If you were trying to introduce someone to southern gospel music, it wouldn’t take long for you to let them know about Greater Vision. I believe they are the greatest trio in the history of this genre, and for over twenty years have been one of the most consistent hit-makers in gospel music. Making an essential 80-minute playlist for them was a relief compared to the Cathedrals, for a couple of reasons: 20 years of music is a lot less than 35, and I am blessed to have all of their recordings, and a whole lot of listening experience with them.
My essential Greater Vision playlist contains five from the original Wolfe/Allman/Trammell lineup, who I think had the best trio blend ever in southern gospel music. Three songs are from the two stints, 15 years apart, of the Wolfe/Allman/Griffin lineup. In between is a decade-plus of huge songs from the long-standing Wolfe/Griffin/Waldroup lineup. Of the 12 songs included that were recorded since 1996, 9 of them were written by the incomparable Rodney Griffin. Most of Greater Vision’s major albums are represented here.
So, which songs did I leave out that you consider to be essential to the Greater Vision discography? Which songs might you replace with something else?
- On a Journey, On a Journey, 1991
- Sailing Away, You Can Have a Song, 1991
- There Is a River, It’s Just Like Heaven, 1992
- He Is Mine, It’s Just Like Heaven, 1992
- Heaven Can’t Be Far Away, The King Came Down, 1993
- Who Moved, Serving a Risen Savior, 1994
- I Could Never Praise Him Enough, Take Him at His Word, 1995
- The Spirit of Brokenness, The Shepherds Found a Lamb, 1996
- He’d Still Been God, When I See the Cross, 1997
- My Name Is Lazarus, Far Beyond This Place, 1999
- Just One More Soul, Far Beyond This Place, 1999
- So Much God, Perfect Candidate, 2000
- They Should Have Cried Holy, Live at First Baptist Atlanta, 2002
- He Is to Me, Quartets, 2003
- Faces, Faces, 2004
- A Mighty Fortress Is Our God, Hymns of the Ages, 2006
- It Means Just What It Says, Everyday People, 2007
- It Pays to Pray, Not Alone, 2008
- I Know a Man Who Can, The Only Way, 2010
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Great list. I have two comments.
#1 I would use the live version of “There Is A River” from the We’ve Come To Worship project. As good as the version is on Just Like Heaven, the live version is head and shoulders better.
#2 Gerald’s version of “Til The Storm Passes By” from When I See The Cross HAS to be there. Of course, that would necessitate removing a song….the most likely candidate for that to me would have to be “Who Moved”. Like the song, but “Til The Storm” is better.
Glad to see “They Should Have Cried Holy” on the list.
Author
#1: Great suggestion…but I’m not sure if I have that version. I’ve watched it before, but I don’t think I have a copy of the audio.
#2 Another great suggestion. I do wonder if replacing “Who Moved” with that would push the playlist past 80 minutes. I can’t cheat!
I told you my preference on the live version of “There is a River” before too. As far as cheating, don’t underestimate yourself. 😉
I’m trying to find an audio version and/or the lyrics to The Shepherds Found a Lamb. Do you know anywhere online? I’ve googled it and searched on youtube and can’t find it. Thanks for any help you can give.
Katie
Author
Sorry, Katie…your efforts are as good as mine on this one!