TBGB Reviews…The Virginia Aires

Live – In the Country
The Virginia Aires
Dove Records
www.firstliterecords.com

Live – In the Country is a gem of a quartet program in a jewel case.

It is not easy being a quartet from Virginia. It’s like being a choir from Chicago: lots of competition, plenty of superb groups on every block. The Virginia Aires – Min. Rodney “Mailman” Mills, Valry “BaBa” Spence, Rondell Shannon, Cory Shaw and Kenny Halsey – demonstrate on their live CD that they rank among the finest the state has to offer. And that’s saying something.

The Virginia Aires are a hard-singing quartet with a bluesy, Pentecostal feel that manifests itself most demonstrably on the CD on songs such as “To Serve the Lord” and on what I consider to be the hit track, “My Life Has Been Changed.” Plenty of slow simmering grooves are bridged by high energy workouts such as “He Brought Me Out” and “Help Me Praise His Name.” The live recording format suits the quartet well, as they have a strong rapport with their audience, although “Pray To You” sounds like it could be a studio track dubbed into the live format. Stuff happens.

The close, high harmonies on “Strolling” give the concluding song a ’70s soul feel, and the seven minute-plus “Old Rugged Cross” ranks up there with the Parker Brothers Choir’s 1960s version as one of gospel’s best arrangements of the old standard.

At the beginning of the project, the Virginia Aires encourage the audience to “clap your hands…before arthritis sets in.” Listening to this enjoyable project, however, you won’t need to worry about muscle cramps to put your hands together.

The program was recorded live at New Oak Grove Baptist Church in Virginia Beach, where Rev. Samuel K. Shaw III is Pastor.

Three of Four Stars