Classics Collection – Sisters

Now that we are posting together, expect more of the collaborative ‘must buy or not’ album review features in 2013.  This first ‘must buy or not’ feature of 2013 will be presented by Steve Eaton and David Bruce Murray.

Sisters had one of the top albums released in 2012 with An A Cappella Collection.  They are continuing that trend with the release of Classics Collection in 2013.

Classics Collection builds on An A Cappella Collection by adding just piano instrumentation.  By just having piano, it allows the vocals to be the focus of the entire album.  A group with the vocal caliber of Sisters, the last thing a listener wants is to have those voices hidden behind over-produced tracks and instrumentation.

Song list:  (1) “Holy Spirit Thou Art Welcome” - David Huntsinger, Dottie Rambo  (2) Andrae Crouch Medley (“Through It All”, “The Blood Will Never Lose It’s Power”,  ”My Tribute” “How Can I Say Thanks”, “To God Be The Glory”) - Andrae Crouch  (3) “Just When I Need Him” - Reba Rambo  (4) “Rise Again” - Dallas Holm  (5) “O Happy Day/Oh Happy Day” – Phil Doddridge, Edward Francis Rimbaul, /Edwin Hawkins  (6) “New Shoes” - Dottie Rambo  (7) “This Is Just What Heaven Means To Me” - Jimmie Davis  (8) “Majestic Medley”  - Francis of Assisi, Michael W. Smith, Fanny Crosby (9) “Amazing Grace/Sweetest Song I Know” – John Newton, Albert E. Brumley  (10) “Until He Comes” – Dottie Rambo

STEVE EATON

• The listener can clearly hear the Rambos influence on not only Sisters career, but the career of the Ruppes.  The Ruppes’ first 1975 album was filled with Dottie Rambo compositions.  Classics Collection opens with a Dottie Rambo number and closes with a Dottie Rambo song.  Of all the Rambo covers, “Until He Comes” is a masterpiece.
• Speaking of the Ruppes, listeners are treated to a bit of a Ruppes reunion with mother Brenda Ruppe joining the girls on the classic “This Is Just What Heaven Means To Me”.  Brenda takes the lead on the second verse and if you’re not careful you may have to let out a shout before the song is over.  This song received several repeats before I could move on to the next song!
• Classics Collection hearkens the listener back to the 1970′s era of Southern Gospel music.  The arrangement used on “Just When I Need Him” reminded me of something the Downings would have recorded during this particular decade.
• Kim’s vocal work on the Dallas Holm classic “Rise Again” makes it the best version of this song I’ve heard since the original.
• I hope Sisters is traveling with a piano player so the concert audience can get the full experience of them singing these songs with just piano accompaniment.

DAVID BRUCE MURRAY

• Featuring just the piano of Tim Parton with the vocals of Sisters is a dynamic combination.
• Hearing Brenda Ruppe singing with her daughters again is the obvious highlight of this CD. They couldn’t have picked a more perfect song to feature Brenda.
• I tend to gravitate to more up-tempo songs, so my favorite tracks are “O Happy Day” and “New Shoes.” Parton’s stacatto piano style on these tracks gives this CD a lift.
• They didn’t over-think the production. There are points where you can feel Parton’s piano push or pull back the tempo to give these songs a live feel. It’s a simple idea, but it’s the sort of thing that’s so rarely heard any more.

STEVE EATON

• The only song on the album that I could have done without is the “Majestic Medley”.  I would have preferred Sisters do another ’70′s era classic like “It’s My Desire” or “Greater Is He That Is In Me”.

DAVID BRUCE MURRAY

• Sisters can get away with doing a CD that features slower arrangements 75% of the time, because they have such great harmony. Still, I would have enjoyed hearing another song or two in the vein of “O Happy Day,” “New Shoes,” “Sweetest Song I Know” and the second half of “Just When I Need Him”
• I was upset when it was over, but that’s not really a legitimate dislike. With just one musician to pay, I do think they could have gone ahead and included a couple more tracks. Public domain hymns would have been fine if the budget was an issue.

STEVE EATON

• YES – There are a handful of groups in Southern Gospel that make me sit in awe every time I hear them begin to sing.  Sisters is one of those groups.  2013 is shaping up to be a great year for Southern Gospel album releases based on the first few I’ve already heard.  Classics Collection is an easy choice in saying that it is absolutely a ‘must buy’ album!

