For the 2022 Insiders Club, Needtobreathe changed things up. They were no longer going to release a physical product and only do the Digital Songs only. I stopped being a member right then and there as I want a physical product. Well, I think the backlash was swift and loud as a few months in to the year, that all changed. They decided that there will be a new tier level in the Insiders Club, more expensive of course, but a physical product would be given. This time around instead of only a CD, you will get an autographed vinyl copy as well. They still have the digital songs, which are different then the ones on here. The new CD and Vinyl are now a Best of The Insiders giving us the 10 best songs from the 8 years of The Insiders CD series started. This is the 1st Edition which means there will be more (and there is because 2023 is doing the same thing and it is the 2nd Edition).

I bought this immediately after the announcement when out to make sure I got a copy. They sent a bunch of other goodies as well right away, but the album didn’t show up until March of 2023. That is due to the fact they had so much backlash and had to create this from scratch and with vinyl pressing times so slow, it took quite a long time to come. The CD came back in the fall, so it was much quicker. But what was great is they did give updates on the vinyl, but it showed up unannounced and made for a great surprise. Well, almost surprise. I saw someone had already stuck one of these for sale on eBay for $250 and I thought…”Hey! How did they get their’s already?”…little did I know, that a few hours later mine arrived at the door. BTW…they still haven’t sold it yet. I hope they do, because that price would be sweet!

The album kicks off with the title track of the album ‘Out of Body’. The song was recorded in Franklin, TN on August 28, 2020 and was on the Insiders Vol VII CD. This version is only different from the studio by the fact it was recorded live, but otherwise they stick to the song and do have a nice guitar solo to end the song which is cool. One of my favorite tracks off that album and here they sound amazing. Almost as good as the studio version.

Up next is “Girl Named Tennessee (Folsom Prison Blues)” recorded in Toronto on May 11, 2007. This one was on Vol V which is one of the few I’m missing. This is a great version with a little Johnny Cash thrown in for good measure. Already a fun, energetic track, live adds a new level to it. There is a country flair to the song and when you throw in some Folsom Prison Blues”, damn it makes that much more special. I think Bo is singing the Folsom bit and not Bear which is really cool and throw on some fancy organ and all is right with the world.

Then we get “Oh Carolina” with Foy Vance joining in on the song. It was recorded in Glasgow Scotland on December 4, 2014. This one was of Vol. II and I do have that one. The song is another one with a lot of country flair to it, some piano and they even go in to The Who’s Squeezebox but it is country version too. A rather crazy turn on the song. Lots of fun.

Next is an acoustic version of “Money & Fame” from Nashville TN on June 6, 2016. Not a song I’d expect to be acoustic based on the live version and it is done okay here. It does showcase Bear Rineharts vocals. It is a slowed down version and for me isn’t one of my favorites as I love the upbeat rocking version better.

“Lay ‘Em Down” is up next recorded in Grand Rapids, MI on November 2, 2009. This one was on Vol. VIII and another in my collection. The song is very serious, a somber sound and yet it is so powerful. An almost church like feel on the chorus and it is one of the best songs they’ve ever written in my book.

The back half opens with “Something Beautiful (Alternate Version)” from Florence, SC on August 12, 2015. This one is on Vol. V and “Something Beautiful” is listed as an alt version which is weird as it is a live version and live songs in their very nature are alternate versions. I think it is because they really did change it up in style and added a lot of harmony background vocals.

Then we get “Multiplied” which features Bri Bryant and Welshly Arms and was recorded in Indianapolis, IN on August 27, 2016. This one is on Vol. IV which I am missing so this one is new to me now. Bri’s vocals are so good and she compliments Bear with her style. Another song that brings a church-like vibe as Bri’s angelic vocals feel like angles singing, soaring through the sky. A beautiful version of this song.

“More Time” is up next and this one was recorded in Oklahoma City, OK on October 8, 2012. I think this one is on IV as well. The song is acoustic and I hear a mandolin I think as well. It doesn’t credit any one else singing along with Bear so I am guessing it is his brother Bo singing along with him. The chorus is so good and such a powerful. I really dig this take of the song live. Nice change up on it.

“Slumber” was recorded in Washington DC on April 22, 2012 and is another one I don’t have because it is on Vol. 1 which is so hard to find. Another acoustic track as Bear counts them in. A slower track and although the chorus isn’t as big here as the studio album, it is still a great rendition of the track.

They end with one of their greatest live performances with the song “Brother”. There is a version of the studio track with Gavin DeGraw on it and guess what, he shows up for this live version as well. Recorded in Nashville TN, on December 17, 2017. The song starts with Bear and a guitar and it sounds like he isn’t singing in the mic, just letting his powerful voice carrying through the theater and I saw this as it so quiet in the place, until he brings out Gavin and the crowd goes nuts. Gavin and Bear sound great together and play off each other nicely. Handclaps from everyone just makes this a special, all-involved song. That chorus is so killer and it is all really Freakin’ cool!!

And there you have it. A new prize in my collection as this might be one of the coolest pieces I have. And I am sure it is rather exclusive as the price for this tier Insiders Club is not cheap so I can’t imagine there are many printed. No need rating this as there is no denying it wouldn’t get a top score. A beautiful piece and the vinyl will never be played only displayed on my autograph wall. If I want to hear this one it will be on CD or digital as I’ve burned it to the computer so I can stream in the car as well. Thanks for hanging around.