Southern Gospel Music:
40 Greatest Live Albums
The genre of southern gospel music perhaps has no greater cornerstone in representing its style than the concept of the live album. Our music has always been a story-telling music, and the audience response and emotion has been equally effective in driving the message of the lyric home to its listeners. In addition, the audio of these performances captured one's imagination in such a manner that the listener would catch a southern gospel concert at the next available opportunity.
Presented here are forty of the greatest and most notable live albums in our music's history, some of the stories behind them, and what made these albums so outstanding. These albums have been ranked based on historical significance, and also very heavily based on a poll taken at We Love Our Southern Gospel Music History Facebook Thread, a fan site with more than 40,000 followers. While I realize that not everybody will necessarily agree with these results, I would encourage everyone to simply join me in reliving some incredible memories.
Presented here are forty of the greatest and most notable live albums in our music's history, some of the stories behind them, and what made these albums so outstanding. These albums have been ranked based on historical significance, and also very heavily based on a poll taken at We Love Our Southern Gospel Music History Facebook Thread, a fan site with more than 40,000 followers. While I realize that not everybody will necessarily agree with these results, I would encourage everyone to simply join me in reliving some incredible memories.
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#40
Blue Ridge Quartet Live In Concert Blue Queen Records (LP1104), 1970 Producer: Edward Bosken Location: Garrett County High School Gymnasium - Oakland, MD Personnel: Burl Strevel, Bill Crowe, Laverne Tripp, Fred Daniel, Kenny Gates Some live records have been made great simply by the artist doing nothing more than providing a sample of what a concert experience with them is like. The boys from Spartanburg did as such. Recording from a concert in Oakland, Maryland, they staged some of their most popular songs including "The Love of God" and "On the Wings of a Dove", performing them just as they did night after night. Perhaps the album's greatest highlight was that it captured tenor Fred Daniel giving his signature enthusiastic rendition of "Somebody Touched Me". |
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#39
The Bishops Chapter X Live MorningStar Records (MST4180), 1994 Producer: Eddie Crook Location: Brock Auditorium - Richmond, KY Personnel: Kenneth Bishop, Kenny Bishop, Mark Bishop From 1984 through 2001, The Bishops rode high as one of gospel music's top trios. Celebrating a decade of hits at home in Richmond, Kentucky, the group recruited a live orchestra in making one very memorable evening. Highlights included their most popular hit at the time, "Lazarus Come Forth", and a medley of their greatest chart hits. They very aptly placed their spin on a Swanee River Boys classic, the Buford Abner-penned, "Worryin'". And of course, no Bishops album celebrating their career achievements would have been complete without a little "front porch singin'", as delivered on "Angels Walking Around". |
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#38
The McGruders Come Fly with The McGruders Sonlite Records (SON127), 1990 Producer: Kevin McManus Location: The Forum - Jonesboro, AR Personnel: Carroll McGruder, Priscilla McGruder, Stan Cook, Denny Autry, Eric McGruder, Shawnee McGruder, Landy Ewing, Larry Carter With great aplomb, the McGruders seized the stage, captured the audience's undivided attention, and took no prisoners. Come Fly captures the loud, rockin', foot-stompin', annointed energy as only Carroll, Priscilla, Stan, and their five piece band could deliver. Carroll McGruder already had the industry's attention as one of its top songwriters. "Saved By Grace", "I've Just Started Living", "I Lean on You Lord", "Blood Bought", and "Going Home to Jesus" remain popular classics today, and all were included on this album. |
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#37
Hovie Lister and the Statesmen The Sensational Statesmen Quartet (Live at the Joyful Noise) Skylite Records (SLP-6274), 1979 Producer: Joel Gentry Location: Joyful Noise Christian Supper Club - East Point, GA Personnel: Hovie Lister, Tommy Thompson, Ed Hill, Buddy Burton, Rosie Rozell "The Statesmen still have it!" This statement most assuredly ran through through the minds and hearts of the fans attending the Joyful Noise Supper Club this night, as well as the listeners of what would be the legendary quartst's fourth live record. Bass singer Tommy Thompson and lead vocalist Buddy Burton, while not necessarily copying their respective heroes Big Chief and Jake Hess, had to have immediately brought back memories of their signature styles. Veterans Ed Hill and Rosie Rozell were in grand voice, and of course the old master Hovie Lister still owned an audience whether "oom-chucking" from the piano bench or emceeing from behind the microphone. The new Statesmen sang some of their greatest hits, and perhaps the album's highlight is Hovie's introduction and Rosie's soulful rendition of "Every Time I Feel the Spirit". |
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#36
Melody Boys Quartet Celebrating 50 Years Live Wright Music (D9909), 2000 Producer: Charles Waller Location: Geyer Springs First Baptist Church - Little Rock, AR Personnel: Gerald Williams, Jeremy Raines, Jonathan Sawrie, Mike Franklin, with appearances by former Melody Boys-Coolidge Faulkner, James Bureleson, Rex Parnell, and guest pianist Jack Taylor The Melody Boys Quartet of Little Rock, Arkansas, were known amongst their peers during this time period as the "quartet's quartet". Their harmonies and precise arrangements were unequaled by any other male quartet during the 90s and early 2000s. This recording features them at their finest, performing several of their favorites with only the piano accompaniment from lead vocalist Jonathan Sawrie. Not all live albums capture such momentous an occasion as 50 years, and unlike most live albums with accompanying video, Celebrating 50 Years features different highlights from this special evening. Anyone who owns both the CD and the VHS of this concert have products with some uniquely different features. For this special night, the current lineup of the Melody Boys made a grand gesture in relinquishing the stage to the remaining members of the original quartet from 1949. Original tenor Rex Parnell, battling terminal cancer at this time, shined brightly on "Over the Moon" in what would be his final concert performance. |
