Comments on: From the dept. of “as others see us” http://averyfineline.com/2009/09/30/from-the-dept-of-as-others-see-us/ Criticism and commentary on southern gospel music Thu, 24 May 2012 02:40:09 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3 By: Melvin Klaudt http://averyfineline.com/2009/09/30/from-the-dept-of-as-others-see-us/#comment-1037028 Melvin Klaudt Wed, 04 Nov 2009 19:14:15 +0000 http://averyfineline.com/2009/09/30/from-the-dept-of-as-others-see-us/#comment-1037028 Since when is it important what the world thinks of us. I thought it was all about, God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit? Based on what I am reading, it looks like we should be like the pharisee standing on the corner praying for the world to give their approva of usl. Jesus is controversial. The Holy Spirit does convict. And the message of Christ is to seperate the water from the oil. And the book of Revelation has never been for the world to understand, but that the Saints to be blessed by reading it. The Bible is the handbook and procedure manual for believers and not agnostics. The writer went for entertainment and received it. But just pray it planted see. Since when is it important what the world thinks of us. I thought it was all about, God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit? Based on what I am reading, it looks like we should be like the pharisee standing on the corner praying for the world to give their approva of usl. Jesus is controversial. The Holy Spirit does convict. And the message of Christ is to seperate the water from the oil. And the book of Revelation has never been for the world to understand, but that the Saints to be blessed by reading it. The Bible is the handbook and procedure manual for believers and not agnostics. The writer went for entertainment and received it. But just pray it planted see.

]]> By: DMP http://averyfineline.com/2009/09/30/from-the-dept-of-as-others-see-us/#comment-1026362 DMP Tue, 13 Oct 2009 03:41:45 +0000 http://averyfineline.com/2009/09/30/from-the-dept-of-as-others-see-us/#comment-1026362 Not tone deaf Harold, just honest. Not tone deaf Harold, just honest.

]]> By: harold http://averyfineline.com/2009/09/30/from-the-dept-of-as-others-see-us/#comment-1025670 harold Sun, 11 Oct 2009 14:51:54 +0000 http://averyfineline.com/2009/09/30/from-the-dept-of-as-others-see-us/#comment-1025670 I do love the tone deaf arm chair SG experts that wax eloquent on this page. I do love the tone deaf arm chair SG experts that wax eloquent on this page.

]]> By: DMP http://averyfineline.com/2009/09/30/from-the-dept-of-as-others-see-us/#comment-1025272 DMP Sat, 10 Oct 2009 15:23:23 +0000 http://averyfineline.com/2009/09/30/from-the-dept-of-as-others-see-us/#comment-1025272 Well put. Not bad, just...Awkward. Well put. Not bad, just…Awkward.

]]> By: yeah... http://averyfineline.com/2009/09/30/from-the-dept-of-as-others-see-us/#comment-1024962 yeah... Sat, 10 Oct 2009 00:52:35 +0000 http://averyfineline.com/2009/09/30/from-the-dept-of-as-others-see-us/#comment-1024962 DMP, I'm with you. We may be unpopular, but I've heard a lot of people share our sentiments. And, cynical one is right, in that one persons' preference is theirs and so on, and these things will always be subjective. I never cared for Michael English 20 years ago, and to me, his vocals are painful now. Penrod spent 14 years showing why he was in such demand for studio and road backup work prior to his GVB days. He's precise, possesses a massive range, superior breath control, and sings a song as it was intended to be sung. Basically, for my money, I just described everything English is not. I do believe that over time, Wes Hampton will go elsewhere, and that will be a sad day. These vets who have been doing solo work will blend well together again. At least I hope they will. But it's not there yet. I doubt that I'll go to see them any more, frankly, and that saddens me more than I can say. They once made it all look effortless, but now, to me, it's all just awkward. DMP, I’m with you. We may be unpopular, but I’ve heard a lot of people share our sentiments. And, cynical one is right, in that one persons’ preference is theirs and so on, and these things will always be subjective.

I never cared for Michael English 20 years ago, and to me, his vocals are painful now. Penrod spent 14 years showing why he was in such demand for studio and road backup work prior to his GVB days. He’s precise, possesses a massive range, superior breath control, and sings a song as it was intended to be sung. Basically, for my money, I just described everything English is not. I do believe that over time, Wes Hampton will go elsewhere, and that will be a sad day. These vets who have been doing solo work will blend well together again. At least I hope they will. But it’s not there yet. I doubt that I’ll go to see them any more, frankly, and that saddens me more than I can say. They once made it all look effortless, but now, to me, it’s all just awkward.

