Ten On Ten – Hinsons

Like their musical style and stage presentation, or not; no one can deny the influence the Hinsons have had on the Southern Gospel music industry.  Already recognized as one of the biggest groups in the genre’s history, this weeks ten on ten feature will attempt to rank the group’s ten best recordings.  The group rose to prominence in the 1970′s, releasing some of the best music of their career during this decade.

The Hinsons top ten albums are:

1. From Out Of The West They Came, Live And On Stage (1976)
2. High Voltage (1975)
3. Touch Of Hinson, Glimpse Of Glory (1974)
4. We Promise You Gospel (1973)
5. On The Road (1978)
6. Hinsongs (1982)
7. One More Hallelujah (1992)
8. Harvest Of Hits (1975)
9. Lift The Roof Off Live (1984)
10. Bubblin’ (1981)

• The years 1973 to 1976 dominate the top of the Hinson list.  The 1976 live album From Out Of The West They Came was the pinnacle recording for the Hinsons.  ”I’m So Glad He Found Me”, “The Touch Of The Masters Strong Hand”, “Ain’t That What It’s All About”, “Sea Walker”, “Hallelujah Meeting” and “The Lighthouse” all highlight this live recording.
• The Hinsons other two live recordings are also among the group’s ten best.  The 1978 recording On The Road and the 1984 recording Lift the Roof Off brings the energy and excitement the Hinsons generated in the live concert setting.
• The top studio recording by the Hinsons was the 1975 recording High Voltage.  With an unforgettable album cover and one of the best song lists of any Hinson studio recording, High Voltage is a must have.  ”Campmeeting Days”, “Burdens Are Lifted Away”, “You Can’t Hold Back The Dawning” and “That Same Hand” all highlight the recording.
• The two female vocalists that were part of the Hinsons legacy share an equal number of recordings in the top ten.  Chris Freeman was a part of the group from 1974 to 1980, while sister Yvonne started with the group and then returned in 1980 at the departure of Chris Freeman.
• The top recording featuring Yvonne is the group’s 1973 recording We Promise You Gospel.  ”It’s Just About Time”, “House Of A King”, “The Upward Way”, “Heaven’s Best” and “King Jesus” all highlight this recording.
• Ronny, Kenny and Larry all contributed songs to the Hinson legacy.  Ronny penned what will probably go down as one of the biggest Southern Gospel songs ever written in “The Lighthouse”.
• While the 1970′s were the biggest years for the Hinsons in terms of album releases, they did pull out a couple big releases in the 1980′s.  The group’s highest ranking 1980′s recording is the 1982 album Hinsongs.  One of the group’s most iconic songs, “Call Me Gone”, was featured on this particular album.  Kenny’s unmistakable lead country vocals highlighted this particular song.
• The forgotten gem in the Hinsons discography is the 1975 recording Harvest Of Hits.  With High Voltage coming out the same year, Harvest Of Hits is overlooked.  But that is a mistake with songs such as “He Is Leading The Way”, “Homesick To Go”, “Touch Of The Master’s Strong Hand”, “Little Store Front Church” and “Don’t Let The Ship Sail Without Me” all highlighting this recording.
• Even a group like the Hinsons has that album that should be forgotten.  That album happens to be their 1980 recording Song Vineyard.
• The nice thing for collectors and those searching for classic Hinson music, Calvary Records re-released every single Hinson recording on CD over the course of the last ten years.  So, there is no excuse as to why every Southern Gospel aficionado shouldn’t have at least one Hinson recording in their collection.

***NEXT UP ON TEN ON TEN:  DOVE BROTHERS***

Classic Videos – Kingsmen, Tennesseans

As I take some time to get some more of my own classic videos recorded, I found a couple great clips from YouTube that was worth posting.  Dean Adkins, one of the best when it comes to classic video clips, posted these clips over the course of the last several months.  Check out his YouTube channel here.

The first clip is the Kingsmen, circa 1983, singing “I’m So Glad”.

