GVB Reunion Clip: Not Bad
Doug Harrison has unleashed his ire on the recently released YouTube clip of Bill Gaither, Mark Lowry, Michael English, and Wes Hampton singing “Satisfied.”
It’s not that they ought to be able to sing at 45 or 50 the way they sang at 30 or 35. It’s that they thought it was a good idea to try.
Commenter, Rod, said:
They sing better than 90% of most SG quartets out on the road and these guys (Bill, Mark, Michael, and Wes) do NOT even sing together on a regular basis…I AM a little bias as GVB has always been one of my favorite groups…However as a singer (pretty good one I might add
) these guys are still a cut above mistakes and all.
I agree. Older and obviously a BIT past their prime, Mark and Michael still sound better together than many currently considered to be top tier. It’s not nearly as awful as Doug makes it out to be.
Besides, the appeal of this upcoming GVB reunion video isn’t about whether or not the singers can still cut it. The appeal is seeing them together again. I enjoyed Danny Funderburk on the Cathedral Reunion Tour a decade ago, even though he could no longer cut it. The excitement was still there, and yes, they SHOULD sing the same songs they popularized in their heyday. Why would we want them to sing some song we’d forgotten?
I wanted to hear Danny sing “Somebody Touched Me” as well as he was able while Glenn and George cheered him on at the Cathedrals reunion back then, and I want to hear Mark and Michael singing “Satisfied” now…warts and all.
[...] 14, 2008 by burkesbrainwork Several bloggers have posted their thoughts on the GVB Reunion clip. I fall more into DBM’s camp than AVFL’s. [...]
[...] about everyone has offered their comments. I would count myself as falling into David Bruce Murray’s camp: Even if it’s not what they were in their prime, it’s hardly bad, [...]
Its really hard for me to read these things about these guys.
I just heard them in Bloomington Illinois, and they were tight. Michael English was amazing, as good as I have heard him. He was controlled and open in his range and they all blended well. Dave and Wes were good, but Michael shines.
I personnally like this set up, its very rich and strong, and its high lights what each of these guys to best, with Michael leading the pac