Faith has been a constant of Ty Herndon’s life and even though there are times that he was challenged in his beliefs (who hasn’t been challenged or challenged them?) he held firmly to his beliefs and overcame some deep and dark periods in his life. After 2008’s album returned Ty Herndon to the public eye, it is 2010’s Journey On which seems to be the true rebirth of Ty Herndon as a true artist. Completely co-written and co-produced by Herndon himself, Journey On is a record about Ty Herndon’s faith and belief that God will help him, even when he’s fallen, particularly so after he’s fallen. It’s a record of faith, hope and eternal love and something that most people should be able to relate to on a number of levels.
Always a gifted vocalist Ty Herndon shows off his songwriting skills with strong songs like “Don’t Pass Me By” that finds Herndon asking for help to get him back into the game of life after his ‘share of bad times’ have gone by saying ‘there’s gotta be more to my life than this.’ “Journey On” is a fantastic song that in many ways feels like God’s answer to “Don’t Pass Me By.” It’s a song that tells of a great life ahead, both in the living and afterlife. “Today” feels like one of the strong worship songs that might be on a Steve Green or Michael W. Smith record while “I Cried Out” is a powerful tale of love and redemption at the hands of God. Co-written with pastors Donny and Reba McGuire (of Nashville’s The River at Music City Church), this is a special song that anyone looking for a second chance at life will certainly relate to.
The beautiful “When We Fly” won Ty a Dove Award as “Bluegrass Recorded Song Of The Year” and I’ll be if it isn’t the most ‘traditional country’ sounding track on the record. It does indeed feel and sound like a bluegrass song, albeit a contemporary one as it’s acoustic and the beautiful harmony vocals of Little Roy Lewis & Lizzy Long with Lizzy Long providing more of a duet vocal on the track.
While Journey On isn’t a mainstream country release it does fit well within the regional ‘southern gospel’ genre that includes many artists whose music falls within contemporary country music and Contemporary Christian music genres. If a fan of Gospel, CCM or Ty Herndon’s singing, you’re likely to enjoy this record. It’s well-written with strong production and a perfect companion for personal prayer and reflection sessions.
You can support Ty Herndon by pruchasing this album at Amazon | iTunes.
0 Comments