Album Review: Hillary Scott and The Scott Family’s ‘Love Remains’
Enjoy this disc, just like I think I am going to do….again!
It seems that the few months that Lady Antebellum took apart from one another has resulted in some fine music. Charles Kelley released The Driver in February, an album that has garnered some of the most sterling reviews of the year thus far. Dave Haywood has focused his efforts on production, sitting behind the glass for the debut EP from rising trio Post Monroe. Hillary Scott took perhaps the biggest musical detour of the three, recording a Gospel-influenced album with her family – mother Linda Davis and father Lang Scott. Granted, it wasn’t the biggest of departures, as she often sang with them in her pre-Lady A days, but it has been a while.
In 2011, Scott’s grandfather passed away, and the family turned to music during that difficult time. They initially decided to record a five-song collection of Gospel standards to give to friends thanking them for their support, but with the time off that Scott had during the Lady A break, the plan took a different turn. With her teenage sister Rylee coming on board, as well as the legendary Ricky Skaggs for production duties, what resulted was the album you have here. And, if you are a fan of faith-based music, I think you’re going to like it….a lot.
The album brings forth messages of hope and inspiration into a world very much in need of both these days. The lead track, “Beautiful Messes,” speaks to what we all are – regardless of the things that might separate us socially. Scott’s vocal is as pristine and as beautiful as ever, lending credence to the words of the track. That emotion and air of believability also bleeds over into cuts such as “Still,” and the stunning “Safe Haven,” where that little girl voice of Scott’s alternates with the wisdom of knowing who to turn to when the going gets rough.
Other highlights here include the Praise-driven “We March On,” a song that encourages one to stand tall – even in life’s dark and treacherous valleys; “Faithful Arms Of Jesus,” a performance where the singer invites one to the healing power of love that she has felt, and “Thy Will,” a song that Scott co-wrote after suffering a miscarriage in the fall of 2015. She doesn’t try to hide the pain she feels, but also doesn’t mask the fact that she has decided to turn the situation over to someone higher than her.
At the same time, it’s not just Hillary Scott that shines on this album. It is a family album, and just as the singer inherited her genuine sweetness from her mother, Linda Davis – she also received quite a bit of her talent. Davis turns in a beautiful offering of the classic Dottie Rambo / Jimmie Davis standard “Sheltered In The Arms Of God” that will give you chills, and Rylee shows her vocal chops on the stirring title cut, which was a hit for Collin Raye in 1996. The album comes to a close with a family sing on the favorite “Ain’t No Grave,” which will leave listeners with their toes tapping.
Love Remains offers a different side of the singer that we have come to know and love since Lady A first hit, but spend any amount of time with the singer – and see how she treats fans, media, or just people in general, you can tell that innate beauty is very much a part of her make-up. This disc is going to be of much entertainment value for its’ impeccable vocals and instrumentation – but also it’s going to touch a life, or two or three or more. Enjoy this disc, just like I think I am going to do….again!
Love Remains is available for pre-order HERE.
