Search - Statler Brothers :: When We Sing for Him

Cash-era Statlers gospel leaves new stuff in the dust

daniel dodson | BETHESDA, MD United States | 07/17/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Before moving to Mercury, the Statlers owed Columbia, the label to which Johnny Cash recruited them, one more album. My recollection is that the 1969 album of gospel tunes was originally titled 'How Great Thou Art,' then later retitled 'Oh Happy Day.'
Recently, a CD entitled 'Oh Happy Day' got hopes up for fans of pre-Mercury Statlers, but it was simply a compilation of Columbia recordings, and the title song was the only one from the Columbia gospel album. Most or all of the other stuff was already available on CD.
This is the rest of the 1969 gospel album. It showcases the Statlers' unique voices and harmony like nothing since. They re-recorded many of the songs for their pair of biblically-themed albums soon after joining Mercury, but the ones I have heard indicate that they had already lost their edge.
Particularly for fans of Lew DeWitt, the original Statler Brothers tenor, this album is a must. If you've heard this version of 'How Great Thou Art,' you won't be surprised by DeWitt's highs on 'Pass Me Not,' and his own 'Just in Time.' The rest is good, too, and of particular interest is 'Less of Me,' written by Glen Campbell.
If you want the complete 1969 album, you'll have to find 'Oh Happy Day' separately, because it is not included here."

My favorite Statler Bros. Album

Richard E. Hanson | Mill Creek, WA | 08/13/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I had the original Oh Happy Day LP of this album. However, over the years, it became worn and scratched. I had also copied it to tape, but the cassette deteriorated. I found this by accident while looking for something else at Amazon. My only dissappointment is that it does not include "Oh Happy Day" that was on the originl Album. It was that song that popularized Gospel Music into the mainstream. Gospel, which evolved from spirituals but is not the same, really began with the Azuza Street Revival in LA and was given a push with Mahalia Jackson in the late 30's and 40's, but it was the Edwin Hawkins' arrangement of "Oh Happy Day" that really propelled Gospel. This is still a great album with one of the greatest Gospel singing groups performing it."

When We Sing

Amy Hardee | Mississippi | 02/25/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is a great example of the Statler Brothers singing gospel- It is a joy to just listen and enjoy"