Brian Free & Assurance – Live in New York City, ReviewsCD Review

Mar

2005

Brian Free & Assurance – Live in New York City

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Producer: Wayne Haun
Label: Daywind Records
Website: www.brianfreeandassurance.com
Song Titles: “The Foundation Medley,” “Why Not Make It Now,” “He's All That,” “Goodness And Mercy,” “Only By The Blood,” “We'll Say Goodbye,” “Knock No More,” “Healed,” “For God So Loved,” and “Long As I Got King Jesus”

James Hales (JH): David Murray and myself will be doing a joint review of this latest effort from one of Southern Gospel's most popular male quartets, Brian Free & Assurance. Recorded live at Christ Tabernacle in New York City , the recording is both exciting but yet somewhat ordinary for me. While there are several outstanding songs on this recording, there isn't a lot that really reaches out and grabs me and screams, “LISTEN TO ME!” I really wanted to love this new recording, as the group's last one, Greater Still, was the best recording I felt they had ever done and therefore, I had extremely high hopes for this one. But quite honestly, the recording lacks the luster I think it could have had. Don't get me wrong, it really is a great recording, but in my opinion, it just didn't live up to the hype maybe, that I had generated in my mind. With a long 4-minute acapella arrangement of hymns called “The Foundation Medley” starting things off , it takes a few minutes for the recording to really get off the ground for me. I just don't think it was smart to start the recording off the way they did. The group really shines though when they do get off the ground with the uptempo, “Why not Make it Now.” David, what are your thoughts?

David Bruce Murray (DBM): I actually thought the slow a cappella number was a good way to set the stage for the rest of the recording. It was a bit unusual that two rounds of group intros were included, though. The first time, Free quickly introduces each musician and singer. Three songs later, Free goes back and gives an extended intro for each performer along with some humorous comments. It's pretty entertaining until Bill Shivers introduces Free and trots out the tired old joke about them having a man who sings like a full grown woman. It went over well with the crowd in New York , though. I guess they'd never heard it before.

Musically speaking, this is a great CD that effectively captures the live element of the audience. The up-tempo numbers involved the audience and the tunes with the choir are especially nice.

JH: I noticed the double intro as well and I also thought it was kind of odd. I will agree with you though that the crowd really seems to be “into” the group, as it was a very exciting crowd, which is something you desperately need to have a successful live recording.

Now there are several bright spots on this recording for me. The songs, “Goodness and Mercy” and “Only By the Blood” are both very good songs, though they both run very similar, musically. “We'll Say Goodbye” is a very cool uptempo tune that I enjoy very much. I also love the re-make of Brian's former #1 song, “For God So Loved” with the Christ Tabernacle Choir and I have to say, that despite my utter distaste for “Long as I Got King Jesus,” I very much enjoy the group's rendition of the song, which also features the group with the Christ Tabernacle Choir. The group really kicks on “Long as I Got King Jesus”… got to give them kudos on that. As I said, despite my original feelings towards the song, I am quite impressed with their arrangement of this James Cleveland classic.

DBM: Well, you know what they say . . . there's no accounting for taste!

Seriously, though, it's easy to see why “Long As I Got King Jesus” is a favorite for fans. Not many Southern Gospel quartets would be able to switch into a black gospel choral mode so comfortably as Brian Free and Assurance. I agree regarding “For God So Loved.” That's a tune that has been in the Assurance notebook for several years now, but adding the choir gives it a fresh twist.

JH: Another song that at least bears mentioning, as a departure from the average is the song, “Knock No More” written by Patti Hawkins.

As far as the group sound, they sound great and are very polished. Brian Free and the gang have always boasted a polished, classy sound. So, I can't find any flaws in the vocal quality of the group or in the music tracks; the tracks are great. I guess the one thing that detracts things for me is that with the tracks done in the studio beforehand, the spontaneity of a “LIVE” recording tends to get lost with me. I felt the exact same way with the Perrys recording, Absolutely, Positively Live from back a few years ago. With a lot of things being done in the studio beforehand like this, it loses a lot of what makes a great live recording, great for me. I have always been a big fan of live recordings, which is why I was really looking forward to this one. But it just lacks that special “something” in it for me. The crowd was definitely into what the group was doing, but it's just missing something. Actually, the more I think about it, the more I think I would love this album more if it were just a studio album. But, I suppose weighing in on everything and considering all things; I would have to give this recording 4 stars.

DBM: I'm going to go half a notch higher with 4 ½ stars. I believe this recording has just about everything you'd expect from a good live CD . . . great crowd participation, a nice level of interaction between the artist and the crowd, and a fairly energetic performance overall. They also have a Top 5 hit from this project, which is not common for a live recording. This CD should please current fans while attracting some who weren't previously fans.

