The Gospel Legends CD Review

The Gospel Legends

Brothers

The word “Legend” is used quite often in the genre of gospel quartet music. Often one garners this title simply because of longevity in the gospel music industry. One of the many definitions of the word “legend” is an individual “that inspires legends or achieves legendary fame.” Today a legend can also be a person or achievement worthy of inspiring a story; or anyone or anything whose fame promises to be enduring, even if the renown is created more by the media than by oral tradition. Thus, we speak of the legendary accomplishments of our favorite gospel quartet singer or group or the legendary unique voice of a famous gospel quartet singer.

Well, this month we review the new CD by The Gospel Legends. These guys may not be renown yet; and they may not have been in the gospel music industry long enough to obtain the title of legend. You might even acknowledge that their accomplishments in the gospel music industry are more recent and thus not legendary. However, when you listen to their new project, “Brothers,” you will probably agree that they are on their way to becoming legends and that they have paid homage to the legends of gospel quartet music throughout this project. As such, it is fitting for them to have adopted the name The Gospel Legends.

The Gospel Legends is definitely a traditional gospel quartet group. The members have their roots solidly in the gospel quartet genre. The current members of the group are Mark Anthony Alston, Mark Davis, Terrance Ford, Allen Pringle, Scott Pringle, Kevin Thompson, and Chad Wood. Several of the members are related to the Late Reverend Willie Pringle. Many will remember Reverend Pringle from his days with the group Reverend Pringle and The Melodyettes.

On the Brothers’ CD, you get eleven tracks that will take you back to the days when groups that we now consider legendary were at the height of their career; groups like the Swanee Quintet, The Jackson Southernaires, The Highway QC’s, just to name a few.

The project begins with “All My Life.” Many groups have recorded this song. The Gospel Legends really took this song to another level. Allen Pringle sings lead on this song. The background is very tight. The group has real good harmony on this song. The ending to the song is a little unexpected. The song just drops without a smooth ending. However, overall it is a good rendition of this traditional song.

The next track, “Thank You Jesus” could be considered a drive song. It is certainly up tempo. The background harmony could have been tighter. However, because of the hard hitting drive, the lack of tight background harmony is not that noticeable. The group slows down with “It Was You.” Don’t be surprise if you find yourself thinking that the group sounds like Slim & The Supreme Angels (during the time Greg Kelly was with Slim). The next track, “He Will Remember Me” seems to be a tribute to the Late Reverend Willie Pringle. If it was not intended to be so, it certainly comes across as a great tribute song.

“Never Alone” is another traditional song that the group has taken to another level. This song will have you rocking from side to side. It is a great song at the right tempo. This track will have you thinking of The Messengers, the Late Willie Banks’ group.

The song “I Know What Prayer Can Do,” has a great message. The harmony on this song is probably the best of any of the tracks. This track will probably become your favorite. It will not have you clapping your hands or stomping your feet. It will, however, cause you to pause, meditate and think about the power of prayer.

“Still Standing” and “Brothers” are the next two tracks. Next the Legends give you another drive song – “I’ll Make It Alright.” This is another song that will certainly have you thinking of groups of the seventies and eighties. “Wait On Him” is the tenth track. On this track Allen Pringle shares lead duties with Patricia Pringle. With this track you will hear reminders of The Gospel Keynotes. Even the instrumentation will remind you of The Gospel Keynotes. None of this should be a surprise. Afterall, the song was written by the Late Willie Neal Johnson.

The final track is one from the golden age of gospel quartet music – “Traveling Shoes.” The Legends have updated this much recorded song. They have added their own verses and personalized the song. This song will have you clapping your hands and tapping your toes. The harmony on this song is great. The instrumentation is one of the best. The interplay between the singers and the musicians are worth the price of this CD. This is the track that will probably get the most airplay.

Overall this project is good. There is a good mix of old and new songs. All of the songs are traditional gospel quartet and they certainly have incorporated the sounds and style of many of the legends in the gospel quartet genre. Having seen the group on stage, we can attest to the fact that the project is indicative as to how these guys are on stage. Therefore, when they minister in song it is hard for anyone to stay in their seat. If you are a quartet fan, you will most certainly want to add this project to your collection. You will not be disappointed.

We give The Gospel Legends' “Brothers" an 8.5 out of 10. To order this project contact Nu-Lyphe Records at (803) 647-7821. Click on the title to hear “Traveling Shoes.”

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