]]> By: JLL http://averyfineline.com/2009/09/30/from-the-dept-of-as-others-see-us/#comment-1024862 JLL Fri, 09 Oct 2009 21:44:14 +0000 http://averyfineline.com/2009/09/30/from-the-dept-of-as-others-see-us/#comment-1024862 No, the reviewer for that Colorado paper didn't know what he was talking about, and I think he freely admitted that. It does seem as if he was won over. Someone unfamiliar with (and prejudiced against) SG music left that concert surprised and pleased. Sounds like a success. I see the Gaither concert everytime they come to my hometown--including the GVB in its various incarnations. I usually go with my parents (who are in their seventies), but Dad passed away earlier this year so it was just Mother and me this time. Truthfully, I wasn't really looking forward to it--I did it for Mom. I always thought David Phelps was kind of a show-off, Bill was hokey, Michael English had seen better days, Wes Hampton was just filling in for somebody, and that Mark Lowry was going to be bug-eyed and irritating all night long. Well, I must admit that I enjoyed this last concert much more than I had expected. I still think Phelps is a show-off, but if I had those pipes, I'm not sure I wouldn't be, either. Sure, Michael English's voice (or the ever-expanding rest of him) isn't what it used to be in his "In Christ Alone" heyday, but we all age, don't we? For someone who spent quite some time in the Valley of the Dolls, I thought he sounded quite good (apparently painkillers are more detrimental to one's butt than one's voice). Plus, the disgrace/redemption thing works for him. MY mom teared up, anyway. I always thought that Mark was an underrated singer, and I felt the same way after this last concert. The comedy I can take or leave (Kevin's actually better at that) but let Mark just sing and he's so good. I've read some negative opinions of him here, but I thought Wes Hampton was really good too, even thought they don't let him do enough. Now, the sound was pretty overwhelming, but I'm going to blame the venue, a notoriously bad one in my town. I'm not sure the best sound tech could solve that place's problems! Hasn't every beloved SG group changed personnel over the years--more than once, usually? GVB seems to do it regularly. I think everybody just got used to Guy and now they're having a hard time dealing with his not being there. This new line-up sounded pretty good to me. I also noticed that the flashlight keychains (so effectively used during those "sing along with us" moments in a crowd probably devoid of lighters) were FREE! The last time I went to a Homecoming concert, those babies were $3 a piece! Glory! No, the reviewer for that Colorado paper didn’t know what he was talking about, and I think he freely admitted that. It does seem as if he was won over. Someone unfamiliar with (and prejudiced against) SG music left that concert surprised and pleased. Sounds like a success.

I see the Gaither concert everytime they come to my hometown–including the GVB in its various incarnations. I usually go with my parents (who are in their seventies), but Dad passed away earlier this year so it was just Mother and me this time. Truthfully, I wasn’t really looking forward to it–I did it for Mom. I always thought David Phelps was kind of a show-off, Bill was hokey, Michael English had seen better days, Wes Hampton was just filling in for somebody, and that Mark Lowry was going to be bug-eyed and irritating all night long. Well, I must admit that I enjoyed this last concert much more than I had expected. I still think Phelps is a show-off, but if I had those pipes, I’m not sure I wouldn’t be, either. Sure, Michael English’s voice (or the ever-expanding rest of him) isn’t what it used to be in his “In Christ Alone” heyday, but we all age, don’t we? For someone who spent quite some time in the Valley of the Dolls, I thought he sounded quite good (apparently painkillers are more detrimental to one’s butt than one’s voice). Plus, the disgrace/redemption thing works for him. MY mom teared up, anyway. I always thought that Mark was an underrated singer, and I felt the same way after this last concert. The comedy I can take or leave (Kevin’s actually better at that) but let Mark just sing and he’s so good. I’ve read some negative opinions of him here, but I thought Wes Hampton was really good too, even thought they don’t let him do enough. Now, the sound was pretty overwhelming, but I’m going to blame the venue, a notoriously bad one in my town. I’m not sure the best sound tech could solve that place’s problems!

Hasn’t every beloved SG group changed personnel over the years–more than once, usually? GVB seems to do it regularly. I think everybody just got used to Guy and now they’re having a hard time dealing with his not being there. This new line-up sounded pretty good to me. I also noticed that the flashlight keychains (so effectively used during those “sing along with us” moments in a crowd probably devoid of lighters) were FREE! The last time I went to a Homecoming concert, those babies were $3 a piece! Glory!

