Label: Gaither Music Group
Producers: Bill Gaither and David Phelps
Song Titles: “Low Down The Chariot,” “Leave It There/What A Friend We Have In Jesus,” “When I Survey The Wondrous Cross,” “Delivered From The Hand Of Pharoah,” “He Will Carry You,” “Jesus! What A Friend For Sinners,” “Sing A Song/I’d Like To Teach The World To Sing,” “Center Of My Joy,” “Heaven’s Joy Awaits,” “God Bless America,” “I Then Shall Live,” and “Gentle Shepherd”
Take four fine voices . . . yes, I said four . . . stir in a dash of barbershop tradition, a bit of Glad influence, a couple of feel good pop lyrics, and a spiritual or two. Don’t forget the patriotic number or the Gaither classic remake. But wait, let’s do something different this time and lock all the session players out of the studio. Yep, the Gaither Vocal Band is putting extra emphasis on the middle word in their name. This is vocal music in its purest, most unforgiving form . . . a cappella.
To really appreciate this CD, you need to sit close enough to your stereo system to hear how the voices are panned in front of you. Most of the time, Bill Gaither and Russ Taff are in the middle of the stereo field with David Phelps to the left and Guy Penrod on the right.
GVB didn’t make it easy on themselves by singing simple arrangements. There’s some truly remarkable moments on this project. At the end of each chorus on “Delivered From The Hand Of Pharoah,” rather than holding out the chord, Bill and Russ slide down in pitch while Guy slides up and David sustains the top note. “Heaven’s Joy Awaits” is the closest thing to a novelty arrangement. Before each verse they’ve inserted a scratchy record effect, but rather than singing words during those intros, each vocalist is doing a cheesy imitation of a brass instrument. Irving Berlin’s “God Bless America” gets a pure barbershop arrangement with all the ninth, eleventh, and thirteenth chords a music theory student could ever want to analyze. The “Sing A Song/I’d Like To Teach The World To Sing” medley has too many unison phrases, but the way they nail that A-flat triad with the added sixth near the end makes up for it.
I’d have preferred to see the GVB deliver a more stylistically cohesive effort like Gold City‘s Acapella (sic) Gold, or the Cathedrals’ Worship His Glory, but that’s a VERY minor complaint. It’s also important to note for those who haven’t yet purchased this CD that it focuses more on finesse and complexity than excitement. If you’re not the type who pays attention to the fine details, you might go so far as to think of this CD as boring or too draggy. On the other hand, if you enjoy hearing four fine voices moving from one very interesting chord to another, you won’t mind the slower pace that most of these songs take.
Author: David Bruce Murray
| Author's Website: http://www.musicscribe.com
Written: 09/30/2003
| 
Category: CD Reviews
Comments: 25
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The Gaither Vocal Band have out-done themselves once again! This is a fantastic, beautifully arranged album. David Phelps has done an outstanding job of arranging the majority of these songs, and the voices of these talented singers will blow you away! Awesome!
Yee-ouch. This is some tough, tough singing. Fantastic arrangements and performance. The 4 1/2 star rating is probably a good rating. It's either 4 or 4.5. I think this CD is going to be better to analyze than give a casual listen. The complexity in the harmonies is mind-boggling!
I haven't heard it yet, but from listening to "O Loe that Will Not let me Go." on their first CD with Russ Taff, I can guarantee a must have. They always blow me away with A Capella arangements. I hope I get to hear it soon!
This is a good project, but even as much as I love the Gaither Vocal Band, I really tire of a cappella before the CD is over.
:yuk: :yuk: :yuk: :yuk:
:oops:
:thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
Great review David. This is beyond a doubt the best acapella recording I have ever heard. Those who want to complain that Russ Taff sticks out vocally with the GVB, don't have a leg to stand on with this recording. The blend is incredible, and contrary to WhereHeLeads, this is one acapella CD that I didn't get bored with before it was over. Lot's of finesse, but also lots of expression. Once again, David has hit the nail on the head.
Oooops, I did it again, I'm on Chris' computer, mine is still in the shop getting a new hard drive.
Move over Britney Spears, here comes Deon!
Does this mean Chris plays the part of Milli to Deon's Vanilli? :laugh:
I think the recording is awesome.My fav was Delivered from the hand of Pharoah. It was awesome. Good Jog Guys. :thumbsup:
:oops: Puts it mildly.
I think the recording was awesome! . You would have to be an artist to appreciate it . I do not know another group that could pull it off ...It's tough , I love it !!
:thumbsup:
I think that this is a phenomonal recording. The complexity of the harmonies and the skill at which they were executed I believe is unmatched in gospel music. My personal favorite song on the album is "Then I Shall Live" WOW!!! Once again Bill Gaither hits the nail on the head! :cool:
This album truly proves they are an awsome "Vocal Band" :whistle:
I am really getting tired of the Gaither vocal band. First there are now 2 guys that should visit the barber shop. I know their hair wont keep them from going to heaven but there should be a difference in Christian groups from rock groups and i dont see that difference with them.
I totally agree with most of the comments above! This is an incredible project from the GVB. Sing A Song/I'd Like To Teach The World To Sing are both incredibly corny songs, so I end up skipping over that one every time I load the project up, but the vocal work is even great on that one! Besides that one song, I can't think of a flaw in the whole recording. Musically, it is inspiring. I love big chords, but again, you would have to probably be a musician to notice them, and appreciate them. Just a personal preference though, I do wish when people made acappella projects like this, that they would resist the temptation to stack vocals, and layer more parts over them. I am an engineer, and I do it too, but I'd love to see more talent showcased, and less recording tricks.
let me tell you about the gaithers band. My grandson is in church because of David Phelps who has been a great inspiration to him and to me also!and about the long hair... God looks on the inside of a person (The heart) :thumbsup:
and as for the :yuk: :yuk: :yuk: erson you need to talk more to God cause you have issues
Personally, I just love good close harmony, I couldn't wait to listen to the cd, it has a soothing effect, and I agree with the comment, it doesn't matter about the hairstyles, Jesus probably had long hair, and if we judge the book by the cover, how are we going to know the real content. God Loves us for who we are not what we look like, I give the project a big KUDO !!!!!!!!!!! :thumbsup: :rolleyes: :rolleyes:
This is the finest GVB album ever and I have heard all of them. As a vocal performance major, I stand up and cheer. Nice to hear great arrangements and great vocals! David Phelps has a wonderful way of arragement and The album as a whole is mixed very very well. AWESOME!!.
:thumbsup: The Gaither Vocal Band are the best! You can feel the Holy Spirit move at their Homecoming shows! It's Great!
#1 is awesome "on acapella" great
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