How Great Thou Art- Organ Solo (Sammy Berfect)

[rocroyal15]

I miss you grandpa i will always <3 U!

[msbri83]

My Uncle was one of the best in the city NOLA. We miss him dearly

[Vessel4Praise]

oh so this dude deceased? They should change his last name to Perfect in memory of his work.

[Joshuanet909]

I love how he is slapping the keys at 5:43. The performance is so out of box that it is cool. (note coming from a teen)

[Willard511]

Where can this CD be found...Or anymore that he made...WOW! What a blessing this guy was, and will always be to society...

[Willard511]

Where can this CD be found...Or anymore that he made...WOW!

[Willard511]

What a master of his craft he was...Awesome! He should be put in the music hall of fame, he was a gift to the world...A gift that keeps on giving...RIP Sammy , God love's you...

[Willard511]

He should be in the Music hall of fame...This guy was a master of his craft...What a guy, you just got to love him...Way to go Sammy, America Love's you...

[babyboy478]

This cat was an organ genius.  I still remember when he came to Franklin and tore the organ up! Literally... he played so hard that he chipped two of the keys and cut his finger lol

RIP Sammy

[TheNoonie9800]

The great Bishop of music. He was anointed by God to minister music to all. We loved him and will forever love him. Sam, I know you are playing in the Heavenly Choir. I was a member of the Dimensions of Faith and we sang to the Glory of God, not for form or fashion.

[TheNoonie9800]

The great Bishop of music.  He was anointed by God to minister music to all. We loved him and will forever love him. Sam, I know you are playing in the Heavenly Choir.

[michaelj1959]

I can listen to him play all day. R.I.P.

[jontroibumpus]

I love the artistry, but music like this always seems to remind me of funerals.

[Gerry8167]

My my my! Thank you very much Tdavidray! Lord have mercy, this is beautiful. Lord how I miss Sammy. He used to play organ/piano for my mother the late Marva Wright and everywhere they went to perform it was church, for mama was also one of Sammy's vocalist in his group The Dimensions of Faith. I know they are having a wonderful time playing and singing in heaven. Praise God! Like mama use to say, "Play Sammy!"

[Gerry8167]

My my my! Thank you very much Tdavidray! Lord have mercy, this is beautiful. Lord how I miss Sammy. He used to play organ/piano for my mother the late Marva Wright and everywhere they went to perform it was church, for mama was also one of Sammy's vocalist in his group The Dimensions of Faith. I know they are having a wonderful time playing and singing in heaven. Praise God!

[mcmiraclevalley]

Dr. Berfect indeed was an master organist:

Bishop Michael Capps, Ph.D

[timothyj1966]

not only are his runs ridiculous ! he hears so many other changes and chords outside the realm that he must be playing in heaven

[sammyberfect]

Way to go dad. You were a living legend in New Orleans and all over the world. Dad, never mind the haters, REST IN PEACE. You did not get the recognition that you deserved here on earth but I know you're recognized in heaven.

Love, your daughter.

recognition

[greentshirt5]

I'm not Baptist, but I feel something on this. Lot of spirit in this version and doesnt he make that organ say the words to you? Listen again, I'm sure you'll hear what I'm talking about.

[pianoboy890]

WHat???? thats pure entertainment for people over 70. THats not the holy spirit in him. To manny musicians today run off of self praise instead of praise to God.

[clevman06]

lol..this is extra baptist...lol u cant speak tounges over this...lol

he got great control, drive, and chops, but missin that pentecostal holy ghost feelin'.... i can only be entertained by this...LOL... kool tho

[dellabrook]

By the time he got to how great thou art them mugs was laying prostrate before lord!

[bkisme]

considering i waited this long for him to play it, this better be FLIPPIN EPIC...

something tells me this would have been a lot better had I been amongst that group. Didn't recognize how great thou art but this boi can play some wicked shit.

[ghexhorter]

...still waiting on him to play, 'How Great Thou Art.' that's just entertainment, not much else.

[Memyai]

Hey, it's there...relax and be, as you said, entertained.

[10JLB]

DUDE!!!! WHERE DID YOU GET THIS VIDEO FROM? Sammie was so awesome when he played!!! From gospel to secular, Sammie could play it all!!!!

[Memyai]

From what to what?  Tell me more about this guy...I never heard of him, until today.

[jimmy25138]

Christians are anything but boring.  I love this video more than I could say.