DAVID BRUCE MURRAY

• YES – I didn’t mind at all that I’d heard every one of these songs before. When most groups release a classics collection, I typically listen to their arrangements and think “Well, here we go again.” That isn’t the case with Sisters. You may have heard all of these songs before, too, but you haven’t heard them like this.

Best Of 2012 – #1

The time has come to crown the best Southern Gospel album and recorded song of 2012.  When the dust settled on everything I listened to this year the Perrys had the best album.

Through The Night released in October for the Perrys and the album is one of the strongest of the entire year in terms of song selection.  I enjoyed the approach the Perrys took with several stand out ballads.  They didn’t do their traditional power ballad treatment but instead took the, singing and let the vocal convey the message approach.  That is most evident on “Whosoever Will” and “Too Good To Not Be True”.

While not as strong as the group’s landmark album Almost Morning, Through The Night is still one of the top five albums of the group’s entire discography.  I have read that 2012 was a slump year for strong Southern Gospel albums.  I guess it depends on one’s definition of Southern Gospel and exactly how many recordings were listened to.  While I would agree that if Through The Night was released in 2011 it may have not been the #1 album last year, but guess what it is not 2011.  As far as 2012 is concerned, the Perrys can relish in the fact they have the best Southern Gospel album released this year.

Personal favorites from this recording include:  ”Whosoever Will”, “One Of These Mornings”, “Too Good To Not Be True”, “He Is Good To Me”, “Through The Night”, “Unspoken Request” and “I Got A Hold Of God This Morning”.

Depending on your definition of Southern Gospel, could probably disqualify the song I chose as the #1 recorded song in Southern Gospel music for 2012.  Good thing my definition is a bit broader than most or one would miss out on this power house performance.  Sisters showed their artistic excellence in 2012 by releasing one of the best a cappella albums ever in Southern Gospel music with An A Cappella Collection.

Sisters decided to record a song made popular by the Brooklyn Tabernacle, “Thou Oh Lord”.  A soaring praise song that builds in intensity was a perfect fit for a group with the vocal talents of Sisters.  I remember the moment I first heard Sisters performance of this song.  To say I was blown away would be an understatement.

It would be hard for any listener of Southern Gospel music to argue that Sisters is not one of the best vocal groups in the industry.  Their performance of the #1 recorded song of 2012 in Southern Gospel music, “Thou Oh Lord” is proof.

Here is a YouTube clip of Sisters performing the #1 recorded song of the year.  Enjoy and thanks for making this a great blogging year for me!  I enjoyed bringing you this list of what I consider to be the best of 2012.  Look forward to bring you more of the same in 2013!

Best Of 2012 – #9

Closing out the second week of the annual countdown of the best Southern Gospel album and recorded songs of 2012 is #9.

Sisters is undoubtedly one of the best vocal groups to ever grace a Southern Gospel music stage.  That vocal prowess is best shown when the trio sings a cappella.  So, Sisters did what any group with their vocal talent would do; record an entire a cappella album.

An A Cappella Collection released in July 2012 and captured everything a listener would expect from Sisters.  With the intricate, layered harmony work performed by Sisters, the listener almost forgets there is no music tracks, only voices.  I consider An A Cappella Collection one of the best a cappella albums ever recorded in Southern Gospel music.

Personal favorites from this recording include:  ”Thou Oh Lord”, “Come On Let’s Go To That Land”, “Jesus Saves”, “Come Thou Fount” and “Power Of The Cross (In Christ Alone)”.

Brian Free and Assurance had the #10 album, as was reported yesterday with Nothing But Love.  A particular song from that album ranks #9 among the best recorded songs of 2012.

Since I enjoy variety in my Southern Gospel listening, at times it is those unique songs that stand out when first listening to an artist’s new album.  Such was the case when listening to Brian Free and Assurance’s Nothing But Love recording.  One of the more unique songs recorded in 2012 is “Revival” by Brian Free and Assurance.

Penned by Lee Black and Ricky Free, “Revival” is a modern, even traditional sounding country tune that stands out from any other song on Nothing But Love.  Here is a clip of the #9 recorded song of 2012; “Revival”.

