Point of Grace, “How You Live [Deluxe Edition]”
Release Date: August 26, 2008
Label: Word Entertainment
Artist’s website: www.pointofgrace.net
Standout Tracks: “Heal the Wound,” “Because You Are,” “Before the Throne of Grace,”
“How You Live,” “You are Good”
Review:
After 24 consecutive number one songs (more than any other artist in any genre of music) and selling more than five million albums, you would think the members of the hit group Point of Grace would want to settle down a bit. However, the group continues on growing stronger and stronger. The group which started as a quartet from Ouachita Baptist University continues on as a trio after Heather Payne decided to retire from the group to devote more time to her husband, children, and church (Founding member Terry Jones was replaced by Leigh Cappillino after she left the group in 2003 for the same reason).
How You Live [Deluxe Edition] is a re-release of the group’s critically acclaimed album How You Live with the addition of three songs which were not on the original album. The reason for this re-release is most likely twofold. First, the original album was Payne’s last, and the group needed to release a few songs as a trio without Payne. The title track was an instant radio hit and even won the 2008 Dove Award for Country Recorded Song of the Year. The group did not want to cut the song from their tour’s set list, so they recorded an acoustic version of the song without Payne. Another reason for this deluxe edition is that the album received mainstream attention from radio stations in county markets. The group continues to embrace and be embraced by the country world while remaining true to their biblical roots and convictions.
The album opens with the driving worship song All the World, the group’s first radio single from the album and the name of their successful tour with Christian super-group Selah. How You Live (the original recording) follows shortly after displaying the giant-sized vocals of Heather Payne and the remarkable writing gifts of Cindy Morgan. You Are Good is a beautiful song of praise written by gifted singer/songwriter Nichole Nordeman declaring the constant goodness of the Lord no matter what we may experience in this life (My wife and I were honored to have Heather Payne sing this song in our wedding!). Newest member of the group Leigh Cappillino takes the lead vocals on the fervent prayer, Heal the Wound, one of my favorites on the album. The original album closes with Before the Throne of Grace, a strikingly poignant offering showcasing the intricate harmonies given by this talented group.
The three new tracks to this deluxe edition (the only ones without Payne’s voice) include I Wish, King of the World, and the acoustic version of How You Live. I Wish was the first single the group released to radio as a trio. Like How You Live, it was written by Cindy Morgan, and it won the Dove Award for Country Recorded Song of the Year (2009). King of the World (also penned by Morgan) is a beautiful song written about the bond between father and daughter. The group is currently singing many of these songs on the “Come Alive Tour” which they are co-headlining with Mark Schultz. Christian music’s number one group proves they have staying power, relevance, and unmatched vocal ability. In between dates on the tour with Schultz, the trio can be found in the studio working on new songs for what is sure to be another hit album.
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