Spiritual honesty....breaks through barriers of simple relig
KNB | Sunny Florida, US | 10/22/2005
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Like all things Commissioned, I buy without first previewing (or pre-listening) because of their history of consistent Scripture-based, relevant, heart-felt, reverent, and deep contemporary compositions. This is no different. It is true that nothing on this CD comes as a surprise--typical Mitchell Jones' Commissioned. Perhaps some would say it's too safe. Maybe. But this is certainly offset by the depth of writing, the beauty of the vocal arrangements, and the spiritual honesty--that breaks through the barriers of simple religiosity into themes of spiritual intimacy with our loving Creator. This is what made Commissioned great--yea even unique. This is what makes Mitchell Jones great, and unique. This is why I've always considered him my favorite Commissioned member along with Fred Hammond. I gave it only 4 stars instead of 5 for the same reason as others have -- all the songs weren't revamped. I actually give it 4.5 stars but Amazon doesn't allow this. In short I highly recommend this CD without reservation. Go cop this RIGHT now if you haven't already!!!
*** Track by Track Break down ***
1. Cry On
This is one of my all time favorite Commissioned songs (there's well over 20 of those though)! This was well done...urrr re-done. It did no disrespect to the original. It is close enough to the original and yet updated enough that it has a somewhat different yet equally authentic relevance. I might even like it more than the original...MIGHT! It is at least just as moving. Having his offspring sing on it with him (at least I think it is) was a nice touch. Definitely my favorite cut. 5 HalleluJahs!!!!!
2. Ordinary Just Won't Do
This is another one of my all time favorite Commissioned songs. Love it, love it, love it! Sweet remake that is yet again unpretentious. Sometimes I actually enjoy the Time & Seasons remake more than this one, but that's sometimes. They are very different. This one is closer in feel to the original but more mellow. Either way--and either version--all get the same: 5 HalleluJahs!!!!!
3. You Are My God
This is definitely Mitchell doing his thing. It's smooth, powerful, deep, and just real! He sings, "You have freed me from the curse, from the laws of sin and death. I am covered by Your blood, and Your righteousness." Then he breaks into praise! The chorus goes, "Your are my God, I am Your son, made in Your image, Your likeness, we are one. I won't forget all Your benefits. My light's (or life's) a priviledge given to men." That's some powerful stuff. This is THE ONLY totally original cut on this CD and I'm looking forward to his solo effort God willing. This track is hot! The only thing I don't care for is the electric guitar during the bridge. It's a bit too harsh sounding for the general mood of this song and the CD. 4 HalleluJahs!!!!
4. Only What You Do For Christ Will Last
The original version of this song played a major role in my initial conversion back in 1990 thanks to my cousin who introduced me to Commissioned by giving me an unsolicited tape with some of their songs on it. This song, then, is very special to me. While I enjoy the original more, this version certainly holds its own and would probably be more moving to a newer generation of Commissioned fans--maybe. I would have preferred the instrumentation (particularly the baseline) to be a little less prominent. The guest vocalist didn't really add anything to this track. Still, it is a thing of beauty. 4.5 HalleluJahs!!!!
5. Don't Worry
This is the original recording. A remix would have been sweet. Still sounds good to me though. Boy can you hear Fred's pro-funk influence!
6. I Am Here (Segue)
A beautiful interlude in keeping with Commissioned's tradition of laying sweet short tracks like this that you wish they could expand and sing to! 5 HalleluJahs!!!!!
7. I Am Here
This remake is well done. It is not as moving as the original but is still heart-felt. I love the predominantly female background vocals. The guest vocals add extra layers and the last minute and 40 seconds of the song is absolutely off the chain! This is typical Mitchell Jones with a new century sensibility added to the mix. Love it! 5 HalleluJahs!!!!!
8. No More Loneliness
This is the original unchanged version--as beautiful as ever. It sounds only SLIGHTLY aged--and I mean SLIGHTLY. It doesn't sound 16 years old!! They were certainly ahead of their time thanks to Mitchell and Fred. I wish he had attempted a remake of it though.
