Jesus Hits Like the Atom Bomb

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
It's a rare group that can force even the nonbelievers to stand up and shout, "Amen!" John Alexander's Sterling Jubilee Singers have that power. Though this is its first CD--indeed, its first album--the group has been performing in one form or another since 1929 (none of the original members is still living). The quintet is distinguished not only by its members' ages--Archie Garner, the youngest one, was born in 1932--but by the way they blend their voices: all five sing at the same volume, producing a distinctive, soothing melodicism. Balancing out the traditional gospel selections ("Jesus Hits Like the Atom Bomb," "Peace in the Valley," "The Lord's Prayer") are a few less-well-known songs, including one original composition, Mrs. Ruby Alexander's "Operator." --Randy Silver

Tracks:

Jesus Hits Like An Atom Bomb
Surely God Is Able
Amazing Grace
Medley: Soon One Mornin' - What You Goin' Do When The World's On Fire? - You Can't Hide - Run On For A Long Time
Didn't It Rain
Sit Down Servant - Plenty Good Room
Keep Your Hand On The Plow (Hold On)
My Soul Is A Witness
There Is A Balm In Gilead
Medley: Sometimes I Feel Like A Motherless Child - Poor Pilgrim Of Sorrow - Walk In Jerusalem
Be Still And Know That I'm God

Amazon.com

Chanticleer's repertoire ranges through many centuries. On this recording, the group again proves its infinite versatility in a program of gospel music and spirituals. The singing is so authentic that one feels like a participant in a gospel meeting, swaying to the rhythm with the crowd. Contributing greatly to the impact is Chanticleer's guest, Yvette A. Funder. Possessor of a voice remarkable for its range, power, and flexibility, she brings to the music the empathy and authority of one born and raised in the tradition, whether leading call-and-response, engaging in improvisations that soar high above the chorus, crooning softly in meditation, or shouting in ecstasy. (She is also an active Bishop ministering to the poor and afflicted, and the founder of various social service agencies in California.) Several songs include soloists drawn from the chorus as well, most notably a tenor, a countertenor and a bass who provides a rhythmic ostinato. The program, designed for maximum variety of tempo, mood, character and texture, includes many favorite songs and spirituals, such as "Amazing Grace," "There is a Balm in Gilead," "Sometimes I Feel like a Motherless Child." The arrangements by Joseph Jennings, Chanticleer's Music Director for 20 years, are admirably simple and very good; only a few are marred by awkward modulations or overly sophisticated, Hollywood-inspired effects. Most of them are for a cappella voices. Jennings also contributes a new original composition: "Be still and Know that I'm God." Repeating these words like an invocation, it builds a cumulative drama with increasingly wild, elaborate improvisations in call-and-response between soloist and chorus; supported by a prominent piano part that includes solos, chordal and running passages, it ends with a rousing climax. --Edith Eisler

Customer Reviews:

Chanticleer, with Bp. Flunder: INDEED - How Very Sweet The Sound.......2006-02-10

On this standard red book 16-bit CD we are offered that rare and special invitation: Come now, pilgrim - take yet another good step forward in gospel praise or supplication. How can we progress in our individual and collective spiritual journeys towards whatever transcendent glories ground us, revive us, and lead us on despite life's challenges, unless we sing?. Are you having set backs? This CD is good medicine, and it is both a worthy addition to the gospel music shelf and perhaps just the sort of musical medicine that turns out to be good for you, on more than one level of body, mind, and soul. Not a bitter root aftertaste, nor a nagging fishy oil payback in any of this welcome elixir. I guess that is why we call it, Good News.

The arrangements of new and old gospel standards have been set by counter-tenor Joseph Jennings - a leading Chanticleer member of long standing - intently drawing upon both the florid improvisations of the soloists and gospel groups climbing ever so dazzlingly into the fiery chariots that sacred texts say carried off the prophet; and yes, rooted as well in the impeccably crafted close harmonies and inwardly solid strength of gospel quartets and ensembles like Fisk University's Jubilee Singers and many other exemplars.

So, when you listen to this one you will be immediately surrounded by that amazing and great, gathering could of witnesses. The messages are familiar: Keep your hands on the plow. Surely God is able. There is a balm in Gilead.

Like the famous vocal work by Ralph Vaughan Williams, his Serenade to Music as written for a star-crossed group of well-known British soloists of the era; so this gospel outing brings the small male ensemble Chanticleer to the fore - both as a vocal group and as a fabulous collection of solo voices who are prodigiously gifted vocal stars in their own rights. Capping off Chanticleer as an embarrassment of riches is a guest turn by San Francisco's own Bishop Yvette Flunder. She is the real deal, too, as both an ordained minister whose leadership in black churches has blazed fireworks in celebration of melding religion with social justice, and a Jen-U-Wine good news singer who can preach and pray and moan with the best of them.