Written by David Bruce Murray and James Hales

Reader Comments

Brian,

Like you, I'm also enjoying the exchange. The point I've been making is that while your statements are challenging and taken seriously, they aren't particularly informative when you don't back them up with any examples. Feel free to email me privately if you want to point out any reviews I've rated higher than 4 or so that didn't really deserve it.

And actually, I think your opinion should be every bit as valid as mine (as long as it is backed up with substance).

People see my name in print here regularly, so I'm sure many look at the situation the way you do. However, I am nothing more than a fan with a keyboard and an ability to express myself (hopefully clearly). The fact is, I have no credentials within the Southern Gospel industry aside from what I've written over the years. My hope is that anything I have to say will be regarded as a tool for evaluating the products SG artists are producing . . . I want to inform fans and challenge artists to rise to higher standards of quality. That's my goal as a writer.

By the way, the next review I write is going to be very interesting, because it's a project I really like a lot . . . to the point that I've played it about 20 times in the last week . . . but I'm going to have to be honest when I review it, because despite how much I like it, it's not 5 Star quality from a production point of view. Hopefully fans will like it as much as I do, but rating a project goes beyond personal taste . . . and I may differ from other reviewers who write here on that point, but as Deon and Chris said, each reviewer's comments are their own honest opinion. That's where your perception about us varying with the wind is incorrect, because each of us is true to what WE (individually) feel is the proper rating for each project we review.

Commented by David Bruce Murray On 03/31/2005

Bro. Murray,

I would like to apologize to you and the other fellow reviewers for my blowing with the wind comment. My point behind the comment could have been made using a better choice of words. Fact is, as this healthy debate has posed, people's opinions vary with the wind and that is what I meant to present.

As far as the Brian Free & Assurance CD goes... I stand 100% behind my thoughts that this project is 5 stars. I had no expectations about this project on the front end, as it seems based on comments some have made...that this project had a great deal of hype leading up to its release to the public. I don't follow the "industry whisperings" all that much, so I was out of the loop on that, if it did indeed exist by some great marketing arm of Daywind.

I do own every BF&A;project to date and I personally find this one to be my favorite of all.

When I popped the CD into my car, I felt the Spirit of God speaking to me through the music... some of the songs moved me to tears.. I was blown away by the quality of the project and the clear message in each song. The improved upon version of For God So Loved to me was worth the price of the CD alone.

This is the last comment I'll make on this project... just wanted to clear the air.

In Him,
Brian

Commented by Brian Klinger On 04/03/2005

Funny you guys mention the double intro. I believe it was Eddie Lientz(sp?) who use to write a column in the Singing News that was informative for singers. He gave tips and tricks for proper pronunciation and stage program/order/presentation much the way Marti Ledford does with this site. It was in one of his columns that I read his encouragement of a quick intro after the first song with a more detailed intro during the program.

The first time I saw BFA after their reorganization was the first time I had seen this employed and they still do it.

As far as the review for this cd, I thought it was fair. I honestly would have to with 4 stars...only because I find myself skipping "Knock No More." Once was enough for me and I cannot understand the words.

I made the remark to my wife while listening to the cd, that "the beginning medley is awesome, but, it's a little long." So, I agreed with James on that, but I disagree with him that it's not a good way to kick off the album. I think it fits better at the beginning and is a great way to kick it off.

David's review seemed to be more of an enthusiastic 4 and a half stars while James' 4 star review seemed to be more begrudging. It seems he didn't like the album 4 stars worth, but he had to give it 4 stars anyway.

Commented by On 04/07/2005

I was more disappointed with it sounding more of a studio album than a live one. The songs are great...music is great...vocals are outstanding...but even with that...it still seemed to lack something with me. There are some really strong songs on here...but even though the crowd seemed to really be into the music, it just didn't come across as exciting and spontaneous as a live recording could be.

I have nothing against the group and as I stated in the review, felt their "Greater Still" recording was one of the best they'd ever done. This would have been a stellar studio album though. I guess I was hoping for more, and it just wasn't there for me. I really wanted to love this recording, but it just wasn't for me. If it was there for everyone else, then that's awesome!

Commented by On 04/07/2005

Brian, Bill, Derrick, Keith, Ricky, and Scott - once again you all have done a superb job; almost as good as being "live" with you in concert! Looking forward to seeing you here in MO once again soon...
Love you all!
Ruth and George and Carol

The Bryants

Commented by grbmin On 04/11/2005

I would have to disagree with some of the comments that were made. I dont want to sound predujice but Brian Free and Assurance are my favorite male quartet. I also love the kingsmen and gold city but Brian Free and Assurance are by far my favorite. I love the re-recorded version of For God so Loved! Its Really amazing to me. I also love the version of Long as I got King Jesus. Ive never heard the song before this and i love the way they along with the choir make it sound like a black gospel! They are some of my greatest friends and I will back them up no matter what. I love those guys and the new cd!!! But I have a feeling that there new Christmas cd will be even better!!

Commented by On 07/25/2005

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