Recording old music with new personnel
January 8, 2009 9 Comments
Turnover in groups occurs often in Southern Gospel Music. Some groups go back and record previously released material with the current lineups. This morning I had newsletters in my inbox from both The Dove Brothers and Greater Vision announcing new projects that fall along these lines. The one by The Dove Brothers is coming out in the Spring to mark their 10th Anniversary. Greater Vision’s is now available online and has songs they have recorded with previous members (Chris Allman, Mark Trammell, and Jason Waldroup) and also has a few songs they’ve never had available before.
I’ve seen this done by Gold City, The Perrys, and The Kingdom Heirs after having major changes to their group. Greater Vision also did one before called “Sing It Again!” What are some other groups you have seen do this? Is there anyone you’d like to see record one?
The Booth Brothers re-cut their “Beyond The Cross” project with Joseph Smith on baritone and Michael on tenor.
Legacy Five re-cut “Heritage v3″ with Frank Seamans after Tony Jarman left.
The Oaks did a CD a few years back where they covered some of their gospel hits, like “Jesus Is Coming Soon” and “I Know.” Gaither recuts songs all the time by current groups (recently with “Build An Ark”).
The Kingsmen did Southern Classics and Kingsmen Classics when
Bryan Hutson joined and then they did a volume two of each when Jerry Martin joined a year or so later.
I’d prefer to see current groups investing in new arrangements and songs we haven’t heard popularized in the past. If a group is going to re-record music with a current line-up, I would like to see them put their own distinctive stamp on the song.
With that established, I suppose my choice would be the current Gold City. With Bruce at the lead position, they could completely redefine some of their classic songs.
By the way, another group that did this within the past couple of years is the Imperials with their great _Back To The Roots_ CD.
Then there’s the Chuck Wagon Gang, Russ Taff, and Janet Paschal who have recorded similar projects of remakes from their past.
Some have differed notably from the original versions, but most bring very little that’s new to the table. This is unfortunate.
DBM, Gold City has tracks finished for a “Classics v2″ type project, but I wonder if they will ever get around to laying down the vocals. The tracks have been finished for almost two years.
Bill- That Volume 2 collection is awesome! Also had some neat covers on it of other group’s songs.
DBM- I know what you mean. When Gold City did Classics, 3 of the 4 vocalists were new. If they were to do a Classics 2 as Brandon mentioned, all 4 vocals would be different and there should be some originality there hopefully. I agree about hearing Bruce putting his spin on the songs. He has a great sound.
The difference, though, is that on the first GC Classics project, they used the original tracks with new vocals. Will they be doing the same again, or doing completely new tracks? I’m pretty sure I’ve heard the track for “In My Robe Of White” used a couple times live.
I’d love to hear some new/updated tracks. I really enjoyed the tracks on the 2 Southern Selections CDs that Mercy’s Mark did. Especially on the remake of Gonna Be Movin’. That was a rockin’ track.