Here’s a short list I’ve compiled for July 4th.  What are other songs you guys play for the 4th?

1. “Let Freedom Ring” by The Kingdom Heirs is also a great song.  It’s from their Forever Gold project.  Steve Lacey is awesome on this song.
2. “Blood Bought My Freedom” by The Primitive Quartet is another one.  It’s on their 20th Anniversary project.  This is one of the few times that they’ve used drums in their music.
3. “God Bless America” by Vestal Goodman from her Lifetime of Favorites compilation.
4. “God Bless The USA” by Lee Greenwood, The Nelons, or The Kingdom Heirs.  What’s July 4th without this song?
5. “Pray For America” by Tara Jackson is amazing.  It’s on her debut, self-titled project.
6. “America Medley” from the GVB/EHSS Together project.
7. “America The Beautiful” by Three Bridges from their Believe album.
8. “Proud Of The American Flag” by The Isaacs from their Labor Of Love project.
9. “I Still Believe In America” by Brian Free & Assurance on their So Close To Home project.
10. “We Want America Back” by The Steeles.  Although this song in it’s day was very controversial with the secular media, the message is very much needed today.

What are your thoughts?

This album, Mountain Home, by soloist Tim Surrett was released in 1999 during his stint with the Isaacs.  As you may have gathered from the title, this album has a bluegrass feel to it, but is what is considered Mountain Gospel. 

Tim Surrett is probably most noted for his time spent with The Kingsmen Quartet when he introduced the hit song “Wish You Were Here”. Tim has recently began traveling and singing with the bluegrass group, Balsam Range.

As if Tim’s vocals and musicianship weren’t enough to buy this project, he calls in assistance from other top vocalists and instrumentalists from Southern Gospel & Country music.  Other artists on this project include:

• Vince Gill
• John Bowman
• Rebecca Bowman
• Jeff Collins
• Karen Peck Gooch
• Steve Gulley
• Ben Isaacs
• Sonya Isaacs
• David Johnson
• Marc Pruett
• Don Rigsby
• Adam Steffey
• Carol Woodard

Tracks for Mountain Home are:

1. I’ve Been Waitin’
2. Thy Burdens Are Greater Than Mine
3. Tears Will Never Stain The Streets Of That City
4. When I Wake Up To Sleep No More
5. I’ll Wear A White Robe
6. Where Will You Build
7. God Likes To Work
8. The First Look
9. Haven of Rest
10. The Prettiest Flowers
11. Mamma’s Angel
12. Turn Back
13. Wait For The Light

This album is available all over the internet and is also available directly from Tim Surrett here.

My recommendation for this weeks’ album is the latest release by The Kingsmen.  To be perfectly honest, I just purchased this album this week.  I’ve typically liked most of the music put out by The Kingsmen, but they have never been one of my favorite groups.  I’m not quite sure why they are not one of my favorites, but that was the reason for my delay in purchasing their latest release.  After hearing the project, I wish that I had purchased it the day it was released.

If you haven’t heard this album yet, you need to get it.  After looping this album 5 times on my computer, I don’t think there was a song that I skipped over.  That is rare for me, especially after the first spin of the album.  I was skeptical of this lineup of Jeremy Peace (Tenor), Phillip Hughes (Lead), Tony Peace (Baritone) & Ray Reese (Bass), but was pleasantly surprised with this recording.

Here’s the track listing:

1. He’s a Good, Good God
2. God Can Save Anybody, Anywhere, Anytime
3. Finished Indeed
4. Jesus My Lord
5. Jesus Knows My Name
6. A Story That Shall Never Die
7. I Found Mercy
8. Longing to Go There
9. Don’t Look At the Water
10. To Count for Jesus

This album is available for download on itunes for @ $10 or directly from The Kingsmen here. 

My recommendation this week for your collection is from a lesser known group.  The Crossmen hail from Morgantown, KY and have been singing since 1993.  This project, New Ground (1995) was the first major recording from the group released on the SonLite Records label and it is still my favorite release from the group.  A couple of the songs charted on the Singing News Top 80; “Sweet Heaven Awaits” and “Rise Above It All”. 

Here is the complete track list from the project:

1. I’m On My Way
2. Rise Above It All
3. Time After Time
4. Man Of The Cross
5. Open The Doors
6. A View From Here
7. Sweet Heaven Awaits
8. That’s The Way He Is
9. Moving Out Of Here
10. Hide Me In Your Shadows

My favorite songs from the project are “Sweet Heaven Awaits”, “Moving Out Of Here” and “A View From Here”.  This project was surprisingly good when I first purchased it and it continues to be one of my favorites.

You may have to scour the internet for this project, but if you don’t mind a cassette, it is available here.  This project was also released on CD, but is a little harder to find.

This week I recommend this Double CD by Gold City.  It includes 2 live albums by Gold City, Live (1982) and Double Take Live (1986).  You get both classic albums on one remastered CD. 

