Complete concert video of the Imperials 20th Anniversary Special. Armond Morales, David Will, Jim Murray, and Paul Smith. I had nothing to do with the production of the video- it's one of my favorites in my collection.
I was fortunate to see these guys in concert many times in the 1980s and 1990s. I booked them for a concert in Jamestown, NY, in 1981 or '82, and we immediately hit if off. I still keep in touch with Jim Murray, Armond Morales, and drummer Tom Reeves. They have all become good friends.
The first time I heard a contemporary Christian song, it was Russ Taft singing "Praise The Lord". I loved the song so much that I bought the sheet music. I didn't know about accompaniment tracks. That started me singing solos in church. I was a new Christian and it was a turning point in my life. I became a big time fan of the Imperials. I sang a lot of songs that were originally recorded by them.
My daddy sounds so good in this--all the boys do! I miss seeing the boys onstage together! Hats off to Paul Smith for filling some really big shoes and Paul did it magnificently !!
@@anthonybellve3773 no sir, my dad is the tenor singer. He’s the one singing lead on the very first song. The blonde haired fellow is Paul Smith. My dad is Jim Murray.
Hola los conocí recién su música cristiana y e podido comprar dos vinilos de ellos encontré su estilo renovado y bonitas alabanzas saludos y bendiciones desde chile
Loved and love the Imperials.. Loved it years ago when out]r friends took us to Akron Ohio for a concert. Russ was with them then. We were Pastors at that time on the east side of Ohio. Eventually had Russ in for a concert and later Mylon LeFever... But I love the original Imperials that started the contemporary songs.. Could sing them all as well as our 5 children... Good job and dont blame the young lady below sooo proud of her daddy...You should be...
Love that tenor voice. My dad sang tenor in several different groups in the 50’s, 60’s and 70’s. I know he knows your dad and Armond well. Just heard from Armond wife that David just had a stroke and is in the hospital right now. Praying for him. Hope your dad is doing well
I’m sure you’ve heard by now that David passed away. Please keep his family in your prayers. My dad is doing pretty good right now. He had a pretty severe stroke several months back but my step mom nursed him back to good health and they are both in Europe for 7 weeks doing Elvis reunion shows. They have been performing to sold out crowds so all is well. Thank you for your prayers, brother .
Wow...this is a great concert...sounds like it was during the Side by Side lp period. Im a 90s kid and love everything from the Imperials: the old and new, the traditional gospel, the contemporary 80s- 90s era...I have all the Paul Smith solo cds and Jim Murray solo cds. To my knowledge Dave Will and Armond Morales never released solo recordings. But the one song that always moves me to tears is one of their early recordings: "Same Old Fashion Way."...Thx for this great post.
I was thrilled to come across in a thrift store a copy of Armond's solo album released in 1964 titled "The Velvet Voice of Armond Morales. you can find the album here on youtube.
The first CCM I heard (Sail On) was Imperials. They are great! However, I cannot bear Paul Smith's renditions of songs that were originally led by Russ Taff.
Ray, I feel pretty much the same way. The frustrating part is that I really liked the songs Paul Smith did on Stand By the Power, but they would never do those in concert much. So Paul had to cover Russ, which was a losing proposition. Paul Smith on the albums SBTP and Let the Wind Blow is awesome
David, its titled 20th anniversary so find out when The Imperials began. Id guess this is 1978-80 - whichever year its great stuff ! I took my wife, then girlfriend to their 1986 Let The Wind Blow tour - this is a good bit prior to that. Blessings in Him - David in Texas
I dearly love this version of the Imperials. Each member was a top notch vocalist in his own right. Together they had a magnificent sound with a fabulous band. All this being said, they should have dropped Praise the Lord from their performance list for this concert. Without Russ Taff the song just falls way short of the performance & power that he provided.
Where is Russ Taft? My dad listened to "Trumpet of Jesus" all the time. But I don't remember all of this vibrato - so much - all the time. I wish modern singers could just hold a note out - in tune - without vibrato.
