It will probably not be too surprising to discover that a group named
the Churchmen has a gospel grounding. The journey referred to
On the Journey Home, then, is the passage to heaven for Christians who have been forgiven for their sins. Bassist Keith Clark, mandolinist Gerald Harbour, guitarist Steven Lyle Martin, vocalist Freddy Rakes, and fiddler Shannon Wheeler make a finely tuned quintet, perfectly suited for the material at hand. Each of the 12 songs covers an aspect of preparing for, and traveling to, the next world. The singer of "In His Arms (I'm Not Afraid)" states that he isn't afraid to die, while "He Will Forgive You" tells the story of the thief who was crucified on the cross next to Jesus. While this material may sound "heavy" for anyone unaccustomed to Southern gospel singing,
the Churchmen combine well-blended harmony, instrumental skill, and a buoyant attitude to give their material a positive spin. The group sings "We'll Still Sing On" a cappella, offering a solemn closer. Gospel and bluegrass fans will enjoy
the Churchmen, and will find
On the Journey Home the next best thing to seeing the group perform live in a country church somewhere in the sleepy South. ~ Ronnie D. Lankford, Jr.