By 1983, the Inspirations were celebrating 12 years with Canaan Records (though “Sing Me a Gospel Song” and “Is That Footsteps That I Hear” were initially released independently, but later picked up by Canaan), and they were enjoying renewed success with such songs as “Is That Footsteps That I Hear” and “They’re Holding Up the Ladder”. Though the album, “The Wonder of Wonders”, would not offer up any exciting barnburners like those aforementioned tunes, this latest record would bring us a unique crop of songs that are all done in the Inspirations inimitable style.

“The Wonder of Wonders” was produced by Martin Cook and recorded at Mark V Studios, and they utilized the same musicians as “Someday”, with the exception of Tommy Dodd jumping on board to play the steel guitar and dobro, instead of Russell Easter, Jr. Overall, I always felt “The Wonder of Wonders” was a pretty laid-back album, and the album demonstrated that the Inspirations had settled into a nice gentle stride, which contrasted a lot of what you heard from them during the 70’s. With the Inspirations relying on just piano and upright bass for live accompaniment, it did tend to limit them a little bit in regard to arrangements and such, and being able to convey the same excitement from the record into their live performances. But Martin was always an outstanding showman and emcee, and he knew how to get the job done when needed!

The cover shot has a very “springy” feel to it, and was taken at Centennial Park in Nashville, Tennessee. The Parthenon is located there in that park, and I am surprised they did not capture any pictures there, as several Southern Gospel artists have used the Parthenon as a backdrop for their album covers from as far back as the early and mid-1960’s. But true to the Inspirations style, who did things “their” way, it really shouldn’t surprise me at all, that they stuck with the beautiful garden area of the park for the cover shot.

With Troy taking the verses and Archie taking the lead on the chorus, the album kicks off with the sparkling song of triumph entitled, “Victory is Sweet”. Written by Dee Gaskin, this was a popular song for the Singing Cookes (my favorite version), Singing Echoes and McKameys, but it would be the Inspirations who would ultimately chart the song, albeit briefly, stalling out at #27 in the August 1984 Singing News chart. The song features fun piano highlights expertly played by Otis Forrest, giving the musical illusion of a dancing ballerina. This has always been an interesting song to me, as the most common arrangement of the song starts off slow with a 4/4 meter, tackling both verses back-to-back, almost like telling a story, before dramatically picking up the tempo for the triumphant chorus, while also changing the meter to 3/4 time. This is the way the Singing Cookes and McKameys recorded the song, as well as numerous other groups I’ve heard perform the song over the years. The Singing Echoes recorded the song in 1982, and they kept the song all the same tempo (3/4 time) and did the song in the typical Verse, Chorus, Verse, Chorus arrangement. The Inspirations opted to arrange the song slightly different from the Singing Echoes, as they kick off with the chorus, then go into the first verse, then chorus and second verse, etc., while also keeping the meter in 3/4 time for the entire song. Pardon my indulgence, as I sometimes love to get into the weeds of various arrangements and songs, as I enjoy studying the evolution of songs and groups!

The acoustic feel of “What a Meeting in the Air” was a delightful addition to this album. Written by Ann and Marty Phillips, this song was a hugely popular convention favorite (still is today on the convention singing circuit!) and it appears that the Inspirations may have been one of the first major groups to record the song. Other early recorded versions of the song include the Talleys and Jerry & the Goffs, and then later on by the Cathedrals, Greater Vision and Karen Peck & New River, and was also a popular song on the Gaither Homecoming videos as well. Of all the versions out there of this song, the gold standard version is by the Cathedrals from their 1985 album, “Especially for You”. Most versions of the song are done at a medium tempo, but the Inspirations made the song their own as they seemed to speed up the tempo quite a bit. It seems Jerry Goff used the Inspirations version as a guide, as his rendition of the song from their 1985 album, “People’s Choice”, follows a similar tempo.

