CD Reviews

Carolina Boys Quartet - “Honor the Heritage-Volume 1”

2002/Independent Release

If it walks like a duck, quacks like a duck and looks like a duck, then it must be a duck! Sounds like and looks like the former Kingsmen, but with the exception of the name, the Kingsmen legacy lives on! Honoring their tremendous heritage as the Kingsmen, the Carolina Boys Quartet has put together a list of songs that have proven to be fan favorites of the Kingsmen. Though the production side of it could have been a little better, the singing is exactly what you would expect and the pure excitement and sheer thrill of the Carolina Boys Quartet shines through loud and clear!

With just the titles of the songs alone, true Kingsmen/Carolina Boys Quartet fans will no doubt get excited about this release. Songs like “GO AND TELL SOMEBODY”, “STAND UP”, “ANCHORS AWEIGH”, “SAINT’S WILL RISE” (which has all the ingredients for pure “Kangsmen” excitement!) and “CAN YOU IMAGINE” all exude total excitement that this legacy is known for. Of course when discussing their heritage, you cannot leave off songs like “WISH YOU WERE HERE”, “THE JUDGEMENT” (which still gives chill bumps!), “CHILD, CHILD” (Parker turns in an emotional performance on this song) and “LOOK FOR ME AT JESUS’ FEET.” Also included is Ray Dean Reece’s testimony in song “HEALING STREAM”, as well as the classic “HE TOUCHED ME” (featuring an exceptional performance by Randy Crawford).

Like I said earlier, other than the production lacking in professional quality, this really is a great CD and one that is worth spending your money on. After all, it is only a table product, and can only be ordered and purchased through the Carolina Boys Quartet (828-665-6525).

It is virtually impossible not to mention the names Carolina Boys Quartet and Kingsmen in the same sentence, as in essence, in my opinion; they are one and the same. It is sad that the Kingsmen name is no more, but their musical legacy lives on through the Carolina Boys Quartet.

Rating:

James Hales