The second clip is Willie Wynn & Tennesseans, circa 1975, singing “What You’ve Done For Me”.

The final clip is the Singing Americans, circa 1984, singing “Who Am I”.  In this particular clip you have the English brothers (Biney and Michael) featured.

Mini Album Reviews #2

Today brings round two of some mini album reviews.  Here are another four 2011 releases.

**Denotes Personal Favorites

• Album:  Feels Like Sunday
• Artist:  Bowling Family
• Release Date:  08/02/11
• Synopsis:  The Bowling Family had the #1 album of 2010 with Shine.  The group’s 2011 release is a collection of favorites titled Feels Like Sunday.  The production quality is strong enough to make these previously recorded tunes sound good with the Bowling Family adding their special vocal touch.

OVERALL RATING:  7.809

SONG LIST:  1. “I Thank You Lord”**  2. “Mercy And Grace”**  3. “Winds Of This World”  4. “Church Medley”**  5. “Jesus Messiah”  6. “Unclouded Day”  7. “Thou Art Worthy”  8. “Blood Medley”  9. “I’m On The Battlefield”  10. “We’ve Come This Far By Faith”**  11. “Farther Along”

• Album:  Part Of The Family
• Artist:  Collingsworth Family
• Release Date:  10/04/11
• Synopsis:  The Collingsworth Family have climbed the ranks in Southern Gospel music over the course of last several years.  As the kids get older and their voices grow stronger, each new album release seems to top the last.  Part Of The Family is filled with Collingsworth style power ballads that make this recording one of the best of the year.  The only downside is the lack of up tempo features.

OVERALL RATING:  8.233

SONG LIST:  1. “God’s Family”  2. “Tell The Mountain”**  3. “Joy Unspeakable”  4. “Jesus Is All I Need”  5. “Nothing’s Worrying Me”**  6. “I Pray (Because He Loves Me)”  7. “At Calvary”**  8. “I Found It All”  9. “Just Another Rainy Day”  10. “Praise You”**  11. “That’s The Place I’m Longing To Go”**  12. “The Resurrection Morn”**

• Album:  Reach
• Artist:  Chris Hester
• Release Date:  08/23/11
• Synopsis:  Chris Hester had one of my favorite radio singles of the entire year with “Evidence Of Love”.  His country vocal is distinctive and is reminiscent of Mike Bowling.  The strongest song on Chris’ newest effort, Reach, is a duet with singer/songwriter Sheri LaFontaine; “Child, I Know The Plans”.  The slower paced recording could have used several more up tempo numbers to pace the album better.

OVERALL RATING:  7.600

SONG LIST:  1. “House Of Change”**  2. “It’s Not Worth it”  3. “Miracle In Reach”**  4. “Walk Like It”  5. “Smile Through My Tears”**  6. “The Life You Gave”  7. “That Memory”**  8. “That’s Good Enough”  9. “I Fell For You”  10. “Child, I Know The Plans”**

• Album:  The Waiting Is Over
• Artist:  Tribute Quartet
• Release Date:  07/19/11
• Synopsis:  The Waiting Is Over was the fifth album release for Tribute Quartet.  The quartet continues to release classic quartet arrangements with several progressive ballads.  The group is still waiting for that big hit song to move them to the next level.  A solid effort.

OVERALL RATING:  7.891

SONG LIST:  1. “Songs Of Zion”  2. “Makes Me Want To Go”**  3. “Jesus Is Alive”**  4. “Homecoming Day”**  5. “More Than Able”  6. “The I Am”**  7. “There Is A City”**  8. “The Climb”  9. “He Is Leading The Way”  10. “Save My Family, Save My Friends”  11. “Bring On The Joy”**

Mini Album Reviews

With the end of the year approaching and my annual year’s best list coming in December, I wanted to make sure that all the albums I have received in 2011 get some sort of review.  There is no way I would be able to do full reviews on all the albums received so I will offer mini reviews on several albums.  Following are four mini album reviews.  There will be four more tomorrow.

