Ten All-time Favorite Albums
Fellow SG blogger John Scheideman did his most recent post on the most significant albums in Southern Gospel history. In an email exchange afterwards, we touched on how nearly impossible “best” is to quantify. I’m not entirely certain how we got to this point, but we more or less dared one another to post a top 10 favorite Southern Gospel albums list in our respective blogs.
So, totally freeing myself from the pressure to make a “best-of” list that I can give quantifiable justification for, here are my personal favorites:
- Cathedral Quartet - Sings Albert E. Brumley Classics (1976)
- Cathedral Quartet - Easy on the Ears, Heavy on the Heart (1976)
- Cathedral Quartet - Plain Ole Gospel (1975)
- Cathedral Quartet - Radio Days (1996)
- Perrys - Look No Further (2007)
- Ernie Haase & Signature Sound - Stand By Me Live (2004)
- Cathedral Quartet - Reunion (1995)
- Cathedral Quartet - Statue of Liberty (1974)
- Perrys - This is the Day (2003)
- Kingsmen - Live at the University of Alabama (1983)
My short list must have been at least 35 entries long. So I couldn’t stop at 10. Sorry, John, but here goes!
- Cathedral Quartet - Keep on Singing (1979)
- Cathedral Quartet - Something Special (1979)
- Kingdom Heirs - Going On with the Song (2003)
- Florida Boys - He Shall Return (1996)
- Perrys - Come Thirsty (2006)
- Greater Vision - Hymns of the Church (2006)
- Cathedrals - A Little Bit of Everything (1970)
- Florida Boys - Timeless (1987)
- Inspirations - Golden Street Parade (1975)
- Perrys - Hits & Hymns 1 (2001)
And, for whatever it’s worth, here are my “honorable mention” runners-up:
- Blackwood Brothers - In Concert (1960)
- Blue Ridge Quartet - By His Hand (1963)
- Brian Free & Assurance - Live in New York City (2004)
- Cathedral Quartet - You Ain’t Heard Nothing Yet (1979)
- Cathedral Quartet - Live in Atlanta (1983)
- Cathedral Quartet - Master Builder (1986)
- Cathedral Quartet - Travelin’ Live (1986)
- Cathedral Quartet - Symphony of Praise (1987)
- Cathedral Quartet - Farewell Celebration (1999)
- Gold City - Are You Ready (2000)
- Greater Vision - Live at First Baptist Atlanta (2002)
- Greater Vision - Quartets (2003)
- Happy Goodmans - Portrait of Excitement (1968)
- Hoppers - The Ride (2006)
- Kingsmen - Big & Live (1973)
- Kingsmen - Live Naturally (1981)
- Kingsmen - When God Ran (2007)
- Legacy Five - London (2003)
- Liberty Quartet - Timeless Treasured Hymns 2 (2007)
- Mark Trammell Trio - Once Upon a Cross (2007)
- Palmetto State Quartet - Knock Knock Knock (2004)
- Weatherfords - Finest in Gospel Singing (1959)
What are your top 10 (or 20) favorites?
Comment by J. Johnson (May 27, 2008, 9:03 am)
My list, in no particular order (bear in mind that I’ve been listening to Southern Gospel for only five or so years, so I don’t have many of the older albums):
Greater Vision - Quartets (2003)
Mark Trammell Trio - Once Upon A Cross (2007)
Legacy Five - London (2003)
Legacy Five - A Little Taste of Heaven (?)
Kingdom Heirs - Going On With the Song (2003)
Perrys - Look No Further (2007)
The Martins - An A Cappella Hymns Collection (1996)
Gaither Gospel Series - Mountain Homecoming (1999)
Mark Bishop - Everyday (2006)
Gold City - Revival (2006)
honorable mention
Greater Vision - Everyday People (2007)
Comment by Aaron Swain (May 27, 2008, 9:58 am)
Correction to one of your album dates: The Kingsmen’s “When God Ran” was 2008.
