How You Live [Deluxe Edition] (CD - 2007)

In an attempt to cross from the gospel scene where Point of Grace have long been stars to the wider mainstream country stage, the group reissued their 2007 album, HOW YOU LIVE. Following the retirement of founding member Heather Payne, the remaining trio have completely changed their look and image, and the three new songs appended to this repackaged reissue, "King of the World," "I Wish," and an acoustic version of the title track, are geared towards commercial country radio.

Point of Grace: Shelley Breen, Heather Payne, Denise Jones, Leigh Cappillino (vocals).

Personnel: Nathan Chapman (guitars, steel guitar, banjo, mandolin, bass instrument, percussion); Bryan Sutton (acoustic guitar, banjo, mandolin); Ilya Toshinsky (acoustic guitar); George Cocchini, Jerry McPherson, Tom Bukovac (electric guitar); Paul Franklin (steel guitar); Stuart Duncan (fiddle); London Session Orchestra (strings); John Hobbs (piano); Blair Masters (keyboards); Matt Pierson (bass instrument); Nick Buda, Nick Buda, Shannon Forrest, Chad Cromwell (drums); Prague Philharmonic Orchestra.

Audio Mixers: Nathan Chapman; David Zaffiro; Gary Paczosa; Steve Bishir.

Recording information: Blackbird Studio, Nashville, TN; EMI Abbey Road Studios, London, England; Oxford Stound, Nashville, TN; The Tracking Room, Nashville, TN; Townsend Sound, Franklin, TN.

Photographer: Kristin Barlowe.

Arrangers: John Hobbs; Tim Davis; Wes Hightower; Kris Wilkinson; Carl Marsh; Chance Scoggins.

Issued in 2007, HOW YOU LIVE finds the all-female Christian pop quartet Point of Grace fully settled in with Leigh Cappillino, who joined the ensemble with '04's I CHOOSE YOU, after the departure of founding member Terry Jones. As on past outings, the group balances pop accessibility with uplifting messages of faith, with the soaring "All the World" standing out as one of album's finest tracks.

When the group's streak of 26 consecutive number-ones hits ended with 2004's "I Choose You," the notable women's quartet didn't make major revisions to their sound. They did, however, embellish their harmonic adult contemporary with elements of country pop. The twangy "Any Way" and title track bring to mind the Dixie Chicks or Martina McBride. The group once again benefited from contributions by some of contemporary Christian music's most seasoned songwriters, including Nichole Nordeman, Jason Ingram, and Scott Krippayne. Laced together with the group's trademark vocals, How You Live shows the ladies securely and steadfastly doing what they do best. ~ Jared Johnson

When the group's streak of 26 consecutive number-ones hits ended with 2004's "I Choose You," the notable women's quartet didn't make major revisions to their sound. They did, however, embellish their harmonic adult contemporary with elements of country pop. The twangy "Any Way" and title track bring to mind the Dixie Chicks or Martina McBride. The group once again benefited from contributions by some of contemporary Christian music's most seasoned songwriters, including Nichole Nordeman, Jason Ingram, and Scott Krippayne. Laced together with the group's trademark vocals, How You Live shows the ladies securely and steadfastly doing what they do best. [A Deluxe Edition appeared in 2008.] ~ Jared Johnson minimize