Grand Ole Gospel Reunion Quartet– Sings Mosie Lister’s Favorites-Featuring Jack Toney, ReviewsCD Review

Sep

2004

Grand Ole Gospel Reunion Quartet– Sings Mosie Lister’s Favorites-Featuring Jack Toney

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Producer: Mosie Lister/Charlie Waller
Label: GRC
Website: http://grandolegospelreunion.com/

Gospel music lost one of its greatest voices earlier this year when Jack Toney passed away. What a treasure he left behind in this recording by the Grand Ole Gospel Reunion Quartet as most of these songs feature his great lead voice. This recording not only focuses on Toney, but also focuses on one of the greatest songwriters in Gospel Music, Mosie Lister. It is interesting to note, that this is one of two new recordings released in the last month featuring songs written by Mosie Lister, as the Dove Brothers Quartet has also recorded a tribute to Lister. You can check out my review of that recording HERE.

Beginning the recording with classic Statesmen flare, the GOGRQ dives into the Lister classic, “GOODBYE WORLD, GOODBYE” before slowing down for one of my all time favorite songs, “TILL THE STORM PASSES BY”. The violin playing throughout really accents the musical aspect of the song.

If you like Traditional Quartet music with a bit of country western feel, then “TRAIL TO PARADISE ” is right up your alley.

Jonathan Sawrie, who plays piano on this recording as well as being the former lead singer for the Melody Boys Quartet, takes the lead on a verse of another one of my all time favorite Lister tunes, “THEN I MET THE MASTER” before turning the mic over to Buddy Burton as he takes the lead on “WHERE NO ONE STANDS ALONE”

“WORRY, WHO I?”, is one of only two songs on this recording not written by Mosie Lister. This is one of Jack Toney's signature songs from 40 years ago, and is the epitome of what a true classic Toney is and even though he was 70 years old when he passed away, he still could out-sing anyone!

“SWEETER AS THE DAYS GO BY” has that old time Statesmen feel complete with a classic “Hovie yell” and has always been a highly stimulating number, as has the following song, “I'VE BEEN CHANGED”.

Featuring Roy Pauley, the group sings the uptempo, “IF YOU BELIEVE” before slowing down as Jack and John Rulapaugh share solo responsibilities on “HIS GRACE IS SUFFICIENT FOR ME” and “HOW LONG HAS IT BEEN”. Closing things out is the medium tempo, “MY JESUS KNOWS”.

With 12 songs and slightly over 26 minutes of playing time, my one major gripe with this recording is that at times, the organ gets to be a little much for me. JD Sumner sure would have something to say about that! The music is simple with mostly just piano, bass, rhythm guitar and organ supplying the music. Overall, this is a very good recording with some of the most solid, traditional quartet singing to be found anywhere. But what would one expect from the likes of Toney, Burton , Rulapaugh, Sawrie and Pauley but first class quartet music?

Personal Favs: TILL THE STORM PASSES BY; THEN I MET THE MASTER; WHERE NO ONE STANDS ALONE; WORRY, WHO I?; SWEETER AS THE DAYS GO BY; HOW LONG HAS IT BEEN

Reader Comments

I was priviledged to be in the studio when much of this project was recorded. Watching these six masters of their craft perfect this recording is something I will never forget.

Commented by On 09/22/2004

Fantastic cd. Jack Toney really shines on his last recording. Every quartet fan should listen to this album.

Commented by Alan Kendall On 09/22/2004

Good review, James. I've listened to this C.D., probably five or six times, and I never realized that Jonathan was singing on "Then I Met The Master", which is one of my two favorite Mosie Lister songs, along with "Till The Storm Passes By".

Commented by On 09/27/2004

James, you are correct, Jack Toney STILL sounded fantastic, and could STILL outsing most of the young fellows today. Nothing against young fellows, Jack was just that good.
"Trail To Paradise" is interesting, but my favorite is "Worry Who I?". Jack still cut the mustard on that one.

Deon Unthank
SoGospelNews.com
My Blog

Some people are like Slinkys… Not really good for anything, but they
still bring a smile to your face when you push them down a flight of stairs - Author Unknown

Commented by On 10/02/2004

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