Search - Clara Ward :: Very Greatest

REISSUE OF NASHBORO LPS FROM 1970'S EDITED, REMASTERED.

04/04/1999

(3 out of 5 stars)

"I WILL DO AN IN-DEPTH ANALYSIS OF THIS RECORDING LATER, BUT IT IS AN EXCELLENT GOSPEL/SPIRITUAL RECORDING TO ADD TO YOUR COLLECTION. THE ORIGINAL RECORDINGS WERE WONDERFUL BUT WHOEVER REMASTERED THESE TOOK THE ORGAN SOUND OUT TOO MUCH, EDITED OUT THE GOSPEL BACKGROUND SINGING AND AMENS, DELETED THE DRUMS AND CYMBALS, CUT OFF THE END OF SONGS WITH LYRICS FADING INTO SILENCE, AND ACCENTUATED THE VOICES WHICH, UNFORTUNATELY, ARE NOT TOO GOOD. IT'S EXCELLENT GOSPEL MATERIAL BUT UNFORTUNATELY CLARA WAS RIDING ON HER REPUTATION AND DID NOT HAVE THE BEST SINGERS WITH HER AT THIS TIME AND HER VOICE WAS FADING AND CREATIVE ENERGIES DRIED UP FROM YEARS OF TOURING ON THE ROAD, THEREFORE, THE JIMMY SMITH ORGAN DRONING, HANDCLAPPING AND SPIRIT REALLY CARRIED THE RECORDS, BUT AN INSENSITIVE STUDIO ENGINEER PUT THESE SONGS THROUGH THE MILL AND BUTCHERED THEM, SO TO SPEAK. HOWEVER, I KNOW I'M BEING HARD, BUT MAYBE I CAN FIND THE ORIGINAL RECORDS AGAIN AT A FLEA MARKET, BUT YOU CAN'T BEAT CD QUALITY. BUT FOR THE PRICE, THIS IS A GREAT CD TO HAVE. GOSPEL MUSIC SUFFERS FOR NOT SELLING IN LARGE QUANTITIES AND BEING SUBJECTED TO THE SAME TREATMENT AS RHYTHM AND BLUES AND ROCK - AND IT JUST DON'T WORK THAT WAY.gERTRUDE WAS IN THE BACKGROUND IN I'M GOING THERE, AND HER VOICE IS COMPLETELY EDITED OUT - WELL, IT'S LIKE CUTTING OFF THE EDGES OF A RAPHAEL OR PICASSO TO PUT IT IN A SMALLER FRAME."

Aretha's Inspiration

Shannon Williams | Nashville, Tn. | 04/18/2000

(4 out of 5 stars)

"The Queen of Soul, Aretha studied under the guidance of Clara who lived in the Franklin home for awhile and toured with the great minister Rev. C.L. Franklin. Clara Ward was the greatest Hymn singer of them all witnessed by these great performances "Last Mile", "Beams Of Heaven" and "I Love The Name Jesus" Gospel just don't get better than this."

Best of the re-releases

Roger L. Vandermeer | Garden Grove, CA United States | 09/13/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I have followed Clara Ward and her Singers since the 60's. I have seen them perform in Church, Nightclubs, and other venues. I have never seen anyone sing a hymn or deliver the message like Clara Ward. This album presents her deliverance in both the studio and the club. It is unfortunate that the selections from her appearance at the Village Gate were not presented in the orignial order from the Vanguard Label release. Her interpretation of 'If I Could Help Somebody' has always inspired me in the way I live my life. The back-up singers at the Village Gate add a feeling of being in Church. Having been a witness to Clara in Church and in other venues, I did not see a difference in her praising and loving the Lord in either place. This is a CD you must have to know the talents and soul of Clara Ward. rvandermeer@msn.com"