This month, as the United States celebrate Black History Month, we take a look at a DVD that represents the first time “legendary quartet singers” came together “to pay tribute to one another in song and performance.”   The video is titled Living Legends of Gospel The Quartets Volume 1.  There are two video in this series.  For this review we are only looking at Volume 1.  Maybe at a later date, we will take a look at Volume 2.

This video has a release date of 2004.  However, you will realize that it was recorded much earlier.  From the copyright information on the video, it appears that the recording actually took place in 1998.  The video represents a significant effort to bridge the past and the present (the present being the year of the recording).  Meaning, that at the time of the recording the ‘present’ included the likes of Robert Blair, Big Red, and Martin Jacox.  You will recognize these names as some of the legends in gospel quartet music. Well, their groups along with The Fairfield Four, The Racy Brothers, and Luther Barnes & The Sunset Jubilaires it the line up for the first half of Volume 1.

The video begins with Lou Rawls sharing the reason for the gathering.  He is also the emcee for the program.  Thereafter, members of The Souls Stirrers, Robert Blair & The Fantastic Violinaires, The Fairfield Four, and Lou Rawls share lead duties on "Precious Lord."  The guys rendition of this song leaves no doubt that you were in for an evening of great Gospel Quartet Music.

The Fairfield Four than perform, A Cappella of course, "Noah."  They are followed by The Soul Stirrers, being led by Willie Rogers and Martin Jacox. The Soul Stirrers performed a medley of songs that included “Precious Memories,” “He’s My Friend,” “Nearer my God To Thee,” “The The Last Mile of The Way,” and “Wade In The Water.”  Next, the Fairfield Four is back with "There Must Be A City."

Robert Blair and The Fantastic Violinaires had folks shouting with “Old Time Religion.”  You will recognize Danny Walker, Tito, Charles Brown, Bobo on drum, and of course Lil Shoot.  Martin Jacox then performed “Landed on The Shore.”  Next, The Fantastic Violinaires slowed things down with “Dr. Jesus.”  Blair is very animated while singing this song, while Charles Brown shares the lead. Most notably, a youthful Danny Walker is really carrying the background.  His distinctive voice makes this version of "Dr. Jesus" one of the best.

The Fairfield Four returns with “I Couldn’t Hear Nobody Pray.” At this point, the first have of the program comes to a close. 

The Swanee Quintet (including Big Red and Percy Griffin) starts the second half with “Sit Down Servant.”  If you ever wanted to see Big Red doing his thing, this is the video for you.  From his creative ‘step’ to the highly animated performance, Big Red and the guys do not disappoint in their delivery of this song.

The new generation (at the time of the recording) of gospel quartet singers is then represented by Luther Barnes and The Sunset Jubilaires' "I’ve Got Heaven On My Mind."  The one thing that you can always say about Luther and the guys is that, they minister once on stage.  The Racy Brothers of the new generation then showed why they are one of the best performing groups.  And, yes, even back then they were ministering with “Somebody Touched Me.”  The Swanee Quintet returned with their “Doctor Jesus.”  If you have ever seen The Swanee Quintet in person, you know that this is one of their signature songs.  It appears that Percy was waiting a long time to sing this one. He did not want to let it go.  And, that was just fine with the audience.

Once everyone settled down, The Racy Brothers took them back up with another of their signature songs “Count It As A Blessing.”  Luther and The Sunset Jubilaires once again ministered with “I’m Going On With The Lord."

The video closes with The Racy Brothers, Luther Barnes & The Sunset Jubilaires, and The Swanee Quintet joining Lou Rawls on “Glory Hallelujah.”  Just when you think the song had reach its apex, Robert Blair and Willie Rogers join the others and take the song to anther level.

At the end of each segment it is noted that the program “is dedicated to Isaiah (Lil Shot) Jones, Frank Williams, Julius Cheeks, Willie Banks, ‘Hoss’ Allen, and Howard Allison.”  This shows that the producers really wanted to share a lot of the history of gospel quartet music with the viewers.

Also, between each song you get a history lesson about gospel quartet music.  For instance, you will learn about (or be reminded of) the Fisk University Jubilees, the Gospel Pearls book of songs, Tommy Dorsey, the first gospel singers convention, Sally Martin, The Golden Gate Quartet, The Dixie Hummingbirds, The Famous Blue Jay Singers of Birmingham, AL, doo-wop and gospel music, The Swan Silvertones, The Five Blind Boys of Alabama, Slim & The Supreme Angels, who coined the phrase “Gospel Music,” The Sensational William Brothers, Troy Ramey & The (Show-Stopping) Soul Searchers, Claude Jeter, Ira Tucker, and WLAC.  So, for you history buff, get this video.  The information will be enlightening.

The program was recorded at Caffe Milano, Nashville, TN.  The location for the recording seemed to have been a excellent choice.  The stage was not crowded.  The music was behind the singers and visually did not interfere with the singers.  Thus, you are able to concentrate on the singers and the messages being conveyed by each song.  

The quality of the sound is great. There are no variations in the recording level to some of the songs.

The camera shots are very impressive. There are really great close-ups of the members of each group.  The audience is an integral part of the recording and you are able to see their interaction with the groups. 

With this video you get One hour and forty-two minutes of good gospel music.  It is a 'must have' video for any fan of gospel quartet music.  Overall this is a great video.  We give Living Legends of Gospel The Quartets Volume 1 a 10 out of 10.  To order your copy of the video click HERE.