The King’s Heralds - Encores, CD Review

Mar

2006

The King’s Heralds - Encores

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[18] Comments

Recorded at Studio 201, Simi Valley
Produced by The King's Heralds
Label – Acclaim
Website: http://www.theheralds.org/

When I first heard of the King's Heralds, I have to admit that my mind immediately went to thoughts of this group sounding like the Haven of Rest Quartet, or the Old Time Revival Hour Quartet. In other words, "starchy".

When Jeff Pearles told me that he was going to sing with this group, I thought he was surely making a big mistake. Of course all this type of thinking was done before I even heard the group sing. That was the first big mistake on my part. Whether these guys ever sounded that way, they certainly don't now.

Encores is basically an a capella CD. Now I am not generally impressed by a capella CDs, so I wasn't real thrilled about having to listen to this one. However, Jeff Pearles has been in Southern Gospel Music for a while now and I know that he is a great bass singer, so out of respect for him I put the CD on to see if I could make it through long enough to get a reviews done on it. Now that was my second big mistake. This is anything but, the average a capella CD that contains songs without music. Just about every Southern Gospel quartet that I know of could take a lesson from these guys in what real four part harmony is about.

Consisting of Don Scroggs at Tenor, Joel Borg, on Lead, Russel Hospedales adding some very soulful sounds singing Baritone, and of course some very low down Bass singing by Jeff Pearles, these guys have a blend that is unbelievable. The King's Heralds website states that they are the oldest continuous gospel quartet in America, bringing to the stage a nearly eighty-year heritage in gospel music.

Encores is filled with older songs and a lot of Spirituals. With 14 songs on the CD, you certainly get your money's worth. Some of the songs that knocked my socks off are "Now Don't Let Nobody Get You Down", "Children Keep In The Middle Of The Road", and ‘Just A Little Talk With Jesus". I think they put one song on this CD with music just to make this old reviewer happy. When they put full orchestrations on "Champion Of Love", they knocked it right out of the ball park.

Their next CD will have music on all the songs, and I'm anxious to hear that one, but in the mean time this CD will spend a lot of time in my CD player.

Other great songs on this project include "Walk In Jerusalem", "Good News, Chariots A-Comin", "If You Ever Needed The Lord Before", "O Lord Of Space", "Walk That Milky White Way", "Old Time Religion, and "Still, Still, With Me".

This is an excellent CD and if you are not familiar with the King's Heralds now is your chance.

Reader Comments

The're the best!

Commented by On 03/16/2006

The King's Heralds have been my favorite music group since I was a little boy. Whenever they have a concert around my area, I always make it a necessity to be there. I have not heard Jeff Pearles on this album yet, but I heard him sing when the group did a concert here in Ooltewah, TN. I must say that I was blown away by how low he could sing and the overall resonance and tone quality of his voice. This quartet just keeps getting better!

P.S. John Snodgrass, to answer your question, yes, this is the same quartet that was associated with the Voice of Prophecy until 1982.

Commented by On 03/18/2006

I just received the Cd and I think is a refreshing performance of old classics songs. I love it!

Commented by On 03/20/2006

The King's Heralds history of excellence goes back 80 years. Each combination of quartet members has strived and succeeded to build on and enrich their unique blend/sound.

With every new CD they record, they surpass their goals of excellence!!

I agree that Jeff has added significantly to that sound and blend and has brought his many other unique talents to the quartet. However, Don, Joel and Russell have also brought their unique talents and voices to the table which adds up to the best combination yet for The King's Heralds!!!!

Keep your eyes and ears focused on my boys because I can promise you that they will continue to blow your socks off!!!!! JoAnn Campbell-Berke

Commented by On 03/21/2006

I Got too hear THE KING'S HERALDS when they did a concert in Tenn, And it was a very pleasant experience. I'm from Columbus, Georgia. And this group has the sound and music that all of us from the south have been craving & missing for year's! They are the kind of group when you are sitting in front of you don't wont too get up out of your seat because you might miss something. They have a very HEAVENLY sound that makes you not want too miss one word. I feel very blissful & honor to get too see them in person. And we can just pray that we can get them down here in Columbus,Georgia. Because i know how much the south really is missing out. Also it would be such an honor just too have them bless us with their music. Anyone that does not get too hear them in person is really missing out on a very heavenly experience! LISA WOODS

Commented by On 03/27/2006

The Quartet King´s Heralds seems to me Magnificent that to the 9 Years I listened to it and it seems to me wonderful because the Gentleman Bendice in each presentation, now that I have 35 Years I would like to listen to them personally. Doubtlessly the work of this Ministry is Great and desire to this Quartet that the Gentleman continues Accompanying to them.

Commented by On 04/20/2006

If you wish wishes to share commentaries with respect to the Quartet King´s Heralds I wait for writes Friends to me, because it interests to me to know ma´s this Quartet and good I live in Venezuela

Commented by On 04/20/2006

Jeff Pearles is without a doubt the best bass in southern gospel music. Palmetto State quartet ranked up there as one of my all time favorites thanks to Jeff. He has the best resonation and depth out of any other bass singer (Tim Duncan and Gene McDonald place 2nd and third).

I was thrilled to learn that he joined the KHs. My college quartet had the opportunity to sing in an octet back in 1990 with them. Don Scroggs is the only remaining member from that time.

I am glad that adding Jeff has put KH more in the spotlight of the Christian mainstream because they are fantastic singers and deserve the recognition.

Some of these songs are the exact same arrangments that my quartet sang over 15 years ago. It is great hearing them again with Jeff.

The only weak song on here is 'Champion of Love'. After 19 years of hearing the Cathedrals singing it, nothing else can compare.

I love acappella harmony and this CD doesn't disappoint!

Commented by On 08/17/2006

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