This month’s review takes us back to a project that was recorded over ten (10) years ago.  For the true gospel quartet enthusiast there is no other group like The Dixie Hummingbirds.  They have rightfully earned the title “Legends.”  They are the standard by which every other group is measured.  This group has stayed true to their roots.  When you pick up an earlier recording featuring Ira Tucker, Willie Bobo, Beachey Thompson, and James Walker you get the same sound as you do with the current lineup of the Birds.  Therefore, it is not a stretch to state that the video The Legendary Dixie Hummingbirds’ Live In Atlanta is a treasure and should be in every gospel fan’s collection. 

The video begins by asking the question Who Are We?  After answering the question the group ventures into Jesus Is The Light Of The World.  Thereafter, the Birds rock the house with Love Me Like A Rock.  Next The Birds let us know that It Will Be Alright.  By this time the Birds are into the recording set in such a way that if you close your eyes you can hear all of the treasured voices from their past.  With the renowned Ira Tucker singing lead, it is difficult to hear any changes in the vocal sounds of the remainder of the group.  In other words, the current line-up sounds just like The Birds of the 50s and 60s.

The World Is A Dressing Room is followed by He Gave You What You Have.  And then the Birds go into one of their most famous drive songs – Born Again.  Mr. Tucker and the guys really work this song.  Just to see them sing this song is, alone, enough to justify the purchase of this video. 

But, if Born Again is not enough for you to run out and find this video, the Birds next deliver Nobody Knows and Standing By The Bedside Of A Neighbor.  The Birds have recorded all of the songs on this video before, but this version of Standing By The Bedside Of A Neighbor is one of the best of this particular song.   

You get the impression that the Birds are in an automobile as they rock from side to side while singing Christian Automobile.  Praise Him and The Dollar And The Devil close out the video. 

The video begins with The Birds already into Who Are We and ends while The Birds are singing the encore The Dollar And The Dollar, which means that there is no downtime in this video - just great signing from beginning to end.   

Watching this video, you immediately realize that The Birds are singing with the anointing.  Being able to see the service on video you also recognize that these guys are really enjoying themselves and are truly ministering to the audience. 

The quality of the sound is great.  There are no highs or lows in the sound quality.  The recording level is consistent throughout the video.  There are some dark spots on the video.  However, this does not take away from the historical nature of this video.  In years to come, you will be glad that you added this video to your collection. 

The project was recorded at Salem Baptist Church, Atlanta, Georgia.  It is on the AIR (Atlanta International Record) label.

There are no interviews on this video.  You get sixty (60) minutes of nothing but pure, refreshing and traditional rooted singing from the Birds.

If you like good hard hitting gospel quartet music than you must add this video from The Legendary Dixie Hummingbirds to your collection.  We give this video 9.5 out of 10. 

Top 5 Gospel Quartet Videos

5. SoulLink II - Live

The Williams Brothers & Their Superstar Friends