Search - The Happy Goodmans :: Always

Welcome Back!

James M. Loveday | Bastrop, Louisiana United States | 10/27/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"It had been quite some time since the Happy Goodmans recorded something featuring just them. They have been on nearly all of the Gaither Gospel Series videos. This release is a mixture of some of their all time classics and a few new tunes sprinkled in. Everybody has heroes in whatever field they are interested in, and the Happy Goodmans are my heroes! This is a great CD!"

This Is Great Music With A Purpose!

W. David Ferrell | West Virginia | 04/01/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This wonderful collections starts with the uplifting "Ring The Bells Of Heaven" and ends with the beautiful "I Hold A Clear Title" There is one song here that especially speaks of a subject that all Christians hold near and dear and that it "The Blood", The blood of Jesus that is and as Vestal sings here, The blood will never lose it's power. Another hi-lite here is their version of the classic "I've Come Too Far", and "I Wouldn't Take Nothing For My Journey Now" which is one of the best Southern Gospel songs of all time. The Late J. D. Sumner's bass vocal is featured on "When God's Chariot Comes" and it adds just the right touch to make it a great Quartet style number. "Child Of The King" reminds us that if we're saved and washed by Jesus' Blood, we are indeed His children, and as the next song points out so clearly, "The Victory Is Ours". This is not just music, this is music with a purpose... to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Buy this CD... You'll love it."

Always uplifting and enjoyable

Daniel Jolley | Shelby, North Carolina USA | 08/12/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"If you seek the heart of Southern gospel music, you will find The Happy Goodmans there to welcome you. They have been giving the world wonderful, inspirational music for fifty years, and this rather recent album proves that the power of their singing has not faltered one bit as they have entered their golden years. All of the original Goodmans are no longer with us, but the younger Johnny Minick fits perfectly with Howard and Vestal Goodman, as he proves on his featured song "Child of the King." The late great J.D. Sumner is a more than welcome addition to the song "When God's Chariot Comes." If you've seen any of Bill Gaither's videos, you've probably seen all three members of this group. Vestal is easy to spot with her ever-present handkerchief. The music on this album is traditional Southern gospel sung the way it should be sung, with great conviction and enjoyment, inspiring uncontrollable toe-tapping in its listener. Most importantly, its emphasis is on the gospel message conveyed in the songs, for that is the true source of the beauty of the music itself. If you expect the elderly Goodmans to take it slow and easy on these songs, you will immediately realize your mistake as soon as you hear the first notes to "When They Ring the Bells of Heaven." That opening song is just a mere warm-up for what is to come, for the Goodmans really go to town on such trademark classics as "I'm Living in Canaan Now" and "I Wouldn't Take Nothin' For My Journey Now." Every song has a fullness of sound that both wraps you up and lifts you up. "He Keeps Lifting," "The Blood," "I've Come Too Far," "Child of the King," and "Victory is Ours" all possess a wealth of beauty and power that modern gospel music fails to match, and the live recording of "Clear Title" is a perfectly wondrous song with which to close the album. This album is relatively short, lasting only half an hour, but its merits outweigh this minor fault. Vestal sings that "the blood will never lose its power," and I must say that neither will the inspirational musical legacy of these gospel stalwarts ever lose its power to move the human soul and add a source of inestimable joy to those whose lives it has touched.."