Comment by Tanner Stahl (May 27, 2008, 10:15 am)
since i’ve only been listening to SG for about 4 years now, my top ten is mostly newer stuff…so here goes…
1. KPNR -Good To Be Free
2. The Hoppers -Power
3. Booth Brothers -The Blind Man Saw It All
4. Gaither Vocal Band -I Do Believe
5. KPNR -For The Glory
6. The Hoppers -The Ride
7. Gaither Vocal Band -Lovin’ Life (i know it’s new, but i can’t quit listening to it!)
8. Gaither Vocal Band -Give It Away
9. Sandi Patty -Was It A Morning Like This
10. KPNR -Journey Of Joy (give it time, it will be in the top 5)
my honorable mention:
11. Gaither Vocal Band -Southern Classics
12. The Perry’s -Life Of Love
13. The Perry’s -Look No Further
14. Gaither Vocal Band -Loving God, Loving Each Other
15. Mark Lowry -I Love To Tell The Story
16. The Collingsworth Family -We Still Believe
17. Kingdom Heirs -True To The Call
18. Sandi Patty -Glorious
19. The Perry’s -This Is The Day
20. The Hoppers -Great Day
Comment by Daniel J. Mount (May 27, 2008, 10:16 am)
Aaron - sorry about that. You’re right.
Tanner, welcome to the blog! Nice to see you here.
Comment by Tanner Stahl (May 27, 2008, 10:25 am)
thanks man! seriosuly, this is one of the better blogs in SG! keep up the good work!
Comment by Daniel J. Mount (May 27, 2008, 10:26 am)
Thanks! I’ll try to do that!
Comment by Wes (May 27, 2008, 10:55 am)
Here’s my list, Daniel (after #1 the places are fairly interchangable):
1. Pillars Of Faith - Gold City
2. Gospel’s Alive And Well - Imperials
3. Performance - Oak Ridge Boys
4. On Stage - Statesmen
5. Voices In Praise, Acappella - Cathedrals
6. Chattanooga Live - Kingsmen
7. Live In New York City - Brian Free and Assurance
8. Windows Of Home - Gold City
9. Renewed - Gold City
10. Black and White - Singing Americans
Comment by Daniel J. Mount (May 27, 2008, 10:56 am)
Great list. Believe it or not, I haven’t yet been able to find copies of some of the albums on that list–the Gold City titles are hard to come by, and I haven’t found the Singing Americans album yet either.
Comment by Wes (May 27, 2008, 11:05 am)
Pillars is indeed difficult to find…the double CD with Acappella Gold would be the best value, Acappella Gold is on my honorable mention list…I guess I’ll list those too….
Blackwood Brothers - On Tour
Blackwood Brothers - Give Us This Day
BFA - Greater Still
BFA - It’s So God
BFA - Things That Last Forever
Cathedrals - Something Special
Cathedrals - Symphony Of Praise
Cathedrals - High And Lifted Up
Downings - This Is How It Is…Live
Gold City - Acappella Gold
Gold City - What A Great Lifestyle
Imperials - New Dimensions
Imperials - Live (1973)
Imperials - One More Song For You
Imperials - Now
Imperials - Jake Hess and The Imperials
Oak Ridge Boys - I Wouldn’t Take Nothing For My Journey Now
Kingsmen - I Will
Kingsmen - You’re Not Alone
Kingsmen - Just A Little Closer Home
Statesmen - Through The States
Statesmen - Mystery Of His Way
Statesmen - Peace O Lord
Comment by Wes (May 27, 2008, 11:08 am)
Oops…forgot one…
Prophets - Prophets (Sing 3002)
Comment by Quaid (May 27, 2008, 3:07 pm)
Quick typo correction: “Something Special” was from 1982, not 1979. ‘79 was before Mark Tramell and Kirk Talley’s days together in the Cathedrals.
Comment by Daniel J. Mount (May 27, 2008, 3:08 pm)
Oh, of course. I knew that, but must have gotten mixed up. Sorry about that!
Comment by Inquirer (May 27, 2008, 3:24 pm)
Daniel…
Good list…and it’s OK that you went all the way to 35!:-)
I’ll try to counter with my own list on my own blog.
One challenge, though…maybe you could revisit this list in about a month, and see if the same albums would still be there!
Oh, and do you want to borrow my copy of “Pillars”? It’s old. and been played(a lot!)…but if it would help…LOL!
Comment by Quaid (May 27, 2008, 3:45 pm)
My picks (not in any paritcular order).
Legacy 5: Strong In The Stregnth
Legacy 5: London
Kingsmen: Chatanooga Live
Gold City: 24 K Gold.
Gold City: Pilliars of Faith
Mercy’s Mark Quartet: Mercy’s Mark
Cathedrals: Albert E Brumley Classics
Nothing beats a Stamps-Baxter type pianist and 4 of the best gospel singers there has ever been.