**Denotes Personal Favorites

• Album:  Indescribable
• Artist:  Chigger Hill Boys & Terri
• Release Date:  10/25/11
• Synopsis:  The Chigger Hill Boys & Terri, a bluegrass artist, takes on modern praise and worship music and adds their own bluegrass flair.  While several cuts are unique in their presentation, the overall album falls flat on presenting praise and worship tunes with bluegrass accompaniment.

OVERALL RATING:  7.009

SONG LIST:  1. “Indescribable”  2. “Mighty To Save”  3. “Enough”  4. “From The Inside Out”**  5. “Your Name”  6. “In Christ Alone”  7. “Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone)”  8. “How Deep The Father’s Love For Us”**  9. “Lead Me To The Cross”**  10. “Revelation Song”  11. “Are You Prayin’ Hard”

• Album:  Some Things Go Together
• Artist:  Crawford Crossing
• Release Date:  08/16/11
• Synopsis:  This is the sophomore release for Crawford Crossing.  A positive country artist that takes modern country sounds and adds Christian lyrics.  Think Lady Antebellum in terms of style.

OVERALL RATING:  7.650

SONG LIST:  1. “Born Again”**  2. “Some Things Go Together”  3. “She Took Him Back”  4. “I Still Believe”**  5. “He Knows Best”  6. “Better Believer”**  7. “He Knows Your Name”**  8. “You’ve Been There”** 9. “Live For Today”  10. “The Story Of My Life”  11. “Rive In The Rain”  12. “Do You Hear What I Hear”

• Album:  Save Me
• Artist:  Mountain Faith
• Release Date:  08/16/11
• Synopsis:  Mountain Faith is a bluegrass family out of Sylva North Carolina.  Save Me is the group’s debut album.  The vocal center point of the group is member Summer McMahan, whose voice is reminiscent to that of Alison Krauss.  An enjoyable debut from this family.

OVERALL RATING:  7.460

SONG LIST:  1. “Morning’s Coming”**  2. “Peace In The Valley”  3. “God Is My Refuge”**  4. “Welcome Home”  5. “Save Me”**  6. “The Heritage”  7. “My God Is Real”**  8. “Gone Away”** 9. “Love Lifted Me”  10. “Tomorrow May Never Come”

• Album:  Grassroots Rambos
• Artist:  Rambo McGuire
• Release Date:  09/06/11
• Synopsis:  Rambo McGuire is composed of Dony and Reba Rambo McGuire with daughter Destiny.  Grassroots Rambos is a tribute album to the songs of Dottie Rambo and the legacy of the Rambos.  This 14 song collection is a mixture of some of Dottie’s best known songs and a few that may not be as familiar.  As the album suggests, the trio take an acoustical approach with the music found on the recording.  It adds a different feel to some of Dottie’s classic compositions.

OVERALL RATING:  7.700

SONG LIST:  1. “Troubles Will Break You Or Make You A Man”  2. “He Ain’t Never Done Me Nothing But Good”  3. “Too Much To Gain To Lose”**  4. “Harbor In The Time Of A Storm”**  5. “Remind Me Dear Lord”**  6. “When I Lift Up My Head”**  7. “Nothing Like Home To Me”  8. “Mama Always Had A Song” 9. “Mama’s Teaching Angels How To Sing”  10. “New Shoes”  11. “Sacred Treasures”  12. “I Won’t Ask For More”**  13. “We’ve Weathered Storms Before”  14. “Things Are Gonna Be Better After While”**

Ten On Ten – The Kingsmen

The ten on ten feature this week highlights the Kingsmen.  One of the rare groups in the history of this genre whose career has spanned 50 years.  With Eldridge Fox at the helm and Jim Hamill as one of the industry’s best emcees, the Kingsmen dominated the Southern Gospel world from about 1976 to 1990.  Their ‘three chords and a cloud of dust’ style singing endeared them to fans.  How do you narrow down a group with a complete discography of 75+ albums to their ten best?

