Sara Lee Colbaugh was born on September 10, 1972. Today we know her as Sara Groves. According to Wikipedia.org: "Groves received her Bachelor of Science degree in history and English in 1994 from Evangel University, a private Christian university in Springfield, Missouri. Groves spent four years teaching high school in Rosemount, Minnesota before recording her first album, PAST THE WISHING, in 1998." Her second album was 2001's CONVERSATIONS. This was followed by her third album, ALL RIGHT HERE (2002, Sponge Records), which I'll be reviewing here. It was produced by Nate Sabin. In the liner notes Sara writes: "Thank You Lord for the opportunity to feel all these things, communicate them and watch all of this grow under Your care".
1. First up is 'Less Like Scars', one of three songs co-written by Sara and Nate Sabin. Jefferey Roach plays piano and organ on this adult pop song about God's goodness: "And I feel You here/And You're picking up the pieces/Forever faithful/It seemed out of my hands, a bad situation/But You are able/And in Your hands the pain and hurt/Look less like scars and more like character".
2. Lori Sabin and Ashleigh Friend provide backing vocals on 'Every Minute', an easy listening ballad about companionship: "And I can't figure out why you want me around/I'm not the smartest person I have ever met/But somehow that doesn't matter/No, it really never mattered to you at all/And at the risk of wearing out my welcome/At the risk of self-discovery/I'll take every moment/And every minute that you give me".
3. 'Fly' is an easy listening ballad as well. It is dedicated to Sara's husband Troy. John Catchings is responsible for strings. Here are some of the lyrics: "Speak in a summer tone, pause in the afterglow/Tenderly whisper my name/Tell me once again why I am your bride/So I can fly (2X)/Pause in your busy day, look extra long my way/Wink at me across the room/Kiss me longer/Touch my arm when I am by your side/So I can fly" (2X).
4. Jonell Moser and Pierce Pettis co-wrote 'You Did That For Me', a slow country song that references Calvary: "Man of sorrows, well acquainted with grief/Drug down to the city dump/Spread eagle on a cross beam/Propped up like a scarecrow/Nailed like a thief/There for all the world to see". Phil Madeira plays national slide guitar.
5. 'Just One More Thing' is one of eight songs Sara wrote alone on this project. Dave Jensen plays trumpet on this groovy pop commentary on our always busy society: "There's always just one more thing/There's always another task/There's always I just have one more small favor to ask/And everything is urgent and everything is now/I wonder what would really happen if I stopped somehow".
6. Next up is the title track 'All Right Here'. It's a pleasant country/pop number. In the chorus, Sara comments on herself: "And I'm not God, I'm a girl/I confess that I don't have a sea of forgetfulness/No, it's all right here/It makes me stronger, it makes me wince/Makes me think twice when I pick my friends/Oh, it's all right here, it's all right here".
7. 'Remember Surrender' feature Nate and Lori Sabin on backing vocals. It's a beautiful song with a beautiful message: "Remember surrender/Remember the rest/Remember that weight lifting off of your chest/And realizing that it's not up to you and it never was/Remember surrender/Remember relief/Remember how tears rolled down both of your cheeks/As the warmth of a heavenly Father came closing in".
8. Marc Anderson plays bouzouki and Nate Sabin the flute on the over five minute long 'Maybe There's A Loving God'. It's sung from the perspective of a seeker: "I'm trying to work things out/I'm trying to comprehend/Am I the chance result/Of some great accident?/I hear a rhythm call me/The echo of a grand design/I spend each night in the backyard/Staring up at the stars in the sky.../Maybe this was made for me/For lying on my back in the middle of a field/Maybe that's a selfish thought/Or maybe there's a loving God".
9. Matt Pierson plays upright bass on the 'This Peace', a calming song: "No time to grab the camera, no time to write it down/Just time enough to breathe it in/And linger/It's a whisper in my ear/It's a shiver up my spine/It's the gratitude I feel for all that's right/It's a mystery appeal that's been granted me tonight/This peace (2X)".
10. On 'Tornado' Phil Madeira plays the National Reso-Phonic Baritone Guitar and Peter Ostroushko plays the fiddle. This is a folk song of determination: "And every time I find healing, you're making a new mess/And I am learning the real meaning of forgiveness/And it hurts when you hit at the hearts of the ones I love/When everything you touch is rubble and dust/And it gets so hard to know how to trust/But I will not let that bitter root grow/I will not let it, no, no/But, it gets so hard (oh)".
11. 'First Song that I Sing' was inspired by C.S. Lewis' 'Mere Christianity'. This uplifting adult contemporary tune includes claps by Nate Sabin and Sara, and these words: "I want to praise You/I need to praise You/Let the first song that I sing/Be praises to my God and King/Before the curtains part/Before my day is starting/Before I make up the bed/Before the snooze alarm reminds me that it's morning".
12. Sara dedicates 'You Cannot Lose My Love' which runs just over 2.5 minutes to her son Kirby: "You will lose your confidence/In times of trial, your common sense/You may lose your innocence/But you cannot lose my love". Sara plays piano here.
13. Last up is 'Jesus, You're Beautiful' penned by Nate Sabin. It's a light praise and worship song: "Sweeter than spring time/Purer than sunshine/Ever my song will be/Jesus, You're beautiful to me/Oh Lord, You are so beautiful".
ALL RIGHT HERE is a lengthy album at 57 minutes and 3 seconds. Sara's vocals are smooth and gentle to listen to. There are eight slow songs and five faster ones presented. Easy listening and pop are the main genres here, with adult contemporary, country, and folk also being utilized. An appreciation and love for family and friends is forefront on this project. Also, we learn that God wants to heal us. He will help us grow and give us His peace if we only surrender to Him. We are also reminded to slow down sometimes as society is always in a rush. In addition there are two praise and worship tunes. I'm rating this album 87.5%. For more info visit: www.saragroves.com.