Apr 29
Now Featuring…Pat Barker
Few gospel music news items have hit me harder in the last few years than the announcement that Pat Barker would be resigning his position with the Mark Trammell Quartet and leaving the road as a gospel singer. Though I certainly understand and fully support the move, Barker leaves a void not only for me, but for gospel music fans everywhere, that simply cannot be filled. His vocal talent is undeniable; he is one of the best bass singers in gospel music, and unrivaled today as a melody singer in the bass range. But more importantly than that, he has brought joy to this genre of music. In a day when many are attempting to write the epitaph on the tombstone of southern gospel, Pat Barker has helped make me want to listen to it and support it more than ever. I know that just because Pat won’t be on a stage every weekend doesn’t mean that he will cease to be an ambassador for gospel music in this way. Going forward, I hope that many, starting with myself, follow his example and show the world that there is unsurpassed joy in the gospel, and in gospel music!
We have been blessed with Pat Barker’s contributions as a singer for only a relatively short time, but he still leaves a great mark. Below are my top ten songs from my music collection that feature him. I’d love to hear from all of you with any songs that are special to you, or with any memories of the impact he may have made on you.
10. “Not in a Million Years,” Dixie Echoes, So Many Reasons (2008) – This was Barker’s first chance with the Echoes to shine on a fun, fast song, and it is an infectious delight.
9. “Calvary Medley,” Mark Trammell Quartet, Testimony (2010) – I still count this as a “feature,” though Barker only sings a verse of “At Calvary” as a solo. But that solo is the shining climactic moment of this moving medley.
8. “I’d Rather Have Jesus,” Dixie Echoes, I’d Rather Have Jesus (2009) – Pat’s delivery of this classic doesn’t contain any thrills or standout moments. It is just simple magnificence throughout.
7. “Wonderful Time Up There,” Mark Trammell Quartet, Lifetime (2012) – Much like another song later in the countdown, Barker helped bring fresh excitement to an old song recorded countless times. I would almost go so far as to say I could not stand this song before hearing the MTQ version, yet it was still my favorite track on Lifetime.
6. “I’ll Take It to the Grave,” Mark Trammell Quartet, Your Walk Talks (2014) – For me, one sad aspect about Barker leaving the road is that he did not get many opportunities to showcase his talent on new songs, that could someday be covered by another young bass singer paying tribute to him. Of the few new songs Pat was featured on, this barnburner is my favorite.
5. “I Thirst,” Mark Trammell Quartet, Treasures (2011) – This all-timer from the pen of Bev Lowry sounds like it was created to be sung by a melodic bass. No one has done it better than the genre’s all-time greatest such bass, George Younce, and the greatest of this generation, Pat Barker.
4. “Wedding Music,” Cathedrals Family Reunion, Cathedrals Family Reunion (2013) – Only three lines and twenty-three words were sung solo by George Younce in the original version of this song, and by most all others in covers since, but it has still become one of gospel music’s most celebrated bass features. I can pay no greater compliment to Pat Barker’s performance of this song than to say he did George justice.
3. “Thanks to Calvary,” Mark Trammell Quartet, Your Walk Talks (2014) – Of all the pages taken from Younce’s playbook, this is tops on my list. The performance is typical brilliance from Barker, but what sets it apart is hearing how much of a personal testimony it is for him. And that’s what it’s all about.
2. “I Want to Know,” Mark Trammell Quartet, Testimony (2010) – The exciting arrangement from Lari Goss helped, but Barker’s enthusiasm and style made this track the Mark Trammell Quartet’s biggest song yet. It was the quartet’s first #1 hit, and the only one who had more fun with it than gospel music fans was Pat Barker himself. This is the definition of breathing new life into an old song.
1. “How Big Is God,” Dixie Echoes, Pensacola Live (2008) – There is no doubt that the Stuart Hamblen classic is Barker’s signature performance. Not since Big John Hall himself have gospel music fans been treated to so great a delivery of this song. Barker recorded it with both the Dixie Echoes and the Mark Trammell Quartet, but I chose to highlight the live version from the Echoes, which well encapsulates the energy his performance brought into the room most every time “How Big Is God” was done.
