Blackwood Brothers Quartet “Classics Volume One” Album Review

Prime Cuts: If That Isn't Love, Who I Am, Without Him

Backed only by a piano and the harmonious voices of the Blackwood Brothers Quartet, "Classics Volume One" could easily be denoted as an exercise of monotony performed on a shoe-string budget.  After all, without the aid of other instruments, what musical aerobics can a mere piano do?  In the hands of a lesser artist, this project would have amateurish dull.  But not with the Blackwood Brothers Quartet.  Baritone Billy Blackwood, tenor Wayne Little, bass Butch Owens and lead Michael Helwig have a way of making the their voices accompanied by the piano do musical handstands we never thought possible.  Despite having just the tingling of the ivory keys and voices, there's not a soporific moment on the record.  Rather, flourished with a deep love for these hymns and Southern Gospel favorites, they present new shafts of emotions and meaning over these 10 classic songs.

Formed in 1934 by brothers Doyle Blackwood, James Blackwood, Roy Blackwood and his son R.W. Blackwood, the Blackwood Brothers first gained national attention in 1954 on the Arthur Godfrey's Talent Scouts television show with their stirring rendition of "The Man Upstairs." In the many years since, their music has been heard around the world on radio, television and on recordings, as well as in their legendary concert appearances. Now, over 80 years since the group's original formation, the current Blackwood Brothers lineup carries on the tradition set before them with their new album, "Classics Volume One."

Certainly earmarked as a plus for the record is that the Blackwood Brothers Quartet are industrious enough to dig deeper than the usual "Amazing Grace" and "What a Friend We Have in Jesus" hymn-repertoire.  Rather what you have are lesser known hymns and Southern Gospel favorites that have not yet run their courses. Most gorgeous is "Without Him."  Sounding it was written just for the quartet, the boys certainly bring out a heartfelt zest out of this love song to Jesus.  The simplicity of just the piano certainly underscores the message of "I'd Rather Have Jesus," which speaks of treasuring Jesus above the blinkers of this world.  Featuring a late night jazzy approach, the boys take their time to nuance "If This Isn't Love" to great effect. 

Prepare for some teary moments when they sing "Who I Am."  The grace of Jesus Christ as expressed to the Cross has never been more eloquently phrased than on this hymn. With a thumping rhythm and even without any percussion, the quartet charges out on a marching pace so appropriate to "The Eastern Gate," which is a hymn about sojourning towards Christ. Though Blackwood Brothers Quartet bring nothing novel to "The Love of God," they still cannot erase the beauty of the song's poetic mastery: "Could we with ink the ocean fill,  And were the skies of parchment made; Were every stalk on earth a quill, And every man a scribe by trade."

"Classics Volume One," in many ways, is a simple record.  It's just piano and voices.  But place them in the hands of Blackwood Brothers Quartet, simplicity can also be profoundly moving.

 

 

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