Cathedrals: Travelling Live
Danny Funderburk, Mark Tramell, Roger Bennett, Glen Payne, George Younce,
“Homeland”, “Whosoever Will”, Bloodwashed Band”, “Boundless Love”…WOW. Words can’t express how good that concert was.
Gaither Vocal Band: I Do Beleive
Gold City: 20th Anniversary Live, volumes 1 and 2.
Gold City: Campmeeting
Isaacs: Pieces of Our Past
Absolute pinnacle of their recording career.
Isaacs: Carry Me
Palmetto State Quartet: When He Blessed My Soul
Palmetto State Quartet: There’s Something Going On
Last 2 projects from that particular vocal lineup.
Palmetto State Quartet: Knock, Knock, Knock
The Martins: Live In His Presence
I know I’m way over 10 on this list, but I hoestly don’t know if I could narrow it down.
Comment by Quaid (May 27, 2008, 3:48 pm)
Daniel, I knew you knew that. That’s fine seeing that all humans are prone to temproarily forget things.
Comment by Daniel J. Mount (May 27, 2008, 3:49 pm)
Yes, indeed. And thanks for pointing it out for the benefit of any readers who might not have known.
Comment by Andrew S. (May 27, 2008, 4:38 pm)
Well my Top Ten Faves of Albums would be:
These are from the past 10 years:
1. Quartets-Greater Vision
2. Changed Forever-Perrys
3. Hope for Tomorrow-Talley Trio
4. Journey of Joy-Karen Peck & New River
5. Revival-Gold City
6. Once upon a Cross-Mark Trammell Trio
7. Greater Still-Brian Free & Assurance
8. Driven-Crabb Family
9. Lovin’ Life-Gaither Vocal Band
10. Stages-Talley Trio
Honorable Mentioned: Look No Further (Perrys), London (Legacy Five), The Call (Mike Bowling), Above It All (Martins), Live! At First Baptist Atlanta (Greater Vision)
These are from the past 11 years and beyond:
1. On the Road-Hinsons
2. We Shall Behold the King-Nelons/Rex Nelon Singers
3. Fire on Stage,Live!-Paynes
4. Chattanooga Live!-Kingsmen
5. Symphony of Praise-Cathedrals
6. Leave Your Sorrows and Come Along-Happy Goodmans
7. Pillars of Faith-Gold City
8. Hinsongs-Hinsons
9. Crossings-Perrys
10. Wherever I Am-Talleys
Honorable Mentioned: Prime (Hinsons), Good ‘n’ Happy (Happy Goodmans), Movin’ Up (Gold City), Live! in Atlanta (Cathedrals), Bubblin’ (Hinsons)
Of course all of those may be changed within the next minute or so,but they are my top 10 faves.
Comment by Josh (May 27, 2008, 8:41 pm)
My top 10 albums would be:
1.Ernie Haase and Signature Sound-Get Away Jordan
2.Legacy Five-God’s Been Good
3.Gold City-Pillars of Faith
4.Legacy Five-Live in Music City
5.Brian Free and Assurance-Real Faith
6.Gaither Vocal Band-Lovin’ Life
7.Cathedrals-High and Lifted Up
8.Booth Brothers-Blind Man Saw It All
9.Kingsmen-When God Ran
10.Mercy’s Mark-Something’s Happening
Honorable Mention:
The rest of EHSS CDs, Rest of L5 CDs, Gold City Revival, and Gold City Are You Ready
Comment by Whitney (May 27, 2008, 10:08 pm)
Here are the first ten albums that came to my mind…when the last track finishes on the following albums, I almost always think, “wow, I love that one!”
Brian Free & Assurance:
Live in Atlanta
Things That Last Forever
Real Faith
The Whisnants:
Joy
New Day Dawning
Gold City:
Movin’ Up
Prepare the Way
Legacy Five:
Monuments
Cathedrals:
Travelin Live
Live in Atlanta
Comment by Seaton (May 28, 2008, 8:48 am)
This was nearly impossible for me. I tried to do my best in narrowing it down to my 10 favorites (as it stands right now). There are so many great albums missing. My original list consisted of over 50 recordings.
