Bass singers, the best

Mr. JohnCBoy, I hope I'm not walking upon sacred ground here. I hope my question in this thread is ok to post . . .

I know there are a lots of folks on here who are much more knowledgable about quartet music than me. I don't proclaim to know much, but I've heard quartet singing in my house since I was in the womb.

I've seen post about singers, both good and bad, ever since I've been a member here.

That being said, I have a question:

If you had to pick a bass singer that was second to none, who would you pick?

I know I might stand alone, but I would pick George Younce.

Hey, LTR, you post your questions whenever you'd like. I know folks get tired of my simple little questions. It would be nice to have a discussion once in a while.

As for me, I have many "favorites". However, if I had to pick my favorite bass singer throughout the time I've followed gospel music, I'd pick James "Big Chief" Wetherington.

I saw him sing many times when I was a child (he died when I was either 15 or 16), and he talked to me whenever he saw me in the wings of a Statesmen concert.

I've watched many great bass singers in my years, but nobody "taken the stage" like the Big Chief. He had it all. Rhythm, soul, solo voice, low notes, high notes. . . you name it.

As far as I'm concerned, a large piece of gospel music died when he joined the Heavenly choir.

I shall never forget the day he died. I was working in a local restaurant. I was kinda "in charge" of things at the restaurant. The phone rang and I said "Huey's BarBQue! May I help you?"

My dad said, "Son, have a seat, for I have some sad news for you."

Yes, I cried when he told me the news.

Chief was my favorite bass and one of the best I've ever heard sing.

Thank you for asking, LTR.

I've posted a reply to this three times and the internet has kept me from hitting the "send" button each time.

That being said, I respect your opinion, Daniel. I know you are a historian of this music.

A few years ago, another site did a survey of the top 40 bass singers of all time. Younce ranked #1.

Do I agree? NO. However, in this day of internet information, it doesn't surprise me. The great bass singers of the 40s-70s have been forgotten.

Chief is still the best IMHO.

I would have to say JD Sumner...I love to hear him sing and I really enjoyed his humor!

It depends on what style of Bass singing you prefer. I believe JD Sumner and George Younce were the best at their prime. Their styles were completely different but loved them both. If I had to pick one it would be JD "George" Sumner

PB

This post has been edited by Preaching Bass on Sep 26 2006, 02:33 PM

I loved JD. He could say things that nobody else in gospel music could get away with saying. He was also quite versatile. He could sing a lead line and then go into the cellar for some of those low notes.

IMO in the 55+ years I been attending gospel concerts "Big Chief" Wetherington has no equal.

I'm going to surprise all of you. I have seen them all.....well, most of them.....
and while Big Chief and JD are considered the best, and a lot of people loved
George Younce, if I had to choose one that I really think is as good as any I
have seen..............

I would choose Harold Gilley. He was flat out good, in my opinion. Harold's
problem is that he just doesn't like the road life, so he never stayed with anyone long. I think if he had picked a quartet and stayed with them, he would be considered one of the best. Unfortunately, not many know who I am even talking about.....lol.


Edit- By the way, London Parris is still my favorite....

This post has been edited by VirginiaJoe on Sep 26 2006, 07:46 PM

I know who you're talking about. I have one (only one, but at least it's one) recording he did with the Palmetto State Quartet.

Mr. Crenshaw, if I had ever seen Big Chief and the Statesmen in person, I may well name him as my favorite. But all I have is old, scratchy records. I shouldn't complain; that's much more than even most Southern Gospel fans have nowadays.

But, even though it was only via recordings, George Younce was my introduction to Southern Gospel.

Thank you for not taking offense.

I couldn't disagree with anyone's choice here. Unfortunately, I never got a chance to see Big Chief. Not that I could disagree that Younce was great, but I always thought that a lot of his appeal came from the fact that he was the master emcee. As for JD, what more can be said.

However, the bass singer that I think is the best for range, tone, control and the ability to sell a song is Tim Riley. I had thought that for many years, but when I heard him sing Under Control a few months ago, just after Doug passed away ... no doubt!

I'm fortunate enough to have seen all the bass singers named in person and to own a number of records by all of them. I didn't see the Chief in his prime but he still was an impact performer in 1972 and 1973.

Younce was also a great MC as well as a singer and so was JD who was also an innovator and songwriter.

Strictly as a bass singer (in person but especially on recordings) I would select Armond Morales of the Weathefords and Imperials as my favorite. I love that distinctive velvet sound. He couldn't hit the low notes like the other fellows but boy was he smooth and could he ever blend.

I agree with John in his first post -- Big Cheif.

Dean

[QUOTE=danielmount,Sep 26 2006, 07:49 PM][QUOTE=VirginiaJoe,Sep 26 2006, 07:41 PM] I'm going to surprise all of you. I have seen them all.....well, most of them.....
and while Big Chief and JD are considered the best, and a lot of people loved
George Younce, if I had to choose one that I really think is as good as any I
have seen..............

I would choose Harold Gilley. He was flat out good, in my opinion. Harold's
problem is that he just doesn't like the road life, so he never stayed with anyone long. I think if he had picked a quartet and stayed with them, he would be considered one of the best. Unfortunately, not many know who I am even talking about.....lol. [/QUOTE]


Harold Gilley has more talent in his pinky than most bass singers have in their entire body!! ;-)

Although I loved Chief and was certainly a trendsetter for others to follow, IMHO George Younce was the best to ever grace a stage. He was the total package.

The best pure low note bass singer ever was Arnold Hyles of the Rangers Qt. of the 40's and 50's. Not a beautiful voice and not a "blow tone" ala JD, just powerful, natural voice, low note bass singing.

Jake Fanatic

Everyone has mentioned some truly great bass singers. I have to go with Big Chief becuase he could sing low (lower than many give him credit for being able to do). He could also sing a high bass lead and could sing other harmonies besides the bass line. He had no problem with modern harmony. It is my desire to get the album that has "When My Master Walks with Me". I know that on the Showers of Blessing album the Chief sings a modern harmony bass line on "Choose You This Day." Many of our present low note specialists would have trouble with such harmony lines.

Another bass singer that others have not mentioned is Buddy Liles. I like him because he could sing very low, but he was also versatile and could sing other harmony lines. I prefer for my bass singers to be the complete package and do other things than sing extremely low all the time.

J.D. Sumner was a complete package bass singer during his time with the Sunshine Boys and the Blackwood Brothers.