THE IMPERIALS - NEW DIMENSIONS - STILL FACTORY SEALED LP

$

28

This listing is for a factory sealed copy of The Imperials - "New Dimensions" LP

Group history leading up to this LP:

The group was formed when gospel legend Jake Hess decided to form his own "super-group". Hess had been the lead singer for Hovie Lister and the Statesmen for the previous 17 years. In 1963, he began the process of forming Jake Hess and The Imperials. He formed it in a very unusual way: rather than auditioning singers, or getting together with friends of his, he "hand-picked" singers from other quartets at the time that he thought of as "the best" in their respective categories.

The baritone singer was Gary McSpadden, a young man who had subbed for Hess with The Statesmen when Hess had to be hospitalized. Reportedly, when he heard what McSpadden sounded like with The Statesmen, Hess said "When I form my group, that young man will be in it." And he was, but he had to quit The Oak Ridge Boys, with whom he was singing at the time.

The bass singer was a young Filipino named Armond Morales who at the time was singing with The Weatherfords. Pianist Henry Slaughter also came from that group. Sherrill Nielsen, of The Speer Family, was hired as tenor.

Jake Hess - Armond Morales – Sherrill Nielsen – Gary McSpadden – and Henry Slaughter, each brought his part of the investment money to start the group. The first album of 1964 was with Skylight Records called Jake Hess and The Imperials.

Jake Hess formed a unique group in a couple of respects. Firstly, they had a "Morals Clause" that meant all the members had to live what they sang. Secondly, they had a large repertoire that enabled them to sing all day without repeating a song. The group signed with Benson Records and as a signing bonus the record company bought their first bus. They were very prolific, with three more albums released in their first year alone. They were "Introducing the Illustrious Imperials”, "Fireside Hymns", and "Blends & Rhythms". In 1965, they released "Talent Times Five", "Slaughter Writes - Imperials Sing", “Happy Sounds Of The Imperials”, “He Was A Preachin’ Man”, and “Slightly Regal”, but by 1966, Sherrill Nielsen had moved on, and a young tenor singer by the name of Jim Murray became a partner in the already popular group. For the next twenty years, Jim Murray would provide the other anchor of the group's trademark sound, and has become what many believed to be the greatest Tenor singer of his time.

By this time, the group had become a household name in Christian homes across the country. They performed many concerts with Hess's old group, the Statesmen, and others as well. They were famous for thinking "outside the box" and adding songs to their repertoire and performing in venues other than where southern gospel groups usually would. They released the album "The Happy Sounds of Jake Hess & the Imperials" before they had another change-over. Henry Slaughter left the group later that year, to be replaced by a young man named Joe Moscheo. (You can see him in the bottom right of the picture below.) Four more albums were produced between 1966 and 1967: "He Was a Preachin' Man", "The Imperials Sing Inspirational Classics", "The Imperials Sing Their Favorite Hymns" and "To Sing is the Thing".

Jake Hess again began to experience health issues. He was plagued by them all his life, and by the time he passed away in January 2004 he had suffered three heart attacks. Gary McSpadden and Jake Hess left the group at the same time in mid 1966 leaving Armond Morales, Jim Murray and Joe Moscheo as partners.

Armond, Jim, and Joe, reconstructed the group and began the search for new members. For a new lead singer, Armond hired Terry Blackwood (bottom left in the picture below), the son of gospel legend Doyle Blackwood, one of the original Blackwood Brothers. Roger Wiles (top middle below) was hired as baritone. When they released their 1966 album, the first without Jake, entitled "New Dimensions", they unveiled a new sound that wasn't entirely bound by the constraints of southern gospel. The almost modern-sounding album still contained the tight harmonies the group had become famous for. The beginning of 1968 the album “Now” was released and is considered an early classic. Terry Blackwood's dynamic lead vocals made him into one of the greatest lead singers in gospel music; a title which many still attribute to him today.

This LP is on "Vista" Records.

There is a thin cut in the corner of the cover.

Record # STEREO/R-1705

Song list

Side 1

1. So Many Times

2. His Name Is Wonderful

3. (We've Got A) Great Big Wonderful God

4. Walk With Me

5. He's Everything To Me

6. The Impossible Dream

Side 2

1. On The Other Side

2. Marvelous Grace

3. Exodus

4. I Know Who It Is (And I'm Gonna Tell On Him)

5. (I Will) Lean On His Arm

6. I'm Gonna Be There

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