by James Hales | Dec 3, 2025 | LP Review, Reviews
By early 1986, the Inspirations had maintained the same vocal line-up with Archie, Troy, Jack and Mike for about 6 years or so. Though I grew up watching them on the Gospel Singing Jubilee with the line-up of Archie, Troy, Eddie and Mike, the line-up from late 1979 to...
by James Hales | Nov 26, 2025 | LP Review, Reviews
As the Inspirations wrapped up their 20th anniversary as a group, like clockwork, they were back into the studio at the beginning of 1985 to record this unique album titled, “Praise God and Country”. Given the political climate and the renewed sense of patriotism...
by James Hales | Nov 19, 2025 | LP Review, Reviews
1984 was a celebratory, “Twentieth Anniversary” year for the Inspirations. Though 20 years had passed, and many changes had taken place since those humble beginnings in Martin’s basement, Archie, Martin and Jack (who were part of those first basement sessions in...
by James Hales | Nov 12, 2025 | LP Review, Reviews
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...
by James Hales | Nov 5, 2025 | LP Review, Reviews
After releasing a couple of independent live albums, along with their previous two studio albums starting out under the “Inspirations Records” umbrella, this is the first purely Canaan release for the Inspirations in 2 years. With the sudden passing of Marvin Norcross...
by James Hales | Oct 29, 2025 | LP Review, Reviews
By the 1980’s, we reach an interesting point in the Inspirations career as a group, because by this time they had enough hit songs and concert favorites to put on their very own all-night singing all by themselves, and not repeat a single song! Where it seemed almost...
