Sing The Story – Taylors

OVERALL RATING:  8.06

CRITERIA:

1. Creativity/Originality = 7.5
2. Lyrical Content = 9
3. Production = 8
4. Song Selection = 8
5. My Recommendation = 7.82 (11 song average)

 

The album review for this week is an album that I didn’t get around to reviewing in 2010.  Originally released in the fall of 2010, Sing The Story by the Taylors is the fifth recording for this North Carolina based family group.  Other recordings for the group include Rivers Crossed, He Leadeth Me and Family Favorites Volumes 1 and 2.  This brothers/sisters mixed quartet got attention after winning the National Quartet Convention’s group talent competition in 2007.

The Taylors are a young group.  The current line-up of the group is composed of Jonathan (Lead), Suzanne (Alto), Leslie (Soprano) and Christopher (Bass) with ages ranging from 19 to 23.  The Taylors were a product of singing schools.  Their pitch perfect harmonies are proof of that fact.  Their style reminds me of the Hayes Family, who are also known for their pitch perfect harmony and use of proper technique when singing.

This current effort from the Taylors shows maturity compared to their previous recordings.  Considering their current ages, this group will be the mixed quartet everyone is talking about in another five years. 

The album kicks off with a cover song, “Joybells”.  I remember this song from the Rex Nelon Singers 1982 recording, Feeling At Home.  This is also the group’s latest single.  The Taylors also include “Triumphantly, He Shall Return”, “My, My, My” and “Alleluia To The Lamb” to this recording.  All were previously recorded by the Nelons and provide some of the best songs on this recording.

Another song that should be considered for single possibilities is the worshipful, “You’re God”.  This introspective ballad sung by Leslie is one of the best songs on the entire recording.  Jonathan also turns in a strong performance on “Lord, Please Shine Your Light”.  The group also show their a capella prowess on “I Can Call On Jesus”. 

The only downside the traditional Southern Gospel audience may find with the Taylors is their youth.  Don’t let that stop you from giving this group a listen.  They sing traditional Southern Gospel music reminiscent of the Hayes Family and then add just a touch of the modern sounds found with groups like the Hoppers and the Nelons.

I would venture that most of you reading this have not yet been introduced to the music of the Taylors.  Sing The Story is a great place to start.  They truly have the makings of a top-tier mixed quartet in the Southern Gospel music industry.  They have just enough youth and modern sounds to appeal to the progressive fans while keeping their flawless traditional harmonies to appeal to the traditional fans.  Some of the best groups in this industry are those that can appeal across the broad spectrum of the Southern Gospel fan base. 

SONG LIST:  1. “Joybells”  2. “Sing Me The Story”  3. “What A Glorious Day”  4. “Triumphantly, He Shall Return”  5. “You’re God”  6. “My, My, My”  7. “Alleluia To The Lamb”  8. “I Can Call On Jesus”  9. “Lord, Please Shine Your Light”  10. “My Faith Is Built On The Rock”  11. “Power In The Blood”

NQC 2011 – Not Quite Clear???

The talk of the week setting the Southern Gospel internet community a buzz is the release of the 2011 National Quartet Convention schedule.  The hoopla concerns the reduction of the number of groups on the main stage program, most notably the Dixie Melody Boys.  As other bloggers have done let me offer some suggestions.  I attended the NQC every year from 1993 through 2008.

• The Southern Gospel audience has definitely changed over the course of the last 15 years.  I remember still being in the main hall at 2am waiting for the last group to come on and people were still there supporting those groups.
• How much earlier do they need to wrap these programs up each night?  First the end time would be 12am.  Now it seems like it is 11pm.  Will the new wrap up time be 10pm?  If the intent is to wrap up earlier then they need to start the programs earlier.  Why not start main stage performances at 4pm instead of 6pm?
• Why not limit the number of times a group is allowed to perform on the main stage during the course of the week.  I understand the board groups getting three nights but every other artist appearing on the main stage should get no more than two main stage performances during the week.
• I understand there may be logistical problems with using the main hall the entire day but for all those early risers why not offer morning main stage performances for those artists left off during the evening performances.  Maybe have scheduled times from 9am to 12pm each day.

There is no easy answer or solution to this dilemma.  Those in charge of the NQC are trying to make it the best event possible while still trying to make money.  Remember, the NQC is still a business and in order for a business to continue it has got to make money.  When that stops happening, the event will stop happening.

Another issue adding to the dilemma is the sheer number of groups singing Southern Gospel than there were 15 years ago.  In an industry where you can’t differentiate top-tier, middle tier and lower tier groups apart (at least on the surface), how can someone determine who deserves a spot on the NQC main stage.  That answer is not quite clear.