We received many videos in 2008 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; and 5) often provides historical notes about the group.  In addition, the videos allow you to enjoy, over and over, a song service in the privacy of your home. 

In 2008, as in previous years, we tried to give you reviews from a cross-section of the gospel quartet videos.  We reviewed the old videos – like The Angelic Gospel Singers, Mahalia Jackson,  The Sensational Nightingales, and Willis Pittman & The Burden Lifters.  We reviewed the new – like Quartet Boyz Records Presents and Family Friend.  We reviewed those by major labels – like The Mighty Clouds of Joy.  And, we reviewed independent projects – like Flossie And The Singing Sisters and The Turner Brothers. 

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 2008 –

We begin the year with a review of The Turner Brothers’ A Family That Prays Together Stays Together LIVE.  This group, from Florida, is beginning to make their presence known in the music industry.  The energy displayed by the group, we believe, will make it difficult for any viewer to stay seated.  The Brothers move from song to song with the level of professionalism you would expect from a seasoned group.  This project represents a good product by an independent label.
 

For the month of February, Black History Month, we reviewed the Willis Pittman & The Burden Lifters’ Live in Rocky Mt., N.C.!.  It was released in 1997.   This was the group's first video concert.  It was recorded at the Ebenezer Baptist Church, Rocky Mount, NC, where Rev. Thomas L. Walker was the Pastor.  The church was the fitting setting for this historic recording.  The guys had plenty of room to move around and interact with the crowd.  There is a great mixture of ballads, mid-tempo and what may be considered drive songs.   The project is vintage traditional gospel music.   

In March we reviewed two concept videos by Family Friend.  They were 23rd Psalms and Standing By.   The group NITRAM RECORDS label.  In 2005 the group released Live In Albuquerque. The project was recorded at the exclusive Rocky Crest area, of Albuquerque, New Mexico.  The eleven (11) track CD is worthy of your attention.  There are some dazzling sceneries throughout this video.  

The Cork Singers' concept video for the song "Grace Brought Me Through" was reviewed during the month of April.  In 2007, The Cork Singers, of Greenville, Mississippi, released the CD Still Praising God.  One of the most popular songs on the CD is "Grace Brought Me Through."  The group has put together an extraordinary concept video centered around this song.  The theme of the song is that of God’s Grace bringing you through any situation.  The video is almost twenty (20) minutes in length.  It is divided into three (3) parts.  The first is called “The Making of Grace Brought Me Through.”  In this section you are exposed to the rehearsals and the setup for the video.  The second part is the video itself.  The third part consists of interviews (and commentaries) by the members of the group.  Each section is about 6 minutes in length.
 

For the month of May we reviewed a video by the legendary The Angelic Gospel Singers.  This is one of MALACO's 601 Series compilation video.   The project is classic Angelic Gospel Singers.  There are no interviews, no comments, no commentary and no credits on the video. Also, the video is only 37 minutes and 40 seconds in length.  It would have been great to have "I’m Bound for Mt. Zion" and "Touch Me Lord Jesus" on this video.  In our opinion adding those two (2) songs would have really made this video complete.  Instead, you left desiring more from this legendary group.

June was Black Music Month.  So, we decided, what better group to represent gospel quartet music this month, by way of video, than The Sensational Nightingales.  The Sensational Nightingales were formed around 1942.  Members of the group have included the legendary Rev. Julius Cheeks, Barney Parks (who by the way is credited with starting the group), Ernest James, Carl Coates, Charles Johnson (of Charles Johnson & The Revivers), the incomparable Joseph "JoJo" Wallace, Howard Carroll and Paul Owens.  Lot of names also associated with The Dixie Hummingbirds.  The video is a part of the MALACO 601 Series.  The Sensational Nightingales are one of those groups that you know are solidly rooted in traditional gospel quartet music.  Those familiar with other MALACO recordings will immediately recognize the various venues where the recordings took place.  You will also recognize the outfits from the previous recordings.  Taking into consideration the venues and the outfits you should be able to pin down, at least, the year of the actual recordings of each song.
 

For July we reviewed the concept video from  Eddie Ruth Bradford.  In March 2003 Juana Records released Too Close To The Mirror by Eddie Ruth Bradford.  The song became a national sensation and was one of the best recordings of that year.  In February 2006, Juana released the CD by Ms. Bradford titled Saved By Grace.  In August 2006, Juana released the concept video of two (2) songs recorded by Ms. Bradford. They are "Too Close To The Mirror" and from the Saved By Grace CD, "You Held On Even When I Let Go."   The actors are outstanding. Marital discord, bills overdue, foreclosure, attempted suicide, soldiers returning from the war, trouble with family members, they all are reflected in this video.  And, the message is clear – just turn to God.   
 