]]> By: DMP http://averyfineline.com/2009/09/30/from-the-dept-of-as-others-see-us/#comment-1024833 DMP Fri, 09 Oct 2009 20:40:56 +0000 http://averyfineline.com/2009/09/30/from-the-dept-of-as-others-see-us/#comment-1024833 I completely agree in most cases about comparing singers. However, there is an exception. In this case, we have singers performing the exact arrangement and track sung by another singer. In many cases, the song was arranged for that person. I think it is obvious that Worthy the Lamb has lost its punch with out Penrod. But, I never thought Guy did Give Up justice either. English however did a tremendous job on it. Penrod had a very precise, booming style that was always the epitome or articulation, while English leans on the soulful and improvisational They both have unique talents, and are great in their own right, but I think we can compare when they are doing the exact same material. I completely agree in most cases about comparing singers. However, there is an exception. In this case, we have singers performing the exact arrangement and track sung by another singer. In many cases, the song was arranged for that person. I think it is obvious that Worthy the Lamb has lost its punch with out Penrod. But, I never thought Guy did Give Up justice either. English however did a tremendous job on it. Penrod had a very precise, booming style that was always the epitome or articulation, while English leans on the soulful and improvisational They both have unique talents, and are great in their own right, but I think we can compare when they are doing the exact same material.

]]> By: cynical one http://averyfineline.com/2009/09/30/from-the-dept-of-as-others-see-us/#comment-1024731 cynical one Fri, 09 Oct 2009 15:47:17 +0000 http://averyfineline.com/2009/09/30/from-the-dept-of-as-others-see-us/#comment-1024731 Why do we think we have to compare one singer over another, when we all know they are both great, just different? Yes, we may have our favorite singers, or our favorite combinations of groups from days-gone-by, but this business of who's worthy of carrying whose shaving kit is stupid, IMHO. It's all subjective, and nothing that can be proven, one way or another. Why can't we just enjoy the fantastic groups that are presented to us today, and enjoy our recordings of our faves from the past, and stop the childish bickering? And for the record (pun intended), vinyl was the superior medium. (Does that sound oxymoronic -- superior medium?) What are we going to do when our digital machines all crash, and we lose our downloaded files? Why do we think we have to compare one singer over another, when we all know they are both great, just different?

Yes, we may have our favorite singers, or our favorite combinations of groups from days-gone-by, but this business of who’s worthy of carrying whose shaving kit is stupid, IMHO. It’s all subjective, and nothing that can be proven, one way or another.

Why can’t we just enjoy the fantastic groups that are presented to us today, and enjoy our recordings of our faves from the past, and stop the childish bickering?

And for the record (pun intended), vinyl was the superior medium. (Does that sound oxymoronic — superior medium?) What are we going to do when our digital machines all crash, and we lose our downloaded files?

]]> By: DMP http://averyfineline.com/2009/09/30/from-the-dept-of-as-others-see-us/#comment-1024630 DMP Fri, 09 Oct 2009 12:16:10 +0000 http://averyfineline.com/2009/09/30/from-the-dept-of-as-others-see-us/#comment-1024630 Really my friend, you think David’s hair does that naturally? Really my friend, you think David’s hair does that naturally?

]]> By: Leon Houston http://averyfineline.com/2009/09/30/from-the-dept-of-as-others-see-us/#comment-1024362 Leon Houston Thu, 08 Oct 2009 22:03:19 +0000 http://averyfineline.com/2009/09/30/from-the-dept-of-as-others-see-us/#comment-1024362 This DMP guy is hilarious. Guy Penrod could never carry the shaving kit of Michael English on his worst night, the Eagles sound better now than at any time in their career, and Lowry's material is better than ever (he doesn't use all that Hyperactive Hype). Most of the songs they do now are songs that DMP's beloved Guy had try to sweep up behind English with. Active word is try. So, yeah, it has been back to the future for the first year for the new group to get their bearings. But anyone who heard them here in Carolina last weekend knows the GVB finally has a real vocal blend again, without all the screaming, hand waving, hair products, faux cowboy gear and fingerpointing of recent years. Not to mention a huge influx of real heart! This DMP guy is hilarious. Guy Penrod could never carry the shaving kit of Michael English on his worst night, the Eagles sound better now than at any time in their career, and Lowry’s material is better than ever (he doesn’t use all that Hyperactive Hype).

Most of the songs they do now are songs that DMP’s beloved Guy had try to sweep up behind English with. Active word is try. So, yeah, it has been back to the future for the first year for the new group to get their bearings. But anyone who heard them here in Carolina last weekend knows the GVB finally has a real vocal blend again, without all the screaming, hand waving, hair products, faux cowboy gear and fingerpointing of recent years. Not to mention a huge influx of real heart!

