FFH (Far From Home) released their major label debut, I WANT TO BE LIKE YOU, in 1998. Fast forward to 2003 and they put out their fourth album READY TO FLY (Essential). It peaked at #5 on the Top Christian Albums chart. Group members were Jeromy and Jennifer Deibler, Brian Smith, and Michael Boggs. In the liner notes, the group writes: "Our music is who we are. We are honored to have been given a few moments in your hectic schedule. We pray that God would speak to you through what you hear".
Starting things off is one of seven songs Jeromy wrote alone. 'You Found Me' finds Lincoln Brewster and Jerry McPherson on electric guitar. It's a great pop song of testimony: "In the pit of despair/I was all alone there/I wasn't looking for You/But You found me anyway/You put Your hand on my face/Then You changed my name/Nothing can separate me from You". 'Good to Be Free' makes use of trumpet and portrays Jesus as Savior: "I spent so long living in a cell that I thought was home/I didn't know it wasn't for me/I let the Lord search my soul with a fine tooth comb/He showed me everything that I could be/Now I see it's good to be free".
Michael Boggs and Tony Wood co-wrote 'It's A Good Day'. Byron Hagan plays the B3 on this cheery pop song of contentment: "Circumstance and situations change/You know life can turn on a dime/But there's a constant hope and peace/That I have come to find/And it's all because of who God is/And that He is alive and I am His". The title track, 'Ready to Fly', utilizes the Nashville String Machine. It's a pop ballad longing for heaven: "I'm ready to fly, I'm ready to soar/I'm ready to leave this world behind/I'm ready to open up the door/I'm ready to fly/I'm ready to spread my wings across the sky/I think it's time/I'm ready to go/I'm ready to fly".
'I'll Join the Rocks' is a song of praise: "Your song goes on and on and I must testify/I know that I was born to worship/So if all the singing stops/I'll join the rocks.../Hallelujah!" Jeromy co-wrote 'Follow Love' with Scott Krippayne. Tambourine and B3 appear on this pretty ballad appropriate for a young person going off to college or university: "I've got a heart that's full of dreams/And a little bit of crazy/I can feel it pulling me to somewhere I have never been/I'm packing up and leaving home/To travel into the great unknown/It's time, I have to go".
Next is 'Never Gonna Be Alone', a bouncy pop song about God's goodness: "Jesus came and gave His life away/And rose again on that day/So we could say/'I'm ne ne never gonna be alone/Cause He's around". Michael Boggs and Jeromy Deibler co-wrote 'Ready for a World'. Mark Hill plays bass on this happy pop song anticipating heaven: "I am ready for a world/Where I will kneel before Your throne/And I will hear the words/'You are finally home'/I am ready for that world/But for now and until then/I will try and comprehend/How my world will be made new/I'm ready (2X)".
'Waltz for Jennifer' includes the use of accordion and bouzouki. It's a pretty love song: "We belong together, you and me/Holding on tight like lock and key/Going strong, the way this love should be/A fantasy/And I'm so glad that God made me for you and you for me". 'His Love Goes On Forever' is one of two songs solely written by Michael Boggs. It's an energetic praise and worship song: "His love reaches to the highest mountain/His love stretches to the lowest valley/His love will never fail me/It's always there, surrounding me".
'If Not For Christ' is a beautiful ballad of gratitude: "It was for me He bled and died/It was my sword that pierced His side/It was my name that Jesus cried/When on that tree He bled and died/It was for me He bled and died/And now to Christ I owe it all/He is to me a tower strong/Salvation does to me belong/It is to Christ I owe it all (2X)". Last up is 'Here I Am', a touching song that begins with these words of spiritual surrender: "Here I am, my knees are on this floor again/Take away my pride, reveal this heart within/And send Your rain of mercy, let the healing begin".
READY TO FLY is a terrific pop album of fast and slow songs, that showcases the tight vocal harmonies of FFH. Thematically, this album spends a lot of time reflecting on the goodness of our God. He loved us so much that He sent His Son Jesus to Calvary to die for our sins, saving us and purchasing our freedom. He is a faithful God Who deserves our praise and our worship. We should give our entire lives to Him. FFH also longs for heaven. What a grand place that will be for eternity! There's also a nice love song and one song about pursuing one's dreams. For more info visit www.ffh.net and connect with the group on social media. I'm giving this one 100%.