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This month we take a look at the new
CD from a group whose name is synonymous with gospel music,
The Soul Stirrers. Much
has been written about The Soul Stirrers. They are one of the groups that
started in the late 20s and have been able to remain active into the
twenty-first century. This group has championed some of the greatest lead
singers in gospel music. Such as, R. H. Harris, Sam Cooke, Martin Jacox ,
Julius Cheeks, Paul Foster, Johnny Taylor, Jimmy Outler, and Lou Rawls.
The group early recordings are still popular today.
Sam Cooke singing lead on
any of the group's songs still mesmerizes listeners today. Therefore, it is not
much of a surprise that the current members would release a CD of songs that
could be considered another 'best of'
The Soul Stirrers. The CD
is titled A Soul Stirring Reunion.
And, what a reunion of voices it is. The members that got together for
this recording are Willie Rogers, Eddie Huffman, Rev. Luther Gamble, Arthur
Crume, and Leroy Crume. Also, joining in on this project are Floyd Taylor
and Darrel Luster.
It is probably not fair to the current line-up to refer to them as sounding
like their predecessors; because, each lead singer brings his on creative style
and unique talent to the project. So, we will not make that type of
comparison. However, fans of
The Soul Stirrers will
readily be able to identify the sound alike voices of the lead singers.
Willie Rogers has been described as having one of the smoothest and silkiest
voices in gospel music today. Well, he applies those traits to Were
Going To A Meeting, Oh What A Meeting, and "I Can
Hardly Wait (My Brand New Home). He shares lead duties with
Luther Gamble on Be With Me Jesus. On "When The
Gates Swing Open he shares lead duties with Eddie Huffman. And,
on "The Last Mile Of The Way Rogers, Huffman and Rev. Gamble
contribute to the lead.
Eddie Huffman provides lead for Stand By Me Father, Lord
Remember Me, and Thank You Lord. He shares lead
duties with Darrell Luster on "Nearer To Thee.
Luther Gamble is the lead soloist on Peace Be Still, Resting
Easy, Im Still Here, and Wade In The Water.
Floyd Taylor, who by the way is the son of the late
Johnnie Taylor, does the
lead on The Love Of God.
All of the guys contributed to the background vocals. And, you will be
able to immediately identify the Crume brothers for their contribution to the
tight background harmony on all of the songs.
It is difficult to single out any one song on this project. It is a good
recording and you will enjoy each song. It does not matter which of the
deceased members of the group were your favorites, you will find something on
this project that cause you find (and play) the older recordings. That in
and of itself speaks volume about the impact this CD will have on fans of
The Soul Stirrers.
The musicians played an integral part of bringing The Soul Stirrers sound to
this project. Those that contributed to the project were David Curry (drums),
Sam Scott (Bass Guitar), Maurice Morgan (guitar), Darrell Luster (guitar), and
Derrick Nation (Piano & Organ).
What a reunion this project represents. One song that is missing from this
project is "Touch The Hem of His Garment." But, it is
probably not possible to have all of the songs that any one person like by this
group on a single CD.
We like this CD. Even with all previously recorded songs, it is still one
of the best gospel music CDs of 2008.
This is another project that deserves
to be in your collection. We give
The Soul Stirrers
A Soul Stirring Reunion a 9 out of 10. To purchase the CD click
here. Click on the
title to hear " The
Last Mile Of The Way."
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