eMusic Review 0
It's tough to wrap ones 'brain around the idea that "Somewhere to Lay My Head," the first track on the Highway QC's Jesus is Waiting, was the B-side to the group's first single. Not only did it quickly become one of the group's signature songs, I'd argue that this pure and plaintive a cappella number is among the greatest gospel songs ever recorded — or heck, that it's simply one of the greatest songs, period. Johnnie Taylor's lead tenor vocals generate goosebumps each and every time, from his opening, bluesy "whoooaaahhh" to the final note he delivers with the rest of the group behind him. A quartet of this sort is only as strong as its weakest link, of course, and with the Highway QC's there are none. The bass vocals are perfect, the first and second tenors are never out of tune for half a second.
Fans of golden age gospel may be well aware of the restrained yet intense charms of the QC's, but their general obscurity is a bit baffling when you first hear them. This music is simply so good it can be hard to listen to anything else some days — the arrangements are tight… read more »