]]> By: DMP http://averyfineline.com/2009/09/30/from-the-dept-of-as-others-see-us/#comment-1024123 DMP Thu, 08 Oct 2009 13:59:02 +0000 http://averyfineline.com/2009/09/30/from-the-dept-of-as-others-see-us/#comment-1024123 What I had said was that it feels to me like the GVB looks and sounds as though it is doing a bad impersonation of itself these days. It’s reminiscent of a returning Michael Jordon, or an Eagles reunion tour. They still have talent, and they are still better than many, but something is wrong. Like many aging artists, they fall into the trap of trying to sound like themselves, 20 years ago. Lowry is still funny, I’ve been to many of his solo shows and GVB concerts, but what used to come so natural for him seems as though it is more work now, and I’d say that is because it IS more work now. English has been given the impossible task of replacing Guy Penrod’s solos on many of the songs they do now. The problem is, he’s no Guy Penrod, and quite frankly, he doesn’t sound like the Michael English we all came to love 20 years ago either. Phelps is still an amazing talent, but is forced to sing the same old material over and over. And when he doesn’t, it’s a little awkward (Nessun Dorma isn’t a real great fit for a southern gospel concert, though it does sound wonderful). Wes Hampton is probably their best bet at sounding new, I really, really like the guy, but they hardly let him sing most nights. When I see the GVB these days, it feels like I am watching a GVB cover band with a suitcase full of tracks. They sing the right notes and go through all the right motions, but in the end, it feels just like that. With any luck, the new CD will pull them out of this phase, and that may be all it is, and awkward phase after an unexpected member change. What I had said was that it feels to me like the GVB looks and sounds as though it is doing a bad impersonation of itself these days. It’s reminiscent of a returning Michael Jordon, or an Eagles reunion tour. They still have talent, and they are still better than many, but something is wrong. Like many aging artists, they fall into the trap of trying to sound like themselves, 20 years ago. Lowry is still funny, I’ve been to many of his solo shows and GVB concerts, but what used to come so natural for him seems as though it is more work now, and I’d say that is because it IS more work now. English has been given the impossible task of replacing Guy Penrod’s solos on many of the songs they do now. The problem is, he’s no Guy Penrod, and quite frankly, he doesn’t sound like the Michael English we all came to love 20 years ago either. Phelps is still an amazing talent, but is forced to sing the same old material over and over. And when he doesn’t, it’s a little awkward (Nessun Dorma isn’t a real great fit for a southern gospel concert, though it does sound wonderful). Wes Hampton is probably their best bet at sounding new, I really, really like the guy, but they hardly let him sing most nights. When I see the GVB these days, it feels like I am watching a GVB cover band with a suitcase full of tracks. They sing the right notes and go through all the right motions, but in the end, it feels just like that. With any luck, the new CD will pull them out of this phase, and that may be all it is, and awkward phase after an unexpected member change.

]]> By: Nate http://averyfineline.com/2009/09/30/from-the-dept-of-as-others-see-us/#comment-1024111 Nate Thu, 08 Oct 2009 13:27:08 +0000 http://averyfineline.com/2009/09/30/from-the-dept-of-as-others-see-us/#comment-1024111 DMP - You have seen the new GVB many, many times? Why would you pay such a high ticket price to see a group you don't even like? They haven't even been out there a year yet. Funny! DMP - You have seen the new GVB many, many times? Why would you pay such a high ticket price to see a group you don’t even like? They haven’t even been out there a year yet. Funny!

]]> By: DMP http://averyfineline.com/2009/09/30/from-the-dept-of-as-others-see-us/#comment-1023781 DMP Thu, 08 Oct 2009 01:22:11 +0000 http://averyfineline.com/2009/09/30/from-the-dept-of-as-others-see-us/#comment-1023781 Thanks Nate, but I've seen them many, many times. Thanks for being rude though. Thanks Nate, but I’ve seen them many, many times. Thanks for being rude though.

]]> By: weber http://averyfineline.com/2009/09/30/from-the-dept-of-as-others-see-us/#comment-1023511 weber Wed, 07 Oct 2009 13:20:06 +0000 http://averyfineline.com/2009/09/30/from-the-dept-of-as-others-see-us/#comment-1023511 #19 Your absolutely right, Jason Crabb supports TBN, a network that continually fleeces the flock on a daily basis. #19 Your absolutely right, Jason Crabb supports TBN, a network that continually fleeces the flock on a daily basis.

]]> By: AnnD http://averyfineline.com/2009/09/30/from-the-dept-of-as-others-see-us/#comment-1023419 AnnD Wed, 07 Oct 2009 05:23:06 +0000 http://averyfineline.com/2009/09/30/from-the-dept-of-as-others-see-us/#comment-1023419 You said it soooo well, #21 You said it soooo well, #21

]]>