David Bruce Murray
Diana Brantley
Kyle Boreing
Phil on Southern Gospel
Steve Eaton
This week starts the new feature; ten on ten. I will rank what I consider an artist’s 10 best recordings and then offer ten thoughts on those recordings. This feature came about as a result of a conversation I had regarding the Kingdom Heirs recent release, We Will Stand Our Ground. This friend of mine and I had varying opinions on the recording. I wasn’t impressed with this recent effort while this friend of mine thought it was one of their better recordings. I kept listening to determine if I missed something. I finally asked my friend, are we listening to the same album? Does this album really stack up to the group’s body of work?
So, the Kingdom Heirs kick off this inaugural feature. I want this feature to allow, you, the reader to offer insight on what you feel to be an artist’s best albums to counter my thoughts.
The Kingdom Heirs ten best albums are:
- Going On With The Song (2003)
- True To The Call (2007)
- Forever Changed (2004)
Anchored (1997)- City Of Light (2000)
- Forever Gold (1995)
- Pure Gold (1988)
- Off The Record: A Tribute To The Sensational Statesmen (2006)
- The Journey Home (1999)
- Extraordinary (1992)
- The Kingdom Heirs have had two strong recording periods in their career. From 2003 to 2007 was their strongest followed by 1995 to 2000.
- Going On With The Song edged out True To The Call as the Kingdom Heirs best recording based on song selection.
- “Forever Changed” remains one of the best recorded songs of the Kingdom Heirs career.
- The group’s 1988 recording Pure Gold was my first introduction to the group. “Test Of Time” was the group’s first big hit.
- I’m rarely sold on greatest hit, tribute albums etc. The group’s tribute to the Statesmen was one of the group’s best recordings. Probably the most traditional sounding recording of the group’s career.
- The best David Sutton (Tenor), Eric Bennett (Bass) era recordings were Anchored, City Of Light and Forever Gold.
- The late ’90s edition of the Kingdom Heirs were reminiscent of classic Kingsmen.
The Strickland (Tenor), Inman (Lead), French (Baritone), Bennett (Bass) recording Extraordinary deserves to be among the group’s ten best recordings. “I Can See Heaven” alone propels this recording passed current recordings.- The group’s last two recordings, When You Look At Me and We Will Stand Our Ground does not stand up to the Kingdom Heirs body of work.
- The 1995 recording Forever Gold is the forgotten gem by the Kingdom Heirs. Listen to this recording again if you consider We Will Stand Our Ground one of the group’s better recordings.
**NEXT UP ON TEN ON TEN: THE HAPPY GOODMANS**
The thing about the new KH is it has hardly any ballads on it. The fast numbers are great as fast numbers go, but there’s virtually no variety. My favorite was the title track.
Cool feature. Looking forward to seeing this series continue. I am especially interested in your thoughts of Gold City’s discography. Last week, I started trying to list all of Gold City’s recordings (minus the 3 for $10 concert specials) in my order of preference. Yes, I fully embrace my standing as a Gold City nerd (thanks, Brian Crout!).
As for the Kingdom Heirs, my top 3 would include the same three projects, but a different order, “True To the Call” at #1 and “Going On With The Song” at #3. I don’t think I’d have “City Of Light” (your #5) in my top ten at all. I didn’t particularly care for that recording.
Also, I’m glad to see I’m not the only one who wasn’t blown away by the KH’s last two recordings. Personally, I think their recordings have all started sounding exactly the same. As great a writer as “Miss Diane” is, the KH need to utilize other writers and maybe another producer to freshen up their recordings.
Yeah, I am looking forward to finally offer thoughts on some of the bigger names in the industry and most importantly; their biggest recordings.
So look out because I will have lists coming soon on Gold City, Cathedrals, Hoppers, JD Sumner & Stamps, Booth Brothers, Greenes, Happy Goodmans, Speers and more.
Can’t wait! The Booth Brothers are one of the few artists where I’ve actually listened to nearly all of their albums.
I predict that the Cathedrals installment will be the most popular and generate the most discussion.
I’m looking forward to the lists too (with the Cathedrals’ being the most).
Same for me but would love to see the Nelons, and the Talleys.
Any major Southern Gospel artist who has had at least 10 albums to their credit will featured at some point over the course of the next year; Nelons and Talleys included.
I am going to really enjoy this feature! Since this post, I have been trying to rank my Kingdom Heirs CD’s and I think I finally have my top ten.
1. True to the Call
2. Forever Changed
3. Forever Gold
4. City of Light
5. Live at Dollywood (1990)
6. Give Me the Mountain
7. Going on with the Song
8. When You Look at Me
9. Song of Praise
10. Extraordinary
“True to the Call” has 3 of my all time favorite Kingdom Heir’s songs (Jesus Made a Believer, What We Needed, and I Want You to Know).
“Forever Changed” has my all time favorite Jeff Chapman feature (I’ve Never Been Loved), as well as one of my all time favorite Arthur Rice songs (Forever Changed).
“Forever Gold” is an outstanding CD from the short lived Steve Lacey era.
I am usually partial to live recordings and 2 live CD’s made their way onto my top ten list.
I did include “When you look at Me” in my top ten but not “We Will Stand our Ground”. However, I do like the latest CD and it would probably be number 11 on my list.