Raymond Howard ‘Ray’ Boltz was born on June 14, 1953 in
Muncie, Indiana. In 1986 he released his
debut album WATCH THE LAMB. The title
track became a #1 hit. His second album
was 1988’s THANK YOU. The title track
for it won a Dove for ‘Song of the Year’.
After releasing three more albums including THE ALTAR (1989), in 1994 he
released ALLEGIANCE (Word/Epic). In the
liner notes he writes: “This project was inspired by my involvement with an
organization called ‘TEEN MANIA’. It is
my prayer that this project will inspire and challenge you”. This album was produced by Steve Millikan and
Ray Boltz.
The first track was written by Ray, Brent Alan Henderson,
and Steve Millikan. Phil Madeira plays
the Hammond B-3 on ‘I Go to the River’, a gospel influenced adult contemporary
selection of testimony: “Oh, what a gift of the Father is the Water of
Life/Like a river that flows deep in my soul/It’s from an endless supply/Where
do I go when I’m thirsty and dry?/I go to the river and I always find/Rest for
my soul, peace for my mind/I go to the river.../It’s a river of healing/It’s a
river of faith/It’s a river of gladness/It’s a river of grace/Help me, Lord/It’s
a river of mercy/It’s a river of love/It’s a river of freedom/It’s a river of
blood”. ‘Reigning’ is one of five cuts
penned by the duo of Ray and Steve Millikan.
Background vocalists are Guy Penrod and Michael Mellett on this song of
praise and worship: “You are still reigning/Glorious One/Mighty Redeemer/God’s
precious Son/Forever and ever we worship You/Jesus the King/You are still
reigning/You reign in power/You reign in power and glory/And You will reign
forever/And ever and ever and ever”.
‘Where I Met Jesus’ is a lovely adult contemporary ballad
that paints this beautiful picture: “Bessie can still remember like it was
yesterday/She watched her husband, Oliver/Kneel in the church and pray/That was
what she had been hoping for/Still she was so surprised/Was that a glow upon
his face or just the tears in her eyes?”
‘Bought with Blood’ is an excellent, upbeat country song of testimony:
“There’s no greater treasure than what He paid for me/Bought with blood, not
with gold/He gave His life to make me whole/There’s no doubt God is love/For my
soul/Was, was bought with blood/You can keep the silver, you can keep the
gold/Give me the treasure/Buried in my soul”.
‘I Pledge Allegiance to the Lamb’ is one of two on this
project solely penned by Ray. It won a
Dove for ‘Inspirational Song of the Year’ and was accompanied by a
heart-tugging video. 11 backing
vocalists are used including Guy Penrod, Chris Willis, Bonnie Keen, and Beverly
Darnall. The song speaks of true
devotion to God: “I have heard how Christians long ago were brought before a
tyrant’s throne/They were told that he would spare their lives/If they would
renounce the name of Christ/But one by one they chose to die/The Son of God
they would not deny/Like a great angelic choir sings/I can almost hear their
voices ring/’I pledge allegiance to the Lamb/With all my strength, with all I
am/I will seek to honor His commands/I pledge allegiance to the Lamb’”. ‘Set Sail’ is a fast paced country/pop tune
of invitation: “Set sail/The Captain’s calling/It’s time to climb aboard/Set
sail/There’s room for all and there’s such a great reward/Oceans of glory,
islands of grace/The sun on your shoulders and the wind in your face/There’s
not a chance you can fail/Set sail”.
‘The Storm’ is a short, neat instrumental score penned by
Steve Millikan. It serves as an intro
for the Lawrence Chewning/Ray Boltz penned inspirational classic ‘The Anchor Holds’. It’s a powerful song about God’s
faithfulness: “It was in the night/Through the storms of my life/Oh, that’s
where God proved His love to me/The anchor holds though the ship is
battered/The anchor holds/Though the sails are torn/I have fallen on my knees
as I faced the raging seas/The anchor holds in spite of the storm”. On ‘Thrown Away’ Randy Melson plays bass,
while Sandy Williams, Jerry McPherson, and Mark Baldwin play guitars. This easy listening song tells us everyone
has value: “Thrown away/Can you believe the things they toss aside and leave
‘em where they lay?/Oh, but they can be saved/If you will take the time/And try
to find the good along the way/Oh, what this world throws away”.
Chris Lieber plays the organ on ‘I Will Tell the World’, a
Christian pop song about sharing Jesus with others: “I have a dream, I have a
goal/I have a destination/His call is burning in my soul/It is an obligation I
will cherish/Oh, may it never perish/Father, make my voice Your own/I will tell
the world He is returning/I have touched the fire/I feel it burning/Until
everyone on earth has heard/I will tell the world”. Ray and Greg Gilpin wrote ‘The Gospel of
Grace’. Here is the chorus: “The Gospel
of Grace is sailing/What a glorious sight to behold/Her heavenly banners are
waving/Her sails are covered with gold/They say when a man looks upon her/The
glory will shine on his face/For there’ll never be a ship on the sea/Like the
glorious Gospel of Grace”.
Plain and simply put ALLEGIANCE contains songs that are much
better crafted than a lot of what is put out by today’s male Contemporary
Christian artists. These songs touch the
heart. Stylistically the album includes
pop, adult contemporary, country, inspirational, and gospel sounds. God is pointed to as our Source of strength,
peace, love, and as our sure refuge in hard times. Our worth to God is stated and His redeeming,
atoning, saving power is proclaimed.
Christians are encouraged to share their faith and live lives of
obedience to Christ. I’m rating ALLEGIANCE
100%. For more info visit: www.rayboltz.com.