Jon Augustine- Carry Me Home Review

 

Artist: Jon Augustine
Title: Carry Me Home
Website: http://www.jonaugustine.com
Style: Gospel Blues
Label: Confession Records
Rating: 8.8 out of 10
By C.W. Ross

 

Some older readers might remember Jon from his 1991 5-episode run on the TV talent show Star Search. Jon made it to the semi-finals and received accolades like, "one of the best discoveries of the year."

 

Then in 2004 he Won Ryan Seacrest's "Be A Star" Contest on L.A. Radio Station STAR 98.7 winning prizes like $10,000 in cash, a Volkswagen Beetle, and a demo produced by Hollywood Records.

 

Fast-forward to June 2007, Jon won the grand prize at the Ignition Showcase in Northern California.  The competition featured singers, songwriters, bands, hip-hop artists and various independent Christian artists from Central and Northern California.  As a result of winning Jon will be featured on a compilation style release along with several other grand prizewinners.

 

Jon is working on a new album due to come out sometime in late 2008 until then you can enjoy Jon's solo debut release Carry Me Home which was released in 2006. What you'll find on it is a blend of more traditional gospel songs along with some blues-pop rockers.

 

Jon collaborates with Northern California Christian blues veteran Will Derryberry who recorded, engineered, mixed and mastered the CD at his studio located in California.

 

Carry Me Home kicks-off with the piano rich traditional song, "What Is Fellowship" with Jon's soulful vocals taking full reign over the song.

 

My favorite songs found on this release tended to be the more upbeat ones that had my toes tapping and had the feel of an upbeat church service.

 

I also really enjoyed title track, "Carry Me Home." I'm not positive but I'm pretty sure that I've heard this song playing on my radio tuned to a Christian station several times. This soulful number talks about finding strength in sorrow and joy in the pain and concludes with a nice vocal harmony.

 

I really liked what I heard on Carry Me Home and look forward to hearing what musical golden nuggets his next release will offer up.