The countdown continues Monday with #8.

SWOT Analysis – Sisters

I am still in the process of getting back to all my regular features.  This week finds the return of the SWOT analysis feature.  This feature takes a tool used in business to look at different factors that can affect that business.  I thought why not use that model in looking at strengths and weaknesses of Southern Gospel’s biggest artists of today.

This week, the SWOT analysis returns with a look at Sisters.  This female trio is known for their tight harmony and angelic voices.

STRENGTHS

• Vocals:  As I mentioned in the review of their latest album last week, Sisters is one of the finest vocal groups in all Southern Gospel music.  In an industry where sometimes stacks, tracks and theatrics can win over a crowd, I enjoy to hear a group that is built around pure vocal talent.
• Intricate Harmony:  While Sisters don’t have the Southern Gospel market cornered on vocal harmony, they create intricate harmony arrangements that showcase that talent far more than some artists.
• A Cappella Singing:  As their latest album proves, Sisters is at their best when performing a cappella.  Of course, their big vocal numbers “Under His Wings” and “I’m Gonna Make It” are also show stoppers.
• Cross Over Appeal:  The group’s style allows for cross over appeal, as is witnessed by them performing at a Christian music festival in Washington where they were the only artist representing Southern Gospel harmony singing.

WEAKNESSES

• Being An All Female Trio:  Not to start a sexist argument here, but being an all female trio in an industry dominated by all male quartets will never garner them the attention they deserve.  This would be among the listening audience, not the other artists in the industry.
• Cross Over Appeal:  While cross over appeal is a strength, it can also be considered a weakness.  The group’s style may not be considered Southern Gospel enough for the purists and again handicapping Sisters attempt at gaining the attention they deserve.  And all I mean by attention in this case is when Southern Gospel listeners are asked the best groups in the industry, Sisters actually being considered and listed among groups like the Booth Brothers, Triumphant Quartet, Hoppers, Perrys, etc.

OPPORTUNITIES

• Doing A Convention Style Album:  With the group’s harmony ability, I think they may win over more Southern Gospel purists if they would do an album of nothing but Southern Gospel convention style numbers.
• Ruppes reunion video:  I know this would only require bringing Brenda (mom) in, but I would love to hear Brenda and the girls perform “Under His Wings”, “Angels In The Room”, “Redemption Complete” and “Do You Love Me” again.

THREATS

• Coming Off The Road:  The only threat I see with Sisters is them coming off the road because the Southern Gospel listening audience doesn’t embrace them.  Shouldn’t we be championing artists that posses the vocal talent of Sisters?

***NEXT SWOT ANALYSIS:  ISAACS***

An A Cappella Collection – Sisters

GRADE:  A-

• Album – An A Cappella Collection
• Artist – Sisters
• Label – Independent
• Style – A Cappella, Progressive
• Release Date – 07/17/12
• Available For Digital Download? – Yes (iTunes)

SYNOPSIS:

If awards were handed out for vocal talent alone, Sisters would be hard to beat.  The intricate harmony work this trio excels at makes them one of the best artists in Southern Gospel music.

There is no better way to show off that vocal talent than record an a cappella album.  Sisters, An A Cappella Collection has been available since July 17th, 2012.

Kim, Valerie and Heather combine to create an amazing vocal experience.

HIGHLIGHTS:

• Since this is what I call a ‘special event’ type recording, in that all songs have been recorded before I will briefly touch on all the amazing moments.
• Sisters was brave enough to release a radio single from this album, “Thou Oh Lord”.  While the song didn’t chart on Southern Gospel radio, it is a shame that radio programmers didn’t include it in their rotation.  The vocal harmony work on this song alone is worth purchasing the entire recording.
• Southern Gospel favorites “Jesus Saves” and “Come On Let’s Go To That Land” were included on the recording.  I enjoyed the treatment “Come On Let’s Go To That Land” was given.  You listen to this recording long enough you forget there is no musical back ground music backing up the vocals.
• There is no need to single out any single performer on certain songs because the entire recording is a master piece of vocal ensemble work.
• Strongest songs included in order:  ”Thou Oh Lord”, “Come On Let’s Go To That Land”, “Come Thou Fount”, “Power Of The Cross (In Christ Alone)”, “Jesus Saves” and “Agnus Dei (Worthy Is The Lamb)”.