1. Live…Naturally - Kingsmen
2. Come Fly - McGruders
3. From Out Of The West They Came, Live And On Stage - Hinsons
4. The Ride - Hoppers
5. Double Take Live In Charleston South Carolina - Gold City
6. This Is The Day - Perrys
7. This Is How It Is Live - Downings
8. Have Arrived Live - Freemans
9. Blind Man Saw It All - Booth Brothers
10.Going On With The Song - Kingdom Heirs
Honorable Mentions:
1. A Beautiful Thing - CrossWay
2. Touch Of Hinson, Glimpse Of Glory - Hinsons
3. Pray - Crabb Family
4. Chattanooga Live - Kingsmen
5. Power - Hoppers
6. 10th Anniversary Live - Greenes
7. Get Ready - Nelons
8. Ready To Leave - Hemphills
9. Live At Murray State - JD Sumner & Stamps
10.High Voltage - Hinsons
11.Through The Fire - Ruppes
12.Are You Ready - Gold City
13.Live And Alive - Singing Americans
14.What A Happy Time - Happy Goodmans
15.Wherever You Are - Martins
Comment by Matt Baker (May 28, 2008, 10:43 am)
what great lists!!!! Where does one begin to make this kind of list. All of you have great lists.. I think my Top Ten(or 20) of my own collection (not taking away from any of these others, but i can only speak through what I’ve heard)
1. Cathedrals- Campmeting Live
2. The Crabb Family- Pray
3. The Perrys- Hits and Hymns (Vol. 1- “Royal Descendant” will never be topped)
4. The Whisnants- New Day Dawning
5. Greater Vision- Live at First Baptist Atlanta
6. Brian Free & Assurance- Real Faith
7. Booth Brothers-Blind Man Saw it All
8. Greater Vision-Far Beyond This Place
9. The Whisnants- Promises
10. The Perrys- Absolutely Positively Live
Comment by Matt Baker (May 28, 2008, 10:57 am)
i just can’t go without naming some albums missing from my list.. .
Greater Vision- Now and Then Live
Talley Trio- Testify
KPNR- Four Days Late
Gold City- Signed, Sealed, Delivered
Legacy Five- A Little Christmas- couldn’t resist it.
Kingdom Heirs- True to the Call
Mike Bowling- Remembering the Hinsons
Crabb Family- A Crabb Collection
Issacs- Stand Still - AMAZING!!!
Isaacs- Increase My Faith - I love their old sound they had back then- they still sound great now, but I would love for them to go back to the old bluegrass style for just one more album…
Gatiher Vocal Band- Lovin’ Life- great CD
Greater Vision- ALL THE CHURCH HYMNAL CD’S
Comment by Matt Baker (May 28, 2008, 10:58 am)
we should post a blog on our favorite SONGS… now that will be tough
Comment by Daniel J. Mount (May 28, 2008, 1:01 pm)
Good idea on the songs. I’ll do that on the next slow news day, next week if not before.
Comment by Lynn Tullos (May 28, 2008, 4:47 pm)
anyone know which cd Curtis Elkins sings Oh What A Savoir?
Comment by Quaid (May 29, 2008, 10:20 am)
Matt,
The Isaacs have always been good. Yet there was just something special, which I can’t really put into words, that chartetized the group and their music when Joe, Tim, and John were still there. I really miss the acoustic ballads that the group performed during that time, such as “She Cries”, “From The Depths Of My Heart”, “Honestly”, “Carry Me.” Their music on the projects from about 1993-2000 showed me that bluegrass doesn’t have to be exclusivley the “Bill Monroe” style, so I started liking bluegrass without even knowing it.
Seaton, your list mentioned the Ruppes having a project called “Through the Fire”. Was that the Crabb song?
Andrew S. , thanks for mentioning “The Call”. I somehow forgot about that. It was a benchmark project in Mike’s career with 2 Singing News number one songs. Both have a very clear, strong message that we all should take to heart. Amazing lyrics. There is not a weak song on there. “Greatfully”, the duet with Karen Peck, and “Grand Reunion In Heaven” are also amazing songs.
I would add to the rest of the mentioned projects “A Crabb Collection” by the Crabb Family. This last, if I’m not mistaken, project with Gerald was one of their strongest.
Comment by Quaid (May 29, 2008, 10:57 am)
Got to add this as an honerable mention: Oh Happy Day by the Cathedral Quartet. I think Something Special was already mentioned, but if not, then it deserves amongst these lists also
Comment by Matt Baker (May 29, 2008, 12:51 pm)
Quaid,
I will DEFINITELY have to agree with you on the Isaacs… I loved Tim, and Jon, and Joe. Those were great songs you mentioned, too. It seems as though they sing songs that would only sound good in a bluegrass style. i wouldn’t expect to hear “From the Depths of my Heart” with a piano and a bass. It just wouldn’t fit to me.
