Jan 10

The Playlist #8: New Year

At first, you may think it strange to come up with southern gospel songs dealing with the New Year holiday.  Of course, the holiday itself is not a subject of any gospel song I know.  But we can find many gospel songs that talk about the things we think about when a new year comes.

For a Christian, the New Year is a time first to look back at, remember, and celebrate what the Lord has done in the previous year.  It’s a time to look forward to and get excited about what He may do in the next year.  Finally, for many of us, it’s a time to make or renew commitments to the Lord’s service.  Now we can come up with some songs, right?

Here is my New Year playlist.  What are some songs you can think of that would fit?

 

  1. New Day Dawning, Whisnants, New Day Dawning
  2. Because He Lives, Bill Gaither Trio, Because He Lives
  3. Way Past Ready, Mark Trammell Quartet, Lifetime
  4. The Great I Am Still Is, Triumphant Quartet, You Gotta Love It!
  5. So Many Years, So Many Blessings, Lewis Family, 50th Anniversary Celebration
  6. He’s Already in Your Tomorrow, Kingdom Heirs, Going on With the Song
  7. Press On O Pilgrim, There is Joy Ahead, Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver, Help Is on the Way
  8. I’ll Go With God, Phillips Family, I Can’t Quit
  9. The Past Is a Promise, Whisnants, Promises
  10. I’m Gonna Keep Praising Jesus’ Name, Kingdom Heirs, Gonna Keep Telling
  11. More and More Like You, Greater Vision, Serving a Risen Savior
  12. I’m Not Giving Up, Gold City, Standing in the Gap
  13. Lord Do a New Thing, Greater Vision, Take Him at His Word
  14. I’m Not Worried About Forever, Kingdom Heirs, We Will Stand Our Ground
  15. Keep Moving Along, Cathedrals, Old Convention Song
  16. I Am Resolved, Dailey & Vincent, Singing From the Heart
  17. Jesus Is Still the Answer, Collingsworth Family, The Answer
  18. I’m Too Near Home, Cathedrals, Climbing Higher & Higher
  19. I Don’t Wanna Go Back, Kingdom Heirs, Give Me the Mountain
  20. Redemption Draweth Nigh, Greater Vision, Far Beyond This Place

Dec 19

2012 in Review: Top Albums

In looking at the southern gospel releases of 2012, my initial thought was that it was not as strong a year for new recordings as 2011.  Digging deeper, the numbers tell a mixed story.  This year, I reviewed and rated 22 new albums, giving just one of them 5 stars, but ten of them 4.5 stars.  Last year, I reviewed 17 new projects, and gave out three 5-star ratings and six ratings of 4.5 stars.  Three projects from 2011 (from the Kingdom Heirs, Inspirations, and Collingsworth Family), were better to me than any new one I listened to in 2012.  So that’s probably the main source of my initial perception of relative weakness for this year.  But the ten 4.5 star ratings show that there was just as much, if not more, depth of quality recordings this year as last, the lack of blockbuster releases notwithstanding.

The majestic Lari Goss-produced offering from the Mark Trammell Quartet tops my 2012 list.  Close behind are the Talleys, with several of my favorite songs of the year, but a couple too many songs I didn’t care for to make the #1 spot.  The top three albums are a cut above the rest for me, and rounding it out is the best album many people may not have heard, from Barry Rowland & Deliverance.  Kyla Rowland’s pen + just plain singin’ = a home run.

Without further ado, here is are my Top 10 favorite new recordings of 2012.

 

  1. Lifetime, Mark Trammell Quartet (review)
  2. Love Won, Talleys (review)
  3. Make Mine the Real Thing, Barry Rowland & Deliverance (review)
  4. Our Anthem, Tribute Quartet (review)
  5. Through the Night, Perrys (review)
  6. Right Now, Old Paths  (review)
  7. The Gospel Side of Dailey and Vincent, Dailey & Vincent (review)
  8. It’s in the Savior’s Hands, Inspirations (review)
  9. Jubilee 3, Booth Brothers, Greater Vision, Legacy Five (review)
  10. A Tribute to the Songs of Bill and Gloria Gaither, Booth Brothers (review)

 

Don’t be afraid to tell me what you think!  Comment away!

