Ten On Ten – Statesmen

This week’s ten on ten feature continues reader requests and takes a look at one of the biggest names in Southern Gospel quartet music; Hovie Lister and the Statesmen.  The one, two punch of the Statesmen and the Blackwood Brothers in the 50′s/60′s were unrivaled and unmatched in the quartet world.

The Statesmen were trend setters in every sense of the word and are still considered by many as the most influential quartet in Southern Gospel music history.  So,  how does one even start in attempting to rank the group’s ten best recordings?  The only answer, very thoughtfully and carefully.  Here is my final result.

The Statesmen’s ten best recordings are as follows:

1. On Stage (1960)
2. The Statesmen Quartet Sings With Hovie Lister (1958)
3. The Statesmen Quartet With Hovie Lister (1957)
4. A Gospel Concert (1963)
5. Sing Brother Sing (1968)
6. Get Away Jordan (1959)
7. Through The States (1961)
8. The Sensational Statesmen Quartet (1965)
9. Revival (1992)
10. Featuring… (1970)

• As already mentioned, the Statesmen dominated the quartet world through the mid 1960′s.  It is no surprise the group’s biggest recordings come from this time period.  The 1960 album On Stage, I consider to be the pinnacle in the Statesmen discography.
• Recorded live at the Ryman Auditorium in 1959, On Stage captures the Statesmen in their prime as no other recording could.  Hearing songs that are now quartet classics performed with class and flair.  ”Thanks To Calvary”, “Something Within”, “He’s Already Done”, “Wade On Out”, “Gonna Open Up All The Doors”, “He Set Me Free” and “Get Away Jordan” all highlight this recording.
• The Statesmen time spent with RCA Victor dominated the top ten list.  Seven of the top ten albums were released by RCA Victor.
• The Statesmen’s first two RCA Victor albums rank #2 and #3 respectively.  The 1958 album ranks #2 and the 1957 album ranks #3.  All the great, what are now quartet standards found on these two albums are a quartet lover’s dream.
• The Statesmen delights the listener with “Glory, Glory Clear The Road”, “My God Is Real”, “Led Out Of Bondage”, “One Of These Mornings”, “Hide Me Rock Of Ages”, “I Know It Was The Lord”, “It’s A Wonderful Feeling”, “Wonderful Is The Lord”, “Sea Walker” and “Stand By Me”.  All these songs highlight these two gems.
• The Statesmen recorded two other concert albums in the early ’60s and both landed among the group’s ten best.  The 1963 album A Gospel Concert ranks #4 as the 1961 album Through The States lands at #7.  While neither quite captured the excitement of On Stage, they were still great recordings.
• Hovie Lister had some of the most legendary names in Southern Gospel quartet history as a member of the Statesmen.  Buddy Burton, Bob Caldwell, Johnny Cook, Denver Crumpler, Biney English, Rick Fair, Cat Freeman, Jake Hess, Ed Hill, Jim Hill, Sherrill Nielsen, Doy Ott, Rozie Rozell, Tommy Thompson, Jack Toney, Jim Wetherington and Willie Wynn among others spent time with the Statesmen during their storied career.
• The only ’70s era Statesmen album to land in the top ten was the 1970 recording Featuring.  The re-formed ’90s edition of the Statesmen also landed in the top ten with the 1992 return album Revival.
• The gem in the Statesmen’s discography is the 1968 album Sing Brother Sing.  This happens to be one of my personal favorite Statesmen recordings.
• With a discography as extensive as the Statesmen there were several albums that didn’t quite make the top ten but deserve an honorable mention:  Thanks To Calvary (1969), O’ My Lord What A Time (1993), The Happy Sound (1966), Even So Come (2000) and The Common Man (1970).

***NEXT UP ON TEN ON TEN:  POET VOICES***

Decade: A Landmark Celebration – HisSong

Southern Gospel Views from the Back Row (Steve Eaton) and Musicscribe (David Bruce Murray) join forces once again to present the ‘must buy or not’ feature. Highlights and dislikes will be offered along with a definitive yes or no on whether the album is a ‘must buy’.

In this edition of the ‘must buy or not’ feature is the new album by HisSong. Decade: A Landmark Celebration landed at retail on Tuesday (04/17/12). Dennis Humphries, Adam Elrod and newest member Michael Frost come together to celebrate the group’s 10th anniversary in Southern Gospel music.

