TBGB Reviews…House of Gospel Anthology: The 80s, Volume 1

House of Gospel Anthology
The 80s, Volume 1
Light Records 2007

Light Records has been busy these past few years digging through catalogs – its own and others’ – for gospel classics to reissue. The current concept, “House of Gospel Anthologies,” is its most ingenious yet. If the first installment, a focus on the 1980s, is any indication, the remainder of the series will be definitely worth a listen.

Unlike the mass manufactured, electronic and heavily hair-sprayed sound of the pop 1980s, 1980s gospel music is quite pleasant, even though it is a very different bird from the pre-1970s traditional sound. The decade and its superstars served as a bridge between the contemporary gospel movement of the late 1960s and 1970s and the street toughness of urban gospel that blossomed in the 1990s under the direction of John P. Kee, Kirk Franklin, and O’Landa Draper.

The superstars of the 1980s are well represented on the anthology. Selections range from the deep and hearty vocals of Douglas Miller to the soft soul of the Winans, to the truly transitional work of Daryl Coley and Commisioned. Particularly memorable moments on the CD are Sandra Crouch’s “Completely Yes,” with the COGIC “Yes Lord” chant motif woven throughout; the sing-along “Hold Up the Light” from Donnie Harper and the New Jersey Mass Choir; Vickie Winans’ dramatic high note at the conclusion of “We Shall Behold Him,” and the L.A. Mass Choir’s “Take Up Your Cross” with its traditional feel in three-quarter time.

Even those who own these recordings on vinyl will want to check out the CD because of the appreciable improvement in fidelity that digital sound reproduction affords.

Light Records plans to reissue 1970s, 1990s and 21st century recordings under its House of Gospel Anthology banner. Since music from the latter two decades is still very much available, I recommend that the next installment be the 1970s.

Three of Four Stars