Rating: 5 stars (of 5)

Members: Michael Booth (tenor); Ronnie Booth (lead); Jim Brady (baritone)

Song List: Tell Me the Story of Jesus; I’m Going Back; Tears Are a Language; This Love is Mine; The Eyes of Jesus; Welcome to the Family; I Would; Look For Me at Jesus’ Feet; Still Feelin’ Fine (with Greater Vision); He Saw it All; The One That I Love; Secret Place; Haven of Rest.

* * *

Perhaps because the cost of producing a live concert video can be in the tens of thousands of dollars, increasing numbers of groups are choosing to film their live projects at the National Quartet Convention. It’s not like this is a bad thing; though live NQC footage from several years ago frequently had noticeable technical flaws, these have been ironed out, and Louisville Live and similar titles have high visual and audio production quality.

Through NQC 2007, the INSP channel filmed the event live with a five or six camera crew; starting with NQC 2008 (last year), the Gospel Music Channel has been providing live video and recording the concerts for future airing.

Louisville Live has thirteen songs from the Booth Brothers’ three mainstage sets. The editing between songs was smooth enough that it’s not immediately evident where the cuts between different sets took place.

Unlike a number of groups which make live videos a showcase of every single song from their latest recording, the Booth Brothers make Louisville Live more a taste of what a live Booth Brothers concert would sound like. They mix songs from their main-label projects with songs from their table projects, and songs with full soundtracks with songs with a lighter piano-only accompaniment. (Southern Gospel piano soloist Roy Webb provided live piano accompaniment.)

The Booth Brothers are so good at what they do that it’s hard to isolate highlights. A slow song like “The Eyes of Jesus” is as much a high point as “Welcome to the Family”—and, in fact, “The Eyes of Jesus” got one of the strongest responses of the songs on the lineup. Greater Vision joining the Booth Brothers for “Still Feeling Fine” is a welcome addition to what one might find on a typical non-NQC live DVD.

There are a number of bonus features: A clip of highlights from the 2008 Singing News Fan Awards, a behind-the-scenes look at the Booth Brothers’ NQC week, and a video product pitch.

The Booth Brothers chose a strong assortment of songs to highlight, and there are no detracting audio or video flaws. So there’s really no reason not to give this project five stars.

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Rating: 4 stars (of 5)

Song List: 1951 Blackwood Brothers Quartet: Rolling, Riding, Rocking; Swing Down Sweet Chariot; He Bought My Soul; Satisfied; It Is No Secret; Rock A My Soul. 1958 Blackwood Brothers Quartet: Never; No Tears in Heaven; I’m Happy and Free; Inside the Gate; I Don’t Mind; His Hands; He’s All That I Need; I’m Bound For That City; Jesus is Mine; Wonderful Savior.

Available from: Artist (Blackwood Brothers, on table).

* * *

1951 1958 Live is a 2006 DVD featuring footage of the pre and post plane crash Blackwood Brothers Quartet.

The DVD starts with a photo and video montage featuring footage of the group from the over seven decades it has been on the road.

The first segment of the video contains six songs featuring the group’s 1951 lineup, tenor Dan Huskey, lead James Blackwood, baritone R.W. Blackwood, bass Bill Lyles, and pianist Jackie Marshall. The video does have some specks, artifacts of 6-decade-old film but is surprisingly clear.

The 1958 footage features tenor Bill Shaw, lead James Blackwood, baritone Cecil Blackwood, bass J.D. Sumner, and pianist Wally Varner. The video also has some old film artifacts but is also quite clear. It appears that this may have been a segment recorded for television; unlike the 1951 segment, with the classic quartet 2-microphone setup, the 1958 segment has overhead mikes. On a number of songs (most notably “Inside the Gate”), the audio and video are out of sync enough that it isn’t clear whether the 1958 segments were the group singing along with a  separately recorded audio track or merely out of sync audio.

