We received many videos in 2007 of national, regional and local groups.  As we indicated during previous overviews, “the videos serves as a snap shot of what a group did at a particular time.”  In addition, the videos provide a visual history of 1) a song service; 2) show the members of a group; 3) show unknown musicians that played at the song service; 4) allows one to actually see their favorite group, often, for the first time.”  In addition, the videos allow you to enjoy, over and over, a song service in the privacy of your home. 

In 2007 we tried to give you reviews from a cross-section of the gospel quartet videos that are available.  We reviewed the old videos – like The Jackson Southernaires and Willie Neal Johnson and The Gospel Keynotes.  We reviewed the new – like Lee Williams and The Spiritual QC's.  We reviewed those by major labels – like Slim and The Supreme Angels.  And, we reviewed independent projects – like South Carolina Gospel Quartet Volume 1. 

We encourage you to make gospel quartet videos a part of your collection.  In addition, we are always looking for good gospel quartet videos to review.  So, don’t hesitate to send us your video.  It does not matter whether it was recorded years ago or yesterday.  If it is a video, we are interested in considering it for a review.

As to the twelve that were reviewed in 2007 –

We begin the year with a review of Rev. Andrew Cheairs & The Songbirds’ Make Up Your Mind.  This group has ministered to people around the country. It is certain that every time they hit the stage, you are going to get a song service full of praise and worship. They will certainly leave you wanting more.  Known for the energy they bring to the stage, this group, like none other, will have you out of your seat, on your feet, and clapping your hand while sending up praises to our Lord and Savior.  What a power packed video. 

For the month of February, Black History Month, we reviewed the DVD Leomia Boyd’s On Time.  This DVD is certainly a hidden jewel that has not gotten the attention it deserved.  Ms. Boyd is a former Grammy Award Nominee.  After viewing this video, you will realize that she deserves all the accolades that have come her way and those that are on the way. 

In March we reviewed Slim and The Supreme Angels’ video Have You Heard The News.  Slim was indeed a giant in the gospel music industry.  Slim was a force in the gospel music industry that could not be ignored.  This gentle person was unique.  He had a style (musically) that was one of a kind.  He did not try to sound like someone else and no one could sound like Slim.  And, the video Have You Heard The News embodies all of these characteristics and more.  This power packed video was recorded at Mt. Ephraim Baptist Church in Atlanta, Georgia.  The ambience of Mt. Ephraim Baptist Church makes for the perfect setting for this recording.  The stage is certainly large enough for the singers and the musicians.  There is no one hinging around the stage.  Therefore, you are able to focus on the singers and not be distracted by any unnecessary activity on the stage. 

The Singing Disciples Live In Baltimore was reviewed during the month of April.  In 1995, The Singing Disciples recorded this video.  The sixty (60) minutes video begins with “Reach Out.”  The other songs on the video are “To See His Face,” “What A Day,” “Walk Through The Valley,” “Cross of Calvary,” “Steal Away,” “Rapture,” and “Do Lord, Remember Me.”  The production on this project is great.  The auditorium where the recording took place was a great venue for the recording.  The stage was definitely large enough for all of the members of the group and the musicians.  The live recording was well attended and the audience was certainly an integral part of this recording from the beginning to the end.  And the guys did not disappoint the attendees.  They were awesome on very song. 

For the month of May we reviewed one of the most exciting groups on the road today, The Mighty Clouds of Joy.  On April 12, 2005, The Clouds released their CD titled In The House Of The Lord Live In Houston.  This was the recording of a live concert that took place on December 1, 2004, at The Fountain of Praise Hillcroft Worship Center in Houston, Texas.  Only audio was made of the recording.  Fans of The Clouds persisted in requesting a video of the recording.  The Clouds heeded the call of their fans and on August 29, 2005, they recorded the entire concert (from Houston) over at The Global Café in Nashville, Tennessee.  The video was released on November 22, 2005.  To the best of our recollection, this is the first time a group has ever re-recorded a project solely for the purpose of doing a full video of a previously released CD.

In June we reviewed the video South Carolina Gospel Quartet Volume 1 LIVE CONCERT.  The recording took place at Temple of Praise, Columbia, South Carolina.  Groups taking part in this historic recording were Rev. Matthew Mickens and The New Highway Travelers, The Six Voices of Zion, The Gospel All-Stars, Antioch, The National Juniors, The Brewsteraires, The Singing Angels of Sumter, and The Zionaires.  Each group recorded for 15 minutes. Two (2) songs from each group (except The Zionaires) are on the video.  Although, The Zionaires recorded for 15 minutes, during post production eight (8) minutes did not make it on the video.  So, there is only one song by The Zionaires.  One of the interesting aspect to this recording is that the groups represent those that on any given weekend are keeping gospel quartet music alive by participating in "local" gospel music concerts.  These are the type of groups that have a loyal following, have a limited repertoire, and yet can be found on any given weekend spreading the Good News in song in their local community.  The emcee for the program was Elder Troy Jackson of Brothers and Sisters of Willacoochee, Georgia and Sister Blanche Goodson.  There is a powerful 10 minutes ending to the video that includes the legendary Bill Pinkney of The Gospel Drifters singing ‘The Lord Will Fix It.”  During the singing of this song, the members of the 8 groups became a mass choir.  The lead singer for each group shared lead duties, along with Mr. Pinkney and Elder Jackson.

