According to Wikipedia.org, Big Daddy Weave "met after college at the University of Mobile". In 2001 they released the independent album NEIGHBORHOODS. Their debut major label release, ONE AND ONLY (Fervent), dropped in the summer of 2002. Group members were: Mike Weaver (lead vocals, acoustic guitar, background vocals), Jay Weaver (bass, background vocals), Jeremy Redmon (electric guitar, background vocals), Jeff Jones (drums), and Joe Shirk (saxophone). The album was produced by FFH's Jeromy Deibler and executive produced by Susan Riley.
Starting things off is 'In Christ', a great adult pop song of testimony on which sax is used nicely: "While people keep searching for answers/Looking for a light in the dark/I'm standing with the answer/Cause He is living in my heart/In Christ I can do all things/In Christ I mount up on eagle's wings/In Christ I wait for a great reward that I have in store". 'Friend Like You' is a nice adult contemporary song of gratitude: "I woke up this morning/And looked out my window/I could see the sun shining down on me/It reminded me of You/And of all that You do, yeah/And of all the love that You've shown to me/Thank You Lord/Oh, thank You Lord/I am so thankful for a friend like You". A choir that includes three members of FFH (Michael Boggs, Jennifer Deibler, and Brian Smith) is used.
The title track, 'One and Only', is next. It's a praise and worship number: "Yes Lord You are/You are my one and only/Yes Lord You are/You are my one and only God/It is still hard to believe/That You look past all the flaws in me". 'Neighborhoods' is a funkified pop/rock song anticipating heaven: "One day I will fly to my mansion in the sky/And I'll have no regrets when I leave this place for good/When I say my last farewells/Oh, please don't forget to tell them/That I'm not really dead/I'm just changing neighborhoods".
'Being in Love With You' is an adult contemporary song reminding us we don't need to be flashy in our witnessing: "I don't need to try to be the flawless example lifted up for everyone to see/I don't need to stand and shout it/'Hey, I've got the answer!'/If Your presence is living in me/I won't need to talk about it in a church committee/For the world to know the truth/All I need to do is just be me/Being in love with You". 11 people provide claps. 'Audience of One' is a signature song for Big Daddy Weave. It's a modern worship anthem: "And I lift these songs to You and You alone/As I sing to You, in my praises make Your home/To my audience of One/You are Father and You are Son/As Your Spirit flows free let it find within me/A heart that beats to praise You".
'Never Goin' Back' is the only song on which Mike Weaver has a co-writer. It is group member Jeremy Redmon. Jay Weaver provides background vocals on this jazz influenced pop song. It includes these biblical thoughts: "The wisdom of the cross is foolish to the one who won't receive it/Well, there is power just the same/To all who will believe it". 'Sacrifice' includes guest vocals by Shelley Nirider and more biblical thoughts: "And my righteousness is as filthy rags/But You've exchanged them/For the good things that You have".
Jennifer Deibler and Brian Smith are backing vocalists on 'Exalted Forever', a cheerful, upbeat number: "It is good to praise You Lord/To make music to Your holy Name Most High/To sing a song of Your love in the morning/And Your faithfulness, Your faithfulness at night". Last up is 'Rest', which finds Christ speaking: "Take My yoke upon you/Come and learn from Me/For I am humble in spirit and so you must also be/And lo, I will be with you in the midst of every test/If you run unto Me, I will give you rest".
ONE AND ONLY is a wonderful album. There are five pop songs and five adult contemporary, with about an equal number of fast and slow songs. It is evident that the group wants to put God first in their lives and have no other gods. They desire to know Him and love Him more. Christ is praised for His friendship, mercy, love, goodness, and giving us a brand new start spiritually. In Christ, we as believers find our true identity and the power to live the Christian life. Fans of Steven Curtis Chapman and MercyMe should buy this album which I'm rating 90%. For more info visit www.bigdaddyweave.com and/or connect with the band on social media.