Mark Lowry sent out an email last week saying that today, June 15th, he would be setting up a webcam so we could watch the GVB in the recording process. I think it’s the all-new one and not the ballads project, but either way, it should be interesting to watch.
The stream is already started at the time of this writing, so come on down! I’ll be Twittering on it occasionally, so you can find me here and follow the tweets! =)
I think I might have called one! Haha
Looking around at Gaither Community (which I really should do more often), I came across a thread where you could put together an imaginary 15-track CD of songs for the new GVB lineup to re-record. Naturally, this turned into a thread of songs we hoped would be on one of the new projects that the GVB is in the process of recording.
Michael English was nice enough to drop in and confirm two of the songs for us: one was “Sweeter As The Days Go By.” The other was a song that I and my friend Jeremy Bell at VASG had suggested for the new group: “House Of Gold.”
As you can tell, this excites me all the more for this new stuff.
I had the privilege of attending this April 26 concert. I call it a privilege simply because it was an awesome night.
The concert opened up with Bill Gaither singing “Old Friends” and interacting with the audience. He then introduced Sue Dodge, a native of Northern VA and has been featured on many of the Homecoming videos. She was followed by a three-song set by Gordon Mote consisting of “All That Noise,” “Mercy Walked In,” and “Don’t Let Me Miss The Glory.” The videos that went with Mote’s songs really added to the performances.
Ben Speer was featured on one song. It is good to see a legend like that still chugging along at such an advanced age. Janet Paschal did a two-song set to follow.
Ernie Haase & Signature Sound charged the crowd up with their energetic song list. They brought David Griffith with them to play bass guitar, giving them a complete live band with Kevin Williams on guitar, Grit on bass, Greg Ritchie on drums, and Wayne Haun at piano. The crowd ate it up, warranting several completely live encores of “Get Away Jordan,” in one particular instance. Judging by the response, it is a pretty safe bet that EH&SS will carry out what they mentioned a while ago about adding a live band to their solo concerts. (Side note: Since the time of this writing, they’ve announced that they are adding a three-piece band for their 2009 Summer Tour, at least.)
Another thing I have noticed with EH&SS lately (and this concert further confirmed it) is that their stage presence has definitely matured over time. It’s not all about the choreography and dancing around anymore; rather, that’s become a small part of their set, and they are now more of a throwback to the old quartets. Most of their set was done around two mics, even throwing in an impressively tight-harmony a capella rendition of “Wonderful Grace Of Jesus.” Sure, the energy is very much still there, but they’re giving the naysayers a whole lot less to complain about.
Lynda Randle followed up with two songs, the latter in tribute to a couple that happened to be in the arena that helped her into a Christian school. Bill Gaither encored it a couple times, and then the lights went completely out. If you’ve read recent concert reviews and kept an eye on Youtube, you can guess what happened next; the new GVB started into “Alpha & Omega,” with the lights progressing up as the song went on.
I came to the concert not knowing what to expect from the new GVB. I’d heard they were incredible, and I’d seen the Youtube clips, but unless you hear something like that for yourself, it’s all talk.
All those who are unsure about the new lineup, go catch a concert soon. I have heard every lineup the GVB has ever had, and I can honestly say that this one is the best. The blend is superb, and each singer is impressive in his own right. David Phelps and Wes Hampton alternating on tenor makes for a great high range. Michael English is sounding more and more like his old self again, and is clearly having the time of his life. Mark Lowry has matured in both voice and stage presence. Sure, he’s still the clown, but his serious side has developed a whole lot since he went off on his own. Even Bill, at the ripe old age of 73, is still sounding good. I was particularly impressed at his bass slide on the end of “He Touched Me.” Tim Duncan was nowhere to be seen, so I was surprised that something that low could come out of Bill Gaither.
The second half was a typical Homecoming gathering, with different singers singing old songs. The concert closed with a powerful version of “Because He Lives,” followed by “Holy Highway.” All in all, it was a fantastic night, and one that showed a bright future for the GVB. I am eagerly awaiting the two projects that they are currently at work on.
My friend Jeremy Bell over at VA Southern Gospel was in attendance and took many pictures, which can be viewed here, here, and here.
