Blue Gate Theatre
Concert Review: The Hoppers (8/23/18)
I first saw the Hoppers in August of 1990. A man who had tuned our piano asked if my brother and I would like to go with him to a concert, and I jumped at the opportunity! Mostly I was impressed that the man had kept his word that he would take me to a concert sometime. Too many people say things like that but never follow through. Although I have seen them a number of times since, I never tire of watching Claude, Connie, Dean, Kim, Mike, and Karlye sing.
Six weeks ago, I had the opportunity to see them again. Only this time, it was my dad that went with me. My dad is not a southern gospel fan and used to make fun of the music, so I was very blessed when he seemed to be enjoying himself. He even cracked up at Claude’s jokes. I smiled.
The concert began with Dean, Kim, Karlye, and Mike singing Life Is Good, If We Ever Gotta Look and God Already Knew. I don’t remember when Claude and Connie joined them, but I think it was on Yahweh. Gary Prim accompanied them on the piano. That is a name I’ve seen on recordings but I don’t believe I had ever seen him in person.
They sang God Bless the USA and then sang a few songs off of their latest project which was published by Gaither Music: I Wouldn’t Take Nothing for my Journey, After a While, and Lord, Lead Me On. Connie then sang I’ve Come Too Far, after which they continued with Yes I Am, Jerusalem, and Something’s Happening. Karlye sang My Ransom, and they ended with Shouting Time.
Kim had a bit of laryngitis which affected her speaking but not her singing. She did a great job.
Concert/CD Review: Battle Cry (The Kingsmen)
Friday night, I had the blessing of seeing the Kingsmen once again. I was surprised at how many of the songs they sang were off of their new CD since I typically expect to hear a fair number of old favorites. I was not disappointed, however. This CD has some great songs as well.
This is the second time I have seen this particular group in concert, and I am impressed with both Bob Sellers and Chris Jenkins. They are doing a great job. People talk about the Kingsmen’s heyday in the 1980s but I’ve never liked the Kingsmen as much as I have in the last ten or so years. This group is no exception.
The concert began with Beautiful City, an uptempo song about Heaven.
Then they sang one of their old songs, Meet Me at the Table.
Come and Dine is taken from the story where Jesus cooked fish for the disciples and fed them when they had been fishing all day but caught nothing. The second verse talks about arriving Heaven and being invited to come and dine at the Banquet Table.
Scripture says that God orders the steps of the righteous. I’ve Never Seen the Righteous Forsaken reminds us that God is in control no matter what you are going through. God will supply your every need.
Randy Crawford introduced the group and then they sang I Know, which talks about the joy of knowing you’re saved. It is possible to know.
A Kingsmen concert would not be complete without including their classic, Glory Road.
They included a summary of their old hit Excuses and then Randy Crawford sang a song he wrote, Here I Stand Amazed.
Oh Yes I Am is the current #1 song across America. This was the first I’d heard it but I love it. Uptempo, this song is an encouraging message about going Home. Chris Jenkins puts energy into this song.
After a brief intermission, they came back to sing the title track from their new CD, Battle Cry. This is a great song. There is a time to rest but there is a time to answer the battle cry.
Faith is self-explanatory. Great harmony to some encouraging lyrics.
Ray Reese sang Healing Stream and then they sang another old song, When My Feet Touch the Streets of Gold.
Cross of Grace is a powerful song about the cross.
They did a great a cappella arrangement of There is a Fountain Filled With Blood and ended with the chorus of their very popular song from the 1980s, Stand Up.
Songs not sung in concert:
Daryl Williams and Scott Inman wrote the toe-tapping quartet song, He Took Away My Burden.
It Should Have Rained is an interesting song about the Crucifixion.