The songs do not appear in the order they are listed on the DVD cover; the song listing in this review reflects the actual order of the songs on the project.

The Blackwood Brothers have done the genre a service by reissueing this rare footage in a current format. This video is probably the closest modern-day Southern Gospel fans will ever be able to come to experiencing what it was like to see the Blackwood Brothers during this classic era.

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Rating: 4 stars (of 5)

Song List: You Were Faithful Yesterday; I Want to Know that You Know; What a Beautiful Day; Little is Much; I’m Too Near Home; A Mighty Fortress is Our God; It Pays to Pray; You’re Not Forsaken; Better Hurry Up.

Available From: Artist.

* * *

Several months ago, Greater Vision recorded a live video at First Baptist Orlando; the DVD came out several weeks ago.

The video is fairly short, just nine songs long. It contains the highlights from their live programs over the last year, particularly Rodney Griffin’s introduction of “It Pays to Pray” and Gerald Wolfe’s introduction of Jacob Kitson (“Little is Much”) and Wolfe’s introduction of how a song so Lutheran that Luther himself wrote it won over a diffident Lutheran audience (“A Mighty Fortress”).

The program features four songs from Memories Made New (“What a Beautiful Day,” “Little is Much,” “Too Near Home,” and “Better Hurry Up”) and four songs from their last major label project, Not Alone (“You Were Faithful Yesterday,” “I Want to Know that You Know,” “It Pays to Pray,” and “You’re Not Forsaken”).

The cinematography is decent, with no major faux pas. There was no roving camera, so there are few audience shots. (Most of the times the audience is visible, it’s only the back of their heads, which is unfortunate since I have several good-looking friends who reserved front row seats.)

This DVD gives a taste of what a live Greater Vision concert is like—not really enough to capture a full concert experience, but it’s enough to make the viewer want to catch a full concert.

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Rating: 5 stars (0f 5)

Song List: “Welcome to the Family” (Booth Brothers); “Let the Rocks Keep Silent” (Atlanta First Baptist Choir & Orchestra); “Safe on the Glory Side” (Mark Trammell Trio); “His Life For Mine” (Talley Trio); “I Will Stand” (Tommy Mosely); “Praying Man” (Brian Free & Assurance); “The Lighthouse” (Ronnie Hinson); “Let Me Be a Rock” (The Dartts); “You Were Working For Me” (Mark Bishop); “Amazing Grace” (Mallory Ledford); “Grace Will Always Be Greater Than Sin” (Hoppers); “Hey Jonah” (Triumphant Quartet); “It Pays to Pray” (Greater Vision); “He Looked Beyond My Fault” (Pfeifers); “The Sweetest Words” (Hemphills); “There’s a Miracle in Me” (Greenes); “The Rose” (Inspirations); “Behold the Lamb” (Phil Cross & Crossing); “Ten Thousand Years” (Jim Brady); “Where No One Stands Alone” (The Crist Family); “Holy Shore” (Perrys).

Some say that nobody can sing a song like the person who wrote it.

That’s not precisely true, since sometimes a great singer has lived through and understands the life circumstances that led to a song’s writing and can sing it with the same passion.

On Song of a Lifetime, you get to experience both. A number of great singer/songwriters introduce and perform one of their best songs, while a number of non-performing songwriters introduce one of their hits before the group that popularized it performs it.

Many of the songs on this project are fairly recent hits, but there are also a number of classic songs and songwriters recognized. Mosie Lister introduces his classic song “Where No One Stands Alone,” before the Crist Family sings it. Ronnie Hinson introduces and sings “The Lighthouse.” The Pfeifers pay tribute to Dottie Rambo with a rendition of “He Looked Beyond My Fault,” and Jim Brady honors Elmer Cole with a rendition of “Ten Thousand Years.”

Worthy of special mention is 12-year-old Mallory Ledford’s rendition of “Amazing Grace.” This was the only song included in the program not written within the last 60 or 70 years. Ledford delivers an impressive rendition; though not as perfect as will be possible after her voice matures, it takes a special sort of confidence for a child to sing in front of a few thousand people solo and acapella.

