Most Influential – #34 – Greenes

The most influential series continues this week with the artist I rank #34 among Southern Gospel’s most influential artists; the Greenes.

The Greenes started as a mixed family trio in 1979 and had their first album out by 1980.  Siblings Tim, Kim and Tony Greene with father Everette at the piano began wowing Southern Gospel concert crowds by the mid 1980′s.

The group’s rise to prominence was fairly short for the time period in which it could take groups a decade or more to become recognized.  The impact Kim (Greene) Hopper has had on Southern Gospel music since her start with her family has been immeasurable and a strong reason for the Greenes to make this list.

INFLUENCE METER:

• In addition to Kim’s success, the Greenes have fostered the success of three other female vocalists (Amy Lambert, Milena Parks and Taranda Greene).
• Kim Greene’s success as a power house vocalist was instrumental in the Hoppers creating a sound that has lasted over twenty years and gave the group their biggest and most successful years in Southern Gospel music.  Kim has been named favorite soprano vocalist an unprecedented 16 times and favorite female vocalist 11 times.  There is no doubt she has already cemented herself as one of the greatest female vocalists ever in Southern Gospel music.  No doubt a future hall of famer.
• Too see the Greenes in concert during their prime was an experience you didn’t forget.  In addition to Kim, Tony Greene was one of the best emcees in Southern Gospel music, even during his younger years he knew how to read a crowd and react accordingly.  Tim brought the group many great songs with his songwriting talents, including one of Southern Gospel’s all time best; “When I Knelt, The Blood Fell”.
• Hit Songs:  ”Blood Covered It All”, “The Church Is Going Higher”, “Garment Of The Savior”, “Glorious City Of God”, ”Gloryland”, “He’s Still Alive”, ”His Blood No Longer Leaves A Stain”, “Hold On”, “If You’ll Move Over”, “In The Twinkling Of An Eye”, “It Sure Sounds Like Angels To Me”, “Jesus’ Rocking Chair”, “Let The Waters Pour”, “Living In The Middle Of Love”, “Miracle In Me”, “More Precious Than Gold”, “Never Crucify Him Again”, “Restless Hearts”, “Ride On The Clouds”, “When God Calls My Name”, “When God Has Another Plan”, “When He Sees Me”, “When I Knelt, The Blood Fell” and “Without The Cross”.
• Best Album:  10th Anniversary Live! (1989)

This week, enjoy several YouTube clips featuring the Greenes at various times in their career.  First is a performance of one of my all time favorite Greene performances featuring Kim (“More Precious Than Gold”).  Also have “Garment Of The Savior” (with Amy Lambert), “Blood Covered It All” (with Milena Parks) and “When I Knelt, The Blood Fell” (featuring Taranda Greene).  Enjoy!

A Southern Gospel Valentine

A lot is made over Valentine’s Day nowadays.  It seems the gift giving is just as important to your significant other as giving gifts at Christmas.  As the concept of love comes in many forms, there is none greater than God’s love for man in the form of Jesus Christ.  The ultimate expression of love shown in the form of dying for another.  That is what Jesus did for us.

So, I thought I would spread a little love this Valentine’s Day by giving you some of my favorite Southern Gospel love songs.  Enjoy! What are some of your favorite Southern Gospel love songs?

VOTE – Worst Southern Gospel Album Cover

Now that we have exhausted ranking the best and worst Southern Gospel album covers of all time, this week and next will allow you to vote on the best and worst.  I took the top eight and bottom eight (by rank) for the voting rounds.  This week, please vote on the one album cover you consider to be the worst.  I have provided the covers again (click on thumbnail).

His Hands – Blackwood Brothers Quartet (1958)

Paradise Island – Blackwood Brothers Quartet (1959)

Born Again Children – Galileans (1975)

Fields Of Greene – Greenes (1994)

Excited – Hemphills (1985)

Our Inspiration – Inspirations (1971)

Gospel Gold – Oak Ridge Boys (1974)

What Then – Rebels Quartet (1961)

Album Covers To Rank – Set 18

The final three sets of album covers need to be ranked.  This week I need you to rank set 18 from 1 to 6 (1 being best, 6 being worst).  Once we get through the 20 sets of album covers, the readers will vote on what they consider to be the best and worst.  Click on thumbnail for larger image.

Believe – Anchormen (2012)

Reflections – Common Bond (1997)

Mountain Heritage – Greenes (1992)

Prime – Hinsons (1979)

Children Of Azusa Street – Lanny Wolfe Trio (1986)

Live And Alive – Singing Americans (1984)

Album Covers To Rank – Set 4

Southern Gospel Views from the Back Row is attempting to find the best and worst Southern Gospel album covers of all time.  That is being accomplished through you, the readers.  With NQC coverage filling up next week, you will get two sets of covers to rank this week (today and Friday).  In the comments section, rank each cover from 1 to 6 (1 being best, 6 being worst).  Click on thumbnail to see larger image.

Influenced: A Vintage Quartet Session – Ernie Haase & Signature Sound (2008)

Highway – Freemans (2001)

Homecoming – Gaither Vocal Band (1991)

Answer The Call – Gold City (1991)

Far Beyond This Place – Greater Vision (1999)

Fields Of Greene – Greenes (1994)

Concert Review And Free Music Give Away

I had the opportunity to go to the Liberty Baptist Church here in Mooresville NC on Sunday evening (09/02/12) to see the Greenes.  This was the first time to see the group with newest members Keith Skiles and Jason Gordon.  It just so happened this was group member Jason Gordon’s home church.

