Search - Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver :: Thank God

Superb gospel presentation of songs from the 40s-60s

J. Ross | Roseburg, OR USA | 05/25/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Playing Time - 35:44

Songs: 1. Calling From Heaven, 2. That's All He's Asking Of Me, 3. Wait A Little Longer Please Jesus, 4. In God's Eyes, 5. Savior's Love, 6. I Drink From The Fountain, 7. The Lord's Last Supper, 8. Thank God, 9. Will The Angels Play Their Harps For Me, 10. I'll Be Going To Heaven Sometime, 11. God Moved In, 12. Some Beautiful Day



After his impressive work with The Country Gentlemen, J.D. Crowe, and Jimmy Martin, mandolin player Doyle Lawson formed his own group back in 1979 to find his own sound that emphasizes strong quartet numbers like the ones his dad used to sing (in the Clinch Mountain Quartet). While his band's personnel have changed regularly over the years, Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver consistently produce some of the best bluegrass and gospel around by capitalizing on each band member's strengths, while not sacrificing the overall sound that has thrice won them IBMA's Vocal Group of the Year Award. To follow their superior "Hard Game of Love" album with something equally impressive was surely a challenge. However, "Thank God" is another superb presentation that thematically offers us songs that were written and recorded in the 40s, 50s and 60s.



There are classics recorded by the Stanley Brothers ("Calling From Heaven"), Don Reno and Red Smiley ("The Lord's Last Supper" and "Some Beautiful Day"), The Louvin Brothers ("That's All He's Asking of Me"), Bill Monroe ("Wait a Little Longer Please Jesus"), Carl Story ("Saviour's Love" and "I Drink from the Fountain"), Jim & Jesse ("In God's Eyes" and "God Moved In"), Hank Williams ("Thank God"), Flatt and Scruggs ("I'll be Going to Heaven Sometime"), and Hylo Brown ("Will the Angels Play their Harps for Me?").



After hearing this special set of gospel, we understand why this band is part of the bluegrass elite. Their vocal blend is excellent, and their playing is impeccable. The recording includes Doyle Lawson (mandolin), Jamie Dailey (guitar), Barry Scott (bass), Dale Perry (banjo), and J.W. Stockman and Jess Barry (twin fiddles). I understand that veteran Terry Baucom has now filled Perry's shoes. With their mix of youthful exuberance and veteran experience, the group displays what we've come to expect from them - virtuoso bluegrass musicianship and cohesive vocalizing. Scott has been with the group since 1995, and Dailey since 1998. At age 24 and 26, Barry and Stockman are the youngest members of the band, but they have received much support of their music, have won many fiddle contests, and even performed together in "Crucial County" which won the 2002 band competition in Blythe, Ca.



Doyle Lawson has years of experience and a long record of accomplishment in his resume. His new album, the first on his own label (SSK Recording) in more than a decade, follows his long stint on the Sugar Hill record label. "Thank God" is being distributed by Crossroads Records. For nearly 25 years, Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver have established a professional reputation for some of the finest bluegrass and gospel music available. With a nod to bluegrass music's forefathers, the band now gives us another treasure with "Thank God" that reinforces their dedication to a well-grounded traditional sound. The gospel music that this band presents is important to them, and, over the years, they have produced many more gospel recordings than secular ones. Clearly, they feel that there is no better message than the message of Jesus Christ, they thank God for His guidance, and they hope that their "musical mission" will lead others to Him. (Joe Ross, staff writer, Bluegrass Now)

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Another winner

Therese Neufeld | Portage la Prairie, MB Canada | 09/19/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I don't know how they do it, but they just keep getting better and better. Their harmonies, musical skill and love of bluegrass gospel shines through once again - don't hesitate to buy this one. It is another winner!!"