I'm not religious in the slightest, but I have probably watched this video 100 times now. The musicians and singers in this video are just utterly spectacular... Can't believe I didn't find out about this performance until my early 30's, feel like I robbed myself of years of amazing music! The piano licks at (00:53) (1:14) and (2:49) were some of the best I've ever heard, and the harmonica kicking off at (1:53) never fails to put a smile on my face. Those harmonica licks remind me of riding Splash Mountain at Disney World back when I was a kid.
YesBut it took me a few minutes to find it. What a voice! I love it on the other one. When vestal almost cracks up, because they're untying his tie and jacket. Cracks up laughing while she's singing because they're loosening Johnny up. With his tie and jacket.. Excuse my new phone. I miss these people.
In the earlier days, there was a constant good-natured rivalry between Vestal Goodman and Johnny Cook over who could take this song to the highest vocla level. I never saw Vestal win! GREAT MUSIC!
Vestal finally won, you can tell she had been practicing when she nudged the piano she went higher , that's when Johnny Cook was shaking his head she finally made it, that why he could not sing the chorus again, with Johnny's help for her to go higher. So Johnny lost this time around. Wondering how I know this, with God's help I'm able to read body language very good. Let's say Vestal reached her goal with Johnny's help thru the Holy Spirit.may God bless you
I was blessed to see Vestal/Johnny in 1973...their original "dueling." This recording is MANY years later, but it's still a blessing to see them praising God together. These two are awesome testimonials. Let's NOT criticize this performance, yet praise their willingness to continue to praise His name.
I saw this video for the first time sometime last year, and I didn't recognize Johnny Cook AT ALL! I've only seen him a few time with Howard, Vestal and his brothers, and he was just young! I've seen many, MANY Gaither videos. Wonder why Johnny Cook is only on this one?
@Krista Brewer.. Bill Gaither helped to start The New Statesmen after them being absent for ten year's with Hovie Lister.. Jake Hess.. Biney English.. Bob Caldwel.. singing bass & Johnny.. tenor...... You may already know Hovie Lister was the one who originally started The Statesmen in 1948.......
Did you catch Vestal nudging Wally to go higher? I have a dvd of the live performance of the concert they did in Texas where Vestal & Johnny competed to see who could sing higher. A real treasure.
@@janetturner5560 That was on one of Bill Gaither's video. The only video I know of that Johnny Cook was ever on... Vestal was reassuring that she and Wally were in the same key. Johnny Cook could always sing that song, among others, higher than Vestal wanted to go with it. I loved both artists in their own right. RIP to both........
This video always puts me in a good mood. Wally Varner 's playing is ASTOUNDING! That up-and-down slide he does at 2:50 lifts me out of my chair every time. I truly love this whole group of people. God bless you, Bill Gaither, for your work. And glory & thanks to Jesus for being the author of it all!
I grew up in North Carolina I've seen and heard most all the southern gospel groups and the vestal and johnny signing ( looking for a city ) is my favorite gospel song from the goodman's
It's good to be around Christians and praise the Lord 🙏 It's going to be worth serving Jesus 🙏 when we leave this rotin world.Thanks Jesus for your sacrifice
I have had the privilege of seeing the Goodmans in concert several times, many of which were at a little fair/singin' they did here in Ohio with Kevin Spencer and such, but I remember the last live performance I saw Vestal do. It was in Chillicothe, Ohio at the county fair, not too long after Howard had passed, she talked about how much she missed him and how she was excited to see him again. She also shared that concert with Anthony Burger who I had a chance to meet. Fond memories I will always remember.
This generation has suffered by not getting to know some of the great legends of Southern Gospel who have passed on. Wally Fowler was perhaps the best of all Southern Gospel Piano players. I once heard him called Southern Gospel's "Liberace". Two other great piano playing legends that this generation doesn't get to hear much was Hovie Lister and Henry Slaughter. Those were great, great piano players. No list of great piano player legends would be complete without mentioning Lari Goss. He was incredible on the ivories. Roger Bennett, sadly, is another piano player that the very youngest Southern Gospel Fans will never get to see or hear him "live". Roger was a great player. Of the current group of Southern Gospel piano players, Gerald Wolfe is the best out there today followed by Kim Collingsworth, Stan Whitmire, Jeff Stice, Matthew Holt, Gordon Mote, Trey Ivey, Trevor Conkle, Brian Elliott and Andy Stringfield. Listen to all of these legends and current players play and then tell me Southern Gospel doesn't have the best piano players in any genre of music. We are blessed and they are awesome!
if you want a FACE catch the one Earnie did when they did the tirbute to the Catherdrals tape and the Statler Brothers were on it. when Jimmy F hit some of his high notes Earnie was leaning so far forward on his chair. it was funny
Wow what a pianist and love Vestal and Johnny, they are truly missed. There hasn't been a group to top the Goodman's. Thank God for their God given talent. Can you imagine all the gospel singers in heaven singing to the one and only Jesus Christ, Savior and Lord ❣❣❣
I love this culture... Look at all the people, how supportive they are of each other, how much fun they're having just making music. It's not about showing up one another. They don't need to be loud or flashy. It's just good community and fun. I wish I could live in a culture like that. :)
No I don't think she knew but look at the two whisper they did and I don't he came out from. Rusty the one that hired Johnny cook because he knew he was good ❤❤❤❤
Vestal is no longer looking for that city for there she lives with our Saviour. My mother loved to sing. I imagine she and Vestal are singing around the Saviour's throne. One day I will sing with them in that Celestial City.
I suspect that even in the earlier days, Vestal could go higher too if she had to but that wasn't the plan lol. The thing though is that Vestal does her part in her flawless mixed voice, but Johnny belts out his part in his chest voice... now that's a tenor! But I guess age took away his freedom to sing like that, not his height, but the control up there to sound good that high with a song that goes varies across the scale
I don't think Wally got it up high enough on Vestal's second run through and Johnny figured it wouldn't be high enough for him so they stopped it. I would say it was more of a "no-contest" than a "loss" for Johnny!
@@KingAceHernandez1291 Gee.. at two year's old.. you were nearly a baby :) This video really look's like it could be new if you didn't know different..although it's already approximately 29 year's old! If you're new to hearing Vestal & Johnny sing..there are two more of these sing~offs between them on RU-vid..... Both are from 1974 & they are so much fun to watch & by the way...they are completed..unlike this one! This one just didn't seem fair... to me anyway :) 😔 If by chance you haven't seen them & care to look them up.. just type in Johnny Cook & Vestal Goodman singing "Looking For A City."......
@@donnierittenberry5515 Johnny started with the Goodmans in 1973 while Vestal was out having open heart surgery. Johnny was one the most underrated tenors of all time. He was one of a kind in my book. There hasn't been anyone yet that comes close to sounding like him. May never be---idk. Time will tell.......
does anyone hase the recording where bill and mark lowry go to brittain and mark yells and the royal gaurd i think its part of the gaither vocal band reunited show