Comments on: CD Review: “Vocalized” (The Ball Brothers)

By: SouthernGospelBlog.com » CD Review: Simplified (Ball Brothers)

SouthernGospelBlog.com » CD Review: Simplified (Ball Brothers) — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 11:31:38 +0000

[...] Brothers have released three projects: A self-titled debut with new songs, an a capella release (Vocalized), and this project, Simplified. As the title suggests, this collection of classic Southern Gospel [...]

By: Quaid

Quaid — Fri, 19 Oct 2007 17:04:19 +0000

Absolutley, do as good as the original version or surpass it.

By: Susan Unthank

Susan Unthank — Wed, 17 Oct 2007 20:39:02 +0000

Quaid,

I agree to an extent. Many re-makes leave a lot to be desired. But I see groups re-making some of these songs as an attempt to reach a larger audience. With the average SG concert attendance being 200 or less, I can see their desire to broaden their audience using any means possible. One of those means is offering songs that are recognized by other genres. Thus a re-make or a cover.

My only suggestion: Do it well! Don’t just copy.

By: Quaid

Quaid — Tue, 16 Oct 2007 14:38:28 +0000

This bring up a question: how many of yesterday’s contemporary hits ARE we hearing on SG radio today??
How about:
1–Redeemer (Ivan Parker and Wyanonna Judd. Why in the world am I hearing her live version on a Southern Gospel station anyway?)
2–Orphans Of God (Talley Trio)
3–There’s No God Like Jehovah- I know that’s not the name, but is should be since that line is repeated so much in one song.
4–We Bless Your Name
(both by the LeFever Quartet. The latter I heard for the first time last night)
5–Shout To The Lord (Lordsong cut it on their “Soulfood” release.)
6– Long As I Got King Jesus (BF&A- Ok, this is more in the realms of Black Gospel than contempoary or praise and worship.)
The following is my opionion- this is a generaralization of the ‘trends’ today and NOT a reference to the Ball Brothers’ project. I have not heard it so I can’t evaluate it yet.
Yes Susan,you are right. Progressive SG can’t be catagorized as covers of yesterday’s contemporary songs. But there are enough of those songs that this topic deserves mention and discussion.

But, here’s where we disagree. I respect your opionion and I trust you’ll respect my differing one.
I personally feel that the majority of progressive SG songs are ones that should have been left alone, ONLY BECAUSE so many are overly repetitive. I, for one, don’t need someone to sing one line 15 times for me to get the point. That turns me away from a song faster than anything else.
Yes, some people like very repetitive songs, but I perfer music with a progressing doctrinal theme- something that does not get ’stuck’ on one idea. I’d rather hear some ‘meat’ and ‘depth’ in the lyrical message of the song than someone repeating something again and again and again.

By: Tyler

Tyler — Sun, 14 Oct 2007 19:47:31 +0000

(chuckle) So far I’m sticking with the SG acapella with a slightly progressive slant theory.

By: Daniel J. Mount

Daniel J. Mount — Sun, 14 Oct 2007 01:15:02 +0000

Not bad! Now listen a third time and see if you agree (mostly) with my review above!

By: Tyler

Tyler — Sun, 14 Oct 2007 01:11:08 +0000

Upon a second listening to this cd right now my first impression is actually changing somewhat. I would now say that this project is mostly SG a capella with a few progressive songs/angles. Possibly not as progressive as I first thought. How’s that for changing opinions?

By: Tyler

Tyler — Sun, 14 Oct 2007 00:59:48 +0000

My feelings are mixed about this cd, but let me just say that I liked songs like “I’m Already Living Forever” from their debut project much better. Some songs like “Good Livin’” off of this project sounded like they were straight off (ironically) the contemporary Keith Lancaster vocal projects of yesterday (1990’s). In fact, I’ve actually heard the Lancaster rendition and it is very similar. The project is enjoyable, but undeniably progressive. Good review though.

By: Daniel J. Mount

Daniel J. Mount — Sun, 14 Oct 2007 00:29:04 +0000

Hannah, you have a good point. To me, every group shows their strength when they are doing either (a) something acapella or (b) something with just a piano and no tracks.

I like the other kinds of accompaniment–a lot–but I also love it when a group slows things down for a song or two and shows what they can do without all the bells and whistles!

By: Hannah Michelle

Hannah Michelle — Sat, 13 Oct 2007 22:35:49 +0000

Thanks for this review, Daniel! This was a long-awaited project and I have yet to get my copy, so it was nice to read your take. I think the Ball Brother’s strength lies in acappella because it shows how well they really can SING – with or without tracks.