This week I went into the personal vault and pulled out the Rex Nelon Singers 1983 album, We Shall Behold The King. There seemed to be an abundance of mixed group Southern Gospel LPs in my household growing up. While I enjoyed quartets it was those mixed groups that really shaped my love of Southern Gospel music.
One of the biggest songs of the Rex Nelon Singers career came from the We Shall Behold The King recording. ”O For A Thousand Tongues” went on to win song of the year in 1984. The Nelons also helped shape an era of mixed groups in the 1980′s. They were one of the most successful mixed groups in Southern Gospel music in that decade.
That legacy can be felt some 30 years later as current groups cover songs introduced by the Nelons. ”When I Receive My Robe And Crown”, “Lord, Please Shine Your Light”, “Walk Right Out Of This Valley”, “Fight The Good Fight” and “I Can’t Keep It To Myself” were all songs from this album that have since been covered by artists over the course of the last several years.
Listen to sound bites of another recording from the personal vault; the Rex Nelon Singers, We Shall Behold The King.
One of my favorite albums by the Rex Nelon Singers.
Don’t forget the title track…it’s a fantastic power ballad as well! IMO, it ranks right up there with “Oh For A Thousand Tongues”.