Comments on: Danny’s Diary poses two questions

By: Daniel J. Mount

Daniel J. Mount — Sun, 22 Oct 2006 17:57:18 +0000

John and Dean, I would have to agree that if the two best live albums ever came from the 1960s, then it would most certainly be one each by the Statesmen and the Blackweood Brothers, and probably the ones you named.

I personally lean toward preferring the later ’70s / early ’80s style of live recordings, because I prefer a slightly more full instrumentation and live recordings of that era typically have at least piano, bass, and drums. I think that a live band enhances Southern Gospel quartet vocals.

But if I had to choose two albums that pre-date this style–or if I was picking the two most innovative Southern Gospel live albums ever–I would pick one each from the Statesmen’s and the Blackwoods’ 1960s catalogue.

I will also observe that I prefer both live-band and piano-only live concert recordings to live recordings where soundtracks provide all or nearly all of the music.

By: John Crenshaw

John Crenshaw — Sun, 22 Oct 2006 17:22:26 +0000

My favorite live LP is “Statesmen On Stage” recorded at the Wally Fowler all night sing in Nashville. “Through the States With the Statesmen” comes in a close second. This was before the days of overdubbing, and they even left in a song with Jake Hess singing the wrong words.

By: Daniel J. Mount

Daniel J. Mount — Sun, 22 Oct 2006 10:42:49 +0000

I like the Blackwood Brothers’ On Stage album, too…I just like their “In Concert” one a little more, perhaps because that album was my first exposure to “I Get Happy” and “What a Morning.”

By: Dean Adkins

Dean Adkins — Sun, 22 Oct 2006 03:39:59 +0000

My vote for the 2 best Live albums would be “A Gospel Concert” by the Statesmen & “On Stage” by the Balckwood Brothers.

By: Daniel J. Mount

Daniel J. Mount — Sat, 21 Oct 2006 22:26:50 +0000

You have a good point. I totally forgot about that one. However, I would still rank it after the deaths of Burger and Riley, primarily because it is an announcement of intentions, and there is always the possibility that they change their mind. It’s perhaps even more a top story of 2007 than it is of 2006.

But it is a big story, and you are right.

By: Ed Butler

Ed Butler — Sat, 21 Oct 2006 21:48:51 +0000

When 2006 is over – the biggest story has to be the announcement by the Crabb Family. While not a big fan (though a huge fan of the Perrys) – the Crabbs, as we know them – will go away. The Perrys are still around and their overall sound will change only slightly.

JEB