The Kingsmen’s ten best albums are:

1. Live…Naturally (1981)
2. Chattanooga Live (1977)
3. Mississippi Live (1987)
4. Big And Live (1973)
5. Stand Up At Opryland USA (1986)
6. Proven Time And Time Again (2000)
7. Anchors Aweigh (1988)
8. Live At The University Of Alabama (1983)
9. Just A Little Closer Home (1977)
10. When God Ran (2008)

• The Kingsmen were masters at live recordings.  They recorded five during the decade of the 1980′s.  It is no surprise six of the Kingsmen’s top ten albums are live recordings.  The Kingsmen were the type of group that was able to capture something live that could never be translated to studio recordings.
• Live…Naturally from 1981 is the pinnacle for the Kingsmen landing at #1.  This double album captured an entire concert experience from the Kingsmen.  Listening to it 30 years later, the listener can get a true glimpse of what a Kingsmen concert experience was like during their height of popularity.
• Live…Naturally is one of the best Southern Gospel live albums ever recorded.  It would also be near the top of my list for best Southern Gospel album ever recorded.
• When talking about the Kingsmen, Chattanooga Live, from 1977, is also a must have.  This would be the album that launched the Kingsmen into mega group status within the industry.  ”The Lovely Name Of Jesus”, “Is That The Old Ship Of Zion” and “We Do Not Die” from this particular recording all became Kingsmen standards.
• Mississippi Live from 1987 is also an outstanding live album by the Kingsmen.  Recorded in Jackson MS, this album captured this era of the Kingsmen at their best.  This particular recording has the group’s best version of “Look For Me At Jesus Feet”.
• The 1973 Canaan records album Big And Live was where it all started for the Kingsmen it terms of notoriety.  While Chattanooga Live launched the Kingsmen to mega group status, Big And Live put the group on the map.
• The top studio album and post Hamill era recording by the group is their 2000 release Proven Time And Time Again.  The only other post Hamill era recording to be counted among the group’s ten best is their 2008 effort When God Ran.  This would be the modern era Kingsmen’s best recording.
• The forgotten gem in the group’s discography would be the group’s 1988 recording Anchors Aweigh.  After releasing three live albums in a row in 1985, 1986 and 1987, the Kingsmen were able to release a studio recording that rivaled some of the best music they recorded in the 1980′s.
• From forgotten gem to the album the should be forgotten.  While the Kingsmen excelled at live recordings, there was one in the group’s discography that fell flat.  The 1992 recording Singing In The Sun Live would probably rank at the bottom of the group’s live albums.  As far as studio albums, the album that should be forgotten is the 2004 recording Born Again.
• With a career spanning 50 years, there were several great albums that just missed making the ten best list that still deserve a mention:  Good Good God (2006), It Made News In Heaven (1976), Missing People (2009), Shelter (1999) and Your Ride’s On The Way (1982).

***NEXT UP ON TEN ON TEN:  HINSONS***

Smack Down!! – “It’s Almost Over”

I was hesitant in using this next song in the smack down feature.  Anytime you use a Cathedral original, it really is no contest when it comes to the song cover.  That is one reason I have been so unimpressed with all these Cathedral tribute albums over the course of the last several years by former group members.  Nonetheless, this week’s smack down features Ann Ballard’s “It’s Almost Over”.

The Cathedrals recorded the original cut on their 1984 album The Prestigious Cathedral Quartet.  This power ballad featured Glen Payne on the lead.  The song features both verses before getting to the chorus.  The chorus builds until finally reaching that power ending many Southern Gospel ballads are known for.

The song will pick up at the second verse before getting to the chorus.

Mark Trammell Quartet is one of several groups who have decided to cover Cathedral songs on various recordings.  ”It’s Almost Over” was featured on the group’s 2010 recording Testimony.  The group decided on a similar arrangement to that of the original.

