CD REVIEW: SONGS IN THE KEY OF HAPPY- GOODMAN REVIVAL
CD REVIEW
SONGS IN THE KEY OF HAPPY- GOODMAN REVIVAL
RELEASED: JANUARY 20, 2015
LABEL: GAITHER MUSIC GROUP/ SPRING HOUSE
PRODUCED BY MICHAEL SYKES AND JOHNNY MINICK
MEMBERS: TANYA GOODMAN SYKES (ALTO), MICHAEL SYKES (LEAD), JOHNNY MINICK (BARITONE)
SONG LIST: (Title/Written By)
What A Happy Time- Arr. by Michael Sykes and Johnny Minick
Eyes of Jesus- Joel Hemphill
Until You've Known The Love- Rusty Goodman
I'll Be Alright- Rusty Goodman
The Sweetest Song I Know-Albert E. Brumley
This Is Just What Heaven Means To Me- Arr. by Tanya Goodman Sykes
It Happened- Ray Lewis
Settle The Score- Johnny Minick and Tim Hill
Who Am I- Rusty Goodman
I Don't Want To Get Adjusted- Arr. Michael Sykes and Johnny Minick
I Hold A Clear Title To A Mansion- Arr. Michael Sykes and Johnny Minick
I Wouldn't Take Nothing For My Journey Now- Jimmie Davis and Charles Goodman
Look For Me- Rusty Goodman
BACKGROUND/THOUGHTS:
The Happy Goodman Family was one of the most well known and successful groups in Southern Gospel music from their beginnings in the 1950s til their retirement in 2002. The Goodman family consisted of brothers Howard, Rusty, Sam joined by Howard's wife Vestal. This group became a fixture in the field with a recognizable sound, incredible harmonies and great songs. Throughout their career, The Goodmans contributed many songs that are now considered Gospel classics such as I Wouldn't Take Nothing For My Journey Now, Who Am I, Look For Me, and The Sweetest Song I Know. Many of their most popular songs were written by Rusty, who served as the bass singer and guitarist for the group until the mid- 1980s. This great songwriter passed away in November 1990 after battling cancer. Howard and Vestal have both gone on to glory as well (in 2002 and 2003 respectively). Now fast forward to 2015 and the Goodmans have reunited in the form of Goodman Revival. This exciting new trio consists of Tanya Goodman Sykes, the daughter of Rusty Goodman who herself was a member of the group previously, her husband Michael Sykes, producer and recently a former member of Canton Junction, and longtime Goodman band member Johnny Minick. Their first record entitled Songs In The Key Of Happy ushers in an exciting new era of the Goodmans music. This landmark recording is a collection of many of those classic Goodman favorites such as the convention stylings of What A Happy Time and The Sweetest Song I Know, and the moving ballads Look For Me, Who Am I , and This Is Just What Heaven Means To Me. Each member turns in great performances and brings back that classic sound that became such a mainstay in Gospel music. Tanya's powerful vocals are reminiscent of the great Vestal on songs such as I Hold A Clear Title To A Mansion and Who Am I. This incredible group carries on the Goodman legacy and now will continue to bring this great music to many new ears!! In addition to the record, the group taped a video companion at Gaither Studios. This DVD features all of the songs from the CD plus an appearance by the new lineup of the Gaither Vocal Band.
I gladly give this CD five stars as it is a wonderful collection of classic songs!!
To find out more about this new group and purchase this recording: http://www.goodmanrevival.com/