[thelight1906]

you guys are soooo stuck on the ORIGINAL music that you don't even know how to let the SPIRIT come in cuz you're always analyzing...

[brothalewis78]

fam, how can you even say something like that???? he's not playing for you!!! think about it!!!!! you probably don't have 2/3 of his skills!!!!!!!

[blackmoney37]

you are so right, I dont have any of those horrible skills,

[brothalewis78]

wheres your video at guy???? how many recordings you play for??? how many people even know you??????

[richard0688]

what do you recommend?

[kadjach]

Gave me goose bumps

[YoungmanwithOldsoul]

me too

[jamminondakeys]

I love this vid.. There is a true anointing on this mans life and his fingers and his mind. I love self-interpreted playings more than playing from music.

[danielrinck]

sound like angels working his fingers

[robinc1969]

I kind of agree with Craig9843...if he'd stayed more on the music and added his other inspirational chords, etc (instead of it MAINLY being "off the music")it would have been more enjoyable.

[projectdehli]

Amazing! Such a powerfull tonewheel sound

[fystasjoppheng]

I dont know how to explain this, but he has something "magic" in his playing.

He manage to capture the listner in to all the moods he creates, even the pauses.

[hugleberthumperdink]

this is enough to turn any man, woman, anything or anyone at all, to religion

[KSerene1]

He stayed perfectly within the chord changes. He just took his sweeeeet time. His interpretation is powerful. The organ sings....

[100Versityle]

he could have stayed a little closer to the orginal music with all those chords lol, but a very talented and blessed musician. this song was played at my grandmother's funeral service and it still brings me to tears everytime.

[craig9843]

I never recognized "How Great Thou Art" in this...sorry.

[mcrock17]

Goosebombs and tears won´t stop while listening.

Thank you and this wonderful community there !!

Wolfgang

[drumnkeyz86]

I'm a 22 yr old musician. Definetly from the contemporary school of Organists. But I've always revered & respected the older styles that is rarely heard in church anymore. THIS GUY IS AWESOME AND ANOINTED! He would have to be to evoke the spirit in that place the way he did... AND without any backup or playing behind a singer. This is true worship and musicianship on display and younger musicians could greatly benefit from exposer to this kind of playing. I KNOW I DID God Bless

[afratube]

Continued from "suprememaster0" reply: The spirit in that place was not the same spirit we would have if we had consumed a few drinks and listened to someone play at the night club. At the club, we would have been consumed with the musician himself and the feeling from the liquid "spirits" consumed; but here in this assembly, those who worship in truth are giving God the glory.

[suprememaster0]

This is not devine. It's a pure show. The modern church has become the soul entertaining environment. Wake up. You don't go to church to clap on this talent. You go there to ask for your forgiveness.

[ebufford]

Well my goodness where can you give God your ALL in your talent??? If not the world then where??? If God gave you a talent like this to bless somebody then all you got to do is receive it and close your mouth!..JESUS! People like you make me sick! Y'all sit in church, don't worship but sit there and find fault with everything that moves! No wonder God cursed King David's wife big time!

[minjimmierodgers]

save me as a friend doc...

[afratube]

It's divine Brother. Remember David played music when Saul had evil spirits upon him, and Saul was helped. They are not clapping at his talent; they, are clapping to praise God according to the spirit of praise being awakened in them through this music. If you or I were there, we probably would not have heard people screaming "Sammy", but we would have heard them saying "Hallelujah", "Glory", meaning Glory to God and other shouts of praise to God.

[hudson19947]

It says late great Sammy Berfect. When did he pass? He was awesome on the organ!

[tdavidray]

I believe Sammy died in '99 or '01, not sure. He has family members who've commented below; perhaps you should ask them to be certain.

[ncilmo]

This is one of my favorite hymns and Brother Berfect played it with expert skill and perfection in an interesting and exciting manner!!! This is FIVE star professional musicianship with anointing in front of thousands attending a Baptist convention who appeared to demonstrate to me an appreciation for the greatness in this Gospel Hammond Organ performance!!! I welcome your visit to my videos. Dr. Kemp

[daveweckl1]

im not saying htis guy is shit. i just said the video didnt do it for me ! and im aloud my opinion. you guys need to waks up and stop trying to control everyone

[pyrokrazy81]

its his opinion accept or be a commie and try to control freedom of speak

nazis

FOR CRUST!!!!