Only the superhumanly perfected intonation of their cappella group singing, as well as the superb blend and polish of the Chanticleer dozen, will remind a listener than this group is as famous for its Flemish medieval polyphony or its unerring Purcellian clarity, as any other ensemble of twelve voices now appearing before us.

So, forget all the categories and musicology boxes which would seal off gospel music from pre-Bach cathedral masters of polyphony. With this CD we can just revel in the mysteries of good music, regardless. Yeah, Josquin, I'm talking bout you - Sit down servant, there's plenty good room.

Five stars. Highly recommended.

Crystalline.......2005-04-08

I'm not a huge fan of gospel, because I find it to be led by emotion, and musically undisciplined. Rousing, yes - but a little goes a long, long way. I've also found most gospel recordings to be sonically challenged. Almost as if microphones were incapable of capturing the music with clarity. None of this holds true for "How Sweet the Sound." This is a beautifully recorded cd, and every tune is both musically precise, and emotionally resonant. It is, however, a little hard to listen to in one sitting because of the "sameness" of the arrangements. That's a small quibble - who says any cd has to be experienced all at once - and "There is a Balm in Gilead," alone is worth the price of admission.

Best Chanticleer CD Yet.......2005-02-01

This is the Best Chanticleer CD yet. I have listened to it dozens of times. Money well spent. I have even given copies to several of my friends.

How Angry the Sound?.......2005-01-02

My daughter gave me this CD, because, while I'm not religious, I'm a long time fan of gospel music. The first pass through the record, I found myself wandering off to other tasks. So, the second time I put it on the player I forced myself to sit completely through the record. I'm not familiar with Chanticleer, so I had no idea whey she thought I'd like it, but she's is right more often than not. This would be one of the "not" times.

I guess this as an attempt to make gospel music "hip." With songs like "Jesus Hits Like An Atomic Bomb" and "What You Gon' Do When the World's On Fire?" the lyrics are like walking a American urban street being threatened by strangers. Far from being uplifting, the songs are decidedly unfriendly. The feel of the music reminded more of the howling noises I suffered as a forced member of my parent's Kansas Methodist Church than the sweet, honest sounds of real gospel music. That intangible thing I get from listening to gospel music that is heartfelt and painfully honest, even if deluded, was nowhere to be heard in "How Sweet the Sound." Instead, the music is chant-like, monotonous, and cold.

I would not recommend this record to anyone outside of the Midwest. If you miss the sterile sounds of a Midwestern protestant church in full howl, this might be your cup of weak wine. If gospel music is what you're looking for, look elsewhere.

This CD is the bomb!.......2004-11-28

From "Jesus Hits Like an Atom Bomb" to "Amazing Grace", this CD is packed with glorius gospel spirituals and terrific talent. Highly recommend to music lovers of all faiths!

Average customer rating:

Solid, but not the best from Tripping Daisy
Tripping Daisy's first Polyphonic step
On My Top 10 list
Jesus Hits Like The Atom Bomb
Loved it

Jesus Hits Like the Atom Bomb
Tripping Daisy
Manufacturer: Polygram Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

General | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

I Am an Elastic Firecracker
Bill
Tripping Daisy
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ASIN: B000009EAN
Release Date: 1998-07-07

Tracks:

Field Day Jitters
Waited A Light Year
Sonic Bloom
Bandaids (TM) For Hire
Mechanical Breakdown
Your Socks Have No Name
Geeareohdoubleyou
New Plains Medicine
Our Drive To The Sun/Can A Man Mark It?
Human Contact
Pillar
8 Ladies
About The Movies
Tiny Men
Indian Poker Parts 2&3

Album Description

The Texas based alternative rock act's third album, originally released in 1998 & out-of-print domestically. Featuring vocalist/guitarist Tim DeLaughter who went on to form Polyphonic Spree, & producer/keyboardist Eric Drew Feldman, a former member of Per

Customer Reviews:

Solid, but not the best from Tripping Daisy.......2006-11-20

This is a solid album from Tripping Daisy, though definitely not the best. I was priveleged enough to be at the famous Trees show from which the Live EP was recorded and several video clips from this show were used in the "My Umbrella" video. This was the era of Bryan Wakeland, and I feel that the band really lost something when he left and Ben took over. There is different feel and vibe to the music with Ben on drums- the songs are much simpler, and they tend to start blending into one another quite a bit.

A much better album (one of my all time favorites) is Firecracker. Again, it is much more complex in all aspects of the music, and Bryan really varies things up throughout the whole album so it is more of a journey from start to finish rather than a collection of songs.

I still enjoy "Jesus", but not nearly as much as the earlier stuff with Bryan playing liek "Bill" or "Firecracker". I always wondered why he left the band because they were never the same without him. It's good to see him back with Tim in Polyphonic Spree though.