The songwriter’s comments range from brief introductions to in-depth emotional stories behind the songs. Perhaps the two most memorable stories were Rodney Griffin’s intro to “It Pays to Pray” and Phil Cross’s conversation with an audience member about how “Miracle in Me” had actually saved a life.

Some attendees of the NQC showcase where this was taped expressed some concern that it seemed disjointed at points. Knowing that heading into the review, the editors of the DVD version deserve high praise for taking their source material and coming out with a DVD that flows well and has few if any awkward transitions between introductions and songs.

This type of gathering, with most of the top songwriters gathered to tell the stories behind their songs, and most of the top groups gathered to sing them, is the sort of thing that is only possible at NQC. I was going to conclude by saying that this was one of the best Southern Gospel videos I’ve seen that was taped at NQC, but it doesn’t really nead that last qualifier. This is a top-notch video, period.

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Christian comedian Aaron Wilburn got his start as a Southern Gospel musician and songwriter, performing for several years with the Happy Goodmans Band and writing or co-writing songs such as “What a Beautiful Day,” “It’s Beginning to Rain,” “Home,” and “The Night Heaven Kissed Earth.”

His comedy career has had a boost since the advent of YouTube; videos of some of his routines have been popular enough to pick up 8 million hits.

The videography is decent. The lighting on the close-up shots of his face is superb. The lighting on the zoomed-out shots and the wide audience pans is decent but not great. But the audience closeups are inconsistent; some have decent lighting, but some are so dark that you can’t see the audience member’s face. Tip for video editors: If the closeup is so dark that you can’t see the person’s face, just don’t put it in.

One of the video highlights is his routine on dieting, leading up to his song “Dietin.” This particular routine is genuinely funny.

I must admit it was my first time to watch a full-length comedy video, so I don’t have much to compare it to, but I did find it enjoyable.

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Rating: 5 stars (of 5) (both volumes)

Available from: Basically everywhere.

Song list: Volume 1: He Came Down To My Level; Your First Day In Heaven; New Wine; Rumormill; Can’t Stop Talking About Him; A Few Good Men; Born Again; Satisfied; I Bowed On My Knees; He Touched Me; Heartbreak Ridge And New Hope Road; Knowing You’ll Be There; Home, Where I Belong; No Other Name But Jesus; There Is A River; Gentle Shepherd; Let Freedom Ring; Loving God, Loving Each Other.

Volume 2: Passin’ The Faith Along; Temporary Home; Dream On; I’ll Meet You In The Morning; The Really Big News; Home; Build An Ark; O Love That Will Not Let Me Go; When The Rains Come; The Love Of God; New Point Of View; Give Up; When I Cry; I Walked Today Where Jesus Walks; Find Us Faithful; I’m Free; Make It Real; Mary, Did You Know?; Oh! What A Time.

* * *

Ever since Wes Hampton broke the story last summer that the Gaither Vocal Band alumni would be getting together to record a reunion video, this project has been one of the most anticipated Gaither releases in years.

It does not disappoint.

Some of the greatest vocal talent—not only in Christian music, but in music period—has gone through the Vocal Band over the last (nearly) three decades. These videos offer both an opportunity to hear voices together that haven’t harmonized for decades, and to hear some of these same vocal powerhouses in entirely new configurations.

The highlights are too many to list. At least every other song was greeted with a standing ovation, and it wasn’t just the performers being polite to one another. It was just that good.

Steve Green shines, both in a quartet setting for the first time in years and in one of his big ’80s hits, “Find us Faithful.” Wes Hampton’s delight at just being there, let alone getting the chance to perform with his vocal heroes, is contagious enough that it would be hard for the viewer not to catch a taste of the moment. The personal testimonies, especially when Michael English expressed that he thought he would never again have the chance to sing in a quartet setting again, are touching.

