I need to credit this week’s smack down idea to Kyle Boreing. He requested I take the original cut of “Welcome To Heaven” and compare it to the re-cut. ”Welcome To Heaven” was one of Phil Cross’ first major cuts of a song by any artist within Southern Gospel music.
The Singing Americans recorded it on the highly acclaimed 1985 recording Black And White. The album was recorded prior to Michael English’s departure. I am going to use the second verse and chorus to both versions. This first clip is the original cut of the song featuring Michael English.
Clayton Inman became lead singer of the Singing Americans when Michael English departed the group. ”Welcome To Heaven” became a radio single for the group and a huge concert song. Therefore, the group decided to re-cut the song with Clayton’s vocals. It was Clayton’s version of the song that was heard at radio. Listen to Clayton’s re-cut of the second verse and chorus.
Original vs. re-cut. Who takes it this week?
Michael English wins this one, he’s got more soul than Clayton.
I’ll tie the vote by voting for Clayton!! Actually, I really prefer Clayton’s newer recording of the song on Triumphant’s CD, Intermission.
No contest…Michael English.
BTW, maybe in the future you could do “I Bowed on My Knees and Cried Holy”. Even if you limit it to only the versions with Michael and whittle out the solo versions he did, you would still have the Goodmans, Singing Americans,and original Gaither Vocal Band (of course the recent re-cut has at least some of the old vocals, so maybe it needn’t be considered). Or you could add a version with Guy.
I’ll consider it.
I like Clay’s voice better.
Why am I not surprised, YGG?
Yes, full of surprises aren’t I?
Michael defined that entire CD. He wins this round for me.
[...] of a song and lets his readers weigh in on which one they like the best. Last week he had a smackdown of this song between Michael English and Clayton Inman. Of course, I preferred Clayton’s [...]
michael hands down