Southern Gospel’s Sgt. Pepper and Pet Sounds

In rock music, The Beatles’ Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band and The Beach Boys’ Pet Sounds are widely regarded as the two landmark albums of rock history. Both albums were full of great songs, no “filler” and produced several major hits. They also had a major influence on artists following them.

What would be considered the landmark albums in Southern Gospel history? Applying the same criteria as above, I would have to posit Gold City’s Pillars of Faith and the Cathedrals Symphony of Praise. Both albums have nothing on them that are really considered filler, as all of the songs are great, and both provided several hits. For GC, “There Rose A Lamb”, “If God Be For Us”, and “One More Time Will Do It” were all major chart hits. For the Cathedrals, you have “Champion Of Love”, “This Ol’ House”, and “For What Earthly Reason”. Those are the two that first come to my mind, but I am certainly open to other suggestions. Have at it. Remember, every song has to be great, and several hit singles (3 or more) that have withstood the test of time, as well as influencing artists and later recordings.

Canaan Records Signs Lefevre Quartet

According to a press release on the Singing News website, Canaan Records has signed the Lefevre Quartet to its label.  Quite an interesting move.  You have a bona fide cash cow in the Hoppers, now they have gone for an up and coming artist in the Lefevre Quartet.  I’m not really familiar with the group, obviously I am with Mike Lefevre, but lack of SG radio here has kept me from really hearing any of their stuff, other than the occasional sound clip here and there on the web.  I will say that having the vast resources that Canaan will bring should do wonders for these guys, and I would not be surprised if they become major players in the field in a relatively short amount of time.