The cinematography is excellent. Though Gaither has used widescreen for several of his videos, this is the first one where it is more a plus than a minus. It is used to greatest effect in the close-ups, where, for example, the singer with the solo can be framed off-center but looking towards the center of the frame. The minus of widescreen closeups is where a singer goes for a high note and ducks out of the frame—but these awkward moments were far fewer than in earlier projects. For the most part, action shots were framed with an appropriately wide zoom.

The only thing that could have made this video any better would have been more of the same. Specifically, it would have been nice to see another song (each) featuring Steve Green, Wes Hampton, and Marsh Hall. And one concept Gaither did touch on—different Vocal Band iterations singing different verses of a song—would have been fascinating to have seen more fully developed. Suppose, for example, on “Passin’ the Faith Along,” the original Gaither Vocal Band sang one verse, and the (then) current Vocal Band, which redid the song in 2004, took the second verse. (It would have been nice to have the two missing members, Terry Franklin and Jonathan Pierce, present, but the talent level of the remaining members in the room was so high that their presence isn’t conspicuous.) But with two DVDs / CDs, thirty-seven songs (plus two bonus tracks), and four hours of music, even mentioning more of the same sounds a little silly.

This project is good enough that it’s hardly surprising that yesterday’s headline (literally) [EDIT, 11/8/10: The link is broken and has been removed] is that the video debuted at #1 on the Billboard Music Videos chart and (in a double first for the group) the two volumes of the CD not only hit #1 and #2 but debuted in the top two spots.

Gaither has done some good video projects in his day, but this will easily go down as one of the best. Or, just maybe, the best.

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Rating: 5 Stars (of 5)

Average Song Rating: 4.1 Stars (of 5)

Song List: That’s What I’m Talking About (Gold City); Winds of the World (Talley Trio); You Would Think He Would Learn (Dove Brothers); I’ve Been Changed (Legacy Five); Hey (Karen Peck & New River); Statue of Liberty (Ivan Parker); It Means Just What it Says (Greater Vision); He Never Sleeps (Mark Bishop); The One That I Love (Booth Brothers); I Rest My Case (Perrys); Ready to Leave (Hoppers); God Rides on Wings of Love (Janet Paschal); What We Needed (Kingdom Heirs); Miracle in Me (Greenes); When God Ran (Kingsmen); Pray Daniel Pray (Brian Free and Assurance). DVD Bonus Songs: Little is Much (Greater Vision), You Raise Me Up (Roy Webb).

Available from: NQC Office.

* * *

NQC 2008 features footage from the 2008 National Quartet Convention, which took place from September 8-13 in Louisville, Kentucky. Previous years were filmed by INSP; this year was filmed by the Gospel Music Channel. The camera quality was as good or better than previous years. The editing was also well done; there are very few awkward shots. (One of the few is on “Little is Much,” when the camera operator evidently didn’t get the memo about how far Kitson leans forward when going for the high note at the end. But such moments are few and far between.)

Unlike in previous years, where the DVD and CD were packaged separately, this year they are packaged together in a cardboard CD-sized case.

Song selection is excellent. The Crossroads and NQC staffs did an excellent job selecting nearly all the most memorable moments. One moment I missed seeing in person (but heard about here) was the Greenes’ performance of “Miracle in Me” at Phil Cross’s songwriters showcase. Cross introduced the song by interviewing a lady who told how the song led her to choose against aborting her son. It was a very powerful moment. It is included as a bonus track on the DVD since the setting is at a showcase instead of the evening mainstage concerts. But the song is included on the CD.

As with every NQC compilation, there will be a couple of top artists there just wasn’t room to include. Other than the Gaither Vocal Band and Signature Sound, this year’s two most notable omissions were the Inspirations and Triumphant Quartet. The Inspirations probably weren’t included because lead singer Matt Dibler left the group just days before convention, and though the group was able to put four men on stage, they ended up with two tenors and no lead singer. There’s no obvious reason why Triumphant didn’t make the cut. But whatever it was, it’s not label favoritism: There are equal numbers of Crossroads and Daywind artists (six each), plus one artist each from New Haven, Canaan, and Vine appearing on the main program.

