Ken Turner & Donna Douglas - Here Come The Critters

paulthompson

Review by Paul Thompson

Here Come The Critters: A Gospel Treat for Little Ears Let’s talk about Here Come The Critters, the 1982 children’s gospel album by Ken Turner and Donna Douglas. Yeah, you heard that right—Donna Douglas, aka Elly May Clampett from The Beverly Hillbillies. Who knew she had a gospel side hustle? Released under Skylite Records, this little gem is packed with Bible stories and spiritual tunes that’ll have your kids humming along in no time. First off, can we give Charles Hooper some love? The artwork, cover design—you name it, he did it. It’s got this wholesome, hand-drawn charm that screams “Sunday School craft project.” And Glenn Rieuf on engineering duties made sure everything sounded crisp, even back in the early ‘80s. Joel Gentry produced the whole thing, tying it all together like a warm hug. Now, let’s dive into two tracks that stuck with me. First up: “Swing Low Sweet Chariot.” You’ve probably heard this classic a zillion times, but Ken and Donna bring their own playful twist to it. Their voices blend so well—it’s like peanut butter and jelly for your ears. There’s something comforting about how they make an old hymn feel fresh without losing its soul. Plus, if you’ve ever tried teaching this one to kids (raises hand), you know how catchy it is. They’ll be singing it for days, trust me. Then there’s “Animals Visit The Christ Child.” This track? Pure magic. It tells the Nativity story through the eyes of animals visiting baby Jesus. Sounds kinda cheesy, I know, but it works. Ken and Donna nail the storytelling vibe, making it fun yet reverent. My favorite part? When they mimic animal sounds during the verses. Like, who doesn’t smile when a donkey brays in perfect harmony? It’s silly enough to grab kids’ attention but sweet enough to remind you what Christmas is really about. One thing I gotta say—this album isn’t trying too hard to impress anyone. It’s simple, heartfelt, and unapologetically earnest. And honestly, that’s why it works. These songs are more than just music; they’re lessons wrapped in melody. Whether it’s learning courage from David or patience from Noah, each tune sneaks in a moral while keeping things light. So here’s my random thought to wrap this up: If someone told me thirty years ago that I’d still remember an obscure gospel album featuring cartoon critters and Bible tales, I’d have laughed. But here we are. Maybe that’s the power of good storytelling—or maybe it’s just the fact that Donna Douglas could sell anything with her voice. Either way, Here Come The Critters deserves a spot on your playlist if you’ve got little ones around. Or hey, even if you don’t. Sometimes adults need a little chariot swinging low in their lives too.

Download Ken Turner & Donna Douglas - Here Come The Critters
Artist: Ken Turner & Donna Douglas
Album: Here Come The Critters
Rating: 3.5

Table of Contents

Download

Filename: ken-turner-donna-douglas-here-come-the-critters.zip
  • MP3 size: 46.8 mb
  • FLAC size: 352.2 mb

Tracks

TrackDurationPreview
Go Jonah3:02
Noah's Ark7:27
David And Goliath6:57
Swing Low Sweet Chariot2:12
Joshua Fit The Battle Of Jericho2:10
Animals Visit The Christ Child5:40

Images

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Catalog Numbers

SLP 6286, SLP-6286

Labels

Skylite

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Formats

  • Vinyl
  • LP
  • Album

Companies

RoleCompany
Phonographic Copyright (p)Skylite-Sing, Inc.
Copyright (c)Skylite-Sing, Inc.
Recorded AtYoung 'Un Stound Studios

Credits

RoleCredit
ArtworkCharles Hooper
CoverCharles Hooper
DesignCharles Hooper
EngineerGlenn Rieuf
ProducerJoel Gentry

Barcodes

  • Rights Society: SESAC
  • Rights Society: BMI
  • Matrix / Runout (side A runout etched): SLP-6286-A MI
  • Matrix / Runout (side B runout etched): SLP-6286-B MI

About Ken Turner & Donna Douglas

Ken Turner is a southern gospel singer and songwriter. He has been a member of the Palmetto State Quartet, the Dixie Echoes, the Blackwood Brothers, and the James Blackwood Quartet, in addition to solo recordings. He also founded his own group, Ken Turner And New Millennium. In 2011 he joined the group Valor III. Born April 1935.

Name Vars

  • Big Ken
  • K. Turner
  • Kenneth Turner

Interesting fact about Album

Here's a fun fact: The album "Here Come The Critters" by Ken Turner & Donna Douglas is more than just a children’s gospel record. It blends classic Bible stories with catchy tunes, like "Swing Low Sweet Chariot" and "Noah’s Ark." What’s cool is that Charles Hooper handled all the artwork, cover, and design—talk about wearing multiple hats! Released in 1982 under Skylite Records, it’s a hidden gem from the US. Plus, Glenn Rieuf engineered the whole project while Joel Gentry produced it. So basically, this little album had quite the team behind it!