Song list: (1) “Just Over The Horizon” – Joseph Habedank/Wayne Haun (2) “God’s Grace Is Sufficient For Me” – Ernie Haase/Dianne Wilkinson (3) “My Last Battle” – Mike Payne (4) “Trust You In The Trial” – Sarah McCutcheon (5) “Midnight Oil” – Phil Barker/Charles Humphrey (6) “That’s God” – Michael Frost (7) “What I’m Really Waiting For” – (8) “Kneel At The Altar” – Kelly Chowning/Harold Williams (9) “Take It And Leave It” – Wayne Haun/Lyn Rowell (10) “I Know He Heard My Prayer” – Curtiss Pearson (11) “He Will Provide” – Cindi Ballard/Wayne Haun/Shelby Haun (12) “One Simple Touch” – Wayne Haun/Joel Lindsey (13) “A Reason To Start Again” – Wayne Haun/Joel Lindsey

SOUTHERN GOSPEL VIEWS FROM THE BACK ROW

• The few up tempo songs found on Decade. “My Last Battle” is the stand out up tempo number. Penned by Mike Payne, it reminded me of something the Paynes would have recorded in their prime.
• Dennis Humphries turns in a nice performance on the stand out ballad “What I’m Really Waiting For”. The song gets the full Wayne Haun orchestrated production.
• The Wayne Haun/Joel Lindsey song “One Simple Touch” would make a strong radio single choice as would the Joseph Habedank/Wayne Haun opening track “Just Over The Horizon”. Both are medium tempo numbers with the latter bringing a country gospel sound to the listener.

MUSICSCRIBE

• “My Last Battle” is the best performance on Decade.
• The songwriting is consistently good on Decade. HisSong knows how to choose great songs.
• The acoustic arrangement on “A Reason To Start Again” was so good, it made me wish the entire CD had been recorded that way. They sing with a lighter approach. This is the only slow song on Decade where the vocals synchronize in truly satisfying harmony.

SOUTHERN GOSPEL VIEWS FROM THE BACK ROW

• The lack of up tempo songs found on Decade. When you only have three up tempo songs on a thirteen song collection, the pacing of the album causes the listener to lose interest. A nice ratio of up tempo/medium tempo/slow tempo songs would pace the recording better.
• HisSong has had some success at radio in their 10 year career with their biggest single being “I Still Have It All”. After listening to Decade several times, I wasn’t able to pick out one song from the recording that could potentially find the group another top ten song.

MUSICSCRIBE

• Although the individual members of HisSong are capable singers, their combined vocals don’t quite mesh into a satisfying blend for most songs on Decade.
• There’s a lot of good music, but nothing I’d really call outstanding. The moments with the potential to be great are typically over-sung. Other bits, like the chorus of “Take It And Leave It,” sound almost robotic.
• Any time a group records a song another group has popularized, it’s only natural to compare and contrast their version with the original. In every such case with Decade, I prefer the earlier version. “He Will Provide” worked better as a slightly faster quartet song on Daywind’s first All Star Quartets recording. “I Know He Heard My Prayer” is not quite as good as Greater Vision’s version, and Phillips, Craig & Dean did a far better version of “Midnight Oil.”

SOUTHERN GOSPEL VIEWS FROM THE BACK ROW

• NO – I found the pacing of Decade to be the biggest problem. While I would download several songs from this new HisSong album, there wasn’t enough that would get me to consider it a ‘must buy’.

MUSICSCRIBE

• NO – Decade is good, but not enough that I’d feel compelled to buy it.

Classic Videos – More Kingsboys

I have had several requests recently on posting more Kingsboys video clips.  Well, you ask, I answer.  Here is a clip of the group in 1987 singing “Enter In”.  Enjoy!

“Enter In” – Kingsboys (1987)

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The Definitive Southern Gospel Collection – 1995

Another week, another look at the definitive in Southern Gospel music by year.  This week I am moving five years from the year 2000 to take a look at the best Southern Gospel albums released in the year 1995.  The mid ’90′s still saw the power house quartet trio of the Cathedrals, Gold City and the Kingsmen, even though Gold City and the Kingsmen were experiencing changes.

The Cathedrals were dominating award shows winning group, album and song of the year in 1995.  But, new groups such as Karen Peck & New River, Brian Free & Assurance, the New Hinsons, the Steeles and the Ruppes were all making strides with albums released in 1995.