This is the best NQC Live compilation since Vol. 4 (2004), which set the standard for what could be achieved. Not only is this year’s entry one of the best in the NQC Live series, but also it’s one of the most enjoyable videos released this year.

Trivia: Though I’ve yet to confirm it with my own eyes, word has it yours truly can be briefly seen on “I Rest My Case at the Cross.” I had (on invitation) come down to the front for a couple of minutes.

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Rating: 4 (of 5)

Average Song Rating: 3.9 (of 5)

Producer: Gus Gaches.

Song List: Must I Go Empty Handed; I Love Him So; Cloud He’s Coming Back On; When I Get Carried Away; Gulty; I Bless Your Name; It Takes Faith; Glory Road; First Day in Heaven; Without Him; How Great Thou Art; Total Praise; In His Will; To Get to Jesus; Days of Elijah.

* * *

Groups like Greater Vision, the Perrys, and Gold City have years of mega-hits to draw on to win over an audience and warm them to receiving their new material favorably. Newer groups like the Mike LeFevre Quartet, even though they have several albums under their belt, have to work with lesser-known songs and, when singing classics, songs introduced by other groups.

This video is the LeFevre Quartet’s first DVD. Even though only four or five songs on the project are original to the group, the program is a good mixture of classics, all-but-forgotten Southern Gospel songs, and Southern Gospel renditions of current praise songs that provides a solid introduction to the group.

The video quality is top-notch. The roving cameraman and the boom camera operator were both at the top of their game on the night of the taping, and the editing is also superb.

The LeFevre Quartet is remarkably agile at shifting stylistic gears seamlessly. Mike LeFevre’s voice is a solidly Southern Gospel baritone; David Staton’s lead vocals have a contemporary edge. A segment of Southern Gospel classics transitions into a segment of fully orchestrated praise songs so smoothy that one has to be following closely to even notice that the group has shifted gears.

The group starts the program establishing its Southern Gospel bona fides with two LeFevre songs, a Happy Goodmans classic, and Mike Lefevre’s signature song, “When I Get Carried Away” (after a witty comedic introduction by tenor Gus Gaches). After several newer songs with soundtracks, the group sings several Southern Gospel classics with a live band. The band—pianist Trey Ivey, drummer Jordan LeFevre (Mike’s son), and bass guitarist Gary Coursey (former Singing Americans bass guitarist who plays select MLQ dates), brought a boost of energy to the program.

The program closed with several original and praise songs, ending on a strong note with “Days of Elijah.”

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Rating: 4.5 (of 5)

Average Song Rating: 4.3 (of 5)

Producer: Royce Mitchell, Kevin Plew, Keith Waggoner.

Song List: Hallelujah! I Am Free; Count Your Blessings; Standing On the Promises; Don Christensen Tribute; How Great Thou Art; My Savior’s Love / And Can it Be; It is Well With My Soul; Hymn Singalong; Battle Hymn of the Republic; There is Joy in the Lord; Wonderful Grace of Jesus; Trust and Obey; Holy, Holy, Holy.

Available from: Artist.

* * *

Rating: 4.5 (of 5)

Average Song Rating: 4 (of 5)

Producer: Royce Mitchell, Kevin Plew, Keith Waggoner.

Song List: At Calvary; The Old Account Settled; When the Roll is Called Up Yonder / Hallelujah, We Shall Rise; Jesus Saves; Precious Memories; In the Garden; Hymn Singalong; Soldier Medley; No Not One; He Keeps Me Singing; Abide with Me; What a Day That Will Be / Until Then.

Available from: Artist.