Dec 18

2012 in Review: Top Songs

It’s hard to believe my second year writing for Southern Gospel Critique has just about come and gone.  What a blessing it is to be able to listen to such great music, and interact with other folks who love it too.

Since it’s the end of the 2012, I’ll once again share my personal favorite songs released on gospel recordings in the past year.  Other than that, there are no prerequisites.  Stay tuned this week, as I’ll also be posting my favorite albums of 2012.

Here’s my list.  What are some of your favorite songs of the past year?

 

  1. “Make Way for the Master,” Talleys, Love Won
  2. “Up Above,” Talleys, Love Won
  3. “Good News From Jerusalem,” Tribute Quartet, Our Anthem
  4. “Unspoken Request,” McKameys, Bearing Precious Seed
  5. “Everybody’s Gonna Have a Wonderful Time Up There,” Mark Trammell Quartet, Lifetime
  6. “He Took My Case,” Barry Rowland and Deliverance, Mike Mine the Real Thing
  7. “Too Good to Not Be True,” Perrys, Through the Night
  8. “If There Ever Was a Time,” Crabb Family, Together Again
  9. “The Church Will Overcome,” Talleys, Love Won
  10. “Meet Me Over on the Other Side,” Mark Trammell Quartet, Lifetime
  11. “In the Valley He Restoreth My Soul,” Canton Junction, Canton Junction
  12. “The Blood and Its Power,” Barry Rowland & Deliverance, Make Mine the Real Thing
  13. “All Our Hope,” Barry Rowland & Deliverance, Make Mine the Real Thing
  14. “So Simple, So Profound,” Inspirations, It’s in the Savior’s Hands
  15. “What’s That for a Healer,” Barry Rowland & Deliverance, Make Mine the Real Thing
  16. “Too Much to Gain to Lose,” Mark Trammell Quartet, Lifetime
  17. “One of These Mornings,” Perrys, Through the Night
  18. “It’s in the Savior’s Hands,” Inspirations, It’s in the Savior’s Hands
  19. “He Crossed Out My Sin and Shame,” Barry Rowland & Deliverance, Make Mine the Real Thing
  20. “Cross Over to the Other Side of Jordan,” Dailey & Vincent, The Gospel Side of Dailey & Vincent
  21. “Glorious Freedom,” Gaither Vocal Band, Pure and Simple
  22. “But He Did,” Barry Rowland & Deliverance, Make Mine the Real Thing
  23. “The Song of Heaven,” Tribute Quartet, Our Anthem
  24. “Sometimes I Wonder,” Ernie Haase & Signature Sound, Here We Are Again
  25. “The Greater God’s Love Will Shine,” Harper Family, Changes
  26. “God’s Great,” Old Paths, Right Now
  27. “Cast Aside,” Dailey & Vincent, The Gospel Side of Dailey & Vincent
  28. “The Galilean,” Booth Brothers, Greater Vision, Legacy Five, Jubilee 3
  29. “Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah,” Mark Trammell Quartet, Lifetime
  30. “That’s Why I Love Him So,” Talleys, Love Won

Dec 13

Quick Hits 6: Christmas Edition

Southern gospel fans generally love Christmas music, and for good reason.  The best Christmas music calls to mind the deliverance of man from sin by the Son of God coming down to earth.  At the same time, the music just makes people feel nice!  Here’s a look at two of the most notable Christmas releases in southern gospel this year.

 

CFChristmas

Feels Like Christmas (The Collingsworth Family)

The rich family harmonies and brilliant musical minds of the Collingsworth Family make the group a prime candidate to release strong Christmas music.  With the soaring arrangements and flawless performances on Feels Like Christmas, they do not disappoint.