[daveweckl1]

hes not doing anything special here i swear there is so many betetr organ players ! this guy doesnt play enough stuff in this video! this is very borring compared to what else is on youtube

[dburfict]

Leave it to the haters. I'll be waiting for your video doing something comparable. I have a feeling I'll be waiting a long time, so in the meantime get a life. Stop hatin and give credit where its due.

[musicmaker85]

There's always one bad apple in every tree. Like dburfict says, we'll be waiting to see what you can come up with!

[bufict]

tdavidray,

Thank you so much for that rendition of Sammy Berfet it was perfect. I never heard him play, now i have, and he's great. May he rest in peace...God captured this for us to hear and see...thanks for sharing, God speed!

Willard

[misscontinental]

AWESOME

[SuzanneUzzell]

Wow this was so amazing what a blessing may he rest in the arms of Jesus for truly he will be remembered, although this is my first time seeing this it has touched me! My dad is a organist and I always love to hear the sound of the organ.

Beautiful!

[AbiolaAbasi]

This is classic New Orleans Baptist organ playing; I grew up listening to such. A very young Sammy Berfect was one of the organists at Historic Second Baptist Church during the 1960s. I joined the church in the mid-70s and our organist was Bennie Weathers, Jr., a very accomplished musician. Organ solos were quite common in the 70s and 80s. My father, Pastor C. E. Washington, always requested the late Gloria C. Mason Henderson to play a meditation before he preached. That's New Orleans, y'all.

[deeEssBee]

Mr Ray,

Your posts are X-cellent.

Thanks for renewing memories of home.

It is something about New Orleans. These are the days that make home special to my heart.

[meetmac1]

What happened to him. Are there any other videos?

[tdavidray]

Sammy Berfect died in the late 90's. And there are other videos but I haven't been able to get any of them.....YET!!!

[bufict]

tdavidray,

If and when you find any of his stuff, please give me a hollow.

Willard

[32pedalnotes]

I would not label this a response to Billy Preston because Billy's version is an original. This man's rendition is excellent in its own right. It is obviously Billy Preston inspired, but he has some nice moves of his own that were powerful. I'm sorry to hear of his passing. May he rest in peace, for he made a great contribution to the art of hammond organ solo playing.

[ebufford]

I would love to meet this guy! I must admit he played this song big time and took it further!!! I hate my live organ solos. That dude by the name of Shawn who plays organ for Todd Hall is wicked too! The best time to check a organist out is when they are having fun sheding (messing around on the organ)-Except Sammy went crazy live up here! -something I need to learn instead of holding back because of past old school teaching about the 'flesh stuff'

[justamusician1010]

This man is a TRUE New Orleans Gospel Musician!!! I've had the pleasure of growing up under this great man!!!!

[TShuga]

This is outstanding, moving, virtuoso. But let's be honest. . . there is no such thing as a video response to Billy Preston on the Hammond.

[trio321b]

That's what I call soul!!! A great video too, I enjoyed the shots of the crowd enjoying the playing just as much. Talk about being into the music and the moment!!

[mcmiraclevalley]

With so many gone now to be with the Lord we yet have one of the very best anointed gospel soul organ players alive today....Dr. Ezra Bufford. Live love dear Elder.

Rev. Michael Capps, D.D., Th.D, Ph.D

[UNDERTAKER730]

woooow that was great i mean great. if i can make my trumpet do that man that was great

D Marc Duncan

Calif. Lic Funeral Director

Oakland Calif

[mcmiraclevalley]

Where can one buy gospel CD's of this good man's playing???

Rev. Michael Capps, Ph.D

[hammondman94]

May his memory live on. His personal organ was purchased and restored by the Rev. John Rapheal, Pastor of New Hope MBC of New Orleans and is housed in the New Hope educational building. By the organ being on the second floor of the Educational Building it was spared from flooding during Hurricane Katrina.

[michaelj1959]

Thank God it was spared. It would have been a shame to lose it. But God had something else in mind. Glory.

[ebufford]

I see somebody else loved Billy Preston besides me! Alright doc!!!

[michaelj1959]

I have to agree. He was AWESOME. But Thank the Lord we still have you.

[mcmiraclevalley]

WOW.............Now this is playing it with soul. Good job my Bro. Berfect:

Rev. Michael Capps, D.D., Th.D, Ph.D

Bishop:

[UNDERTAKER730]

Thats playing with Soul and a powerfull anointing only God can give

Calif Lic. Funeral Director #1726

Colonial Chapel FH

D Marc Duncan