9. Dare to Believe
This track has that typical R&B flavor of the 1990's that still remains timeless. It's hard to replace Fred however and he took the original to a level this one cannot attain. But it does come close. 4.5 HalleluJahs!!!!
10. You Can Depend on Jesus
This is the original recording. It sounds somewhat dated but nothing that a little remastering couldn't fix.
11. Victory
This is the original recording. This one sounds dated. It would have been nice to hear an updated version.
12. Breathe
This song has been done by many artists over the years. My two favorite versions are this one and Lisa McClendon's (I like hers the best so far). While this track still has a very strong CCM feel to it, Mitchell's vocals are laced with his usual silkiness that drips of smooth R&B with Gospel sensibility. I don't care for the electric guitar that forces itself intermittently througout the track for the same reason I mentioned in my review of track 3. 4.5 HalleluJahs!!!!
13. Ordinary Just Won't Do
This sounds pretty much just like the original minus the trademark tight Mitchell+Karl+Keith+Fred harmonies. Hence it falls short. It has been mastered better--but that's to be expected, after all, the original is 16 years old! This song--in all its forms--sounds like it could have been made in 2005. It is truly truly timeless. Mitchell's vocals on this one are a little better than the original's but it doesn't replace the Commissioned harmonies. I still really enjoy listening to it. 4.5 HalleluJahs!!!!
14. Let's Not Crucify Him Again
This is the original recording. Sounds just as good and as relevant as the original. A little contemporary tweaking of some of the beats and a little remastering would have been nice.
In all, this project is spiritually deep yet contemporarily sweet. Love it! I think you'll love it too if you like Commissioned and their Mitchell Jones-influenced smooth R&B gospel style that is largely responsible for the sounds of contemporary gospel and even secular artists like Boys II Men, Brandy, Ruben Studdard, etc. Commissioned is timeless music--and Mitchell Jones is, truly, still commissioned."
Classic Mitchell
C. Pompey | Charlotte, NC United States | 01/24/2005
(4 out of 5 stars)
"I'll start by saying that Mitchell Jones has always been one of my favorites out of all the Commissioned alums. I always wondered why he didn't put a solo album out. He was really loyal to Commissioned. Him and Karl Reid were the one constant reminder of Commissioned greatness. Well now we find Mitch front and center and he does not disappoint. I like the remakes of "Cry On", "Ordinary Just Want Do", "I Am Here", "Only What You Do For Christ Will Last", and "Dare to Believe". Even though I have heard these songs over and over again down through the years, they still came off as fresh and up-to-date. The new songs are in the same mold as the songs he wrote in the past with Commissioned. "You Are My God" and "Breathe" foretell of his solo project that's coming late this year. The only thing I do not like is that all the songs weren't remade. "No More Loneliness", "Don't Worry", etc. were all presented in original format. That was a little disappointing. I would have liked to hear these songs redone giving them a new day flavor. However, the album is real relaxing and is great as a winding-down CD. Most of the songs are slow, so if you're looking for some bump, this is not the place to look. I think this was more of a marketing tool for his upcoming project. Mitchell is just as smooth as ever and added plenty of seasoning to his vocals. If you are a Commissioned fan, then you know that Mitch was an intricate part of the group. You can tell by listening to the vocals and background on this CD. He was a big part of the Commissioned sound and a big reason why the vocals were so tight. The vocals are tight on this CD as well. I just enjoyed hearing him again. I would recommend this CD to any Commissioned fan, new and old. I would have given it 5 stars, but all the songs weren't remade."
It's long overdue!
C. Colter | Somewhere, USA | 09/27/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Mitchell Jones has long been the "un-sung" hero of gospel music. With his group Commissioned (the baddest, most influential gospel group in history!) Mitch wrote, produced, and sang some all the all time greatest songs.
This CD introduces those songs to a whole new generation with updated arrangements and musicianship. AND Mitch's signature smooth vocals. I appreciate the re-arrangements of some of my favorites like Cry on, Ordinary Just Won't do, and I am here.
This CD also introduces a few tracks from his upcoming P&W release. I love the song "Breathe" and Mitch's rendition is one of the best I've heard.
PICK THIS UP! You won't be disappointed."
Track Listings (14) - Disc #1