The definitive top 20 albums released in Southern Gospel music in the year 1995 are as follows:

1. Standing In The Gap – Gold City (RiverSong)
2. Through The Fire – Ruppes (Makkedah)
3. Unlimited – Karen Peck & New River (Horizon)
4. Common Ground – Poet Voices (Sonlite)
5. Anchor To The Power Of The Cross – Hoppers (Homeland)
6. Adoration – Anchormen (Sonlite)
7. Things That Last Forever – Brian Free & Assurance (Chapel)
8. Oasis – New Hinsons (Daywind)
9. Georgia Live – Kingsmen (Horizon)
10. Let’s Have Church – JD Sumner & Stamps (Chapel)
11. Southern Steele – Steeles (Daywind)
12. Southern Classics Volume II – Gaither Vocal Band (SpringHill)
13. Forever Gold – Kingdom Heirs (Sonlite)
14. A Reunion – Cathedrals (Canaan)
15. On Time God – Perfect Heart (Sonlite)
16. Take Him At His Word – Greater Vision (RiverSong)
17. Nothing But Love – Cumberland Boys (Daywind)
18. Serenade – Kirk Talley (Sonlite)
19. Still Water – Perry Sisters (Sonlite)
20. High Rise – McGruders (Zion)

Listen to a mash-up of music from the best Southern Gospel albums of 1995.

SWOT Analysis – Booth Brothers

This week’s SWOT analysis takes a look at the strengths and weaknesses of undoubtedly the most popular group touring the Southern Gospel circuit right now; the Booth Brothers.  They have dominated Southern Gospel award shows for the last several years and there seems to be no sign of that ending any time soon.

One could question whether a group with the popularity of the Booth Brothers actually have any weaknesses.  Let’s find out.

STRENGTHS

• Likability:  This group propelled themselves to the forefront of Southern Gospel music by being accessible to every fan.  You could argue that every Southern Gospel artist is accessible to the fans at some point during a concert.  Not so.
• Harmony:  While the Booth Brothers don’t have the Southern Gospel market cornered on harmony, they have built a successful sound around intricate and tight harmonies.  I recall the first time I saw the group live in the mid ’90′s when Ron Booth Sr was touring with the group.  I was awe-struck at the group’s harmony.
• Jim Brady’s songwriting:  It is always nice when a group has an in-house songwriter, but the Booth Brothers have one of the best Southern Gospel songwriters in Jim Brady.  The interesting thing is the Booth Brothers don’t always keep the best Jim Brady songs and they still tend to make stellar recordings.
• Stage presence:  As with the Hoppers last week, the Booth Brothers command a concert stage.  They are great at reading a crowd and many times changing their program to fit the crowd they are singing to.  The group has a nice mix of comedy, poignant moments and big power house ballads to bring the crowd to their feet.

WEAKNESSES

• Overuse of tracks:  I will use this weakness for every artist it applies to.  This generation of fans of Southern Gospel music have become reliant on tracks as accompaniment in the live concert setting to the point the concert audience wants a performance by the artist as they hear it on the recording.  That is why artists get criticized way too much by fans when they happen to hit a note slightly off pitch or miss the note altogether in a live concert setting.
• Talking can become lengthy:  This only applies to recently because when the group first started their program was filled with mainly music.  At times, their program tends to get a little lengthy in the talking department.

OPPORTUNITIES

• A Rebels Tribute Album:  Honoring the legacy of their father and uncle, who were both members of the Rebels Quartet, by recording an entire album of classic Rebels Quartet music.  In order the make it authentic, this is the one time the Booth Brothers need to bring a bass singer in to record with them on the album.

THREATS

• Jim Brady exiting the group:  The Booth Brothers would continue to thrive if Jim Brady would ever leave, but it would cause an initial blow to the group’s popularity.
• Greater Vision reclaiming trio of the year:  The return of Chris Allman to Greater Vision has seen the group surge in popularity.  Is it enough to reclaim the trio of the year award?  Probably not, the Booth Brothers are simply untouchable right now.

***NEXT SWOT ANALYSIS:  LEGACY FIVE***

Ten On Ten – Anchormen

Reader requests continue our ten on ten feature this week.  The Anchormen came together in 1979 and began their early years performing as a trio.  The group added a bass singer in 1987 and have been singing as a quartet since.

It was the late 1980′s when the Anchormen started getting noticed in Southern Gospel music.  As is the case with many groups in the industry, the Anchormen have seen their fair share of personnel changes through the years.  It seems as though the Anchormen have put together a vocal line-up that is once again turning heads.

