We begin the year by looking at the compilation video of Willie Neal Johnson & The Gospel Keynotes.  This is another video from MALACO’s 601 Music series.  If you have The Gospel Keynotes' videos The Country Boy Goes Home. . . II, Live at Jackson State, Lord...Take Us Through, or The Country Boy Goes Home, then you have 9 of the 10 clips from this compilation DVD on one of those videos.  For those that do not have The Gospel Keynotes’ videos, this compilation represents best of the best of The Keynotes.

The video begins with Willie, Teddy Cross and Robert Williams bringing the crowd to their feet with "He Brought Me Joy."  The Talley brothers are on the instruments.  This song is from the The Country Boy Goes Home DVD.

"Show Me The Way" is the next song on this compilation.  On this one, Willie, Alfred “Gino” Smith, Jeffery Newberry, Robert Williams handle background duties. Val Alexander and Larry McCowin are on guitar along with the Talley brothers.

"Lord I Thank You" is the first track on the The Country Boy Goes Home DVD.  The guys really ministered with this song.  In addition, the production on The Country Boy Goes Home video is so outstanding that you are drawn into the services.

Also, from The Country Boy Goes Home DVD is the song "Don't Wait For The Hearse.  On the initial recording of this song, Willie tells us that it was written by “brand new” (Warner Glover).  Willie gives him credit for the song on the video.  Teddy is then called upon to sing this powerful ballad.

Lord...Take Us Through is the video from which "Jesus Is On The Mainline" is derived.  Robert, Teddy and the Talley Brothers provided the background for this recording.  This is another video that was superbly recorded.

Also, from the Lord...Take Us Through video is "Just For Me."  Willie shares lead duties on this one with Robert.  If you ever wanted to see Robert at his best on a song other than "Walk Around Heaven," this is the one.  Listen to (as you watch) Robert’s vocal range on this song.

"Farther Along" is from the The Country Boy Goes Home. . . II DVD. This video, by the way, represents the return (on video) of Paul Beasley and Perry Taft to the group.  Gino and Jeff were also a part of the group for this recording.  Val Alexander and the Talley Brothers are also a part of this video; and Michael Palmer (now of The Zionaires) is on drum.

Perry Taft takes over with "This Heart of Mine," which is from the The Country Boy Goes Home. . . II DVD.  The close-ups of Willie and Perry are outstanding.  This is another song from the compilation that will have you on your feet.  It is easy to see why Perry is one of those singers that can bring down the house.  Just when you think this song could not get any better, Jeff takes over lead duty.  Val then showcases his extraordinary talents on the guitar.

Also from the The Country Boy Goes Home. . . II DVD is "Little Boys And Girls."  Paul joins Willie on singing to a wide-eyed group of children.  This is one of those moments in any services that you are glad it was captured on tape.  Paul is, as expected, at his best.  But, what really makes this a powerful song is being able to see the expressions on the children faces as Paul and Willie sing to them.

"If It Had Not Been For Love" is the final song on this compilation DVD.  Willie appears as a solo artist with the Mississippi Mass Choir.  Watching Willie singing this Christmas song adds another dimension to it.  Willie as usual is animated and the fact that he is backed up by the Choir really makes this a gold nugget clip.  By the way, this clip is not on any of the group’s DVDs.

If you are looking for a good video that captures the best of the late Willie Neal Johnson, then you will want to add this video to your collection. Unfortunately, like many of the videos in the 601 series, you will not find any interviews of his video. You will not find any credits at the end of the video. You will not find any written information

Overall this is an outstanding video.  We give Willie Neal Johnson & The Gospel Keynotes' He Brought Me Joy a 10 out of 10.  To order your copy of the video click HERE.  Click on the picture above to view a clip from the video.***