| Length: | 48:57 |
|---|---|
| Producers: | Jeff Collins and Greg Fox |
| Cuts: | I'll Live Again |
| Shelter | |
| What I Found At The Altar | |
| Somebody Run | |
| That's When He Becomes So Real | |
| Meet Me Up In Heaven Someday | |
| Sweet Peace | |
| Missing Children | |
| I'm Gonna Rise | |
| Way Down Inside Of Me | |
| The Blessed Hill | |
| I Shall Dwell In The House Of The Lord | |
| More Than A Dream | |
| I Believe I'll Go On |
Recordings by The Kingsmen have steadily improved in technical quality over the past few years, although many of the older albums contained more inspired performances. Their latest called Shelter rates high in both areas. Also, since it clocks in at over 45 minutes, there's plenty of material to enjoy.
Technical accuracy goes a long way in establishing a quality rating. Tracks from Shelter that impress due to this factor include "That's When He Becomes So Real," a light number with an old radio era feel. "Way Down Inside Of Me" is in a big band influenced setting, beginning and ending with tight vocal harmonies. For the fast picker fans, "Meet Me Up In Heaven Someday" goes about ninety miles an hour and includes a couple of spot-on instrumental breaks. Afterwards, you'll want to towel the sweat from your ears, they'll have been working so hard.
Communicating with passion is also very important, and The Kingsmen have never lacked this element in their previous recordings or live performances. This is the reason they've done so many live albums in the past. For inspired vocal performances on Shelter, check out their rendering of Squire Parsons' "The Blessed Hill," an arrangement that shifts into a minor key before coming back strong in major. "More Than A Dream" speaks of the reality of Heaven in a convincing manner. The Kingsmen have saved the best for last, though. "I Believe I'll Go On" is dripping with fervor. It sounds like somebody's been listening to their old Andrae Crouch recordings. Say no more!
Rather than present a concept type recording with several tunes in a similar style or lyrics with a common topic, The Kingsmen have instead opted to do a little bit of everything in a broad variety of styles. The energy levels of the 14 tracks on Shelter range from the frantic ("Somebody Run" and "Meet Me Up In Heaven Someday") to the sublime ("Sweet Peace"). Sweeping string orchestrations ("Sweet Peace") are contrasted with fancy Nashville style picking ("I'll Rise Again"), swirling Hammond organs ("I Believe I'll Go On"), or a wailing harmonica ("Somebody Run"). With Shelter, The Kingsmen have established themselves as pace setters when it comes to broadening the musical scope of Southern Gospel.