Tracks from the Live album:

1. What A Lovely Name
2. Angels Move Over
3. On Victory Road
4. He’s The Rock I’m Leaning On
5. No Other Word For Grace But Amazing
6. What A Happy Time
7. Ain’t God Good
8. I’m Going Home Someday
9. Ezekiel Saw The Wheel
10. In My Robe Of White

Tracks from the Double Take Live album:

1. Come On In
2. When I Stood Up
3. Band Introduction
4. Separated
5. Mike Lefevere Introduction
6. When I Get Carried Away
7. Brian Free Introduction
8. Greatest Of All Miracles
9. Brian Free’s Testimony
10. Greatest Of All Miracles (Encore)
11. I’m Gonna Move
12. Our God Will Prevail
13. Cool Drink Of Water
14. Ivan Parker Introduction
15. After I Bow
16. Ivan Parker’s Commentary
17. After I Bow (Encore)
18. Loose Him And Let Him Go
19. Loose Him And Let Him Go (Encore)

Ebay is probably the best place to look for this album, although I did find it for sale on Amazon.com here.

My recommendation for this week is by the Inspirations.  Tell It To A Friend is one of my favorite albums ever released by the Inspirations and is an awesome addition to a Southern Gospel collection.

Tracks for this project are:

1. God Is Still On The Throne
2. When Reveille Blows From Heaven
3. One More Time Around The Wall
4. I Don’t Have To See The Tomb
5. Thank You Mama For Praying For Me
6. The Filling Station
7. Tell It To A Friend
8. He Gave All Of Him
9. Memories Of Home
10. Gonna Build Me An Ark

I don’t think there is a song on this album that I skip over.  My personal favorite songs from this project are “When Reveille Blows From Heaven” featuring Mike on some awesome bass runs, “The Filling Station” featuring Archie on tenor, and of course the classic song, “God Is Still On The Throne”.

Although this album was released in 1986, it was later re-released in CD format. You should be able to find this project on ebay or by doing a Google search.

One of my all-time favorite albums is Chapter X Live by The Bishops.  This album probably gets more playtime from my collection than any other.  Not only do you get the wonderful vocals of the Bishops, you get them live. 

Tracks include:

This album has recently been made available for purchase from www.eddiecrook.com.  Although the CD from ECC is a reproduction, it is a high quality reproduction, not like some of the CD-R quality reproductions widely seen on ebay. 

Many other older Bishops projects are also available from the Retro section of Eddie Crook’s online store here:

http://eddiecrook.com/store/retro_product.php

I know that I’ve missed a week for my album recommendations to build your collection but I simply didn’t have time last week to post anything.  Oh well, that’s part of life.  You have to deal with issues that arise and go forward.

My must have CD for the Southern Gospel collector this week is Trust The Truth by Poet Voices.  Not only do you get to hear the group in their prime, you get to hear Mike Allen pounding out those low notes and Tony Jarman hitting the high notes.  Although there were two different album covers for this project, one with Tony Jarman and a different cover with Milan Klipa.  Tony sings the tenor vocals on this project regardless of what is pictured on the album cover.  Tony simply left the group right after the album was released so another picture was used in additional pressings of the project to reflect the change in personnel.

The first track, “I Am Redeemed”, has become a Southern Gospel standard.  “One Holy Lamb” was also first recorded on this album with Tony Jarman, but was also recorded on their next album, Rhythm & Rhyme, with Milan Klipa taking the lead vocals.  Milan’s version is the one that was released to radio, but I prefer Tony’s version from this recording.

My other favs from this recording are “Grace & Glory”, “My Lord’s Been With Me All The Way” & “Over & Over, Amen”.  Here’s the complete track listing:

1. I Am Redeemed
2. Grace & Glory
3. One Holy Lamb
4. Over & Over Amen
5. Trust The Truth
6. My Lord’s Been With Me All The Way
7. Faster Than I Can Fall
8. On The Radio
9. God Of Glory, Lord Of Love
10. Praise You With My Life
11. Trust The Truth Reprise

This album can be found for a reasonable price on ebay.  It’s also available here on Amazon.com:

CLICK HERE FOR ALBUM

The album I recommend for your collection this week can be rather elusive when you try to get your hands on it.  If you purchase it, then you have gotten the best songs from 1970-1999 according to Jerry Kirksey of the Singing News. 

Daywind released this compilation CD to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Singing News National Chart for Southern Gospel Music.  This ratings chart was the first of it’s kind for Southern Gospel music.