Mark is featured on the cover and I decided to use the same second verse and chorus to that of the Cathedrals version.  That way, you get an apples to apples comparison of each version.  Mark Trammell Quartet’s cover of “It’s Almost Over” currently sits in the top 10 on November’s Singing News chart.  Enjoy!

Why Can’t We – Isaacs

OVERALL RATING:  8.538

CRITERIA:

1. Creativity/Originality = 9
2. Lyrical Content = 8.5
3. Production = 9
4. Song Selection = 8.5
5. My Recommendation = 7.692 (13 song average)

The Isaacs just released one of the best albums of 2011 in Why Can’t We.  Landing at retail on Tuesday (11/01/11), Why Can’t We continues a long tradition of strong song selection and a musical style that can only be described as ‘new’grass.

Group members Becky Bowman and Sonya Isaacs have become one of Southern Gospel’s top songwriting duos over the course of the last several years.  Penning one of the best Southern Gospel songs of the last decade in “Your Cries Have Awoken The Master”, Becky and Sonya combine to write 10 of the 13 songs on Why Can’t We.  Sonya’s husband, Jimmy Yeary, co-wrote 5 selections with Ben Isaacs, Shelton Feazell and Ben Hayslip also assisting with co-writing duties.

The Isaacs have a knack for writing and recording lyrics that doesn’t fit the Southern Gospel model.  They tend to release songs that are honest, to the point and relate to everyday living.  Why Can’t We are full of those type songs.  ”Waiting In The Water” (Bowman/Isaacs/Yeary) was an immediate stand out.  While this song does take the story of the blind man, the chorus brings the message home directly to where the listener is living.  ‘Every Step I Take Is A Step Of Faith, When I Can’t See What Is In Front Of Me, I’ll Walk On And Just Believe.’

Those same sentiments are found in the title track “Why Can’t We” (Bowman/Isaacs/Yeary), which happens to be the first single.  An honest, sincere lyric on forgiveness.  The song “Why” (Bowman/Feazell/Isaacs) also throws out all the ‘why’s’ one may ask in life and points the listener directly to the answer to all those ‘why’ moments.

Becky turns in a power house performance on the James McFall classic “I Still Trust You”.  A personal favorite, on a song originally recorded by the family group the McFalls in 1992.  Lily’s smooth alto voice can be heard on “God Still Has A Plan” (Bowman/Isaacs/Yeary) and “That Is Why I Sing” (Bowman/Yeary).

There are also several up tempo selections worth mentioning.  The strongest are “Four Men Walkin’ Around” (Bowman/Isaacs/Isaacs) and “You Can’t Take My Joy” (Bowman/Isaacs/Yeary).

A song that is fast becoming an anthem for breast cancer awareness; “I’m Gonna Love You Through It” (Hayslip/Isaacs/Yeary) is a personal story written by Sonya for her mother Lily and Lily’s own battle with breast cancer.  This song is personal for those of us who have had mothers or other family members go through breast cancer.  My mother, a 25+ year cancer survivor.  Martina McBride recorded this song on her current recording Eleven.  It has become a chart topping hit in Country music and opened this song up to a larger audience that even the Isaacs couldn’t reach.

The Isaacs have created a distinctive sound over the course of the last several years that meld Southern Gospel, Bluegrass and Modern Country sounds.  Heroes was the first recording with this new sound.  Why Can’t We is the best recording the group has released since the creation of this new sound.  This album will take up my iPod rotation for months to come.  Do yourself a favor, get Why Can’t We.

SONG LIST:  1. “Hallelujah Turnpike”  2. “Waiting In The Water”  3. “Four Men Walkin’ Around”  4. “Why Can’t We”  5. “God Still Has A Plan”  6. “You Can’t Take My Joy”  7. “Why”  8. “I Still Trust You”  9. “He Knows All About It”  10. “Get On Board”  11. “That Is Why I Sing”  12. “I’m Gonna Love You Through It”  13. “I Believe In A Hill Called Mount Calvary”

Journey – Libbi Perry Stuffle

One of the most recognized female voices in Southern Gospel music just released her first solo recording. Libbi Stuffle of the Perrys began singing with her siblings in December 1970. Forty one years later, Libbi is still traveling under the family moniker.

