Give Me Jesus (MightyCord Records, 2017)

The MightyCord has long intended to record an all gospel album; however, other projects and circumstances of life have seemed to get in the way, but now "Give Me Jesus" from Larry Cordle is the result. For "Give Me Jesus" Cordle has teamed with a brilliant cast of talented musicians, singers and the industry's best songwriters (himself included) to craft a vocally dynamic recording.

Cordle walks among the giants of songwriters, having written for artists such as George Strait and Garth Brooks. "Give Me Jesus" finds five songs he has co-written along with other top names. Cordle teams with Larry Shell for three songs including, "This Blood's For You" and "Lost As A Ball In High Weeds" inspired by a preacher friend who would close service by saying, "If you're here tonight and ain't got Jesus, you're as lost as a ball in high weeds." Cordle also teams with Ronnie Bowman for "Gone On Before," a slow ballad written by the pair after both had lost their mothers. The song drips with emotion explaining that those that have gone have simply gone ahead to await a reunion in heaven.

Traditional favorites, such as "Two Coats," Carl Story's "It's A Lonesome Road" and Willie Nelson's "Family Bible" mix in just the right amount of familiar tunes into the collection.

Musically, the instrumentation is simple, essentially just a bass with outstanding guitar and mandolin work from Grammy winner Clay Hess. The simplicity of the music leaves massive amounts of room for dynamic vocals. Guests such as Don Rigsby, Carl Jackson, Jerry Salley and Bradley Walker pepper each song. The vocal diversity is the charm of the recording, covering everything from that old high lonesome sound (see Don Rigsby's tenor part on "Two Coats") to a southern gospel quartet on "I'll Meet You In The Morning."

Past projects have included a gospel song here and there, but "Give Me Jesus," is the first full collection for The Mighty Cord. It has been long intended and long awaited proving that good things do indeed come to those who wait.