Mike Franklin Ministries

Through the Years with Mike Franklin

18 Years of Memories in Song with the Melody Boys Quartet

A review by Henrietta Brown

As a fan of the Melody Boys Quartet for years, I have been familiar with Mike Franklin for a long time. A part of his introduction to Southern Gospel Fans as a soloist is this collection of songs Mike recorded with the Melody Boys. It contains 12 songs featuring Mike’s terrific tenor vocals, running the gamut from the up-tempo “Wanna Rest” to the slow and comforting “Does Jesus Care” – and a lot in between.

This collection begins with “He Knows Where You Are.” This song, written by J. Michael Wilson, is a reminder that we are never out of God’s sight, and Mike delivers it in a way that really speaks peace to your heart.

The second cut, “Wanna Rest,” starts off with some great bass work by Gerald Williams and the great four-part harmony of the Melody Boys before featuring Mike on the lead for the major portion of the song. This public domain number is well suited to show off some great singing.

I had a really hard time getting past the cuts three and four on this CD. Daryl Williams composition of “Mercy Called Me By Name” back-to-back with “That’s What Grace Is For,” a collaborative effort from the pens of Toni Jolene Clay, Vic Clay and Ray Davis, constitute a little over nine minutes of some of the best music I’ve heard in a long time. I’ve never been so appreciative of a repeat button before! If you never hear Mike sing anything other than these two songs, you will have a blessing beyond measure.

Cut six is “Dawn of Redeeming Grace,” a song about the birth of the Savior written by Jonathan Sawrie. This one should be a holiday classic, as it is both beautifully written and beautifully rendered.

Cut 10 features Mike on a patriotic song written by Steve Hurte and Lois Gale – “Still One Nation Under God.” This one has some chill-bump producing lyrics and music, and Mike sings it with a conviction and fervor worth of both.

“My Heavenly Father Watches Over Me” will have you singing along – I guarantee it! This one is a classic and a perennial favorite from the pen of Sylvia Lindeblade.

Rounding out the rest of the cuts are two more public domain numbers, “He’ll Wash You Whiter Than Snow” and “Will The Lord Be With Me;” one of my favorites from the hymnal, “Does Jesus Care;” “It’ll Happen Again,” written by Toni Jolene Clay; and a live version of “Mercy Called Me By Name.”

There are at least three perspectives from which we can recommend this CD for your listening pleasure. First, it’s great Gospel music. Second, it features one of the best tenor voices in Gospel music today – Mike Franklin – backed up by one of the best quartets you’ll ever hear. Third, it focuses on God’s love for His children and reminds us that He cares for us and loves us more than we will ever know.

You can order this one directly from Mike by calling 501-835-6471.