Journey by Libbi Stuffle landed at retail on Tuesday November 1, 2011.

This twelve song collection contains mostly re-releases of songs already found on Perrys recordings. Song titles include “March Around The Throne,” “Now I Have Everything,” “Still Blessed,” “Daddy Sang Bass/Reunited,” “God Walks The Dark Hills,” “Jesus, Hold My Hand,” “I’m Not A Failure,” “Did I Mention,” “Holy Hills Of Heaven,” “Mountaintop For Me,” “His Grace Will Lead Me Home,” and “The Broken Heart Sings The Sweetest Song.”

Southern Gospel Views from the Back Row (Steve Eaton) and MusicScribe (David Bruce Murray) will determine if this Libbi Stuffle solo album is a must buy. This collaborative review offers likes and dislikes from the two of us and then gives a definitive yes or no on whether the album is a ‘must buy’.

SOUTHERN GOSPEL VIEWS FROM THE BACK ROW

• The Dottie Rambo classic “March Around The Throne” kicks off the recording. Originally recorded on the Perrys Come To The Fountain album, the same track is used on Libbi’s solo performance. I still enjoy this light-hearted song enough to overlook the use of the same track.
• Libbi has always been the vocal center point of the Perrys sound. Her power singing is felt on solo performances “Now I Have Everything”, “Still Blessed” (Kyla Rowland), “God Walks The Dark Hills” (Audrey Czarnikow), “Did I Mention” (Rowland) and “His Grace Will Lead Me Home” (Geron Davis/Wayne Haun). All of these selections were previously recorded songs.
• The stand out new song found on Journey is “I’m Not A Failure” (Rodney Griffin/Joseph Habedank). I am surprised this was not the radio single from the album.

MUSICSCRIBE

• “March Around The Throne” is the overall highlight for me. I wouldn’t have minded an encore.
• Libbi pours her all into “Now I Have Everything.” If you’re a fan of ballads like “Did I Mention” (also included on Journey), you’ll like this one.

SOUTHERN GOSPEL VIEWS FROM THE BACK ROW

• From someone like myself who has the original recordings of most of these songs on Perrys recordings, I as a listener feel a little cheated that I wasn’t given more new songs.
• The promotional materials for this recording listed several special guests. With the exception of “Reunited” and “Jesus Hold My Hand,” the other special guests must have gotten lost in the mix. Or at least they were not prominent enough to recognize they were even on the recording.

MUSICSCRIBE

• Rather than sending one of the new songs to radio, Daywind is going with the 2004 track, “His Grace Will Lead Me Home.” At this time of year, I thought they might have chosen “Reunited” with its opening reference to Christmas. The song is five minutes in length, but the first minute and thirty seconds is an intro that could have been removed for the radio version.
• “God Walks The Dark Hills” has appeared on two previous Perrys recordings. Fans who already own several Perrys CDs from the past decade will be less inclined to buy Journey when they recognize several song titles, but even more so when they keep seeing the same song.
• Libbi is the queen of heartfelt ballads, but I would have enjoyed a couple more upbeat tracks for the sake of variety. “March Around The Throne” and “Jesus, Hold My Hand” could have stood some company among the slower tracks.

SOUTHERN GOSPEL VIEWS FROM THE BACK ROW

• NO – While Libbi Stuffle is undoubtedly one of the top female voices in Southern Gospel music right now, this solo recording didn’t offer enough new music for me to consider it a must buy.

MUSICSCRIBE

• NO – I wouldn’t purchase the entire CD, because I already own several of these songs. I would purchase a couple of the new songs individually if I found them available for sale as downloads.