line Music Review & Information Ministry |
| Randy Travis |
|
1. Three Wooden Crosses
2. Four Walls
3. Angels
4. Just A Closer Walk With Thee
5. In The Garden
6. Faith In You
7. Love Lifted Me
8. Blessed Assurance
9. Softly and Tenderly
10. Raise Him Up
2. Four Walls
3. Angels
4. Just A Closer Walk With Thee
5. In The Garden
6. Faith In You
7. Love Lifted Me
8. Blessed Assurance
9. Softly and Tenderly
10. Raise Him Up
Three Wooden Crosses: The Inspirational Hits ...
[Release Date: March 17, 2009] (Word Records)
Track Listing:
Track Listing:
11. He's My Rock, My Sword, My Shield
12. Sweet By and By
13. Everywhere We Go
14. Rise and Shine
15. Were You There?
16. He's Got The Whole World In His Hands
17. Shall We Gather At The River
18. Pray For The Fish
19. Swing Down Chariot
20. Will The Circle Be Unbroken?
12. Sweet By and By
13. Everywhere We Go
14. Rise and Shine
15. Were You There?
16. He's Got The Whole World In His Hands
17. Shall We Gather At The River
18. Pray For The Fish
19. Swing Down Chariot
20. Will The Circle Be Unbroken?
 | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  |
3.7 out of 4
2.2 out of 3
1.8 out of 2
1.0 out of 1
8.7 out of 10
Message
Music
Production
Creativity
Overall Score
| 87% B+ |
Randy Travis certainly has one of the most unique voices in all of music. His low
trademark baritone voice is recognizable to both Christian and country music fans alike.
Since 2000, Travis has released 5 faith-based albums (if you want to call them that) and
his latest release, Three Wooden Crosses really goes to showcase all of the songs that
Travis has brought forth in the last decade while on Word Records.
No one song on this release is probably more recognized then the title track, “Three
Wooden Crosses”. The song which chronicles the journey of four people heading in
different directions in life on a bus one night, end in tragedy when their bus collides with
an 18-wheeler. The farmer, teacher and preacher are killed in the accident, but before
dying, the preacher hands the fourth rider, a hooker, his blood-stained Bible. The hooker
goes onto to read the Bible to her son, who later becomes a preacher himself who tells
the story to his congregation one Sunday morning. I think this song is probably one of
the most impressive testimonial songs that I have ever heard. Even with its country
twange, the story told is a powerful one that I think can be used to show how God uses
people even in the worst of situations to give someone else a second chance to get their
life turned around. The lyrics are simple, but powerful in reminding us of God’s love,
mercy and patience with us.
“There are three wooden crosses on right side of the highway / Why there’s not four of
them heaven only knows / I guess it’s not what you take when you leave this world
behind / It’s what you leave behind you when you go”
I think one type of song that Travis consistently does well is the hymn covers. There
are several on here, most coming from his 2005 release, Glory Train. “Just a Closer
Walk with Thee”, Softly and Tenderly”, “Sweet By and By” & “Shall We Gather at the
River”.
The other song featured on this album that I would have to say has a tremendous
message would have to be “Raise Him Up”. Wow, everytime I hear this song I tear up!
Such a powerful song. I can’t imagine what was going through Joseph’s mind when he
was told that he was to wife Mary, someone who apparently appeared to be with a child--
and not his at that. But he was obedient to God and raised the baby boy, whom they
named Jesus, as his own. Great song, look it up on YouTube sometime, the video brings
the words to life.
