THe Mighty Clouds of Joy CD Review

The Mighty Clouds of Joy

In The House of The Lord

Live In Houston

What can be said, that has not already been said, about a group that has been on the road for 45 years. Though many members have come and gone The Mighty Clouds of Joy have stood the test of time and are still MIGHTY. From their very beginnings they have been the group that others have tried to imitate. The Clouds have been able to move from traditional quartet to contemporary and back to traditional quartet music without skipping a beat. In other words, the Clouds have been able to adapt to the changing times without deviating from their roots. The Clouds remain a very solid group. And with one of the most recognizable voices in gospel music at the helm – Joe Ligon – they are destined to continue to set the trend for other groups to follow. As such, we review this month The Mighty Clouds of Joy new project “In The House of The Lord – Live In Houston.”

This project was recorded on December 1, 2004, at The Fountain of Praise Hillcroft Worship Center in Houston, Texas. It was released on April 12, 2005. The members of the group at the time of this recording were Joe Ligon, Richard Wallace, Michael Cook, Ron Staples and Johnny L. Valentine.

The project begins with the upbeat “Been Good To Me.” This was a great way to start the live recording. The song automatically invites audience participation. Throughout the entire project you hear the crowd response. The next song is the title track – “House of The Lord.” This is definitely one of the best songs on the project. It is upbeat and allows Joe to really showcase his extraordinary vocal talents. This song will have you clapping your hand and stomping your feet. This is definitely one of those songs that will cause you to hit the repeat button over and over. This song is a perfect mixture of instrumentation, smooth background harmony, and clear lead vocals.

Next the Clouds shift gears and sing the popular song “Order My Steps.” It is often not easy for a quartet group to take a song that is identified as being a choir song and apply the quartet style to it in a way that enhances the orginality of the song. Well, that is just what the Clouds do with this song. Yes, they do use a chorale to assist with the background vocals, but Michael Cook’s lead on this song leave no mistake that you are hearing the best in gospel quartet applied to a very meaningful, calming and smoothing song. Also, at eleven minutes and forty-five seconds it is the longest song on the project. The Clouds really put their hearts into this song, so it does not seem that long.

Next the Clouds go back in time and bring forward “Mighty High.” The group puts a lot of energy into this live version of this song. After listening to this song, you will have a greater appreciation for it. It is another song that will have you pushing the repeat button. The group follows “Mighty High” with, as describe by Joe Ligon, old school “A Church.” This first half of this song is done a cappella. This song also marks the end of the first half of the recording session.

The Clouds return to the stage with “Lord I Thank You,” followed by “If Jesus Can’t Fix It.” “If Jesus Can’t Fix It“ is another song wherein the Clouds are joined by a chorale. This is not Frank Williams’ song of the same name. This is a song that seems to be tailor made for the Clouds. Joe yells, screams, groans and testifies during this song. This song gives you all of what you would expect from Joe Ligon. Leonard Williams collaborates with Joe Ligon in the writing of the next song on the project – “Keep On Doing It.”

“God Can,” “Mama Prayed Us Through,” and “I Believe In The Lord” are the next three songs on the project. The three songs are ballads. Each carry a great message. The Clouds closes out the project by once again going back in time and bringing forward another of their great songs – “I Made A Step.” For over six minutes the Clouds take you back to days not to long ago, and gives new excitement to “I Made A Step.” Just as the project began on a high (upbeat) note, it ends on one. “I Made A Step” was just the right song to end this live recording.

The Legend continues with this brand new offering from The Mighty Clouds of Joy. The project contains mostly new songs. Those songs that are from previous recordings are given a fresh sound. On the whole the project is a well rounded offering and worthy of purchase for any collector of gospel quartet music, and more particularly for any fan of The Mighty Clouds of Joy. We give The Mighty Clouds of Joy’s In The House of The Lord – Live In Houston a 9.5 out of 10. To purchase your copy click HERE. Click on the red text to hear Lord I Thank You.

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