Hidden Gems: The Downings – “I Find No Fault In Him”

While this song may not be a “hidden” gem, I think this particular version of the song is definitely a “forgotten” gem.  Though I believe JD Sumner and The Stamps are more known for the song, the Downings also had a great live version on their album This Is How It Is…Live.  Personnel were Joy (Dyson) Gardner, Ann Downing, Dony McGuire, Wayne Hilliard, Paul Downing, and Mack Peters playing bass.  Joy is the featured vocalist and she absolutely knocks this song out of the park.  She delivers a very powerful and emotional lead vocal, supported by some really nice harmonies from the rest of the group on the choruses.  The tag is impressive as well, as the intensity is ratcheted way up on the broadening of the line “and that’s how Jesus purchased my salvation”, then drops to a quiet “now I find no fault in him.”  The last word is sustained by Joy while the group sings some wordless moving chords behind her that finally resolve to the I chord.  This performance cements Gardner as one of the most dynamic sopranos this genre has ever seen.  Pull out your LP copy and spin this song up.  If you don’t own this album, Ann Downing has it available on CD here as part of a 3 pack of Downing CDs.  It’s a great album all around!