The first four tracks comprise the secular portion of the recording.  The opener, a melding of “Winter Wonderland” and “Sleigh Ride,” is outstanding and has that classic, big-band Christmas sound.  For me, the next three tracks were sleepy time, before being revived by the introduction of the sacred portion of the project, an exquisite medley of “Silent Night” and “What Child Is This”.  Phillip Jr. and Brooklyn deliver perhaps the best rendition of “Silent Night” I’ve heard.  It is a major highlight of the album.  Brooklyn is featured in the other of the project’s best moments, an exciting amalgamation of “Mary’s Little Boy Child” and “Jesus, What a Wonderful Child”.

All members of the family are featured at various points.  In addition to those mentioned above, Courtney sings “Christmas Can’t Be Far Away,” Olivia sings “My Gift Is Me,” Phil Sr. gets two trumpet features (“O Magnify the Lord” is stirring), and Kim brings back a beautiful Christmas/patriotic ballad from the Collingsworth archives, “Peace on Earth Tonight,” in addition to her dramatic piano rendition of “O Holy Night”.

4.5 stars

Best tracks: Mary’s Little Boy Child/Jesus, What a Wonderful Child, Silent Night/What Child Is This, Winter Wonderland/Sleigh Ride, Peace on Earth Tonight

Might want to skip: Christmas Time Is Here, Christmas Can’t Be Far Away

 

JubileeChristmasJubilee Christmas (Booth Brothers, Greater Vision, Legacy Five)

The first Christmas release for the Jubilee gang is a mostly light-hearted mixture of traditional holiday fare, with a few new songs included.

Two of the new songs are the best tracks on the recording, in my opinion.  The opener, “A Christmas Jubilee” gets it off to a perfect start, and seems like an ideal Christmas concert opener.  On a more serious note, Jim Brady is featured “It Came to Pass.” a poignant ballad he wrote, with some rare help from Gerald Wolfe himself.  The other songs which were new, at least to me, are “It Will Always Be Christmas to Me,” a nostalgic tune featuring Chris Allman, and “Celebrating Jesus,” which gives Ronnie Booth a chance to show off his “Elvis” chops.

Probably the most memorable track on the album is definitely on the light-hearted side.  “Our Twelve Days of Christmas” replaces each item in the traditional song with something humorously gospel music-related.  It’s not exactly high art, but it’s pure fun, and I’m sure a highlight of their Jubilee Christmas concerts.  The entire album sets up well for an enjoyable concert experience, which I’m sure was intentional.

There’s a little something for everyone on Jubilee Christmas, and it definitely captures well the Christmas spirit of this “group of groups”.

4 stars

Best tracks: It Came to Pass, A Christmas Jubilee, Our Twelve Days of Christmas

Might want to skip: Piano medley (Rudolph, Frosty, etc.)

Dec 12

Album Review: Jubilee 3 (Booth Brothers, Greater Vision, Legacy Five)

Jubilee3I know the latest release by the “Jubilee” gang is not brand new at this point, but among recordings of 2012 I have not reviewed yet, it is my favorite, so I thought I’d go ahead and get a review in before the end of the year.

By now, the Booth Brothers, Greater Vision, and Legacy Five know the formula that works best for their joint venture.  The first Jubilee recording was comprised mostly of songs either sung by all three groups together, or songs featuring one of the individual groups.  For Jubilee 3, most of the songs feature individual members of the three groups, put together to form a “scrap iron” trio or quartet.  Gerald Wolfe and the other guys have clearly listened to the fans and given them what they want.  The song listing on the CD packaging adds humor by giving each “group” a name, like the “Tin-Ears” (the three tenors), the “Barely-Tone” (the baritones) and the “Dream On Quartet” (composed of…good looking guys?)

The other aspect of Jubilee 3 that makes it the best recording yet in the series is the song selection.  There are still old standards present, but several new songs, or songs not commonly recorded, give this album more depth than previous Jubilee releases.