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#35
The Imperials Gospel's Alive and Well Impact Records (HWS 3045), 1969 Producer: Bob McKenzie Location: The Kingsland Theater - St Louis, MO Personnel: Armond Morales, Roger Wiles, Terry Blackwood, Jim Murray, Joe Moscheo, with guest musicians Pete Wade, Henry Strezlecki, Farrell Morris, Buddy Harmon The Imperials, following the departure of Jake Hess in 1967, could have very well folded under the circumstances they faced without their star leader. Yet these pros made one of the greatest comebacks in gospel music history with their new harmonic sound and modern arrangements, and entered the renaissance of their career with the lineup of Morales, Wiles, Blackwood, Murray, and Moscheo. Variety is key here, with stylings ranging from traditional on "First Day in Heaven", inspirational on "I Believe", to the latest sounds of "God Speaking to You". Pianist Joe Moscheo was a "chill" emcee, setting the audience at ease, rather than working them into a frenzy. The fans are treated to a pleasant and intimate concert atmosphere, and an evening of class. The Imperials are no doubt remembered as one of our music's "coolest" quartets. |
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#34
The Talleys A Night to Remember Word Records (7019297609), 1992 Producer: Kevin McManus Location: Christ Church - Nashville, TN Personnel: Kirk Talley, Roger Talley, Debra Talley The sweet harmonies of Kirk, Roger, and Debra have never been better showcased than when they recorded this album at Christ Church in Nashville. All of their hits are present on this album, particularly "Hallelujah Praise the Lamb" and "He Is Here". One is reminded once again of just how versatile Kirk and Debra were with their interchanging high vocals, and of Roger's expertise on the piano and arranging songs. This would be the Talleys' final recording before the trio under this lineup went their separate ways. The Talleys of this era no doubt left a lasting impression upon their many fans and friends. |
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#33
The Perrys God's Little People Live MorningStar Records (MS4091), 1988 Producer: Eddie Crook Location: Fayetteville Community Church - Fayetteville, NC Personnel: Randy Perry, Denise Helton, Libbi Perry Stuffle, Tracy Stuffle, Mark Willett, Reggie Grimmett, Jerry Wells, Jimmy Loudermilk Few artists capitalize on physical stature, but in this case, the gimmick worked. The Perrys rose tall among gospel music's top groups with their immense talent and delightful spirit. The first of what would be many signature classics for the family is featured for the first time on this recording, "I Remember the Day". While Randy Perry serves as emcee for this album, the listener can easily deduct why Tracy Stuffle would become one of gospel music's most endearing stage personalities. His famous chainsaw impression is included here, as well as an early Tracy favorite, "Under the Glory Spout". Libbi Stuffle performed "God Walks the Dark Hills", which would almost as equally be identified with her as her hero Vestal Goodman. Great things were certainly ahead for The Perrys. |
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#32
Blackwood Brothers On Stage! RCA Victor (LSP-2646), 1963 Producer: Darol Rice Location: Municipal Auditorium - Long Beach, CA Personnel: JD Sumner, Cecil Blackwood, James Blackwood, Bill Shaw, Wally Varner This record is perhaps best remembered as "the one where the baby cried when JD sang". As Sumner prepared to settle down on a low note during his song, "He Means All the World to Me", a screaming young voice rang over the auditorium and was picked up by the microphones placed through the audience, to which Sumner quick-wittedly paused mid-note, responding, "bless its heart". The audience howled in laughter, and the cries continued as Sumner finished his signature bass "dive bomb". At the finish of the song, Statesmen bass singer, "Big Chief" Wetherington, who had been directing applause, came center stage extending a congratulatory handshake to Sumner. Sumner then followed with the statement, "I thought it was a baby crying, it was Big Chief!" No doubt one of the finest moments of sponteniety captured on a live album. Sumner cited this recording as one of his favorites during his time with the Blackwoods. This certainly seems appropriate, as the album features five songs penned by Sumner himself. To quote the world's lowest bass singer, "He that tooteth not his own horn, the same shall not be tooted". |
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#31
Kingsmen & Gold City King's Gold Riversong Records (CD02914), 1992 Location: Mount Paran Church of God - Marietta, GA Producers: Jim Hamill, Mike LeFevre, and Norman Holland Personnel: Tim Riley, Ray Dean Reese, Mike LeFevre, Parker Jonathan, Garry Jones, Jim Hamill, Ivan Parker, Tim Surrett, Brian Free, Garry Sheppard, Anthony Burger, Mark Fain, Greg Fox, Doug Riley, with special guest Lulu Roman Anyone who had the opportunity to witness two of the top quartets of the early 90s together in this combination remembers one of the most powerful and exciting teams to take the stage. Led by Kingsmen stage master Big Jim Hamill, this male choir thrilled the audience with quartet classics that could only be accentuated by having dual quartets on stage. This teaming continued strongly during the decade of the 90s, and still occasionally performs to capacity crowds even today. |