Happy Goodman Family - Greatest Hits, CD Review

Jan

2004

Happy Goodman Family - Greatest Hits

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Rambos – “The Very Best of the Rambos”

Gospel Legacy Series

Label: New Haven Records

Website: [url=http://www.newhavenrecords.com]http://www.newhavenrecords.com [/url]

Southern Gospel Music has a rich heritage in family groups. Before there were today’s family groups like the Hoppers, Crabb Family, Greenes, Hoskins Family, Freemans, Ruppes and so on, there were the Speer Family, LeFevres and Lesters. Between the early years and today, we look back into the 1960’s and 1970’s and find the Happy Goodman Family and Rambos. These are two separate releases in a series called “Gospel Legacy Series” released from New Haven Records, highlighting songs from the esteemed careers of both aforementioned artists.

The Goodmans, “Greatest Hits” CD features songs such as “I WOULDN’T TAKE NOTHING FOR MY JOURNEY NOW” (I would have included the original version from 1964 rather than the 1976 version), “WAIT’LL YOU SEE MY BRAND NEW HOME”, “I BELIEVE HE’S COMING BACK”, “THE LIGHTHOUSE” (which is a rarely heard studio version of this song), “WHEN MORNING SWEEPS THE EASTERN SKY”, “WHO AM I”, “WHAT A BEAUTIFUL DAY”, “THE EASTERN GATE”, “GOD WALKS THE DARK HILLS” and “JOHN THE REVELATOR”.

“The Very Best of the Rambos” CD has 3 more tracks than the Goodmans CD and it features “I’VE NEVER BEEN THIS HOMESICK BEFORE”, “HE LOOKED BEYOND MY FAULT”, “BUILD MY MANSION”, “SAILING TOWARD HOME” (featuring for the first time on CD), “WE SHALL BEHOLD HIM”, “THE UNSEEN HAND” (not quite sure why this song was included), “MAMA’S TEACHING ANGELS HOW TO SING”, “TEARS WILL NEVER STAIN THE STREETS OF THAT CITY”, “IN THE VALLEY HE RESTORETH MY SOUL” (my all-time favorite Dottie tune), “I GO TO THE ROCK”, “THE HOLY HILLS OF HEAVEN” (I would have included the original version from 1968 rather than the 1983 version), “SHELTERED IN THE ARMS OF GOD” and “IF THAT ISN’T LOVE” (one of the most beautiful songs ever written!).

These are very good CDs and for the most part, I agree with the selection of material. There are some songs I wish had been chosen, but it’s hard to pick just the right combination of songs sometimes for “Best of…” compilations. There are two aspects of these CDs that stick out: both CDs contain a few vintage photos of the group (though the Rambo CD features significantly less photos than the Goodman CD) and both contain liner notes written by Vestal and Dottie. For any Southern Gospel history buff or simply a fan of these particular groups, these 2 CDs are a must have and I hope to see this series continue with other groups from the past.

Reader Comments

Thanks for the nice review, James. These two groups certainly changed gospel music when they came into prominence.

Commented by (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) On 01/31/2004

I bought the HAPPY GOODMANS cd at NQC 2003.. Immediately added all the cuts to the oldie play list on our station.. Since we play mp3s.. that frees up the CD for me to keep in my personal player! I love it!

Chuck

Commented by sglive365.com RADIO On 02/01/2004

James , great reviews! I got the Happy Goodmans one, and i love it! I also saw they had a Glen Campbell one too. I wasnt aware that the Rambos one was out, but i will be getting that one also!

Commented by (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) On 02/02/2004

James,
The UNSEEN HAND was included on the Rambos disc because it was the Rambos who dusted it off, and breathed new life into this forgotten song in the hymnbook. Many other recordings of this song came later by other artist, but it was the Rambos that brought the song to the party, and no one ever sang it better!
The UNSEEN HAND just proves that the Rambos were great artists even when they weren't singing a Dottie Rambo song. Let's not forget that there were several classics introduced by the Rambos
that were not written by Dottie. Consider the following list.
TEN THOUSAND YEARS (Elmer Cole)
OH WHAT A HAPPY DAY (Jack Campbell)
GETTIN' READY TODAY (Joe Hatfield)
ONE MORE RIVER TO CROSS (Bud Chambers)

Commented by (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) On 02/04/2004

I agree Daryl. Ten Thousand Years is my fav non-Dottie "Rambo" song. I realize they did record and did very well with a few songs that Dottie did not write.

My confusion was I never considered it to be a classic Rambo song or a hit song of theirs. (A classic song, YES, in fact one of my alltime favs...but a classic Rambo song, no).

In fact, I have an old Inpirations album with that song on it that "I think" (not 100% sure) pre-dates the Rambos version.

If they had included "Oh What A Happy Day" or "Ten Thousand Year", you'd get no arguement from me at all.

Commented by (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) On 02/04/2004

James, I totally know what you mean. I see what Daryl is saying too. Though I would have to say that at the end of the day most people don't recognize the Rambos for those songs mentioned. Unless Dottie wrote it, it didn't seem to become dear to the fans. Our office gets flooded with calls about Rambo songs but they are all usually Dottie's compositions with exception to One More River To Cross which often gets confused with One More Valley. I hope this CD does well. I think it is introducing a lot of people to the TRIO as well. We haven't really been able to sell much of the TRIO music on the road anymore only through mail orders. It's such great harmony! Speaking of Great Harmony...check out the Booth Brothers WOW. Awesome harmony!

Commented by Larry Ferguson On 02/05/2004

By the way speaking of writing as well. Daryl is one of the next Dottie Rambos in my mind. I have always said that if Dottie were to co write sometime that Daryl, Geron Davis and Gerald Crabb would be three of the tops I wish she would work with. Now watch me get in trouble! hehe

Commented by Larry Ferguson On 02/05/2004

Check out this review of The Goodmans Greatest Hits at http://www.pauldavisauthor.com/music_reviews.asp?reviewid=296. He is British, so some of his reviews are quite entertaining.

Commented by (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) On 07/22/2004

I have been looking for a source to buy The Singing Rambos and Reba Rambo tapes or Cd's I have vinyl albums but nothing to play them on.
And I love the songs and miss them.

Commented by (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) On 08/15/2004

I am looking for the words to "Ten Thousand Years". Does anyone have them?

Commented by (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) On 09/03/2004

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