To me, the anchor of the album is “The Galilean,” which was new to me when I heard it live at the NQC Jubilee Showcase.  I have since learned that it was recorded by the Singing Americans with Danny Funderburk featured (and by some others since).  It sounds like no other song I’ve ever heard before, starting softly, but then transforming to a power ballad by the end of the chorus.  Gus Gaches and the rest of the “Brunette Quartet” (Ronnie Booth, Wolfe, and Glenn Dustin) knock it out of the park.

The best of the new songs is a beautiful Jim Brady composition called “Every Cry Is Heard”, which Jim sings with Wolfe and Gaches.  It’s a great message in a simple, but graceful musical package, encouraging the listener to sing along.  The pace is much quicker for “Treasures in Heaven,” a catchy new Rebecca Peck tune sung by the “Tin-Ears,” anchored by Chris Allman.  Allman (“There’s a Better Day”) and Rodney Griffin (convention-style “Still Trusting in the Blood”) join Brady in contributing new songs from their pen to the project.

The balance of the songs should be mostly familiar to southern gospel fans.  It’s hard to go wrong with “Wedding Music,” and the rendition found here is no exception.  It’s the first studio recording of the song to feature Chris Allman in the finish, who for my money, sings it better than anyone.  “Gettin’ Ready Today” is a fun song and contains a surprise vocal feature from Legacy Five pianist Trey Ivey.  It calls to mind Roger Bennett’s features with the Cathedrals and Legacy Five.  “Beautiful Home,” featuring the entire Jubilee “choir” is a terrific rousing CD closer.

The one song that is out of place on the recording is “How Much More,” which is a feature for former Legacy Five bass Glenn Dustin.  The performance is fine, but the fact that Dustin and the quartet parted ways soon after the project’s release lessens its impact.

Obviously, if you love the Booth Brothers, Greater Vision, and Legacy Five, you will definitely want this project.  In fact, you probably already have it.  While the first two Jubilee recordings were interesting and fun because of the dynamics of the collaboration, the music on Jubilee 3 , even more than the others, stands on its own merits, regardless of the novelty of the set-up, as a quality southern gospel recording.

Album Rating: 4.5 stars

Song list:

  1. I Just Feel Like Something Good Is About to Happen (Bill Gaither) (feat. Jubilee gang)
  2. Still Trusting in the Blood (Rodney Griffin) (feat. Jubilee gang)
  3. Had It Not Been (Rusty Goodman) (feat. Scott Howard, Brady, Griffin)
  4. There’s a Better Day (Chris Allman) (feat. Jubilee gang)
  5. Leave Your Sorrows and Come Along (O.A. Parris, Eugene Wright) (feat. Jubilee gang)
  6. Wedding Music (Kirk Talley/Phil Cross) (feat. Allman, Scott Fowler, Brady, Dustin)
  7. Treasures in Heaven (Rebecca Peck) (feat. Allman, Gaches, Michael Booth)
  8. How Much More (Goodman) (feat. Dustin, with M. Booth and Griffin)
  9. Gettin’ Ready Today (Joe Hatfield) (feat. Wolfe, Fowler, M. Booth, Ivey)
  10. Every Cry Is Heard (Jim Brady) (feat. Brady, Wolfe, Gaches)
  11. The Galilean (Stephen Robert Adams) (feat. Gaches, Wolfe, R. Booth, Dustin)
  12. Beautiful Home (Morris Stancil) (feat. Jubilee gang)

Available at: Booth Brothers, Greater Vision, and Legacy Five websites

Nov 29

The Essential Playlist #5: Mark Trammell Quartet

With the news this week that the Mark Trammell Quartet’s hit “I Want to Know” is the Singing News’ most-played song of the year, I thought it would be as good a time as any to come up with an essential playlist for the group.

Everything about the Mark Trammell Quartet points to progress.  As the Mark Trammell Trio, every recording seemed to build upon the one before, eventually culminating in the stellar Once Upon a Cross and Always Have a Song projects.  Becoming a quartet in early 2010 boosted their potential and popularity.  The powerhouse “Loving the Lamb” just missed the #1 spot on the charts and was their biggest hit until they finally broke through to #1 with “I Want to Know”.  They absolutely brought the house down at every opportunity at NQC this year, and have just released a majestic and powerful album with Lifetime.

