Customer Reviews

Gospel Parade

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This latest recording from DL&Q, the group takes their music in a different direction. In recent years, since the addition of Barry Scott to the group, the piano has played a substantial part in their live show. It was not until this latest release that fans were able to hear the recorded versions of some of those live favorites. For die hard bluegrass fans, hearing the piano play prominently on a bluegrass album may be hard to swallow, but this writer finds it a welcome addition. The album has more of a southern gospel feel to it, which is not something DL&Q are known for, but if any bluegrass band can pull it off, they can. I gave four stars because when compared to some of their other, more bluegrass style, recordings, this one would rank near the top, but it is hard to beat "Winding Through Life" and "Kept and Protected". Also, I am sure that the exit of Doug Bartlett and the addition of Hunter Barry on fiddle during the recording phase caused some difficulties as the band tried to gel as a new unit right in the middle of a recording. However, when I compare this album to most bluegrass recordings from other groups out on the market this year, it would rate a five. A fair attempt by DL&Q is still better than the best effort most other groups have to offer.

God bless Doyle Lawson and Quicksilver, apresentation of the Word with the finest musicianship and inspired vocals

Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver are a musical treasure to be sure. Their vocal harmony is unsurpassed. This album reflects that, but there is one gem in particular I have to weigh in on: "The Best is Yet to Come" written by Carl Jackson. This was my dad's favorite song (and is one of mine). He had it set on "repeat" in his car as he drove every day back and forth to visit my mom as she recovered from a stroke. The stress of those events got the best of him, and he died of a sudden heart attack. We played this song at his funeral, and I like to think that he still has it on repeat somewhere. I know these reviews aren't supposted to consist of sentimental memories, but isn't that what music does for us? Doesn't each of us have a soundtrack for life? Doyle Lawson has always been a family favorite, and Carl Jackson's legendary songwriting skills really shine here. Thank you to all who gave this song to my dad. If you only hear one song on this CD, make it this one.

This album from Doyle Lawson covers a lot of gospel ground and influences, that is fairly obvious from one listen through. If you do not like it at first give it a little time I thought I made a mistake when I first purchased this album. When I first heard the piano I was at first a little dissapointed (being such a traditional bluegrass guy) but only this band can pull it off and do it right, which they do for us here.

I really like that there is a focus on different styles on this album even if there is some of it I do not think is that great. The songs that I really love on this album and there are a number of them are, "Some of These Days" because of the piano work and impressive vocal timing and harmonies, "Movin Up" has a similar feel. The best song is where you see more of the bluegrass influence with "Have You Met My Friend" it is a true and magical song about Christ. "Gloryland Boogie" has that old time southern quarter feel and is pretty impressive.

If you do not like this album at first give it a little time, it does really grow on you. I also like Doyle Lawson's more pure bluegrass sound, but this album really highlights some fascinating old time and versatile gospel music.

This CD starts out great, but quickly degenerates into more traditional southern gospel quartet music than bluegrass. If that's what you like, you'll like this album, but if you're more into Doyle Lawson's earlier sound, you'll cringe at the syrupy use of pedal steel and rinky-tink gospel piano. Even the vocal blend goes astray at times. If you like Lawson's earlier albums, listen to the samples before you spring for this one. I love many kinds of acoustic music, from traditional to modern, but have never acquired a taste for this kind of gospel. As an old Quicksilver fan, I find this CD a disappointment. Variety is fine, but this CD is schizophrenic in its clashing styles.

This is one of the best gospel CD I have heard they are a wonderful group of singers