Tripping Daisy's first Polyphonic step.......2005-08-19

While such a comparison to the following Delaughter-led band was unknown of at the time, it is known now. Where other Tripping Daisy records mixed psychedelia, grunge, and punk-pop (look at the order) in the albums, this was kind of a different horse from the rest of the album. Although, I'd have to say that it is truly UNLIKE anything I've ever heard. There is a lot of talent in this record. It sounds more creatively free than anything you've done, and unlike previous records, the songs are good enough to where you want to keep repeating the songs.

It would be hard to talk about certain songs because they all blend in together so well. It wasn't exactly chamber pop that the next of Tim's bands would be, but this shows that they are in it 100% for the music and have nothing to do with image. The instrumentation is far more varied than other Tripping Daisy albums, yet the album itself is undeniably that band. At first you'll laugh at some over-happy moments, but when you give it the time, you'll love those songs just as much. Which is part of why I like this record. In a period where rock is supposed to be depressed/angry, Tripping Daisy favors a variety of pop (the GOOD kind) and making an album rather than a bunch of songs. That's also why it's the best Tripping Daisy album. While out of print, it's worth the time & money to get yourself ripped off JUST to get this album.

On My Top 10 list.......2005-06-27

I bought this CD on a whim after seeing one of the first Polyphonic Spree shows in Dallas. This album blew me away. I still listen to it after 4 years. Great psychedelic music and lyrics. I can't say enough. If this is pop, then I'm a pop fan. This is not cookie cutter production. This CD is fresh, original and I can tell there was a lot of heart,soul, and sweat put into the production of this masterpiece. If you're hungry for good rock music (that's pretty easy these days)this is an album you shouldn't miss.

Jesus Hits Like The Atom Bomb.......2005-03-22

In my opinion, Jesus Hits Like The Atom Bomb is the greatest album recorded in the history of mankind. I've been listening to it on a very regular basis for six years now, and I can't get enough. I can only say this about 2 or 3 other albums I've heard. When I become oresident of the future, it will become mandatory for every home to own a copy of the album, so you might as well buy it now.

Loved it.......2004-12-24

I originally picked up this cd because of the fact that Ben Curtis (guitarist for The Secret Machines and one of my favorites) plays drums...and I ended up buying all the TD cds I could get my hands on.
They are fantastic. Hands down.

Average customer rating:

Authentic Gospel Quartet Singing
A Must for A Capella Gospel Fans

Jesus Hits Like the Atom Bomb
Sterling Jubilee Singers
Manufacturer: New World Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Christian & Gospel | Styles | Music

Gospel | Christian & Gospel | Styles | Music

Gospel | Christian & Gospel | Indie Music | Stores | Music
ASIN: B0000030JX
Release Date: 1997-04-22

Tracks:

Jesus Hit's Like The Atom Bomb
Devotional
Peace In The Valley
God Shall Wipe All Tears Away
Little Wooden Church On The Hill
The Lord's Prayer
Will He Welcome Me There?
Job
I Never Heard A Man
My Jesus Knows
Every Time I Try To Do My Best
Operator
Testimony
Benediction

Amazon.com

It's a rare group that can force even the nonbelievers to stand up and shout, "Amen!" John Alexander's Sterling Jubilee Singers have that power. Though this is its first CD--indeed, its first album--the group has been performing in one form or another since 1929 (none of the original members is still living). The quintet is distinguished not only by its members' ages--Archie Garner, the youngest one, was born in 1932--but by the way they blend their voices: all five sing at the same volume, producing a distinctive, soothing melodicism. Balancing out the traditional gospel selections ("Jesus Hits Like the Atom Bomb," "Peace in the Valley," "The Lord's Prayer") are a few less-well-known songs, including one original composition, Mrs. Ruby Alexander's "Operator." --Randy Silver

Customer Reviews:

Authentic Gospel Quartet Singing.......2004-03-30

Jefferson County is the heartland of black American a cappella gospel quartet singing, and the Sterling Jubilee Singers are one of the oldest groups still active in the area. The quartet tradition has deep roots in nineteenth century folk culture, yet developed over time into its current signature form . Those roots are heard here unadulterated by high tech modern gizmos, commercial affectations or even an audience...it documents a weekly Sterling Jubilee rehearsal.

As with all releases from New World Records, this one includes extensive background information and program notes. I enjoyed this CD on two levels: intellectually as a student of African American music, and spiritually for the divine music this is.

A Must for A Capella Gospel Fans.......1999-08-19

Listening to the harmonies and hope of the words that are being sung, it is impossible for anyone not to feel closer to Jesus. This is a definite must have for anyone who enjoys the combination of a capella and old time gospel.

Music:

Music

Music