As mentioned in my review of Travis’ latest studio album, Around the Bend, I am not the
biggest fan of country music but realize that every genre carries its individual preferences
among its fans. Having said that, I was quite impressed with what Randy had brought to
the table. One common thing I have heard from many folks regarding Travis is that a lot
of his music would be considered to most as an ‘acquired taste’. The one thing I see is
a lot of his songs lack emotion as far as vocals go, sometimes with a lot of songs
sounding too similar to one another. But after listening through to his past releases, I
think that’s really what defines him as an artist. However, one thing I can say about
Three Wooden Crosses is that if you are a big fan of Randy Travis’ Christian catalog,
this album may be one that you’ll want to pickup. I realize that an iPod doesn’t exist in
everyone’s lives, so constantly switching CDs to hear your favorite song is what some
music fans still deal with (been there, done that) and having a greatest hits CD is always
a sure way of hearing your favorites all on one disc.
Closing Thoughts:
Whether you are a fan of Randy Travis or country music in general, I think you’ll be
quite impressed with the collection of songs that come on this CD. This is a must have
for any fan of Randy Travis.
trademark baritone voice is recognizable to both Christian and country music fans alike.
Since 2000, Travis has released 5 faith-based albums (if you want to call them that) and
his latest release, Three Wooden Crosses really goes to showcase all of the songs that
Travis has brought forth in the last decade while on Word Records.
No one song on this release is probably more recognized then the title track, “Three
Wooden Crosses”. The song which chronicles the journey of four people heading in
different directions in life on a bus one night, end in tragedy when their bus collides with
an 18-wheeler. The farmer, teacher and preacher are killed in the accident, but before
dying, the preacher hands the fourth rider, a hooker, his blood-stained Bible. The hooker
goes onto to read the Bible to her son, who later becomes a preacher himself who tells
the story to his congregation one Sunday morning. I think this song is probably one of
the most impressive testimonial songs that I have ever heard. Even with its country
twange, the story told is a powerful one that I think can be used to show how God uses
people even in the worst of situations to give someone else a second chance to get their
life turned around. The lyrics are simple, but powerful in reminding us of God’s love,
mercy and patience with us.
“There are three wooden crosses on right side of the highway / Why there’s not four of
them heaven only knows / I guess it’s not what you take when you leave this world
behind / It’s what you leave behind you when you go”
I think one type of song that Travis consistently does well is the hymn covers. There
are several on here, most coming from his 2005 release, Glory Train. “Just a Closer
Walk with Thee”, Softly and Tenderly”, “Sweet By and By” & “Shall We Gather at the
River”.
The other song featured on this album that I would have to say has a tremendous
message would have to be “Raise Him Up”. Wow, everytime I hear this song I tear up!
Such a powerful song. I can’t imagine what was going through Joseph’s mind when he
was told that he was to wife Mary, someone who apparently appeared to be with a child--
and not his at that. But he was obedient to God and raised the baby boy, whom they
named Jesus, as his own. Great song, look it up on YouTube sometime, the video brings
the words to life.
As mentioned in my review of Travis’ latest studio album, Around the Bend, I am not the
biggest fan of country music but realize that every genre carries its individual preferences
among its fans. Having said that, I was quite impressed with what Randy had brought to
the table. One common thing I have heard from many folks regarding Travis is that a lot
of his music would be considered to most as an ‘acquired taste’. The one thing I see is
a lot of his songs lack emotion as far as vocals go, sometimes with a lot of songs
sounding too similar to one another. But after listening through to his past releases, I
think that’s really what defines him as an artist. However, one thing I can say about
Three Wooden Crosses is that if you are a big fan of Randy Travis’ Christian catalog,
this album may be one that you’ll want to pickup. I realize that an iPod doesn’t exist in
everyone’s lives, so constantly switching CDs to hear your favorite song is what some
music fans still deal with (been there, done that) and having a greatest hits CD is always
a sure way of hearing your favorites all on one disc.
Closing Thoughts:
Whether you are a fan of Randy Travis or country music in general, I think you’ll be
quite impressed with the collection of songs that come on this CD. This is a must have
for any fan of Randy Travis.
Review Written By: Jay Heilman [jay.heilman@christianmusicreview.org] Date Written: March 16, 2009
Review Rating
How do we rate our reviews? Click here for more information.
Additional Reviews
Main Review & Closing Thoughts
+ None
| [Album Review] |
