http://www.thefairfieldfour.com
When it comes to bands steeped in tradition, and who have been there and done it Nashville’s Fairfield Four stand proud at the top of the list of gospel quartets; ‘the south’s most famous’ as noted on their latest albums front cover. Established in 1925, now several generation and changes later the band bass singer, Joe Thompson with direct links with the band’s original bass singer Rufus Carrethers and a great love of the late, Isaac Freeman is joined by new members Larrice Byrd, Snr, Bobbye Sherrill, Gene Allison and Levert Allison plus as way of a special treat country girl Lee Ann Womack. And who lends her wondrous tones to gospel evergreen “Children Go Where I Send Thee” (how about a bunch of like-minded country acts joining the boys on their next record ?) and with “Jesus Gave Me Water” immediately following it's heady stuff. Possessing interchanging vocals, pitch perfect lead, harmonies and tempered driven passion The Fairfield Four not only produce an album (a first for their own Fairfield Four label) steeped in a cappella gospel tradition, but one rich in quality and entertainment values.
As noted in Jerry Zolten’s informative liner notes the songs chosen are part and parcel of the traditional Fairfield Four cannon; ‘we grew up listening to this style of music and we understood it. We want to keep the tradition alive forever’, says Byrd, Snr.
To go with the above you have the searing beauty of impassion piece “I Love The Lord, He Heard My Cry”, a wonderful, uplifting “My Rock” and of a more sombre feel as the boys speak of gaining strength from their love of Jesus “I Got Jesus And That’s Enough” (Dorothy Love Coates). While on displaying great intricacy “Don’t Let Nobody Turn You Around” and of a finely woven calming effect “Highway To Heaven” hit the mark full on. There are gospel a cappella bands and there is The Fairfield Four!
Maurice Hope