The group was sounding great and I was more than happy to hear some Greene classics.  The crowd seemed to enjoy the Greene classics the most.  ”More Precious Than Gold”, “Miracle In Me” and “When I Knelt, The Blood Fell” all brought the house down.

I mentioned last week when reviewing the Greenes new album that tenor Keith Skiles is  a quartet style tenor.  He really adds that extra vocal punch to the group’s overall sound.  Tim Greene was also sounding great.  Words can’t express how happy I am seeing Tim being able to travel and sing once again.  God is good!

The most memorable moment of the evening was Tim’s touching story of Tony’s last moments.  There wasn’t a dry eye in the sanctuary.  It is hard to believe it has been nearly two years already.

I wanted to offer my readers a chance to win the Greenes new album We Need America Again.  The first person to email me (swea215@yahoo.com) the answer to the following trivia question will win.

**QUESTION:  The Greenes were known for the high soprano vocal focal point.  There were four women who filled that spot over the years.  Everyone is familiar with Kim, Amy and Taranda.  Who was the fourth women to fill the soprano vocal during the mid ’90′s?

UPDATE:  This contest is considered closed.  We have a winner, who guessed Milena Parks as the fourth soprano vocalist who spent time with the Greenes in the mid ’90′s.  Thanks for your continued readership and look for more free music giveaways in the coming weeks.

 

We Need America Again – Greenes

GRADE:  B-

• Album – We Need America Again
• Artist – Greenes
• Label – ACA
• Style – Traditional, Progressive
• Release Date – 07/24/12
• Available For Digital Download? – Yes (iTunes, Rhapsody)

SYNOPSIS:

After one album released as the Tim Greene Trio (see review here), Tim is now traveling and recording once again as the Greenes.  The Greenes name has a long rich history in Southern Gospel music and it is fitting the group continues under the leadership of one of its original members.

With the exception of a Christmas recording, this is the first album released by this new formation of the Greenes.  Tim (lead) is joined by Keith Skiles (tenor) and Jason Gordon (baritone).

Tim Greene is able to capture the classic Greenes sound, even without that defining high soprano vocalist with We Need America Again.

HIGHLIGHTS:

• The opening track, “Flow Through Me”, sets the pace for the entire recording.  Tim was responsible for writing nearly every song on this new album.  This song is by far the best on the entire recording.  This medium tempo song would be a great radio single choice.
• This was my first introduction to tenor singer Keith Skiles.  He is a quartet style tenor that shines on “The Funeral Of A Sparrow”.
• I was glad to see this new group pay homage to the Greenes name by recording Greene classics “More Precious Than Gold” and “Jesus’ Rocking Chair”.  While they don’t match the power created in the original versions, it was nice hearing these songs again.
• Tim turns in an emotional reflective performance on “I Will Hold You”.  Understanding where Tim Greene has been (in regards to health), you can hear his heart in the lyrics of a song such as “I Will Hold You”.
• Strongest songs included in order:  ”Flow Through Me”, “The Funeral Of A Sparrow”, “Awake Your Family”, “I Will Hold You” and “Defeating Your Giants”.

DISLIKES:

• We Need America Again doesn’t match the strength of the Tim Greene Trio’s debut recording It Sure Sounds Like Angels To Me.  There was some evident vocal blend issues heard in several tracks that I’m sure will be worked out as this specific vocal line-up spends more time together.
• The political tone of the title track “We Need America Again”, a song that sounds similar to the Steeles song “We Want America Back”, could turn off some listeners.
• Weakest songs included in order:  ”We Need America Again”, “The Best Party In Town” and “I’m Going To Church”.

WRAP UP:

It is great to see the Greene name continue under the leadership of Tim Greene.  Listeners will have to get use to the all male trio sound instead of that classic high soprano vocal focal point.  While We Want America Again would not be considered one of the Greenes best albums when looking at their recording history, it is a solid start for this new generation of the group.

SONG/FEATURED VOCALIST – SONGWRITER:  1. “Flow Through Me”/Tim Greene; Jason Gordon – Tim Greene  2. “We Need America Again”/Tim Greene – Tim Greene  3. “The Best Party In Town”/Jason Gordon; Tim Greene – Tim Greene  4. “Jesus Rocking Chair”/Ensemble – Tim Greene  5. “The Funeral Of A Sparrow”/Tim Greene; Keith Skiles – Tim Greene  6. “Defeating Your Giants”/Jason Gordon – Joel Hemphill  7. “I’m Going To Church”/Tim Greene – Tim Greene  8. “I Will Hold You”/Tim Greene – Tim Greene  9. “Awake Your Family”/Jason Gordon; Keith Skiles – Tim Greene  10. “More Precious Than Gold”/Ensemble; Keith Skiles – Videt Polk

Smack Down!! – “Sailing On Home”

Newer listeners to Southern Gospel music aren’t aware of the many song covers recorded on current albums.  What sounds like a new song to many is really just a re-recording.  That was one of the main reasons I started this feature over two years ago.

This week in the song covers smack down is an Alvin Darling song titled “Sailing On Home”.  Most listeners are probably familiar with the recent recording of this song by the Bowling Family on their 2010 album Shine.  My first recollection of this song is a version the Greenes recorded on their 1985 album Evergreene.

The Greenes will take the first verse and chorus while the Bowling Family will close out with the second verse and chorus.  Who ‘sails on home’ as the winner of this week’s smack down?