Next, Troy steps up to sing what became one of his signature songs, as well as one of my personal favorite Troy features, “The Wonder of Wonders”. Featuring some nice subtle electric and steel guitar highlights, this rather unassuming, yet powerful song was written by Charles Wycuff and published by Tuckaseigee Publishing (one of the Inspirations’ publishing companies), and was a big hit for the Inspirations, peaking at the #6 position in the March 1984 Singing News chart. The song is one of the most dynamic songs on the incarnation of God…“the wonder of wonders, oh how could it be, that God became flesh and was given for me, the Almighty came down and walked among men, the wonder of wonders, He died for my sin!”. The Inspirations have gone on to record the song at least 2 more times, on their 1986 Christmas album, “Going Home for Christmas”, and again in 2003, on the recording, “The Journey Ahead”. A unique fact that a lot of people may not know or remember, is that Tammy Faye Bakker recorded the song a couple of years later, on her 1985 album, “Don’t Give Up”, and did a really great job with her performance of the song.

The medium tempo, “I’m Soon Going Home”, which was written by Roger Horne, had a great campmeeting feel to it, and was a solid group effort. Featuring some step out lines by Mike on the chorus, the song recalls that classic Inspirations sound, as does the bouncy, “The Last Long Mile”, which was written by Rick Davis and published by Inspirations Quartet Music. Featuring nice steel and electric guitar embellishments, the song features Archie and it just drips of that classic Inspirations’ sound. Rounding out the first side on a happy note, the song is one of my favorites from this album.

With its wailing dobro in the background, Archie kicks off the second side with the country feel of the slower tempo, “When the Crops Are Laid By”, which was written by Lee Penland (writer of “Shake Hands with a Poor Boy” by the Kingsmen). A bit unique for the Inspirations, the song’s title is an old farming term that refers to the point in the growing season when cultivation (such as hoeing or plowing) is finished for the year, and the farmer can rest. The song very eloquently parallels that idea to the time when we can finally rest from our labor in the vineyard…“when the crops are laid by, and my work here is done, I want to see Jesus, hear His voice say ‘well done’, then this ole plow boy is gonna head for the sky, you can look for me in glory, when the crops are laid by”. I remember hearing the Inspirations sing this song in concert back in the mid-80’s, and I just wasn’t a fan of the song at all back then as a teenager. As I have grown older, I’ve come to genuinely appreciate the song’s message and its unique lyric, as it’s moved up the ranks, becoming my favorite song from this album! It’s funny how time and age can change someone’s perspective! Additionally, the song has become a favorite in bluegrass circles, being sung and recorded by various acts in the genre, and the song has become a popular one for the North Carolina based bluegrass gospel group called, the Gospel Plowboys, as the song fits them perfectly!

With its fun piano track, the highly enjoyable, “I’m Gonna Rise”, written by Clark Mobley and published by Stamps Quartet Music, is another group song that has some step-out lines by Mike on the chorus, leading nicely into another tune written by Rick Davis titled, “Wings of Love”. Featuring step out lines by Mike and Archie on the chorus, the song also features some nice piano work throughout. Both songs have that classic Inspirations sound and are highlights of the album.

Slowing the pace back down, Jack steps up to sing the tender, “Love’s What He’s All About”, which was a song that fit Jack like a glove. Written by Harold McWhorter, the Chuck Wagon Gang eventually recorded the song nearly 10 years later, on their 1992 recording, “Still Rollin’”, and did a great job with their version of the song.

Troy finishes out the album with the campmeeting feel of, “I Know I’ll Live Again”. Featuring some nice steel guitar highlights, this medium tempo song was written by Becky Robinson and published by the Inspirations, and it’s an excellent closing tune, as well as one of my personal favorites from the recording.

For some reason, I did not obtain “The Wonder of Wonders” until late 1988, when I saw the Inspirations sing at Fellowship Baptist Church in Durham, North Carolina in November of that year. I was very familiar with its title song, but not as familiar with most of the other songs, and I have struggled for the last 35+ years to really connect with this album. I sometimes wonder if I had heard the album when I was a little younger, would I have connected with it better? Either way, “The Wonder of Wonders” has never been one of my absolute favorite albums by the Inspirations, nor would I call it my least favorite either, as there are some really great songs on this album that resonates strongly with me, and I do believe that it’s truly a great album! As I mentioned at the beginning, “The Wonder of Wonders” was a pretty laid-back, “low key” album overall, and one that is very easy to listen to. By the 1980’s, the Inspirations had moved beyond being the “hottest thing in gospel music”, and had settled into a nice steady groove, as they had become mainstays within the industry and had proven themselves as one of the greatest and best loved quartets in our genre!

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