* * *

Liberty Quartet is a full-time Southern Gospel quartet based in Boise, Idaho. In 2004, they recorded Timeless Treasured Hymns; I understand this became their best-selling album ever. They followed it in 2007 with Timeless Treasured Hymns 2, probably the only hymns project I have ever given a 5-star rating in a review (here).

The two DVDs include 24 songs, twelve per. Both were recorded on the same night in Meridian, Idaho. Unlike some groups (case in point: Chuck Wagon Gang) which package two-DVD sets in the same case, the two discs have their own cases and their graphic designs. (Trivia: The Hymns 1 CD had a red theme, while Hymns 2 had a blue theme; this is reversed on the DVDs.)

The project is not without its minor flaws. The lighting left a little to be desired; audience pans and a few group close-ups were a little too high-contrast. One blooper also made it in: In “My Savior’s Love / And Can it Be,” there’s one point (at about 20:10) where lead singer Dan Gilbert isn’t singing with his vocal stacks. But one is inclined to forgive Liberty their occasional bloopers because they know how to poke fun at themselves; both Hymn Sing 1 and Hymn Sing 2 have bloopers reels, with out-takes that most groups would never let see the light of day.

But little glitches aside, the arrangements are exceptional and the delivery is solid. Most of the songs on their two hymns projects are included. Unfortunately, “Face to Face,” the track I thought was the best from Hymns 1, and “Crown Him With Many Crowns” from Hymns 2 didn’t make the cut. But most of the highlights of both CDs made it on.

A few tracks not found on either CD—”Hallelujah! I Am Free” and “There is Joy in the Lord”—were included. There are also three acapella songs, “Wonderful Grace of Jesus,” “Holy Holy Holy” (the closing song on Hymn Sing 1), and “Until Then” (the closing song on Hymn Sing 2).

I understand that the video taping was the first time that the group ever staged several of the tracks on the CDs. The performances go over well, and these arrangements should continue to be concert highlights for the group for years to come.

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Rating: 4 (of 5)

Executive Producer: Gary Casto.

Song List: Brother, Don’t Lose the Shout; Good News; In the Shelter Of His Hands; Heaven in Sight; Every Day With Jesus; You’d Better Have a Boat; There is an Eye; Beulah; This I Know; When Those Gates Open Wide; I’m In That Crowd.

* * *

The summary on the back of this DVD describes it as “the first Live DVD ever recorded on the high seas of a gospel concert!” That may indeed be true; at any rate, it is the first such Southern Gospel DVD I have heard of. This project, Tribute Quartet’s first DVD, was recorded on Templeton Tours’ 2008 Jubilee at Sea to the Bahamas cruise.

The concert was filmed in the Astoria Lounge of the MS Celebration. Probably largely due to this setting, the lighting is quite dark. (A half-point was deducted from the rating due to the lighting.) Other than the lighting, the camera work is solid. Neither the camera work nor the editing dazzle the viewer with special effects (like, for example, on a Signature Sound video), but it serves its purpose well—it fades in the background and does not distract from the concert.

The original lineup of Tribute Quartet was Gary Casto singing lead (and managing the group), Josh Singletary singing baritone and playing piano, Dennis Dugger singing bass, and Jacob Kitson singing tenor. This lineup recorded the group’s debut and sophmore CDs (their only two released to date); this DVD was their final project together before Jacob Kitson left to join Greater Vision. (He has since been replaced by Brian Alvey.)

The program is a mix of ten new songs (from their first two recordings) and a piano solo (“Every Day With Jesus”) from Josh Singletary. There is a good mixture of convention-style songs, ballads, and even a novelty number or two (most particularly “There is an Eye,” sung by Josh Singletary, which Casto introduced as being in a Frank Sinatra style.)

The front cover notes: “Featuring Extended Bonus Footage.” The extras—footage of the ship and scenery, and of the four members playing in the water and taking in the sights—actually form a large part of giving the film a Caribbean feel. The main program could just as easily have been filmed in a moderately dark hotel banquet room somewhere and achieved the same results, but the extras help accentuate the uniqueness of the setting.

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