DISLIKES:

• Throwing a patriotic song and then a Christmas song back to back on the recording seemed a bit dis-jointed.
• Another recording of “It Is Well”.  You can almost overlook another version of this song because Sisters performs it so well.
• If the listener, listens close enough on “Joyful, Joyful”, you can hear a little shout out to Janet Jackson on a bridge used in the song.
• Weakest songs included in order:  ”Patriotic Medley”, “Joyful, Joyful” and “It Is Well”.

WRAP UP:

An A Cappella Collection is a vocal master piece.  For anyone that has seen Sisters perform, already know the vocal talents these women possess.  When those talents are combined to create a vocal only recording, one can only imagine the outcome.  That outcome is nothing short of musical perfection.  While some may not see this album as a strict Southern Gospel recording, I still consider Sisters, An A Cappella Collection the best a cappella album ever recorded in Southern Gospel music.

SONG LIST:  1. “Come Thou Fount”  2. “Jesus Saves”  3. “Thou Oh Lord”  4. “Joyful, Joyful”  5. “Power Of The Cross (In Christ Alone)”  6. “Come On Let’s Go To That Land”  7. “It Is Well”  8. “Agnus Dei (Worthy Is The Lamb)”  9. “Patriotic Medley”  10. “Carol Of The Bells”

The Fab Five – August 2012

Time once again to turn the page on another month.  The dog days of summer are upon us as we get ready to start August 2012.  As I do each month, I want to kick off August highlighting five current radio songs that have piqued my interest.

August finds a rousing a cappella  rendition of “Thou Oh Lord” by Sisters, another ‘masterpiece’ from the Booth Brothers, Susan Whisnant taking the lead on another Whisnants hit, the Anchormen offering a great up tempo quartet number and a new family group that piqued my interest after hearing their current radio song “Rise Up and Walk”.  Enjoy!

2012 Singing In The Foothills

On Thursday night (06/21/22), I had the chance to attend night one of the 2012 Singing In The Foothills.  This annual outdoor event in Wilkesboro NC is a benefit for the Ebeneezer Christian Children’s Home.  A couple thousand folks were on hand Thursday night to enjoy some great Southern Gospel music.  Here are highlights in order of appearance.  I missed the first artist on the program, the Pfeifers.  I have also provided some audio sound bytes of each set, considering I was sitting too far back to get any good video.  The audio is not the greatest but should give you an idea of how the evening went.

Singing Cookes – This had to be the first time in twenty years that I have seen the Singing Cookes in concert.  Their set consisted of mainly slower songs until they closed with “Ain’t No Grave”.  Jason Crabb was running his social cam most of the evening and caught a clip of the Cookes here.  Enjoy that along with some audio sound bytes of their set.

Sisters – The Ruppe sisters (Heather, Kim, Valerie) were great as usual.  One would be hard pressed to find a better vocal group traveling the Southern Gospel circuit.  These ladies can sing!  Their a cappella number “Thou Oh Lord” was about the best vocal performance heard the entire night.  Jason got another social cam clip here.  Enjoy that along with some audio sound bytes of their set.

Triumphant Quartet – The group’s popularity continues to be on the rise as they thrilled another couple thousand folks at the event.  Their set was standard fare, filled with many of their hits including “Saved By Grace” and “Love Came Calling”.  Crabb was having a good time also as he got another social cam clip of Triumphant Quartet performing here.  Enjoy that along with some sound bytes of their set.

Jason Crabb – The evening closed with Jason Crabb and his band.  My readers already know how I feel about live music.  This set was phenomenal.  The musical interlude in the middle of “Still Holdin’ On” is the reason you can’t beat live music in a concert setting.  Enjoy audio sound bytes of Crabb’s set.

The Fab Five – February 2012

Let’s kick off a new month by looking at some songs currently at radio.  Here are five current Southern Gospel radio singles that have piqued my interest over the last month.  From Gold City returning to #1, the Primitives having the best song of their career, Rambo McGuire honoring the Rambos legacy, the Anchormen releasing a new album and Sisters also having a career making single.  Enjoy!