We received many videos in 2006 of national, regional and local groups.  As we indicated during the 2005 overview, “the videos serves as a snap shot of what a group did at a particular time.  In addition the videos provide a visual history of 1) a song service; 2) show the members of a group; 3) show unknown musicians that played at the song service; 4) allows one to actually see their favorite group for the first time.”  In addition, the videos allow you to enjoy, over and over, a song service in the privacy of your home. 

In 2006 we tried to give you reviews from a cross-section of the gospel quartet videos that are available.  We reviewed the old videos – like the Willie Banks and The Messengers.  We reviewed the new – like Rev. Walter Ellis & The Country Boys.  We reviewed those by major labels – like The Gospel Four.  And, we reviewed independent projects – like The Clark Brothers. 

We encourage you to make gospel quartet videos a part of your collection.  In addition, we are always looking for good gospel quartet videos to review.  So, don’t hesitate to send us your video.  It does not matter whether it was recorded years ago or yesterday.  If it is a video, we are interested in considering it for a review.

As to the twelve that were reviewed in 2006 –

We begin this year with a review of The Clark Brothers’ I Made It.  Many may not have heard of this group.  The Clark Brothers’ are from Tuskegee, Alabama.  There are 10 songs on the video.  The Bothers share lead duties throughout the video.  There is a great mixture of ballads, mid-tempo and what may be considered drive songs.  This video really ministers to you

For the month of February, Black History Month, we reviewed the DVD Gospo Mixx.  This DVD is a hidden jewel that has not gotten the attention it deserved.  It is titled “A Collection Of Gospel's Greatest Hits.”  On the back of the cover to the DVD you will find the follow – “Gospo Mixx, The first brand ever to feature the greatest male vocalists in Gospel Music today.  This first series is kicked off with two of the most unique, electrifying, and spirit filled voices in the industry, Melvin Williams of the Williams brothers & Lee Williams of Lee Williams & The Spiritual QC’s.  This collection of extraordinary songs includes phenomenal performances by The Williams Brothers; The Canton Spirituals; The Christianaires; The Texas Boyz; Slim & The Supreme Angels; Spencer Taylor & The Highway QC’s; The Bolton Brothers; Neal Roberson; Bishop Paul Morton & The Greater St. Stephen Mass Choir; Doc McKenzie & The Hi-Lites; Doug Williams; and Lee Williams & The Spiritual QC’s.” 

In March we reviewed The Jackson Southernaires’ video “Reality.”  This is probably one of the best projects by this group in recent times.  If you are interested in the history of The Jackson Southernaires, this video is for you.  This historic video by The Jackson Southernaires actually takes place in the studio.  Not only are their great interviews with the current group members, there is also an interview with Rev. Polk.  Also, the group family members are in the studio.  They help give the studio sessions the feeling of a live recording.  In addition, there are interviews with the family members.  You will really learn a lot about the group from this video.

The Pilgrim Jubilees’ “Church Songs” was reviewed during the month of April.  Several years ago MALACO started what is called – 601 Music series.  Essentially, MALACO would take the best recordings from a particular artist in their camp and issue a compilation CD.  For fans of gospel quartet music, the acquisition of these CD’s was the best way to have in your collection some of the recordings of your favorite gospel singer, without having to purchase different recordings.  One of the video is The Pilgrim Jubilees’ Church Songs.  This 601 Music video was released on December 23, 2005.  So this month we review The Pilgrim Jubilees’ Church Songs.  There are 10 clips on this video.  The songs on the video are “Bless Your House,” “Church Song,” “Life Evening Sun,” “Too Close,” “Safety of Your Soul,” “God’s Been Good To Me,” “My Christian Journey,” "I Know It Was The Blood,” “No Grave Can Hold Me Down,” and “I Love You.”  The project is vintage Jubes.   

For the month of May we reviewed the 2003 video by one of the most exciting groups on the road today, The Gospel Four.  In October 2003, MCG Records released the G4’s Ready or Not.  Although the concert was recorded to be released on CD and video, at that time, only the CD was released.  The video, which was copyrighted in 2004, was actually released in 2005.  This power packed video was recorded at Mt. Ephraim Baptist Church in Atlanta, Georgia.  This is an awesome video.  