For July we reviewed The Gospel According To. . . A Musical Celebration of Spirit and Praise!.  In 2004, NuSound Entertainment Group brought together five (5) quartet groups and three (3) soloists to record The Gospel According to. . . A Musical Celebration of Spirit and Praise! The artist chosen for this historic recording were Bishop Richard “Mr. Clean” White, Sister Katie Sankey, Ms. Melba Moore, The Brooklyn Allstars, The South Florida Gospel Singers, The Uplifters, Lil Blair & The Violinaires, and Rev. Charlie Brown & The Saints.  The recording took place at  The Emmanuel Tabernacle Baptist Church, where the Pastor is Reverend Mark A. Couch.  The video is about 85 minutes long. 

Lee Williams and The Spiritual QC’s (Good Time) was the subject of our review for August.  With the highly anticipated release (So Much To Be Thankful For) from Lee Williams and The Spiritual QC’s scheduled for August, we decided to take a look at some of the groups’ prior recordings.  Love Will Go All The Way was the groups’ first concert video.  It paved the way for what has become one of the greatest gospel quartet groups of this era.  The second live recording was Good Time LIVE IN MEMPHIS. This video is one of the highest grossing for a gospel quartet group of all times.  Other videos are Right on Time and Tell The Angels.  There is something about the Good Time CD and video that makes it a must have for anyone interested in gospel music.  By now all fans of Lee Williams and The Spiritual QC’s should have this video in their collection.  For those that have not taken the time to watch this video you are missing one of the most anointed recordings ever available for your DVD player.  The video brings the CD to life in ways that have you feeling you are sitting in the audience and that the guys are singing only to you.  There is something about this video that prevents it from growing old.  In fact, each time you play it you are sure to find something new and hear something you did not hear before.

In September we reviewed Lee Williams and The Spiritual QC’s So Much To Be Thankful For.  The recording, as with all of the group’s live recordings, took place at The Temple of Deliverance, Memphis, Tennessee.  The backdrop of the Temple of Deliverance, once again, makes for the perfect setting for this recording.  The stage is certainly large enough for the singers and the musicians.  There is no one standing around the stage.  Therefore, you are able to focus on the singers and not be distracted by any unnecessary activity on or around the stage.  The audience is a significant part of the recording.  Many in the audience were on their feet the entire recording.  The camera shots allow you to get close up and personal with some of the attendees.  There are 11 songs on the video.  The songs are not in the same order as on the CD.  On the video they are - "So Much Trouble," "Have Your Way," "Oh I Want To See Him," "In My New Home," "Jesus Is Waiting," "He Laid His Hands On Me," "So Much To Be Thankful For," "Come See About Me," "For Me," "Thank You For Blessing Me," and "I Found Everything."  The guys really minister to you with this project. 

For the month of October, we took a look at a project that was recorded over twelve (12) years ago, The Sensational Nightingales’ LIVE In The Spirit.  For the true gospel quartet enthusiast there is nothing better than listen to The Sensational Nightingales.  Be it by CD, LP, video are in concert you can be assured of getting one of the best gospel quartet sound ever.  They have rightfully earned the title “Legends.”  Their longevity attests to the fact that is group always minister to you.  You can listen to one of their recordings from the early days and it will seem just as relevant and appropriate for the times we live in today.  The actual recording date of the project is noted provided in the liner notes and not contained in the credits to the video. This CD of this recording was released on August 10, 1995.  However, when the video begins JoJo rejoices much in the fact that it is “1994.”  Therefore, it would appear that the video was recorded at least a year, if not longer, before it was released.  This would answer many of the questions centered around what was the last video recording of the group with Calvert McNair, who died on May 4, 1996 and Bill Woodruff who died on July 15, 1995.  This project is probably the last video with the lineup of the members noted above.  This recording took place at The Alabama Theatre for The Performing Arts, Birmingham, AL.

November found us taking a closer look at another legend.  There are just some recordings that are ‘a must have’ for any fan of gospel quartet music.  Well, the video of Willie Neal Johnson & The Gospel Keynotes, The Country Boy Goes Home. . .II, fits that description.  Yes, Willie had Paul Beasley, Charles McLean and Robert Williams to call on.  He even had the great bass singer Jeffery Newberry.  And, there were Minister Teddy Cross, the Talley brothers, brand new, and baby.  But the heart of The Gospel Keynotes was Willie Neal Johnson.  What is why a video of this giant of gospel music is one to treasure.  The group went back to their home base of Tyler, Texas to record this video.  In addition, this video showcases the return of Paul Beasley to the group.  So, you have Jeff, Paul, Gino and Willie, all from the original group, on this video.  Maybe that is why the group's name on this project is Willie Neal Johnson & The Gospel Keynotes.  Whereas, on the Country Boy Goes Home, which was released in 1992, the name of the group is Willie Neal Johnson & The NEW Gospel Keynotes.  Every now and then it is good to go back and take a look at earlier videos by legends of gospel music.   

We closed the year with the review of the legendary group The Jackson Southernaires.   LIVE & ANOINTED was probably the last video, if not recording, that the late Frank Williams made with The Jackson Southernaires.  The Legendary Frank Williams died on March 22, 1993.  The LIVE & ANOINTED project was released on May 29, 1992.   This is a power packed video.  There are so many cherished nuggets found throughout the video.  To actually be able to see Frank Williams singing “Thank You For My Mansion” is reason enough to find this video.  By the way, The Mississippi Mass Choir joins the group and provides superb background vocals on this song.  The Choir also provides background vocals on “Heavy Load,” “He Looked Beyond My Faults,” and “I'll Be All Right.”  To be able to see Rev. Roger Bryant sing "No Coward Soldier" is another one of those nuggets.  What a way to end the year! 

We do look forward to reviewing great videos in 2008.  God Bless and we look forward to great videos from groups, independent labels and major labels in 2008.

Gloryland Gospel