The Anchormen’s ten best albums are as follows:

1. Adoration (1995)
2. Believe (2012)
3. Nothing Less Than All (2003)
4. In Concert (1992)
5. On The Threshold (1991)
6. Reflections Of Life (1999)
7. Glory Ahead (2006)
8. Come To The Fountain (1994)
9. Heart Of The Matter (1989)
10. Livin’ Our Dream (2005)

• The Anchormen’s newest 2012 release Believe nearly dethroned what I have considered the Anchormen’s pinnacle recording; the 1995 album Adoration.  When looking at the group’s ten best I still gave Adoration the top spot for the Anchormen’s best album.
• Brian Routh (tenor), Dale Forbes (lead), Terry Carter (baritone) and Jeff Chapman (bass) was the vocal line-up on Adoration which gave the listener “Second Time Around”, “Beyond The Grave”, “Come On In”, “Be Still And Know” and “One More Testimony” as highlights.
• That would make the group’s newest album Believe #2 among their ten best.  This album saw the return of Forbes and Carter at their respective vocal spots.  Karl Rice (tenor) and Paul Harkey (bass) round out this vocal line-up.  Dale Forbes proves he has still got it, turning in some of the best singing of his career on Believe.
• The make-up of the top ten shows the consistency the Anchormen were able to produce even with all the personnel shifts.  There was no specific period that dominated the list.
• The 2003 album Nothing Less Than All ranked #3 among the group’s ten best.  Steve Ladd and David Hester held down the high and low ends on this particular album.  Both would go on to perform with Gold City (Ladd) and the Dove Brothers (Hester).  This is an all around great quartet album!
• The vocal line-up that would go on to become Driven Quartet released two of the Anchormen’s ten best albums.  They included 2006′s Glory Ahead (#7) and 2005′s Livin’ Our Dream (#10) .  The latter was a collection of classics, but the Anchormen turned in some great performances on those particular songs.
• The early ’90′s was a prime time for the Anchormen.  Their 1992 album In Concert ranks #4 and the 1991 album On The Threshold ranks #5.  ”We’re Gaining Ground”, “Behold The King”, “I Feel Like Running”, “It Was Amazing”, “Sooner Or Later” and “I’ve Been Touched” all highlight these two recordings.
• The gem in the Anchormen’s discography is their 1989 recording Heart Of The Matter.  Featuring the vocal line-up of David Walker (tenor), Biney English (lead), Terry Carter (baritone) and Jody Medford (bass), this recording is one those that Southern Gospel collectors should include in their collections.
• The Anchormen have released a couple of albums that should be forgotten.  The most forgettable is a 2004 recording titled Times And Seasons.
• I can’t leave this ten on ten feature of the Anchormen without recognizing the late ’90′s version of the group.  The vocal line-up of Steve Ladd (tenor), Philip Hughes (lead), John Stemburg (baritone) and Jeff Chapman (bass) released the album ranked at #6; the 1999 recording Reflections Of Life.

***NEXT UP ON TEN ON TEN:  STATESMEN***

Akins Concert Review and Free Music Giveaway

This past weekend I had the opportunity to attend two separate programs featuring Akins.  The group did a two-day service at the Southside Baptist Church in my hometown of Mooresville NC.  During the two days the crowd was given all of Akins biggest songs.

Tonight included music from their soon to be released new album, Based On A True Story.  I had the opportunity to review Akins 2011 Live In Concert recording here.  I have been impressed with Akins music since they hit the Southern Gospel scene with their debut album, Good Tired, in 2008.

It has been quite some time since a new artist’s music has piqued my interest this much.  Their country vocal style and stage performance may not appeal to every Southern Gospel listener, but what they do is in line with the style of what one would hear from groups like the Crabb Family (now Jason Crabb), Jeff & Sheri Easter or a former group known as the Mid South Boys.

The biggest plus, in addition to the great songs, is the program is LIVE music!  It was the first time in a while that I went to a Southern Gospel concert and felt like I was at an actual concert.  So, because I am feeling so good today I am giving away some free Akins music for others to enjoy.  The first person to email me (swea215@yahoo.com) the answer to the following trivia question will win Akins Live In Concert DVD/CD combo that not only is a DVD of the concert but also has two audio CDs of the same concert for you to enjoy on to go.

TRIVIA QUESTION:  Father, David Akin, was a band member of this mixed group who started in the late 1970′s.  The group was born out of the retirement of the final named member of this legendary family named group.  Name the mixed group David Akin was a member.

(UPDATE):  Congratulations to Andrew for winning the Live In Concert DVD/CD combo for answering the Rex Nelon Singers as the trivia answer.  Thanks everyone for participating.

From Akins YouTube channel, here is a clip of what has become my favorite song by the group; “What If God Says No”.  Enjoy!

