It’s a compilation that takes a look back at classic hits from each artist and not just any artist but gospel recording artists that have made an unquestionable impact on gospel music. Every song is a hymn or what some people call a 100.

I have been looking for the Azusa album with Shirley Caesar where she does a “Yes Lord, Have Thine Own Way” and finally I found an album it is on. She and Bishop Carlton Pearson do an incredible job ministering this song. Classic group, The Mighty Clouds of Joy, do their rendition of “What A Friend We Have In Jesus”. Quartet style always has that extra spunk and it makes the song standout even more. Richard Smallwood sits at the piano and gives us classic hymns the way only he can with “Blessed Assurance”. He gives us classical gospel or should we say gospel with class. Either way it best describes how well he plays this classic hymn. The daughter of Rev. C.L. Franklin, Aretha Franklin herself steps onto the scene with the familiar hit “Oh Mary Won’t You Weep”. You know when Aretha sings anything she gives it her all. When you hear her sing this you can hear the passion and power in the song. When I was in Junior High and living with my grandmother I found a record near her stereo that made me curious. I put the record on the turntable and put the needle on the record and played “What Is This” by Dorothy Moore and now when I listen back I see where a lot of today’s hottest artists have gotten some of their singing styles from.

If you have never heard these songs then it is worth hearing and getting to know some classic hymns. If you do know these songs then it is worth taking a journey back in time for.