And the Ruppes song “Through the Fire” was a different song than the Crabb Family’s version. I used to think that too until I heard it.
I need to add another album- the first Mike Bowling Group CD called “Graceland”. I don’t know how many of you bought it or have heard it, but if that doesnt’ remind you of a Hinsons/old Perrys sound, nothing will. I love that album… call me old- fashioned, but it will never die…
Comment by Sony (June 1, 2008, 7:01 pm)
This is hard but the ones that come to mind are (in no particular order):
1. Gold City - Movin’ Up
2. Gold City - Pillars of the Faith
3. Cathedrals - Master Builder
4. The Downings - This is How it is LIVE
5. The Happy Goodmans - (any of their recordings)
6. The Freemans - (any of their recordings)
7. The Hinsons - (any of their recordings)
8. Brian Free & Assurance - Live in New York City
9. Brian Free & Assurance - Lovin’ This Livin’ for the Lord
10. The Perrys - Look No Further
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[...] week, I posted a list of ten all-time favorite albums and invited you to contribute yours. As I promised commenter #23, Matt Baker, here’s your [...]
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[...] all-time favorite songs Posted on June 4, 2008 by coomercove Last week, Daniel Mount posted his all-time favorite projects and invited others to do the same. I started working on my list [...]
Comment by Brandon Coomer (June 5, 2008, 1:05 pm)
Top Ten:
1. Gold City – Preparing The Way
2. Cathedrals – Travelin’ Live
3. Gold City – Windows Of Home
4. Imperials – Imperials (early 70s)
5. Greater Vision – 20 Inspirational Favorites
6. Gold City - Walk The Talk
7. Gold City – What A Great Lifestyle
8. Singing Americans – Black & White
9. Imperials – Live (1973)
10. Brian Free & Assurance – Things That Last Forever
Honorable Mentions:
* Gold City – Pillars Of Faith
* Gold City – A 10 Year Celebration
* Gold City – Classics
* Gold City – Signed, Sealed, Delivered
* Greater Vision – The King Came Down
* Singing Americans – Live & Alive
* Cathedrals – Master Builder
* Kingsmen – Big & Live
* Booth Brothers – This Stage Of Grace
* Palmetto State Quartet – There’s Something Going On
Future considerations that I think are too recent to move higher:
* Gold City – Revival
* Perrys – Look No Further
* Crossway – This I Know
Comment by BDO (June 13, 2008, 6:01 pm)
Oh What a Saviour sung by Curtis Elkins on
Down Thru The Years CD
Never a greater tenor than Curtis Elkins.
Comment by Lynn (August 17, 2008, 9:20 am)
Does anyone know how to obtain the albumn that has Curtis Elkins singing Oh What A Savior? It is my all time favorite song. I gave it to my brother for his radio show in the 90’s and it’s been lost. I’d really like to find another copy.
Comment by Barbara (September 18, 2008, 5:38 pm)
I have a copy but have no idea how you could get one. I ordered mine along with a couple of others from Curtis Elkins online a few years ago. But I didn’t keep his address.
If you go to Texas Gospel Music Hall of Fame, there you can email Curtis or someone who knows him.
Hope you find him.
Comment by Tommy (November 11, 2008, 5:23 pm)
Hey all. The main reason i stumbled on to this site, is because I’ve been searching for the Singing Americans Black & White album. Actually, ive been wanting to find somewhere, or someone who may have knowledge to point me in the right direction to find it. I’d be happy to find a site that i can hear that particular album. I saw them perform that album at a HUGE outdoor SG music convention in 1986 in Pa. I was 15 at the time, but i remember it very well. I met all the Kingsmen, Kingsboys, & Singing Americans, & was VERY impressed with Michael English’s voice. there were many others there too, but those guys really made an impact on me. ….ok, enough rambling
…If anyone can help me, Id love ya forever. Thanks in advance, & may the Lord Bless.
Comment by Daniel J. Mount (November 11, 2008, 6:56 pm)
Tommy, the complete album wouldn’t be available for free playing on any legal website. However, if you’re interested in purchasing a copy, you might search on Amazon.com and eBay.com. The album pops up periodically on both sites.