Sep 19

Top 100: #71 On Heaven’s Bright Shore (Inspirations)

Release Year: 1976

Album Rank for Group: #4 of 6

Here’s a blurb: The Inspirations continued to churn out hit after hit in the 1970s with their 1976 Canaan release.  The Bryson City quartet was still very much at the peak of their popularity at this point, bringing great convention-style gospel music to the masses, with an Appalachian twist.  This album is one of the best collections of that type of songs.

Knock my socks off: Heaven’s Bright Shore, A Rose Among the Thorns

Don’t skip that one: He’ll Wipe Away the Tears, Far Better Than This, When Fair Heaven I See, I’ll Live Again

I could honestly do without: Land of Living (doesn’t measure up to Gerald Wolfe)

Sep 15

Jerry Pelfrey to replace Craig West as Gold City’s new lead singer

For those of you wondering who this new singer is, rest assured that he is more than capable of filling the lead spot for Gold City.  Listen to this and see if you agree:

Sep 13

Top 100: #72 King’s Gold III (Gold City & Kingsmen)

Release Year: 1994

Album Rank for Group: #2 of 3

Here’s a blurb: The third installment of the King’s Gold series was the only one that was themed.  Jim Hamill guided the double quartet through gospel music history, singing classics songs from the Statesmen, Blackwood Brothers, Inspirations, Happy Goodmans, Cathedrals, and of course, Gold City and the Kingsmen.  The album was recorded with the Renewed configuration of Gold City, soon after the addition of Jay Parrack and Mark Trammell, and also soon after the addition of Chris Collins at tenor for the Kingsmen.

Knock my socks off: The Old Ship of Zion, On the Jericho Road

Don’t skip that one: I Wouldn’t Take Nothing for My Journey Now, When I Wake Up (To Sleep No More), Step Into the Water

I could honestly do without: Looking for a City (The King’s Gold 2 version is just better)

Sep 09

Top 100: #73 An Old Convention Song (Cathedrals)

Release Year: 1985

Album Rank for Group: #10 of 13

Here’s a blurb: “How long has it been since you heard an old convention song?” the 1984 Cathedrals hit (from Prestigious) asked.  This must have been their answer.  Packed full of 20 songs from the convention tradition, what a delightful answer it was.  This is my favorite Cathedrals lineup singing my favorite style of music.  The album also has one of my favorite covers.

Knock my socks off: My Soul Shall Live On, My Burdens Have Rolled Away

Don’t skip that one: Stormy Waters, When We Sing Around the Throne Eternal, Give the World a Smile, Headin’ for Gloryland, Do Right and Come Smiling Thru, I’m Telling the World About His Love

I could honestly do without: Turn Your Radio On, An Empty Mansion

Sep 08

Top 100: #74 Almost Morning (Perrys)

Release Year: 2009

Album Rank for Group: #3 of 4

Here’s a blurb: The Perrys struck gold with their critically acclaimed 2009 release.  This album is anchored by two huge songs: the 2010 Singing News Song of the Year in “If You Knew Him,” and the big hit “Did I Mention,” which I know from first-hand experience has caught fire in churches across the southeast.  It is rounded out with a variety of high-quality traditional-leaning gospel music.

Knock my socks off: If You Knew Him, Did I Mention

Don’t skip that one: Prior to a Prayer, This Old Sinner Testifies, I Love to Tell of His Love

I could honestly do without: You Cannot Improve on the Truth

Sep 07

Top 100: #75 Testify (Gaither Vocal Band)

Release Year: 1994

Album Rank for Group: #6 of 7

Here’s a blurb: The Vocal Band was in a transitional period when Testify was released in 1994.  Gone was mainstay lead Michael English and power tenor Terry Franklin, and in were Buddy Mullins and Jonathan Pierce.  Pierce would stay for a few years, but this would be the only album recorded with Mullins.  Guy Penrod would soon join and shape the more countrified sound of the next decade.  This was more of an English-era type recording, but don’t overlook it.  The sound is oh, so smooth, and song selection is creative and exciting.

Knock my socks off: I’m Free, I Shall Wear a Robe and Crown

Don’t skip that one: Lord Feed Your Children, Home, Build an Ark, John the Revelator

I could honestly do without: Mountains of Mercy, Testify

Sep 06

Top 100: #76 God Is Faithful (Collingsworth Family)

Release Year: 2006

Album Rank for Group: #3 of 3

Here’s a blurb: By 2006, the Collingsworth kids had matured to the point that the family’s sound was refined in multiple vocal configurations. God Is Faithful wasn’t the pinnacle yet, but it was a strong step in that direction. The quantity (15 tracks, almost an hour total), quality, and variety are what we have now come to expect from the Collingsworth Family.

Knock my socks off: We Want to Praise Jesus

Don’t skip that one: Tradin’ a Cross for a Crown, Free to Go Home, God Is in the Shadows, Light from Heaven, God Is Faithful

I could honestly do without: The instrumentals (They’re not bad…I just like singin’!)