Jeffrey Wayne Larson

A Song for Andrea is enough to make a grown man cry.   It's a story in song of a single father's feelings laid bare to his teenaged daughter.   "There's got to be a million things that need a woman's touch, but for half the things that I can't do, I love you twice as much."   This is an emotional song whose lyrics carry it well.   Jeffrey has a very soothing voice, kind of like John Denver, but Christian!

The Letter is a cute cut.   Very good instrumentation here, with the bells and strings and subtle keyboards filling out the song.   The chorus repeats several times, but could we ever really get tired of Jesus saying, "I love you"?

I think most will like the tempo changes on Start Again.   I definitely hear this song being performed in a church setting.   We've all been where this song takes us.   "I stop and think of where I was going".   Some of the best lyrics on the CD, and very good music to back it up.   You'll especially like the horns and the keyboards.

Jeffrey uses his full range on My Prayer, a very mellow and beautiful song.   It is such a peaceful worship song.   His best vocal on this CD, combined with excellent music and meaningful lyrics, make this a favorite.   Jeffrey goes pure Southern Gospel on Walk The Streets.   It's a Sunday-afternoon-barbeque-with-the-local-Baptist-Church type of song.   Happy and full of hope as we look forward instead of behind.   You can't help but love this one.   He closes out with the Carmen-esque Simon's Song.   A very cleverly worked story song with a fisherman theme for Jesus!

This CD is self-produced and reproduced with a CD recordable disc drive.   This is the wave of the future folks.   It's amazing we can get digital quality music out of our home computers!   Jeffrey's voice is good enough and strong enough to make these vocal-heavy songs work.   It's good to hear a man with such confidence in his voice, and the talent to back it up.   Do you remember Dallas Holm?   Jeffrey Larson reminds me of his early songs.   Stories within songs, put to easy-listening music.   These are peaceful songs, and you'll want to hear the stories again and again.

Angela Chapman Larson

In contrast to husband Jeffrey, Angela's music is more heavily produced and fits squarely in the middle of Contemporary Christian Music.   Like the psalmist David, many of her songs are penned out of recognition that God cares even when we are in the pit of despair.   Little One is one of those heartfelt cries.   Very emotional vocal and wonderful keyboards.

There is extraordinary keyboard work throughout We Will Believe.   The background vocals here are remarkable, using probably all five octaves of Angela's range!   It's difficult to believe that this is the first song she ever wrote!!   The angels must have had a big party THAT night :)

Angela's voice and style often remind the listener of Amy Grant.   Nowhere is that more evident than on Come Ye, a great little ditty.   The background vocals here are really good, especially considering that they're sung not by studio musicians or professionals, but some teens from her church!

He's Alive continues in the same vein.   Superb melody and a great bass lick.   Radio-ready, this is one of those songs that will appeal to everyone.   Best production on the CD.   The Day is bluesy and soulful and Angela really belts out the lyrics.   Her voice is a little sweet for a blues song, but she pulls it off!   It's fun and upbeat, yet musically true to blues.

Both Larsons have wonderful talent, albeit those talents find different styles of expression.   Angela's contemporary and heavily produced songs have definite contemporary radio appeal, especially We Will Believe and He's Alive.   Jeffrey's style lends itself to easy-listening Christian stations, like the K-Love network.   The only thing missing on this CD was a duet of both Larsons, combining their gifted voices (hint, hint).   My copy of Start Again is an advance copy (and much appreciated :).   The music is very good throughout, but the Larsons might consider releasing this as two separate CDs, targeting different audiences.   Whether your preference is contemporary or easy listening, Start Again will leave you smiling.

Paul Gentry, CMCA Staff