Another Time, Another Place: Timeless Christian Classics (CD - 2008)

Avalon's ninth studio album was its first with Jeremi Richardson in the lineup. Richardson was formerly a studio vocalist and member of Disney groups Voices of Liberty and Four for a Dollar. Thankfully for fans, it was a relief to hear how well he fit right in. This album proved to be one of their most diverse as they lent their trademark Avalon sound to 15 CCM classics from a variety of artists. The group covered material from several decades, including career-making hits by Twila Paris, Steve Green, 4Him, Steven Curtis Chapman, Michael W. Smith, Amy Grant, and others. It's doubtful any of the original artists would take issue with the quartet's treatment of their signature tunes. As has been their calling card, Avalon's usual power vocals are perfectly refined and their hot AC arrangements are done with the highest-quality production. Many of these songs have rarely been covered by contemporaries for fear that a new rendition would not hold a candle to the originals. Frankly, very few vocal groups could pull off a collection like this and make each song their own, but Avalon did just that. The album closes with a new recording of their own career-defining hit, "Testify to Love." ~ Jared Johnson minimize