Mahalia Jackson's In Concert - I Believe was the subject of our review for August.  This is one of the many compilation videos of the first lady of gospel.  She was the first to wear the title Queen of Gospel Music. And, she is still referred to, in the present tense, as “the world greatest gospel singer.”  There are seventeen songs on this DVD. They are "You’ll Never Walk Alone," "Just As I Am," "Lord Don’t Move The Mountain," "Highway To Heaven," "The Lord’s Prayer," "Tell It, Sing It, Shout It," "The Rosary," "My Faith Looks Up To Thee," "Come On Children Let’s Sing," "Somebody Bigger Than You And I," "I Believe," "My Lord An I," "I Trust In God," "I Asked The Lord," "Joshua Fit The Battle Of Jericho," "God Will Take Care of Thee," and "Didn’t It Rain."  From the songs listed, it is easy to see that this DVD contains some of her most memorable recordings.  Each song begins with a still picture of the Queen with the caption Mahalia Jackson Sings. There are powerful close-ups of Ms. Jackson on each song. You really get to see her facial expressions, which transfers into the robust emotions displayed by Ms. Jackson in the delivery of each song.  As a side note, you will realize that the Queen closed her eyes often while singing praises to our Lord and Savior.  

In September we reviewed the video titled Quartet Boyz Records Presents LIVE In Central Louisiana.  Dwight Gordon is the man behind this project. Many will know Dwight because of his longevity in the gospel music industry.  He has played guitar for some of the best of the best in the gospel music arena.  He brings those years of experience, and his extraordinary talents,  to this project.  The recording took place on February 23, 2008, at Zion Hill Baptist Church, Pineville, Louisiana.  There were five (5) groups that took part in this recording.  It is a video that gives you performances by some groups that are unknown to many and at least two (2) groups that many will be immediately recognizes. Those taking part in this recording were The Holy Sons, Chuck and The Guiding Clouds, Gifted, The Concert Supremes, and Lil Blair and The Violinaires.

For the month of October, we took a look at Flossie And The Singing Sisters titled Live At Home. The recording took place at the group’s hometown of Bishopville, SC in 2005.  Flossie And The Singing Sisters have been signing God’s praises for over 20 years. The longevity of the group is reflected in their performance. These ladies can really sing.  There are 11 songs on this video.  They are “You Can't Make It To Heaven,” “Let Me Lean On You,” “He Will Make A Way,” “Pay Day,” “Sinner Man,” “Give Me Strength,” “We've Come This Far,” “Gospel Medley,” “What A Friend,” “King Jesus,” and “Jesus Want Let Me Suffer.”  Each song is rooted in the traditional gospel quartet style.  Therefore, with this video you get one hour and 10 minutes of good old fashion gospel quartet music.
 

November found us taking a closer look at another legend.  In 1996, The Mighty Clouds of Joy went to Abundant Life Tabernacle A.M.E. Zion Church in Charleston, South Carolina and recorded one of the best gospel videos of all time.  The project is aptly titled Live In Charleston – The Legacy Continues.  And, what a legacy!  The Clouds have been around for almost fifty (50) years.  During that time they have carved a significant niche for themselves in gospel music.  They have built upon the legacy of groups like (just to name a few of the groups) The Golden Gate Quartet, The Dixie Hummingbirds and The Pilgrim Travelers.  So, it is very appropriate for this video to reflect a continuation of that Legacy. 

We closed the year with the review of the exciting group The Christianaires.  Standing Room Only Live In Huntsville, AL was released in 1998.  It represents a solid video by a group that one would probably consider, at that time, the new generation of gospel quartet singers.  The Christianaires are from Sontag, Mississippi.  This group came on the scene with a bang.  And, the video Standing Room Only Live In Huntsville, AL was their first vide recording.  The video begins with the guys standing on stage which rises from below.  The group immediately moves into "Grace Brought Me Through."  It did not take much for the packed-house to join the guys in setting the tempo for an outstanding evening of gospel music.  Charles Porter took over lead duty on "Angels."  From there, the guys ministered for about an hour will singing "You’ve Been So Good," "Saints Hold On," "Look Around (Miracle)," and "Ain’t No Way I Can Lose."  After a wardrobe change the guys were back with "Two Wings," "He Will Come," "Things I Do," "Paul’s Testimony/God Stepped In On Time," and "Everything’s Gonna Be Alright."  This project is nothing but good ole fashion traditional gospel quartet music.  For also two (2) hours you get to really enjoy a gospel quartet concert with The Christianaires.  This is another one of those videos that capture the fullness of great gospel quartet singing.
 

Two Thousand Eight was a great year.  We got to view a lot of gospel quartet videos.  And, we are looking forward to reviewing more great videos in 2009. 

God Bless and if there is a gospel quartet video that you think we should review, just send it to us.  We certainly will consider any video we receive. 

Gloryland Gospel