After months of many people (including myself) wondering what the former GVB baritone would be doing, he posted an announcement at Gaither Community As some have said already, he has accepted a position as worship leader at a church in Arizona. However, he’s not done traveling and singing yet, as the church is allowing him to have a small solo career as well as take the aforementioned position.
Hall will be recording a project with Daywind Records over the next few months.
According to a press release on Gaither.com, the new Gaither Vocal Band will be taking a solo tour starting in September, emphasizing the fact that three of the five were with the group once before. There are about four dates up at the moment, with more to follow.
I’m hoping the tour will be coming to VA so I can catch a GVB-only concert. The GVB hasn’t done anything as headliner group since probably before I was born, aside from an occasional video like Give It Away. It’s been mostly the Homecoming circuit for them, with a smattering of events with just one or two other groups. Count me among those who have been waiting for something like this for a good long while.
Now, on a totally different note, yesterday marked the two year anniversary of when I started this blog in 2007. It’s been quite a thrill watching the opportunities and readership that God has (and continues to) bless me with through this blog. Thank you all for reading!
Hat tip goes to Kyle Boreing for this.
For all those who still think Michael English was a bad replacement for Guy Penrod, check out this recent clip of the group. English’s vocals these days are sounding as good as they did his first time around with the GVB. I think I may even prefer this new lineup’s version to the one with Guy!
Needless to say, this excites me all the more to hear it in person at the end of the month. And, if this is any indication of what we’ll hear on the next project from these guys, it’ll be a “home run” project!
Another video: Here’s another video of the same concert and location of the new group singing “It Is Finished.” Keith Waggoner (tenor for the Liberty Quartet) was there the night they did this and he said that David Phelp’s high note at the end of his verse was the highest he’d heard him go on this song. He estimated it was either a high E-flat or E. It’s fantastic either way.
It would seem that Gaither has discovered the value of Youtube.
After seeing the hype it generated for the GVB Reunion videos, he used it to do so for the new Oak Ridge Boys video.
And now, he’s giving the world a taste of the new five-man Gaither Vocal Band in this video showing highlights of their debut in Orlando, Florida.
The guys sound fantastic, Michael English especially. This is much better than he sounded in the first clip of the Reunion video, and he sounds a lot like he did in his first GVB stint. He sounds great on “Let Freedom Ring” especially (which sounds like it has been lowered half a step. It still sounds just as powerful!)
I am greatly looking forward to seeing this group for myself in Charlottesville, VA on April 26th.
It’s been a busy past few days for me, so here are some news items I’ve had to catch up on:
1. Brian Free & Assurance’s New Project and Website – The sound clips were put up just yesterday. The guys are definitely continuing in the Progressive vein of Real Faith. I can’t wait to hear this project, as it will definitely be more geared toward the current lineup than Real Faith, which was put together before Keith Plott left the group and re-recorded with Jeremy Lile.
2. Gaither Vocal Band Wins A Grammy – The group’s latest album, Lovin’ Life garnered the award. Many are scratching their heads over it; I will agree that it’s not the best project the group has ever released, but it’s not terrible either. Congrats, GVB.
3. Gaither To Release Oak Ridge Boys video – I had read a couple months ago that the video was being recorded. Nice to see it finally get a release date.
During the rehearsals of the new group this past week, they have come out with a new photo of the group:
I think it’s safe to say that it’s better than the first one!
My friend Jeremy Bell has an interesting post at his blog that casts the spotlight on a lineup that is quite similar to that of the new group: Mark Lowry, David Phelps, Michael English, and Guy Penrod singing “House Of Gold” on one of the earlier Gaither videos. He states that the current lineup can probably sound pretty close to that.
I am quite confident that this new lineup is capable of tackling that song and sounding great on it. Wes Hampton would either take Penrod’s spot in the song or he and English would switch spots. The former is probably the best route to take. If any of them read this, this song would certainly help prove that the new lineup is up to par (Bill could add his part if he so chose) and it would probably gain quite a response from the crowd.
If the new lineup can attain a sound similar to the one shown in the video, they’ll have it made.
