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This month we
visit Laurel, Mississippi, and introduce to many a group that has been singing
praise to our Lord and Savior for over 40 years
The Dynamic Holy Spiritualaires.
The group was organized in 1972 by the late Robert Cooley. At that time they
were called
The Laurel Holy Spiritualaires.
Their first recording was with Talk Of The Town label. They also recorded for
Gospel Time label. By 1976, the group name was changed to
The Dynamic Holy Spiritualaires.
The group also recorded for J&B, Wajji and Jet Records. They would eventually
establish their on labels - Joy Divine, Cooley Records and Cooleo Records.
The new release is on the Cooleo Records label.
The current members of the group are Greg Cooley, Richard Cooley, Fred Naylor,
Joseph McDonald, Glennis Cooley, Curtis Taylor, Willie J. Davis and Willie
Cooley, Jr.
The new project is titled Celebration 40 Years - "LIVE" in Laurel, MS.
This thirteen track CD could also be subtitled The Best of the Dynamic
Holy Spiritualaires. Most of the songs were previously recorded by the
group. There are actually eleven (11) songs on the CD.
This IS a live recording
and what a LIVE recording it is. In fact, the group also released a DVD
of the project and unlike many live projects, the CD is an exact replication of
the DVD. In other words, there are no variations between the CD and DVD.
And, it has to be noted that this group is the closest you would probably ever
get to having an ensemble that sounds like
The Fantastic Violinaires.
In fact, if Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery,
The Fantastic Violinaires
should be overwhelmed by the recognition given to them by
The Dynamic Holy Spiritualaires.
This project is vintage
Violinaires.
That recognition is not intended in anyway to lessen or undermine the awesome
talent of
The Dynamic Holy Spiritualaires.
The guys, in their own right, are very talented singers, musicians and
songwriters. But, make no mistake about it; they have successfully replicated
many aspects of the
Violinaires
repertoire and persona.
The project begins with a spirited introduction of the group by Ms. Lula Cooley.
From there, the group moves into We're Not Through Yet, which,
by the way, is the title of their 2009 CD on the Cooley label. The song will
certainly remind fans of this genre of groups that champion the falsetto vocals
as background singers. This is followed by Lord Do It For Me.
You cannot listen to this song without substituting the lyrics from
The Fantastic Violinaires
Tell Me How Long.
The group then delivers an inspiring rendition of "The Lord's Prayer."
No, this is not quite
The Fantastic Violiniares
version. But, the way they handle AMEN at the end will have you thinking of the
great falsettos that have tackled the song. And, the falsetto background harmony
on this song is just outstanding. It is followed by What He Done for Me,
Part 1 and Part 2. Listen closely as Willie Davis drive this song and
the audience to a fever pitch.
What may be dubbed the praise and worship song on the project is Exalting
and Thanking God. It is followed by Something Telling Me to Go
Head. The group has masterfully made this often recorded composition
sound brand new.
God Has Smiled On Me has all of the trappings of becoming a
classic for this group. It is presented as a tribute to the founder of the
group. The background harmony really makes this one of the song that should get
airplay around the country. Unfortunately, the two (2) minute soliloquy at the
beginning may cause Radio Angels to shy away from the song.
The groups bass guitarist,
Glennis Cooley, is the lead singer on Take a Dose of Jesus.
Thereafter, we are treated to Can't Make This Journey Alone.
This is a very refreshing version of the song the group recorded for Jet Records
in 2002. Once again, you will find it hard not to substitute the lyrics
from a song by
The Fantastic Violinaires
- Dr. Jesus. It is followed by Fire Shut Up in My
Bones, Part 1 and 2. Listen as the guys drive this one to another
level. They even give you a little 'cho-cho' along the way. The band really
worked this song. At the same time, they never overshadow the vocals.
The project closes with No Harm to Call On Jesus. The tempo of
the song suggest that it may not have been intended as the benediction or alter
call, but the words certainly fits the ending to a great concert. And, once
again, you will find yourself asking what song of
The Fantastic Violinaires
this sounds like well, try Take Me, I'm Ready to Go.
Hopefully, the frequent references to
The Fantastic Violinaires
will not preclude you from obtaining a copy of this project. For, this is one
project that deserves to be in your collection.
You should be able to find
this CD in your local record store and online. We give
The Dynamic Holy Spiritualaires
Celebrating 40 Years LIVE In Laurel, Mississippi a 9 out of 10. Click
HERE to purchase the CD online. Click on the
title to hear
"Lord
Do It For Me." |
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