So, in some ways, it might be inappropriate at this juncture to establish an essential playlist of music, since the best is on the horizon.  But at the same time, now is a perfect opportunity to introduce someone to what the Mark Trammell Quartet are about.  If you were to do so, what would your playlist look like?

Here’s my essential playlist for the Mark Trammell Quartet (and Trio).  As always, I limit these to 80 minutes (what would fit on a CD)

 

  1. It’s Jesus, Something Good, 2003
  2. The Lamb, Something Good, 2003
  3. Stand and Praise the Lord, Beside Still Waters, 2004
  4. When I Stand in the Presence, Beside Still Waters, 2004
  5. This Time, This Time, 2005
  6. When Mercy Came Down, This Time, 2005
  7. Hallelujah, I’m Going Home, Journey Thus Far, 2006
  8. Even Thomas Couldn’t Doubt It, Once Upon a Cross, 2007
  9. Once Upon a Cross, Once Upon a Cross, 2007
  10. Weary at the Well, Once Upon a Cross, 2007
  11. Loving the Lamb, Always Have a Song, 2008
  12. Safe on the Glory Side, Always Have a Song, 2008
  13. Coming Out and Moving In, Always Have a Song, 2008
  14. How Big Is God, Vintage Gospel, 2010
  15. It’s Almost Over, Testimony, 2010
  16. Testimony, Testimony, 2010
  17. I Want to Know, Testimony, 2010
  18. Gentle Shepherd, Treasures, 2011
  19. Wedding Music, Treasures, 2011
  20. Way Past Ready, Lifetime, 2012
  21. Everybody’s Gonna Have a Wonderful Time Up There, Lifetime, 2012
  22. Too Much to Gain to Lose, Lifetime, 2012

Nov 21

The Playlist #7: Thanksgiving

In advance of the holiday, it’s obviously an appropriate time to look at some gospel songs that express a theme of thanksgiving.  The Psalms are filled with references to thanking and praising God through song, and I believe God still holds in special regard the use of music to worship and thank Him for all He has done.

Here is a playlist of some of my favorite songs of thanksgiving to God, and His goodness to us.  What are some of yours?

 

  1. I Could Never Praise Him Enough, Greater Vision, Take Him at His Word
  2. Thank You, Lord, For Your Blessings, Jeff & Sheri Easter, Thread of Hope
  3. I Thank My Savior for It All, Gaither Homecoming Friends, Singin’ in My Soul
  4. My Lord Is Taking Good Care of Me, Inspirations, God Makes No Mistakes
  5. Still Blessed, Perrys, Changed Forever
  6. We Need to Thank God, Inspirations, Highway to Heaven
  7. When I Thank Him, Kingdom Heirs, Anchored
  8. Thank You Lord, Rochesters, In His Time
  9. We Are So Blessed, Cathedrals, Live…in Atlanta
  10. I Have Been Blessed, Bethel Missionary Baptist Church Youth Choir, Hallelujah, What a Savior
  11. Thanks, Nelons, Thanks
  12. We’ve Been So Blessed, Primitive Quartet, 25th Anniversary
  13. We Want to Thank You, Talleys, Love Won
  14. I’ll Just Praise You, Gold City, Pressed Down, Shaken Together, Running Over
  15. God Has Been So Good to Me, Primitive Quartet, My Hope Is in the Blood
  16. Ain’t God Good, Gold City, Live
  17. I’ll Say Thanks, Gold City, Walk the Talk
  18. God’s Great, Old Paths, Right Now
  19. The Lord Is Good, Mark Trammell Trio, Love to Tell the Story
  20. Thanks for Loving Me, Cathedrals, Our Statue of Liberty
  21. Count Your Blessings, Mark Trammell, Treasures of the Heart, Vol. 2
And I know I posted a video of this song last year, but it’s my favorite Thanksgiving song, and one of my all-time favorite songs in general.  So I’m exercising my executive privilege as blogger to post it again.  Enjoy your holiday!