Godspeed, Pat Barker, and thank you!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iZanDviaVq4
Mar 31
Quick Hits 7
Unashamed (Brian Free & Assurance)
Brian Free & Assurnace have had a rare (for them) personnel change since their last recording, welcoming new baritone Mike Rogers, but Unashamed is another in a line of recordings of consistent quality for the quartet, in their signature progressive style. Brian Free and Bill Shivers make up one of the best tenor/lead combinations in gospel music history, and as usual, this album’s high points feature those two. “Say Amen,” featuring Shivers, is one of my favorite songs Assurance has recorded in recent years. The titular imperative in the chorus is sure to invite participation and worship from audiences across America. Free is featured on a pair of very progressive, but lyrically strong, ballads, “Unashamed” and “He Still Saves”. Brian Free & Assurance always manage to find and record songs of lyrical depth, and I appreciate that, even if the musical style is not always my personal preference. The guest appearance from Lauren Talley on “When There’s a Will, He Has a Way” is a hit for me, and makes for a fun song. If the modern, “sonic wall” kind of sound is your preference, I would recommend no group more highly than Brian Free & Assurance, and this project is typically strong work.
4 stars
Best tracks: Say Amen, Unashamed, He Still Saves, Where There’s a Will He Has a Way
Might want to skip: A Little Bit of Me and You
The Hoggle Family (Hoggle Family)
The self-titled debut of the Hoggle Family is one of my pleasant surprises among albums of 2014. Former Dixie Melody Boys lead Donald Morris anchors the sound and wrote all ten songs on the recording. That’s an impressive feat for anybody, much less a relative newcomer to the art. WIthout question, the highlight of the album to me is a conventional straight-ahead barn-burner, “I’ll Keep on Running”. It is the perfect choice for the group’s first single, and is a pure delight, with weaving step-out lines for different group members and an exciting arrangement. Most of the rest of the album leans in a more progressive direction, with a strong modern country lean. The second-most memorable performance is “God Always,” with a creative lyric setup and an infectious chorus about the unconditional goodness of God. The most poignant performance is found in the acoustic-heavy ballad, “I’ll See God Smile,” which is sure to touch the hearts of those who have a loved one go to Heaven. Morris is the strongest and most seasoned vocalist of the group, and as you would expect from such youthful singers, there is room for vocal maturation. When that happens, and with more songs of this quality, I expect big things from the Hoggle Family after this excellent debut.
4 stars
Best tracks: I’ll Keep on Running, God Always, I’ll See God Smile, Blessed Be His Name
Might want to skip: Rolling Away
Mar 27
An Old Convention Song: “Rock of Ages Keep My Soul”
Composer(s): Luther G. Presley
Published: 1939
Church Hymnal Page: 144
Notable recordings: Don’t know of any in the southern gospel realm; in bluegrass: A School of Bluegrass (Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver, 2004); Hymns From the Hills (Joe Mullins & the Radio Ramblers, 2011)
This red-back gem from one of my favorite convention writers, Luther Presley, has gone mostly untouched, as far as I know, by southern gospel artists. I wish that weren’t the case! It has step-out lines for the alto, tenor and bass, making it a great pick to spotlight an entire group. A fermata at the end of the verse ushers the alto in to kick off the chorus, and another one in the middle of the chorus does the same for the tenor.
Here’s a video of the fantastic Mylon Hayes Family singing “Rock of Ages Keep My Soul” at the National Quartet Convention’s Red-Back Singalong showcase last year. Complete with shape-note singing, this is how it’s done!
Mar 21
The LeFevre Quartet – Put It Right There
This group has gelled their sound nicely and this song is an excellent sample of their new album. Thomas Nalley (Tenor) is featured and does a great job on this song!
Mar 18
An Old Convention Song: “Sing Me a Song About Jesus”
In an effort to do my part to preserve and celebrate the classic convention gospel genre, I’ll be highlighting some of my favorite convention songs in this series. Feel free to share your thoughts and memories about these songs, and let me know if you have a recommendation!
