Originally recorded in Bailey Cathedral in 1979, the title cut of this jubilant recording remains every bit as immediate and fresh as it was the day it was made. It is impossible to feel blue upon hearing the organ pump in... more » the name of salvation and the glorious voices of the Dynamic Clark Sisters join in praise and affirmation as one sister posits, "Is my living in vain?" and they assert in multipart harmony: "No, no, no, no-no-no! / Of course not!" Deep faith is roused by Karen Clark's positively possessed lead on "Speak Lord," the bar to worship is raised on the emphatically delivered "Ha-Ya (Eternal Life)," and the sisters are joined by their mother, Mattie Moss Clark, on the reverent "They Were Overcome (By the Word)." At the forefront of the modern black gospel movement in the late '70s and early '80s, the Clark Sisters, as proven by this magnificent disc, were and ever will be thoroughly dynamic as messengers of joy. --Paige La Grone« less
Originally recorded in Bailey Cathedral in 1979, the title cut of this jubilant recording remains every bit as immediate and fresh as it was the day it was made. It is impossible to feel blue upon hearing the organ pump in the name of salvation and the glorious voices of the Dynamic Clark Sisters join in praise and affirmation as one sister posits, "Is my living in vain?" and they assert in multipart harmony: "No, no, no, no-no-no! / Of course not!" Deep faith is roused by Karen Clark's positively possessed lead on "Speak Lord," the bar to worship is raised on the emphatically delivered "Ha-Ya (Eternal Life)," and the sisters are joined by their mother, Mattie Moss Clark, on the reverent "They Were Overcome (By the Word)." At the forefront of the modern black gospel movement in the late '70s and early '80s, the Clark Sisters, as proven by this magnificent disc, were and ever will be thoroughly dynamic as messengers of joy. --Paige La Grone
CD Reviews
POWERFUL!!!
R. E. Belfrey | Atlanta, GA United States | 03/12/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"The Dynamic Clark Sisters truly know how to sing their behinds off!!!!! (Excuse the Expression). They are annointed of God to sing the Gospel of Jesus Christ-- and they can preach, too, ya'll! Their late mother (who also leads a lovely song on this great cd) must have worked hard to train them, and the fruits of her labor are ripe and sweet. They were all raised, and continue to work in, the Church of God in Christ, and we "COGIC" folks are proud of them... I know I am, anyway. This album is defenately a MUST-HAVE for any gospel fan, be they contemperary-minded, or old school. One thing is for sure; the Clark sisters have always been "ahead of their time." This truth is evident in the beats, tonalities, and chording of their music. This is mostly thanks to the Great Twinkie, one of the greatest organist, plausably THE greatest church organists ever in the History of the Hammond organ! She plays skillfuly for the duration of the cd. She sings whilst she plays! She studied classical music, and uses techniques and sounds from that great genre (and jazz), and weaves it all together with good-ole historicaly Black Gospel/ church music. One number in particular, namely, "Now is the Time," is most poignant of all for me. It has a beautiful heavy, bitter-sweet meloncholy sound... with a dash of urgency and peace. I could only think of the movie, Passion while listening. This cd is worth every penny. I dare you to listen and not be touched in some way. Truly Powerful."
Gospel classic
Kent Browning | SPRINGFIELD, OHIO United States | 08/30/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"The clark sisters(dorinda, jackie, denise, karen and twinkie) release "Is my living in vain?" is pure classic from the opening title track(remade in the 90's by r&b camp Xscape on their debut) to the last. Recorded live in the early 80's its unimaginable how good the sound quality is. "Now is the time" is beautiful. Their voices blend so well it sounds as if there are only two vocalists when there are actually five! "Pure Gold" is a message song that touches the heart. Listening to Karen Clark(now Clark-Sheard) wail at the end takes you back to church quicker than you can waive your hand fan with martin luther king jr's picture on it!!!! This is essential for any fan of gospel music."
A Divine Classic!
Shazzar Kallie | Long Beach, CA USA | 05/07/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"The Clark Sisters' "Is My Living In Vain" is without doubt one of my all-time top ten favorite albums in any genre. I find myself listening to the entire album almost everyday whether in the morning, during the day or at night. Every song on the album is a Spirit-filled message from God delivered with anointed voices of praise. This is simply a timeless album that can be listened to for years. You'll never get tired of listening to this album, just like you'll never get tired of reading the Bible. You can listen to and read them over and over and get blessed each time you meditate and let them minister to your soul.The title song "Is My Living in Vain" is universal and lets everyone know that every aspect and event in life has a purpose. It's all part of God's divine plan for us all. "Ha-Ya (Eternal Life)" makes you want to get up and start shouting and praising. It shows that a simple praise can mean so much. "Salvation Means" is a true song of worship that simply expresses what having the Lord in your life means. Nothing this world can give unto me is worth losing my Salvation over. "Now Is The Time" conveys the message that today is the day to live for the Lord, because tomorrow is not promised. "Pure Gold" is a treasure with heavenly voices intwined together to bring about the essence of who we are in God when we live for Him. "They Were Overcome (By The Word)" is a spiritual blessing and lets you know the effect the word of God can have on people's souls. "Speak Lord" is truly my favorite on the album. It's a prayer to me and it's divinely sung by the angelic voice of Karen Clark-Sheard. This song endowed upon my spirit the power of speech while allowing myself to be an instrument of God's praise and worship. I simply need God to speak through me and to let Him have his way in me. This song is truly a prayer, a meditation and an exaltation to the Lord Jesus Christ. Through Him all fears are cast away, and we can speak with boldness what we want to bring into existence by faith! "Expect Your Miracle" is a classic that inspires you not to give up, but to know your miracle is on its way. I love this album and still today after it was recorded a couple of decades ago it is timeless. If you want to listen to a good gospel album without all the fluff. Something that is spiritually and scriptually based on the word of God, and sung by voices that God anointed from Heaven. Look no further than this album. It has blessed my soul and it brings me closer to God every time I listen to it. God is Love!"
A must.
Fernando Lopez | Miami, Florida United States | 06/13/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This is truly a classic gospel album, probably the best you can get from those years. The Clarck Sisters clearly remain as a top reference in the gospel music panorama, even today, and listening to this album you can know how did it begin. This is an honest, no-make-up-added recording and it has a bluessy-funky feeling, that will never get old. Musically great and God inspired, just the way a Gospel album should be. If you consider yourself a Gospel fan, I dont know how could you possibly not have this album yet."
Truly the best female gospel outfit of all time!
student2003 | 05/05/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This album is a great inspiration particularly for fans of the Clark Sisters. I never get fed up of listening to it. Particular favourites are Speak Lord by Karen Clark and Now is the Time. I can't think of any gospel group that has a vocal blend as excellent as theirs. Worth every penny!"
Track Listings (8) - Disc #1