Right Now – Old Paths

Southern Gospel Views from the Back Row (Steve Eaton) and Musicscribe (David Bruce Murray) join forces once again to present the ‘must buy or not’ feature. Highlights and dislikes will be offered along with a definitive yes or no on whether the album is a ‘must buy’.

In this edition of the ‘must buy or not’ feature is the new album by the Old Paths. The first collaboration with Crossroads, Right Now hit retail on Tuesday (04/17/12). For those being introduced to the Old Paths, the current group is composed of Jeremy Peace (tenor), Tim Rackley (lead), Doug Roark (baritone) and Daniel Ashmore (bass).

Song list: (1) “Battle Stand” – Rodney Birch (2) “He’s My Song” – Ray Scarbrough (3) “Woke Up This Morning” – John Darin Rowsey (4) “Everlasting Yes” – Kyla Rowland/Daryl Williams (5) “I Know My God Can Do It” – Jeff Gibson (6) “I’m Saved” – Ray Scarbrough (7) “When It All Starts Happening” – Ronny Hinson (8) “The Blood On My Hands” – Ben Storie/Daryl Williams (9) “God’s Great” – Sandy Knight (10) “Right Now” – JC White

SOUTHERN GOSPEL VIEWS FROM THE BACK ROW

• Jeremy Peace. After turning in a power house performance on the last album with “I Of The Storm”, Jeremy has another strong feature on Right Now with “He’s My Song”. Another ballad that would make a strong radio single choice.
• A pleasant surprise in hearing the title of the album came from a song penned by JC White for the traditional gospel community. I know this song from Judy Jacobs, even though others in the traditional gospel community have recorded it. “Right Now” was a great up tempo closing song on the album.
• Using two songs from an album I chose as one of the top twenty albums of 2011; the Roy Knight Singers Staying The Course. In that review I mentioned in most instances it would be other groups that bring Sandy Knight and Rodney Birch’s songs to the Southern Gospel listening audience. Old Paths give the listener “Battle Stand” and “God’s Great”. While I still prefer the Roy Knight Singers renditions of both, the Old Paths still turn in great performances.
• Also hearing a throw back to Heaven Bound. Southern Gospel’s biggest trio of the 1980′s is mostly forgotten by today’s listening audience. “I Know My God Can Do It” was a great addition to Right Now. In Heaven Bound tradition, the song deserved a turn around though.

MUSICSCRIBE

• The title track is the energetic highlight of Right Now. This rollicking track is saved for last, but I wouldn’t have minded hearing it right up front.
• “I Know My God Can Do It” is another upbeat track that stood out. After a couple of listens, the hook stayed with me.
• Jeremy Peace is quite expressive on his two ballads: “He’s My Song” and “The Blood Is On My Hand.” He also effectively “saves” “I’m Saved.” That song is rather boring before Peace takes the melody.

SOUTHERN GOSPEL VIEWS FROM THE BACK ROW

• With the Old Paths being a quartet again, it would have been nice to have another feature from new bass vocalist Daniel Ashmore. He does turn a solid performance on the often recorded “Woke Up This Morning”. I have versions of this song by the Bishops, Talley Trio and Whisnants that I am able to recollect.
• The amount of cover songs on this album. Most listeners would find the songs on Right Now new. I counted at least eight songs that had been previously recorded by other artists. In addition to the five songs already mentioned, the Wilburns recorded “I’m Saved”, Mercy’s Mark recorded “When It All Starts Happening” and the Skyline Boys recorded “Blood On My Hands”. The Old Paths at least made the songs their own which can be tough when doing so many cover songs.

MUSICSCRIBE

• I’d have enjoyed “God’s Great” if the arrangement had been pumped up like some of the other tracks on Right Now. Instead, it strolls along at a leisurely pace. On its own, the lyric is too simplistic to sustain my interest.
• Jeremy Peace sings with empathy on his ballads as I mentioned above, but the other three singers don’t match his tone with their harmonies. A tender ending on “He’s My Song” would have been a nice touch.
• The upbeat tracks tend to be busy with thick middle frequencies in the instruments sometimes competing with the vocalists, instrumental fills overlapping lyrics, and so forth.

SOUTHERN GOSPEL VIEWS FROM THE BACK ROW

• YES – Right Now was not the best quartet album I’ve heard this year but it is strong enough to deserve a listen by fans of good Southern Gospel quartet music.

MUSICSCRIBE

• NO – I’d download “I Know My God Can Do It,” “Right Now,” and “The Blood On My Hands,” and maybe a couple more, but I’d be skipping several tracks if I bought the entire CD.