Composer(s): G.T. “Dad” Speer
Published: 1956
Notable recordings: Golden Anniversary (Speer Family, 1958), Sing Me a Song About Jesus (Master V, 1987), 20 Southern Gospel Favorites (J.D. Sumner & the Stamps, 1993), Jubilee Two (Booth Brothers/Greater Vision/Legacy Five, 2010)
This Dad Speer classic has one of the most fun melodies you’ll hear, and features strong bass and alto step-outs in the chorus. Though it was not in the redback Church Hymnal (it was published five years after the hymnal), it was used as an opening song at a recent Redback Church Hymnal singing in Cumming, GA. The video below is the full singing, over two hours, but it starts with “Sing Me a Song About Jesus”.
Feb 25
“Preacher, Tell Me Like It Is”: Behind the Song with Rodney Griffin
Even during my first listens to Greater Vision’s most recent recording, For All He’s Done, one song began to stand out among the others. “Preacher, Tell Me Like It Is” is a fun listen musically, and also contains a forthright lyric pointed right at the preacher man. Even though it’s sung “to” the preacher, its message should be convicting to any Christian: do I recognize my need for preaching from the “whole counsel of God”? Do I desire a message that convicts, even at the expense of my pride? “Preacher, Tell Me Like It Is” really spoke to me, and I placed it #2 on my list of favorite recorded songs of 2013. Even better, it has become a smash hit on gospel music radio, reaching #1 on the Singing News chart for the month of March. It has been a great encouragement to me to see the success of this song, and this message.
The man behind this Greater Vision song, as is often the case, is Rodney Griffin, recipient of the Singing News Fan Award for Favorite Songwriter for an amazing fifteen years running. “Preacher, Tell Me Like It Is” is his 14th #1 song, second-most of any writer. And this is a song that deserves to be remembered among his finest. Griffin graciously agreed to share with me and the readers of Southern Gospel Critique the story behind “Preacher, Tell Me Like It Is”. Enjoy!
Did the idea for the lyric come from something specific, or a general observation about the state of preaching today? What was your goal for the message of the song?
I was out mowing my yard one day, and for some reason I began thinking about the growing timidity in our church pulpits. Some of the largest churches seem to hear the smallest dose of conviction from the pulpit. These days, it seems you’ll draw a larger crowd if you don’t “offend”. I believe, however, that you can present truth without a mean spirit. Even with a calm tone of voice you can relate the holiness of God, and its demands, to a listener. These professional “speakers” seem to stay away from any confrontation of sin. That goes against biblical principle. My goal was to encourage those pastors who desire to speak truth, to not be afraid to do so. When this life is over, we will be thankful that someone told us like it “was” and not like we “wished it were”. There is a Holy God, human sin, a wondrous cross and an eternity somewhere. We can’t get around it. That’s the way it is. Why shouldn’t we be honest about that and try to help people find the cross before it’s too late?
Musically, the cut has a distinct country sound, quite different from many of your songs. Were you trying to go “country” with it, or did it just come out that way?
When we recorded the track, at first, we wanted to stay away from the “country” sound. But, the more the studio instrumentalists played the song, the more “country” it sounded. It felt natural, so we went with it. I’m glad we did. It’s definitely a different musical sound for us and works well in concert.
Was this a song you felt you would be featured on from the start? Is it typical to write with yourself, Gerald Wolfe, or Chris Allman in mind as a featured vocalist?
I thought all along that it was a song that I would enjoy singing, but I wasn’t thinking of us when I wrote it. I was thinking more of a slower, progressive ballad sound, musically. In the end, I was glad that I got to sing the song. Every night, I just imagine sitting across from a pastor at his desk. If I could say anything to him, what would it be? This song is exactly what I would say.
Yes, I do write with certain singers in mind, but rarely do they end up recording the song. Haha!
The song has risen to #1 on the Singing News chart for March, which many consider to be a measure of success. And rightfully so, to an extent. As a songwriter, what makes a song a success to you? How has “Preacher, Tell Me Like It Is” measured up according to those personal standards?
Every artist and writer enjoys it when a song goes to #1. But, that excitement quickly passes as a new month comes, and a new song is named #1. To me, the greatest measure of success for this song is when a pastor comes up to me to personally and thanks me for writing the song. That’s success. To think that something I wrote helped a pastor to be more bold in the pulpit last Sunday….Wow. What could be more fulfilling?
Recent Comments