Archive for June 27, 2012

Ten On Ten – Hemphills

Posted: June 27, 2012 by Steve Eaton in Ten On Ten
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The ten on ten feature continues this week with a look at the ten best recordings of the Hemphills.  A career that started with Joel and LaBreeska as a duo, then family coming on to form the mixed quartet sound the group is known most.

A popularity that boomed in the early 1980′s with the release of several landmark recordings and songs.  Joel Hemphill is also recognized as one of Southern Gospel’s greatest songwriters.  With just over twenty recordings in their discography, here is the best of the Hemphills.

The ten best recordings of the Hemphills are as follows:

  1. Good Things (1981)
  2. Together (1984)
  3. Workin’ (1980)
  4. Louisiana Live (1983)
  5. Celebration (1989)
  6. In Action (1973)
  7. One Live Family (1975)
  8. Make Mine Gospel (1972)
  9. Home Cookin’ (1979)
  10. I Can Smile (1986)
  • Six of the ten recordings in the top ten are from the 1980′s.  The pinnacle in the Hemphill’s discography is the 1981 album Good Things.  In terms of song selection, it is hard to beat this recording.
  • “Good Things”, “I’m Not Perfect, Just Forgiven”, “Lay Your Burdens Down At The Cross”, “I’m A Winner”, “When The Clouds Roll Back” and “The Message Of His Coming” all highlight this album.
  • Together ranks #2 among the Hemphill’s best.  Another huge #1 hit, “It Wasn’t Raining When Noah Built The Ark” is found on this album.  The listener also is treated to “Angels All Around You”, “The Son Is Gonna Reign”, “I Claim The Blood”, “The Only Real Peace” and one of Joel Hemphill’s greatest compositions; “Master Of The Wind”.
  • The biggest and probably most notable song of the Hemphill’s career was “He’s Still Working On Me”.  Still sung today in what has become a kid’s song.  The 1980 album Workin’ ranks #3 among the Hemphill’s best.  This album also contains “Rusty Old Halo”, “There’s Been A Lot Of Changes”, “Carry On Church” and “Blow Ye The Trumpet”.
  • The Hemphills recorded three live albums in their career.  All three are among the group’s ten best.  The highest ranked of those is the 1983 album “Louisiana Live”.  While the album contains mainly material from their two previous studio albums, it captured the Hemphills at the height of their popularity.
  • The other two live recordings, In Action and One Live Family, ranks #6 and #7 respectively.  The listener will get some Joel Hemphill classics on these two albums.  They include “I Found A Better Way”, “An Unfinished Task”, “I’ll Soon Be Gone”, “It’ll Be Worth Every Mile Of The Trip”, “Ready To Leave”, “The Sweetest Words He Ever Said”, “I Came On Business For The King” and “Sing The Glory Down”.
  • The family unit most are familiar with are the Hemphills of the late 1970′s through the end of their career with Joey (lead/tenor), Candy (soprano), LaBreeska (alto), Joel (lead/baritone) and Trent at the piano.  The Hemphills also carried one of the best bands is Southern Gospel music during the 1980′s.
  • The group went out on a high note as their last recording, Celebration, ranks #5 among the group’s ten best.  If a collector needs to have one Hemphills recording in their collection, this is the one.  ”The Party’s Over”, “Testimony”, “Paid In Full”, “Every Need Supplied”, “Call Me Blessed” and “Let The Whole World Know” send this album over the top.
  • As with any group, the Hemphills also have that album that should be forgotten.  The 1976 recording Without A Doubt is that album for the Hemphills.
  • Joel and LaBreeska Hemphill have come full circle as they once again travel as a duo singing many of Joel’s greatest compositions.
***NEXT UP ON TEN ON TEN:  PROPHETS QUARTET***