The song list for the project is as follows:

1970 – The Oak Ridge Boys – Jesus Is Coming Soon
1971 – Wendy Bagwell & The Sunlighters – Here Come The Rattlesnakes
1972 - The Rambos – Build My Mansion
1973 – The Oak Ridge Boys – King Jesus
1974 – Inspirations – When I Wake Up To Sleep No More
1975 – Thrasher Brothers – One Day At A Time
1976 – Blackwood Brothers – Learning To Lean
1977 – Inspirations – A Rose Among The Thorns
1978 – The Imperials – Sail On
1979 – Teddy Huffam & The Gems – Gone
1980 – Squire Parsons – Sweet Beulah Land
1981 – The Hemphills – He’s Still Working On Me
1982 – Heaven Bound – Canaanland Is Just In Sight
1983 – The Cathedrals – Step Into The Water
1984 – Gold City – I Think I’ll Read It Again
1985 – Gold City – John Saw
1986 – The Kingsmen – Called Out
1987 – The Cathedrals – Boundless Love
1988 – Gold City – Midnight Cry
1989 – The Speers – Saved To The Uttermost
1990 – The Speers – He’s Still In The Fire
1991 – Perfect Heart – Somebody Touched The Lord
1992 – Greater Vision – New Wine
1993 – Gold City – There Rose A Lamb
1994 – The Cathedrals – Jesus Saves
1995 – The Greenes – Jesus’ Rocking Chair
1996 – New Hinsons – Oasis
1997 – The Steeles – We Want America Back
1998 – The Hoppers – Shoutin Time
1999 – Greater Vision – My Name Is Lazarus

I’ve found that FYE carries this project in stock and it is available to purchase online here:

Singing News 30th Anniversary Collection

This album is a must have for your Southern Gospel library.  Released in 2000, it’s a greatest hits compilation from the Nelons that include the following tracks:

1. I’ll Talk To The Father
2. Jesus Is Alive And Well
3. Hallelujah
4. Bring My Children Home
5. We Shall Wear A Robe And Crown
6. I’m Glad I Know Who Jesus Is
7. You’ve Got To Walk That Lonesome Road
8. Walk Right Out Of This Valley
9. Way Up In Gloryland
10. Oh For A Thousand Tongues

While not my favorite group, this CD IS one of my favorites.  You need this project in your collection.

My recommended project for week #2 is by The Dixie Melody Boys.  Although the Dixie Melody Boys are sometimes referred to as the “Minor League Farm Team” of Southern Gospel Music, they’ve had their share of good singers pass through the group.  This project is a good example of some of the best talent that has passed through Ed O’Neal’s Dixie Melody Boys.

Gonna Praise The Lord – Live! was released in 1992 and the group consisted of:

• Derrick Boyd (Tenor – now with the Blackwood Gospel Quartet)

• McCray Dove (Lead – now Owner and lead singer for The Dove Brothers Quartet)

• Rodney Griffin (Baritone & Bass Guitar – now with Greater Vision and multiple winner of the Songwriter of the Year award)

• Ed O’Neal (Bass – still singing bass for the Dixie Melody Boys)

• Eric Ollis (Piano – now playing Piano for The Whisnants)

• Larry Delawter (Utility Musician, Harmonica – I have no idea where Larry is now, sorry

The song list for this project is as follows:

1. I’m Feeling Just Fine

2. Peace In The Valley

3. Listen To The Bells

4. He’s Alive & Well

5. I’ll Have A New Song

6. Stand By Me

7. He Touched Me

8. I Just Gotta Praise The Lord

9. When Morning Comes

10. He Didn’t Move Mt. Calvary

11. Larry DeLawder: Instrumental

12. When I Cross To The Other Side Of Jordan

There were several upbeat songs on this project and those are usually the ones I listen to the most.  My favorite tracks from this projects are “He Didn’t Move Mt. Calvary”, “I’ll Have A New Song”, “I Just Gotta Praise The Lord”, and “I’m Feeling Just Fine”.

This project is a must have for the serious Southern Gospel Music collector, but you’ll have to search ebay.com, Amazon.com or Google.com to try and get your hands on it.  This project is available on CD and shouldn’t be too hard to find.

While not a true SG album, The Primitive Quartet of Candler, NC, have been consistant in their contributions to gospel music.  Year after year they produce high-quality, bluegrass style music that gets a lot of airplay on Southern Gospel stations in the south.  Normally, I wouldn’t recommend a bluegrass-style album, but this album of “Greatest Hits” if you will, gives you the some of the best music that the Primitive Quartet put out.

The song list for this 2-CD project includes:

1. The Blessings Of A Friend
2. Safely Home
3. A Letter From Home
4. Lord Lead Me On
5. He’s Still Passing By
6. Family On Both Sides
7. I’m Changing Houses
8. You’ve Been An Inspiration
9. Love Came Down
10. We’ve Been So Blessed
11. Far Side Banks Of Jordon
12. A Bright Home (Where Grief Cannot Come)
13. Reunion In Heaven
14. If I Could Telephone Heaven
15. God Can’t See Through The Blood
16. God’s Only Son
17. It’s Him
18. Only Gone From Our Sight
19. Walking In The Highway
20. I Can’t, But God Can
21. Hallelujah, He’s Risen
22. Where The Roses Never Fade
23. No Longer An Orphan

My personal favorite tracks from this project are “If I Could Telephone Heaven”, “Hallelujah, He’s Risen”, “No Longer An Orphan”, “Only Gone From Our Sight” & “He’s Still Passing By”.  Most tracks are good, but those are by far my favorites.

This double-disc project, along with their library of other projects, is available online, directly from the Primitive Quartet here:

http://www.primitivequartet.com/