Reviewed by Tony Cummings

I don't know who the Calvanes are but they deserve a lot of credit for giving impeccable doowop harmonies over which Walter Santos' lead can winsomely glide. As the previous volume demonstrated, Bronx-born Santos has come up with a clever twist on music ministry by taking old doowop hits (in this case The Tymes' "So Much In Love", Dion & The Belmonts' "A Teenager In Love" and The Flamingos' "I Only Have Eyes For You") and by changing a few words of the lyrics making them into gospel songs. Unfortunately, like Volume 1, Santos also moves into non-doowop territory and fails with Motown evergreens like "How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You)" and "Heatwave". But when he stays in focus there is plenty of doowop charm here and there's an added bonus when blue-eyed soulman and CCM stalwart Bryan Duncan turns up as guest vocalist on a couple of tracks including a version of Love Song's Jesus music classic "Little Country Church". And just so there's no mistaking the serious spiritual intent of this inventive gospel doowopper, the final track is "Calvary Ranch Invitation" where pastor Tom McAloon offers details of where those with drug or alcohol problems can get help.

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

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