Customer Reviews

Standing in the Safety Zone

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I've caught the Fairfield Four every now and then, on various radio shows (e-town) and TV specials (like the recent dedication to Johnny Cash), and have always been impressed with their smooth harmonies. So I picked up this CD on a lark. Words fail me, but here goes.

Take a closer look at the 5 men on the CD cover. During their five decades of performing the best gospel music (with 20 years' time off) they've seen it all, from desperately hard times to vicious bigots, yet their commitment and sincerity has carried them through. And this experience shows- when you hear the Fairfield Four sing you're listening to over 300 years of pain, heartbreak, love, faith, and joy.

On this recording, two of the Four really stand out: Walter Settles (center, behind), who carries the lead on 5 songs (including the stellar "Standing in the Safety Zone"), could have taught Otis Redding something about soul (and maybe he did). And upon hearing Isaac Freeman (far right) sing bass, Garrison Keillor said "Some can and some can't." He knew where he stood.

There's not a bad song on this CD. For me, "Roll Jordan Roll," performed with the Nashville Bluegrass Band, and "Standing in the Safety Zone" are the highlights. If you like a capella music, it doesn't get any better than this.

Funny how so many of the reviewers say the same thing: "I'm not really religious but..." No matter who (or what) you believe in, you can't help but be moved by the Fairfield Four.

Isaac "Dickie" Freeman, the bass singer in this group, is the reason I love this CD so much. I got to hear this group live several years ago and was just blown away. Listen to the track "Roll Jordan Roll" and the nice smooth way the Nashville Bluegrass Band starts off. They are a great group in their own right, but when Freeman comes in and starts the rest of the Fairfield Four's contribution, it's a whole different song!
This CD was recorded before the death of some of the original members of the world's "oldest teenage group." Highly recommended!

Standing in the Safety Zone by the Fairfield Four is my all-time favorite gospel title in my music collection!

The first track sounds a bit crackly and lo-fi. If you were to listen to this track and judge the CD, you would be very mistaken about the quality of sound from this recording. The first song is an older track, but all the subsequent tracks are crystal clear, moving and engaging.

Although this is a gospel title, I love to play this for friends to show off my high end audio system. The vocals are spacious, harmonious and full of life. The recording is superb and the performance is fantastic. I especially like the bass vocals on this album. The sound is exceptional, but the songs are uplifting and moving as well. This is a recording that will touch your ears and your heart.

I heard about this CD in one of my high end audio magazines. They used this CD to test some esoteric audio gear and they raved about how good it was. That review intrigued me, so I bought a copy and it remains one of my favorites.

Unless you are offended by Christian lyrics, get this album now! You will be in for a real treat!

The Fairfield Four are a treasure, and I first encountered them on this album, which they released after returning to the studio after several silent decades. As a blues listener, I had always wanted to find a way into African-American gospel music, and this album showed me the direction. From new arrangements of two hundred year old spirituals ("Roll, Jordan, Roll") to new songs, the group puts to shame most of the treacly gospel music being released today. Here is music that draws on the first original American art form, the African-American spiritual, making it new while retaining its essential beauty.

It's just a group of men singing, no big bands or pop music messing things up. Although they aren't fancy trained opera singers, the vocal clarity is superb and they really have soul, probably because they never were trying to become famous, rich entertainers. It doesn't bother me at all that the lyrics are predominantly christian even though I'm not religious, the music really uplifts my spirits, especially the incredible, smooth bass. I have listened many times to their CD's and still love them.

Yes, the Fairfield Four are a treasure. This is the only gospel title in my collection and SITSZ is without question *one* of my favorite discs of all time. If you can listen to Roll Jordan Roll or Swing Low Sweet Chariot without being profoundly touched, seek medical attention.

This is not to be missed music. "Roll Jordan" will pull you right out of your socks. The harmonies blend with the seamlessness of years and years together. I bought it for the music but I stayed because of faith.

Words fail me, but this CD by the Fairfield Four never does. I can't remember how I found it, but it's been a strong favorite in my CD collection for years now. Impeccable performances, marvelous voices, beautiful spirit - nourishment for ears, soul and spirit. This morning I started importing CDs into my iTunes collection, and this one is on top of the stack. Thank you, Fairfield Four, for making this recording. It's truly one for the ages.

bought this cd for a friend for Christmas. she loves it their music. great men singing about our perfect Jesus.

I found out about this CD while at an audio show. It was being used as a system demo CD. It's not hard to understand why. The sound quality is superb. The material is also uniformly good. Although it helps to like gospel music, you can enjoy this CD just for the music and the performance alone. The content is a bonus for those who love gospel music. Audiophiles can use "My Lord Called Me" to demo their system. I would have loved to see this group live.