CD REVIEW: HAPPY PEOPLE- ERNIE HAASE & SIGNATURE SOUND
SOUTHERN GOSPEL SPOTLIGHT PRESENTS
CD REVIEW
HAPPY PEOPLE- ERNIE HAASE & SIGNATURE SOUND
Label: StowTown Records
Producer:
Release Date: May 5, 2015
Members: Ernie Haase (Tenor), Devin McGlamery (Lead), Doug Anderson (Baritone), Paul Harkey (Bass), and Wayne Haun (Piano)
REVIEW COPY PROVIDED
Song list:
One Of These Mornings [Herbert Brewster] , featuring Devin, Ernie
Happy People– [Ernie Haase/Wayne Haun/Joel Lindsey], featuring Ensemble
Thank You For Saving Me – [Michael Farren/Greg Sykes], featuring Devin
Love Walked In – [Wayne Haun/Jeff Bumgardner], featuring Doug, Devin
Jesus Changed Everything– [Ernie Haase/Wayne Haun /Joel Lindsey], featuring Doug, Ernie
Let Your Love Light Shine – [Rachel McCutcheon], featuring Ernie
Angels Everywhere [Ernie Haase/Dianne Wilkinson], featuring Devin, Paul, Ernie
It’s Good To See The Sun – [Ernie Haase/Wayne Haun/Joel Lindsey], featuring Doug, Ernie
Joshua Led God’s Children – [Vep Ellis], featuring Doug, Ernie
A Soldier Fighting To Go Home– [Joel Lindsey /David Pike], featuring Paul, Doug
I Do Believe – [William J. Gaither/Gloria Gaither], featuring Doug
THOUGHTS:
In their 13 year career, Ernie Haase & Signature Sound has been a trailblazer in this industry continuing to produce quality recordings. They are one of the most recognizable groups and have garnered a following not only in the US but around the world. In addition to their own success, Ernie Haase and Wayne Haun’s StowTown Records has been receiving critical praise. Happy People is an incredible collection of mostly brand new songs. It features the writing talents of Haase, Haun, Joel Lindsey, Dianne Wilkinson, and Bill Gaither among others. Each vocalist brings their A game on this record. Doug Anderson, especially given the recent announcement of his upcoming departure, gives some of his strongest performances on this album.
The record begins with an energetic cover of the Statesmen classic “One Of These Mornings” which harkens back to the old quartet days. The first radio single and jazzy title cut “Happy People” reminds us that true happiness comes from the Lord. Devin McGlamery shines on the next track which is the worshipful “Thank You For Saving Me.” It is beautifully orchestrated and written by Michael Farren and Greg Sykes. Ernie Haase, at a recent concert, told a moving story of how this song came to be recorded. (Link to video:https://www.facebook.com/globalpromoconcerts/videos/931931333533505/ ). This song is one of the best on the record in my opinion. One verse in particular stood out to me: “It’s not hopeless, it’s not defeat. It’s not the ending, when death we meet. It’s only triumph and victory. As one we’ll sing!” That’s such a powerful truth!! I have a feeling this will become McGlamery’s signature song as well as a big hit for the quartet. Next, stalwart member Doug Anderson is let loose on the Wayne Haun and Jeff Bumgardner penned “Loved Walked In.” This country flavored tune says: “Love walked in a chased the fear away; the champion showed up and saved the day.” McGlamery takes the lead on the last verse which tells of Christ’s resurrection and how Love walked in and chased away the doubt and fear of the disciples. Anderson lends his warm baritone to the first verse of the powerful Haase/ Haun/ Lindsey penned ballad “Jesus Changed Everything.” Ernie’s signature tenor voice shines on the second verse and the chorus shows he still can hit the incredible high notes as he did in his days with the Cathedrals. This song reminds us of the transforming power of God’s grace. All of the pain, bitterness, and hurt are washed away by His Grace. When I met Jesus, He changed everything. I am forgiven and free, and joy overflows in my soul!!
The progressive contemporary Christian music styled “Let Your Love Light Shine” features Ernie Haase and its message is simple: be a light for Jesus in this lost and hurting world. Haase teams up with Dianne Wilkinson to write the next song, a tender, traditional quartet style ballad called “Angels Everywhere.” This old timey piano driven song features Devin, Paul, and Ernie on the first verse and Ernie on the second verse as well as the step out lines in the chorus. It reminds us that God’s angels are watching over us. Next, the quartet covers one of its own songs “It’s Good To See The Sun” which was previously released on the second Influenced record. This easy going, French accordion flavored ballad features Doug on the verse. Another cover is that of Vep Ellis’s jazzy convention song “Joshua Led God’s Children” which will be familiar to those you follow the Gaither Homecoming videos. It features Doug once again and the verses and Ernie on the later choruses. Paul Harkey gets some strong step out lines as well as the signature slide where his bass voice shines. Harkey takes the verses on the country style ballad “A Soldier Fighting To Go Home” which uses the metaphor of soldiers in war to describe the greater spiritual war that is raging throughout this lost and hurting world. We have a duty to spread the Gospel to all people and until that work is done, we are all just soldiers fighting to go home. Doug’s powerful baritone also shines on the third verse of this song. The closing song is a cover of the Gaither Vocal Band’s “I Do Believe” written by Bill and Gloria Gaither. Doug Anderson gives one of his best performances on this beautifully written song of worship which has a Signature Sound spin on it. Let this song be a prayer and anthem for us all. I do believe you are the one, my hope, God’s only Son, my Lord, My God!!
FINAL THOUGHTS:
This record is definitely among the best of the year as well as among the best work this quartet has ever done! Ernie Haase & Signature Sound continues to impress me with their creativity and masterful production quality. Each member turns in incredible vocal performances with the standouts being Doug Anderson on “I Do Believe,” Devin McGlamery on “Thank You For Saving Me,” Paul Harkey on “A Soldier,” and Ernie Haase on “Jesus Changed Everything.” This is a great collection of songs each well written and thoughtful. My only critique would be that while I love “It’s Good To See The Sun,” I feel that it is somewhat out of place on this recording. With that being said, I loved this record and look forward to hearing these songs performed live in concert! This is also a fitting conclusion to the unforgettable tenure of Doug Anderson with the group. As I said earlier, Anderson gives some of his best performances on this CD. I wish him the best of luck in his solo ministry. He will be greatly missed.
This is a MUST BUY period whether you are a fan of EHSS or not!
4.5 Stars!!!!!
For more information and to purchase this project, visit http://www.erniehaase.com/
