NQC Live: 2003
Various
Label: Crossroads
Producers: Chris White and Mickey Gamble
Websites: www.crossroadsmusic .com
Song Titles: "That Little Baby" (Gold City), "God's Gonna Make A Way" (Karen Peck & New River), "Operator" (Dove Brothers), "Land Of The Free" (Carolina Boys), "Rocky Road" (Hoskins Family), "Blow Your Trumpet Gabriel" (Booth Brothers), "Stand By Me" (Signature Sound Quartet), "That Old Altar" (Palmetto State Quartet), "Will The Circle Be Unbroken" (Tim Lovelace Jam Session), "It Is Well" (Reggie Saddler Family), "I've Been Rescued" (Kingdom Heirs), "I'll Fly Away" Instrumental (Kingdom Heirs Band), "I Love The Lord/Total Praise" (Talley Trio), "We Need To Thank God" (Inspirations), "Yes I Am" (Hoppers), "We Seek Your Face" (Greater Vision w/Jeff Chapman), "Supper Time" (George Younce w/Signature Sound Quartet), and "Rocked On The Deep" (Greater Vision w/Mike Holcomb)
NQC Live 2003 offers a nice sampling of what it's like to attend the National Quartet Convention . I particularly liked the inclusion of a couple of tracks from the Greater Vision Quartets showcase, the Tim Lovelace Jam Session , and an instrumental by the Kingdom Heirs band. Of course, the appearance of George Younce was a big moment for the convention as well and Crossroads wisely included more than just the song he sang.
A couple of singers were stuggling vocally that week, but at least it's clear they didn't overdub after the fact! Seriously, one or two tracks do fall a little short on quality, but with 18 tunes in all, that's a minor complaint. As a live recording of this annual event, it does exactly what it's supposed to do . . . give you a glimpse of what it's like to be there. The stylistic breadth of this recording covers everything from the more progressive sounds of the Hoskins Family and the Talley Trio to more traditional acts like the Dove Brothers to the modern quartet sounds of Gold City .
Rating: 4 1/2 Stars--- David Bruce Murray