The Hoppers have been doing this singing thing for a long time. The group has won numerous awards and had a handful of #1 hits during their lifetime. In addition, the group has steadily been at the forefront of where the genre is heading musically for many years. Songs like "Jerusalem," "Yahweh," and "God Is Good" were all firmly planted on the progressive side of things.
However, for every Great Day or The Ride album they release - the group goes back and keeps the fans of traditional Southern Gospel happy by releasing a more straight ahead Southern Gospel release (see Generations or Power). Unforgettable - the group's latest release and first with Mansion Entertainment - takes the group back to their roots and finds them covering many of those "unforgettable" songs that Southern Gospel music has produced through the years.
The album kicks off with the catchy convention style of "O It Thrills Me" before moving into the Dottie Rambo classic "The Holy Hills" where Kim proves why she's won so many Favorite Soprano awards over the years. "The Love of God" gets a mixed group arrangement with Kim taking on the traditional tenor melody line. It works well for the group. There's a lot to like here - such as "I Never Shall Forget the Day" which if one didn't know it was a classic tune would think that this Hoppers version of the tune was an original number.
"All Hail the Power of Jesus Name" is by far the most progressive in accompaniment (it's got a gorgeous inspo-sounding intro) - but the group's more traditional vocal arrangement keeps things pretty straight forward. "Oh Come Angel Band" is another traditional tune that could be mistaken as a Hopper original.
Some of these tunes are a bit too straight forward and like the originals. When doing an album of all covers, it's important that the artist remembers to keep their sound fully intact - and some of these songs sound like they could have been any mixed group on the radio (see "Just As I Am," "I'd Rather Have Jesus," or "In the Sweet Forever"). This reviewer wishes The Hoppers had been a bit more inventive in their arrangements and vocal stylings. They perform the songs exceptionally well, but I'd have loved to have heard more "Hopper" on this release.
Unforgettable is the perfect album for those that are major fans of the group or looking for an album of classic tunes sung in their original format. Fans looking for original music from The Hoppers should probably wait until the next release comes out.
Author: Chris D. Unthank
| Author's Website: http://southernspin.com
Written: 05/31/2010
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Category: Reviews
Comments: 3
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your singing thrills my soul
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