In June we reviewed the video Rev. Ellis and The Country Boys.  Live At The Rest was recorded on October 9, 2005, at Pilgrim Rest Missionary Baptist Church in Montgomery, Alabama.  This 13 track CD and DVD are bound to be best sellers.  The production on this project is superb.  But, you would expect it to be when you realize that Eric Sharper of Dream Reality Productions was the producer.  The video is just as impressive as the CD.  In fact, the video adds a dimension to the project that truly makes this a must have project

For July we reviewed The Golden Wings Quartet’s “You've Got To Leave It Here!  Live In Concert.”  The recording took place at the Temple of Compassion and Deliverance in Tupelo, Mississippi in 2004.  It was initially recorded for the MARS Record label.  The group is now on the LowRush Music label.  LowRush released this video in 2006.  The Golden Wings Quartet has been signing God’s praises for over 30 years.  The longevity of the group is reflected in their performance.  These guys can really sing.  Each song on this video is rooted in the traditional gospel quartet style.  Therefore, with this video you get one hour and 12 minutes of good old fashion gospel quartet music. 

Willie Banks and The Messengers was the subject of our review for August.  Every now and then it is good to go back and take a look at earlier gospel videos. That is why we decided to review the video Willie Banks and The Messengers In Concert.  This video was part of the MALACO's Night of Gospel Legends' series.  The video, like the others in the series, was recorded in Jackson, Mississippi.  On this particular video there are eight songs - “For The Wrong I’ve Done,” “No Tomorrow,” “Hear Me When I Call,” “Battlefield,” “If It’s Alright,” “Things I Can’t Change,” “God’s Goodness,” and “God Is Still In Charge.” The video is only about 40 minutes in length. But, what a great 40 minutes! 

In September we reviewed Together As One - 150 Years - Recorded “Live” In Birmingham.  The video was recorded at the Alabama Theatre, Birmingham, Alabama.  If there ever was a gospel video that is a collector’s item, this is the one.  Just look at the lineup of each group.  Margaret Allison and The Angelic Gospel Singers – Margaret Allison, Teresa Button and Daryl Richmond.  The Pilgrim Jubilees – Cleve Graham, Clay Graham, Eddie Graham, Major Roberson, Ben Chandler, Bobby McDougal, Michael Akins and Marco Akins.  The Sensational Nightingales – Joseph Wallace, Bill Woodruff, Horace Thompson and Calvert McNair.  Calvert McNair died in May 1996 at the age of 45.  Bill Woodruff passed away during the Summer (July 15) of 1995. 

Every now and then a group comes on the scene and elevates gospel quartet music to another level. This was true of The Bolton Brothers. Their video Live In Mobile was released in 1996. The CD and DVD immediately made The Bolton Bothers a household name.  They followed the 1996 release with Live In Mobile 2, which was released in 1999. And, in 2001 they recorded Revival in Atlanta.  However, none of the subsequent recordings could match the powerful, masterful, anointed Live In Mobile.  That was one of the reason we reviewed this video during the month of October.

November found us taking a closer look at another legend.  There are just some recordings that are ‘a must have’ for any fan of gospel quartet music.  Well, the video of Slim and The Supreme Angels, Live In Jackson, Mississippi, fits that description.  This video was released in 1996.  The video includes the LAST LIVE recording of the Late Daniel (Scotty) Scott, Jr.  Also, this historic recording includes the live rendition of Death & The Beautiful Lady.  There is a lot of adlibbing in the song and it just makes the message conveyed by the song much more powerful.

We closed the year with the review of the legendary group The Fantastic Violinaires.   One of the treasures in gospel music is a video of The Fantastic Violinaires.  It does not matter when it was recorded or what name the group used, if you are able to locate a video of the Violinaires hold on to it.  It is definitely a worthwhile investment.  In 1999, they recorded the video that is the subject of the December review.  The recording occurred at Timberlake Christian Faith Center, Creedmoor, North Carolina.  The title reads Robert Blair and The Fantastic Violinaires “The Fantastic Violinaires.” This is probably the last video by the group that includes a vibrant Robert Blair.  Danny Walker (who is now a Pastor), Dwight (Tito) Arthur, and Robert Arrington are some of the other group members on this video.  The ninety (90) minutes video begins with “Children, Are You Ready.”  The other songs on the video are “I Can’t Refuse,” “Three Pictures,” “Dr. Jesus,” “I Got So Much To Shout About,” “Praise Him,” “Stand By Me,” and “Where He Leads Me.” 

We do look forward to reviewing great videos in 2007.  God Bless and we look forward to great videos from groups, independent labels and major labels in 2007.

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