Dave's Review

Length: 79:19 (2 CDs/cassettes) Cuts: The First Day In Heaven Sweet, Sweet Spirit More (Than You'll Ever Know) Spread A Little Love Around Jesus Got A Hold Of My Life Let There Be Peace No Shortage A Thing Called Love He Loves Me So Swing Low/Swing Down Chariot Sometimes Alleluia Old Gospel Ship Oh Happy Day He Touched Me I Just Came To Praise The Lord God Speaking To You My Child, Welcome Home Great Gettin' Up Morning/Good News! Give Them All He's On His Way He Never Sleeps Just Because He Loves You Lonely Mile Standing In The Need Of Prayer You'll Never Walk Alone

In 1963, Jake Hess formed The Imperials with the intent of bringing a "fresh, innovative sound to gospel music." Surrounding himself with bass Armond Morales, tenor Sherrill Neilson, teenage baritone Gary McSpadden and pianist/arranger/MC Henry Slaughter, he set about doing just that. In 1966 Joe Moscheo, II replaced Slaughter, and Jim Murray took over the tenor slot he would keep for the next 20 years. Hess said goodbye in 1967, leaving the group in the hands of Morales who has faithfully maintained Hess' innovative principles for over 30 years. Terry Blackwood became the new lead singer at that time with Sherman Andrus joining the group in 1971. 25 tunes recorded by these men from 1964 to 1976 were recently chosen for the first double CD to be released in what will be an ongoing Gospel Music Hall Of Fame Series. A more appropriate group couldn't have been chosen for the first honor of a Hall of Fame endorsed collection.

Right off the bat, kudos go to Kevin Szymanski who re-mastered these old recordings. The overall clarity and balanced blend of bass, mid-range, and treble is remarkably good. Only three of the songs are from Jake Hess' days with the group, however, the bulk coming from 1969-1976. The packaging is visually attractive, but could have been more detailed with regard to the songs that were selected and the historical achievements of the group.

The tunes themselves contain influences that range from traditional Southern and Black Gospel to the pop music of the seventies including Disco ("No Shortage") and Rock ("Old Gospel Ship"). Songs that showcased vocal harmony and blend like "Let There Be Peace," "I Just Came To Praise The Lord," and "Sweet, Sweet Spirit" were their forte, though. Tunes like "More" and "My Child Welcome Home" are almost forgotten gems that should be dusted off and presented more often.

After 1976 The Imperials became the proving ground for such noted Christian artists as Russ Taff, Jonathan Pierce (Hildreth), Jimmy Lee Sloas, Paul Smith, David Robertson and others. Often the achievements of these more recent alumni overshadow the work of those who established the platform they enjoyed. Current fans of both Contemporary and Southern Gospel vocal groups owe it to themselves to examine The Imperials' Gospel Music Hall Of Fame Series release. You may find that some of the modern stylings you thought were new and innovative have actually been around for years.