Nice vocal qualities, but it sounds like the singer was still trying to make the melody and phrasing up as the tune was recorded...lots of uncertainty.
Another textbook case, I reckon, of a melody made up to fit sub-par wordsmithing and phrasing....thus, a very weak vocal melody. And very hard to sing some of the phrases and words. Akward words to sing. Reverse the order of importance: #1 MELODY; #2 Words to fit it. The vocal melody is weak and not very interesting, the result of trying to make it fit the words. Well sung pretty much. Not interesting though.
The art of great gospel lyric is giving the message with a new, unique translation and/or new contextual insight, I think. Reference Rice's "Untitled Hymn"....a masterpiece.
Song one has that high fifth-note pedaling nearly the whole song. If there's one change I'd make, it'd be some variation in that top guitar note....different top notes or a counter melody there. Fatigue.
Song two is a good example of what happens when ya doesn't use a click when multi-tracking; or a track that should have been re-done until the groove was solid. I'd say the congas should be played a lot more simply, and relaxed: the 16ths are not sitting right...very tense and racing ahead of the guitarist who seems to have the pulse. Was that a time battle?
The changes in the chorus of tune #1 are decent. But the happy maj 9ths in the too-long verse cycles of both songs are fatiguing. Interest falls-off. More turns in the progression would be really really swell.
That's my take on the structure and execution.
Gospel message music can have lots of forms; but something about the cool 'Jesus-at-the-beach' sound isn't cutting it for me. That's more subjective. And I'm a fan of the genre, and the message, and the Messenger.
The recording sounds good. The played parts could use more solid form....too much meandering. Organization of less-rythmic chord-comping would help a lot.
Our Lord wants some kickass tones and rythms and melodies from them He gifted with the ability, I think. These two sound forceably 'composed'...rather than inspired. Maybe stop forcing yourself on the music, and listen for the gifts, instead? Transcribe faithfully! The Master Composer has superior skills.
Feel free to scorn me. I'm being absolutely honest, and not attempting to be mean or anything like that.
