What Are Your Top 10 Southern Gospel Recordings?
If you were stranded on a desert island and could only have 10 CDs, which ones would they be? I actually was faced with that a couple months ago. Well, I wasn’t stranded on an island but we were going to be away for several weeks and I needed to limit the CDs to what would fit in my travel case. I ended up taking about 30 (I’m not good at downscaling) but if I were to limit it to 10 CDs I never get tired of, it would be as follows: (These are not in any order; I’m just listing them as they come to mind.)
Brian Free and Assurance: “Worth It”
Brian Free and Assurance: “It’s So God”
Kingdom Heirs: “True to the Call”
Perrys: “Look No Further”
The Freemans: “The Very Best of … and More”
The Freemans: “Highway”
Brothers Forever: “Sheltered”
Karen Peck and New River: “Triumph”
The Roy Knight Singers: “Greener Pastures”
The Primitive Quartet: “35th Anniversary”
Now that I’ve listed those, I think of others that I’d just have to find a way to smuggle as well but I guess I’ll have to leave them behind for now. I’d love to hear which CDs have been the most meaningful to you.
On second thought, I may just have to get stranded twice. 🙂 On the next round, I’d take:
The Primitive Quartet: “I’m Looking Through New Eyes”
The Rambos: “Collection: Volume 1”
The Rambos: “Collection: Volume 2”
The Ruppes: “Something Old, Something New”
The Hinsons: “Live and On Stage”
The Hinsons: “On the Road”
Brian Free and Assurance: “Live at New York City”
The Freemans Concert Series Volumes 1, 2, 3
Okay. Now it’s your turn. Think about it because this is all you’ll have to listen to for a month.
I’m a relatively new fan, so I didn’t have quite as hard a time as a long-time listener would have, but it was still really hard. I’ve finally decided on these:
Mercy’s Mark Quartet self titled project and Something’s Happening
Triumphant – Everyday and Treasures
Paid In Full – No Trace of Rain and Lovin’ Out Loud
Greater Vision – Hymns of the Ages
Christian Davis – Make It Real
Jeff Stice – Rhyming Notes
Booth Brothers – either Live in Lakeland or Ronnie’s solo album (not the Elvis one although that one’s great, too!)
Gold City – either 24 K Gold or The Very Best of GC – until the new albums come out!
HisSong – On the Way Up
Mark Trammell solo album – Treasures of the Heart
Kingdom Heirs – Going On with the Song
Roy Webb – Continual Praise
Michael Howard – Reflections of Faith
Daybreak Quartet – Hymns
I have a section on my blog named Favorites with my lists of favorite projects and songs. Here is my list of favorite projects:
1. Gold City – Preparing The Way
2. Cathedrals – Travelin’ Live
3. Gold City – Windows Of Home
4. Imperials – Imperials (early 70s, aka The Song Of Love)
5. Greater Vision – 20 Inspirational Favorites
6. Gold City – Walk The Talk
7. Gold City – What A Great Lifestyle
8. Singing Americans – Black & White
9. Imperials – Live (1973)
10. Brian Free & Assurance – Things That Last Forever
Honorable Mentions:
* Gold City – Pillars Of Faith
* Gold City – A 10 Year Celebration
* Gold City – Classics
* Gold City – Signed, Sealed, Delivered
* Greater Vision – The King Came Down
* Singing Americans – Live & Alive
* Cathedrals – Master Builder
* Cathedrals – Colors Of His Love
* Kingsmen – Big & Live
* Booth Brothers – This Stage Of Grace
* Palmetto State Quartet – There’s Something Going On
* Harbingers Quartet – The Cause Of The Cross
Brandon, Most of the recordings you listed are among my favorites as well and the ones that aren’t, I haven’t heard. How fun that we have similar tastes.
1. LIVE NATURALLY-THE KINGSMEN 2. J.D. & STAMPS-LET’S HAVE CHURCH 3. BRIAN FREE & ASSURANCE-THINGS THAT LAST FOREVER. 4. DIXIE ECHOES-SOUNDS OF SUNDAY. 5. BLUE RIDGE QUARTET-LIVE ON STAGE 6. KINGSMEN-LIVE IN ORLANDO 7. TRIBUTE QUARTET-MY TRIBUTE 8. TRIUMPHANT QUARTET-TRIUMPHANT QUARTET 9. TONEY BROTHERS-WONDERFUL GRACE 10. IT’S NOT SG BUT THE DIXIE HUMMINGBIRDS-DIAMOND JUBILEE
I like the soundtracks to the Gaither Homecoming programs because there’s so much variety in them. So, for a month’s worth of listening paradise, I’d take:
Rock of Ages/How Great Thou Art/Amazing Grace
Irish HC/Whispering Hope
London HC
Live in Toronto/Canadian HC
Nashville HC
And…Reunited, Gaither Vocal Band