Customer Reviews

Is My Living in Vain

5 star:		(24)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
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The Dynamic Clark Sisters truly know how to sing their behinds off!!!!! (Excuse the Expression). They are annointed of God to sing the Gospel of Jesus Christ-- and they can preach, too, ya'll! Their late mother (who also leads a lovely song on this great cd) must have worked hard to train them, and the fruits of her labor are ripe and sweet. They were all raised, and continue to work in, the Church of God in Christ, and we "COGIC" folks are proud of them... I know I am, anyway. This album is defenately a MUST-HAVE for any gospel fan, be they contemperary-minded, or old school. One thing is for sure; the Clark sisters have always been "ahead of their time." This truth is evident in the beats, tonalities, and chording of their music. This is mostly thanks to the Great Twinkie, one of the greatest organist, plausably THE greatest church organists ever in the History of the Hammond organ! She plays skillfuly for the duration of the cd. She sings whilst she plays! She studied classical music, and uses techniques and sounds from that great genre (and jazz), and weaves it all together with good-ole historicaly Black Gospel/ church music. One number in particular, namely, "Now is the Time," is most poignant of all for me. It has a beautiful heavy, bitter-sweet meloncholy sound... with a dash of urgency and peace. I could only think of the movie, Passion while listening. This cd is worth every penny. I dare you to listen and not be touched in some way. Truly Powerful.

The clark sisters(dorinda, jackie, denise, karen and twinkie) release "Is my living in vain?" is pure classic from the opening title track(remade in the 90's by r&b camp Xscape on their debut) to the last. Recorded live in the early 80's its unimaginable how good the sound quality is. "Now is the time" is beautiful. Their voices blend so well it sounds as if there are only two vocalists when there are actually five! "Pure Gold" is a message song that touches the heart. Listening to Karen Clark(now Clark-Sheard) wail at the end takes you back to church quicker than you can waive your hand fan with martin luther king jr's picture on it!!!! This is essential for any fan of gospel music.

The Clark Sisters' "Is My Living In Vain" is without doubt one of my all-time top ten favorite albums in any genre. I find myself listening to the entire album almost everyday whether in the morning, during the day or at night. Every song on the album is a Spirit-filled message from God delivered with anointed voices of praise. This is simply a timeless album that can be listened to for years. You'll never get tired of listening to this album, just like you'll never get tired of reading the Bible. You can listen to and read them over and over and get blessed each time you meditate and let them minister to your soul.

The title song "Is My Living in Vain" is universal and lets everyone know that every aspect and event in life has a purpose. It's all part of God's divine plan for us all. "Ha-Ya (Eternal Life)" makes you want to get up and start shouting and praising. It shows that a simple praise can mean so much. "Salvation Means" is a true song of worship that simply expresses what having the Lord in your life means. Nothing this world can give unto me is worth losing my Salvation over. "Now Is The Time" conveys the message that today is the day to live for the Lord, because tomorrow is not promised. "Pure Gold" is a treasure with heavenly voices intwined together to bring about the essence of who we are in God when we live for Him. "They Were Overcome (By The Word)" is a spiritual blessing and lets you know the effect the word of God can have on people's souls. "Speak Lord" is truly my favorite on the album. It's a prayer to me and it's divinely sung by the angelic voice of Karen Clark-Sheard. This song endowed upon my spirit the power of speech while allowing myself to be an instrument of God's praise and worship. I simply need God to speak through me and to let Him have his way in me. This song is truly a prayer, a meditation and an exaltation to the Lord Jesus Christ. Through Him all fears are cast away, and we can speak with boldness what we want to bring into existence by faith! "Expect Your Miracle" is a classic that inspires you not to give up, but to know your miracle is on its way.

I love this album and still today after it was recorded a couple of decades ago it is timeless. If you want to listen to a good gospel album without all the fluff. Something that is spiritually and scriptually based on the word of God, and sung by voices that God anointed from Heaven. Look no further than this album. It has blessed my soul and it brings me closer to God every time I listen to it. God is Love!

This is truly a classic gospel album, probably the best you can get from those years. The Clarck Sisters clearly remain as a top reference in the gospel music panorama, even today, and listening to this album you can know how did it begin. This is an honest, no-make-up-added recording and it has a bluessy-funky feeling, that will never get old. Musically great and God inspired, just the way a Gospel album should be. If you consider yourself a Gospel fan, I dont know how could you possibly not have this album yet.

This album is a great inspiration particularly for fans of the Clark Sisters. I never get fed up of listening to it. Particular favourites are Speak Lord by Karen Clark and Now is the Time. I can't think of any gospel group that has a vocal blend as excellent as theirs. Worth every penny!

This CD is a collectors Item. This is one of the best live recording from that era. Not only is Twinkie Clark playing the organ in the live session, but went and overdubbed the moog bass and string ensemble as well. The title cut is great with sisters singing seperatley and then harmonizing as well. Ha-Ya (Hebrew for life) is a cute song, but it's also funky. Reminds me of Sly a little. Listen to "pure gold & Speak Lord" and you will know that Twinkie writes about a God she knows and not one that she's heard about.

Get this and get blessed.

This album is a must have to anyone who likes good singing. These woman not only can sing, but these songs are timeless.
The title track is a great opening.There voices blend so well together there is no way to tell who is singing certain parts on almost every song.These woman's voices are uncanny.
My favorites:
Speak Lord feat. Karen Clark and Is My Living In Vain.

This CD is HOT! The CLark SIsters is the #1 female gospel group in the world. THe sisters are phenomenal. The have excellent harmony whether it be live or audio. I tell you go out and purchase this CD if you don't you won't know what you missed.

From start to finish, this album is truly amazing.

Is My Living In Vain- All 5 sisters take turns singing parts of this, and when they get into it, it is truly magical, of course they get a little help from really cool organ and WICKED percussion , in a good way.

Ha-Ya - My favorite track . It's a discoey funk that celebrates a Hebrew tongue for Christ.

Salvation - I was listening and singing along to this song while driving home from work last night. It features the almost never featured Jacky Clark Chisholm on lead and is probably her best singing ever. Ya gotta feel bad for her , tho. Always being overshadowed by her younger sisters.

Now is the time - Gorgeous ballad with all sisters singing together.

Pure Gold - This track explains to white people why us black folk go to church. Listening to this and tell me it doesn't put you back in the church pew on a Sunday morning. A very young Karen Clark makes this number shine.

Overcome - I like the harmonies in this one. Their mother takes the lead on this one.

Speak Lord- Baby sister Karen outdoes herself again.

Expect Your Miracle - This is a Clark classic. The sisters sang this on TBN sometime in 2005 with Donnie McClurkin and Kim Burrell. Ms. Burrell honestly thought she can do better vocal acrobats than Karen. Isn't that sad?

This is a WONDERFUL CD an an excellent price. You are missing out if you haven't heard it.

Yes It's Anointed And Yolk Breaking It's all That!

But From A Pure Profesional Recording Stand Point
This Is Undoubtedly One Of The Best Live Gospel Recordings
That I Have Ever Heard, From An Engineering Stand point!

Well Worth Your Soul & Your Moneys Worth!

BUY IT TODAY !