CD Review: This Must Be Glory (Shiloh Mountain Trio)
Rating: 4 stars (of 5)
Average Song Rating: 4 stars (of 5)
Members: Susi Cox; Naomi Hicks; Ben Massey.
Song List: This Must Be Glory; Swing Lo’ Sweet Chariot; Heavenly Sunlight; Run Home; Fairest Lord Jesus; Just a Closer Walk; See a Dead Man Fly; Carry You On; Rocky Narrow Road; Just the Way; Golden Banjo; It is Well.
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Shiloh Mountain Trio is a Christian bluegrass sibling trio. Ben Massey, Susi Cox, and Naomi Hicks were three of twelve siblings of a Southern Baptist preacher and grew up singing together. Massey plays banjo in their live performances, and Hicks plays guitar; Massey plays all instrumentals on their recordings.
This CD, their debut project, is two years old but is still their current project. Ben Massey wrote four original songs for the project, “This Must Be Glory,” “See a Dead Man Fly,” “Rocky Narrow Road,” and “Golden Banjo.” “See a Dead Man Fly” is a particular standout, a well-written lyric and melody that delivers on the promise of the unique hook in its title. Susi Cox wrote three more original songs for the project, “Run Home,” “Carry You On,” “Just the Way.”
Vocally and instrumentally, this project brings to mind the 90s era Isaacs. The tight sibling harmonies shine, particularly in acapella settings like the intro to “Swing Low Sweet Chariot” and the final verse and chorus of “It is Well.” This is a solid, professional project, showcasing a group that has plenty of talent and potential.
Blame it on whatever you like! Fact is, my reason is simple enough: I have no interest in any secular music. 
(jealous pout)
Comment by Terrell Moore (July 28, 2009, 4:02 pm)
I have the CD and love it! I like the realistic message of the Rocky Narrow Road, and I get a chuckle out of the “Golden Banjo” because Ben Massey has won outstanding awards on his banjo playing since he was a teenager! He really makes it talk!
The trio’s voices and vocals are super and I have been to their live performances in Ohio and North Carolina and their humor, harmony, and positive Christian witness is well done! My advice: contact them and get a copy of the CD or better yet go and hear them live!
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Comment by Jacksonian Lawyer (July 29, 2009, 9:41 am)
Great review! Thank you for your continued efforts and we love your blog!
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Comment by Quaid (July 31, 2009, 4:02 pm)
Wow, what a pleasant suprise to see Shiloh Mountain here! I agree, this is a fantastic project. They have superb “Isaacs like” harmony. They bring to mind the Ruppes/LordSong/Sisters type of vocal blend also. What suprised me the most was the quallity of the project. There is NO ONE else in Ohio’s local gospel circut that has independantley produced such a professional quallity audio project in with their own studio like this for years. Ben is an expert producer to make this CD with what they had to use at the time. When I heard what they recorded this CD with, I thought “no way”. Sounds as good as any major label’s CD’s.
I’m anxious for another CD to come out.
Yes, do go see them. Buy the CD. Book them in at your church/event. I’d be very suprised if you would be disappointed.
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