The Inspirations are “Sounding Sweeter”

          A few weeks ago, when I received the new album from The Inspirations, I had mixed feelings. For over 30 years I have been an avid listener to Southern Gospel Music (SGM), and The Inspirations have been a staple in my library. I have been disappointed lately in their sound and song selection, so I began listening with high hopes and I must say, I’m impressed.

I am 40 years old, and in those years, I’ve found myself needing an escape from time to time, particularly that escape was in the lines and melodies of SGM dating back to the ‘60’s and ‘70’s. My library includes music by the Stamps, the Blackwoods, Masters V, Naomi and The Segos and many more, but two groups occupy the most space, The McKameys and The Inspirations.

Once I began listening to the Inspirations they were well into their 3rd decade of recording SGM. The first song I remember hearing was “When I wake Up” from 1973. I was around 10 years old at the time, and they were the best of the best. The high notes of Archie Watkins and the Lows of Mike Holcomb were the standard by which I judged every other group I heard. 

Though there have been personnel and ownership changes, the sound I grew up with is back. In their new album “Ever Old, Ever New”, all of the men do a tremendous job, but Archie Watkins sounds his best in years. The new album is slated to release April 10, 2020, and will be available on CD, digital download and streaming platforms. 

Eddie Dietz though has my favorite song “Knowing you’re there”. A song that allows us to picture a man in prayer, not asking for a thing and having no troubles, just communing with the Lord. “1945” transports us back to churches with wood slat pews, old-fashioned mourner benches, and leather-lunged preachers. Luke Vaught gets to show off on “I’ll Fly Away”, he plays all of the instruments on the track. As someone who loves bluegrass, he gets high marks on the banjo, dobro, fiddle, and mandolin. 

If you love tradition quartet Southern Gospel, you will love this album with a refreshing sound and stirring lyrics, but that’s just my Southern Gospel Point of View. 

For more Southern Gospel news, visit www.southerngospelpov.com.