CD/DVD REVIEW: THE INSPIRATION OF BROADWAY- ERNIE HAASE & SIGNATURE SOUND

SOUTHERN GOSPEL SPOTLIGHT PRESENTS

CD/DVD REVIEW

THE INSPIRATION OF BROADWAY- ERNIE HAASE & SIGNATURE SOUND

RELEASE DATE: MAY 5, 2015

AVAILABLE: www.erniehaase.com only

EXECUTIVE PRODUCER: ERNIE HAASE

LABEL: STOWTOWN RECORDS

PRODUCER: WAYNE HAUN

OCHESTRATED BY WAYNE HAUN

MEMBERS OF ERNIE HAASE & SIGNATURE SOUND: ERNIE HAASE (TENOR), DEVIN MCGLAMERY (LEAD), DOUG ANDERSON (BARITONE), PAUL HARKEY (BASS), WAYNE HAUN (PIANO/VOCALS)

FEATURING SPECIAL GUEST, AWARD WINNING STAR OF LES MISERABLE AND BROADWAY LEGEND, J. MARK MCVEY

REVIEW COPY PROVIDED

CD SONG LIST:

Any Dream Will Do (from Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat)

Blow, Gabriel, Blow (from Anything Goes)- featuring Devin McGlamery

Climb Ev'ry Mountain (from The Sound Of Music)

Get Happy (from The Nine-Fifteen Revue)

The Impossible Dream (from Man of La Mancha)

Ol' Man River (from Showboat)- featuring Paul Harkey

Seasons of Love (from Rent)

Sit Down You're Rockin' The Boat (from Guys And Dolls)

I Got The Sun In The Morning (from Annie Get Your Gun)- featuring Doug Anderson

Bring Him Home (from Les Miserable) featuring J. Mark McVey

Sunrise, Sunset (from Fiddler on The Roof)

Together (Whever We Go) (from Gypsy)

You'll Never Walk Alone (from Carousel)- featuring Ernie Haase

BRIEF CD REVIEW:

This special project has been in the works for some time and it has finally been released. Ever since I heard their rendition of "Climb Ev'ry Mountain" on Oh, What A Savior, I have been looking forward to this CD and DVD. Ernie Haase & Signature Sound are well known for their out of box style and this project is an example of this fact. Musical theater and Broadway has been a treasured part of American music history. It has produced some of the most incredible talents including award winning star of Les Miserable, J. Mark McVey. EHSS struck up a friendship with McVey and they teamed up to record this landmark project. They gathered 13 of the most memorable Broadway standards and put their Signature Sound to them. Wayne Haun masterfully produced and orchestrated this project once again showcasing his unbelievable talent. The vocals are absolutely superb!! They truly capture the magic of these songs and take them to the next level. Rather than break down every song, I will focus on some major higlights. Devin McGlamery shines throughout the project including "Blow, Gabriel, Blow" and "Climb Ev'ry Mountain." Doug Anderson also gives several incredible performances taking solos on "I Got The Sun In The Morning," "Together (Wherever We Go)," and "The Impossible Dream." Paul Harkey blew me away with his rendition of "Ol' Man River" which showcases his amazing upper register. J. Mark McVey turns in a beautiful performance of his signature song "Bring Him Home" which he sang as "Jean Vel Jean" in Les Miserable. Lastly, Ernie Haase takes the lead on "You'll Never Walk Alone" giving a performance which is an absolute masterpiece in my opinion. All in all, this is a fantastic recording that fans of EHSS and Broadway will love! 4.5 Stars

Brief DVD Review:

Recorded live in Wabash, Indiana this spectacular concert video includes all 13 classic songs from the studio project plus 5 other Broadway standards. Not only did the McVey and EHSS come together to record this album, they also decided to take it on the road with this video being a part of this incredible tour. Produced by Ernie Haase, Wayne Haun, and J. Mark McVey, this video captures the fun and excitement of a Broadway show and the energy of a typical EHSS concert. The combination of Gospel and Broadway is a unique blend, but a great blend as evidenced by this project. The raport betwen the group and McVey is great fun to watch. Ernie Haase and J. Mark McVey serve as emcees of the festvities while Wayne Haun serves as conducter to the orchestra. In between songs, McVey shares anecdotes from his days on Broadway and his introduction to EHSS. Each member shares what these songs mean to them as well. Signature Sound sings "Get Away Jordan" which is a favorite of McVey's. McVey gives a stirring performance of "The Music of The Night," from the The Phantom of The Opera. "Bye, Bye Baby" (from Gentlemen Prefer Blondes) featuring Wayne Haun, "Defying Gravity" (from Wicked) featuring fellow Southern Gospel and StowTown recording artist Taranda Greene, and "Let The Sunshine In" (from Hair) are also included on this video. Higlights of course include J. Mark McVey's beautiful and emotional performance of "Bring Him Home," Paul Harkey's powerful rendition of "Ol' Man River," "Climb Ev'ry Mountain," and "You'll Never Walk Alone" featuring the incredible soaring vocals of Ernie Haase. Before the last two songs, each member gave parting words of wisdom.The group inspired people to go out and play your part in this world, inspire others to live in peace and love, do not take for granted the little things in life, make the most of every sunrise and sunset, and to make meaningful friendships. The following really stood out to me: Devin said, "At the end of the day, people don't care about how much you know, until they know how much you care." What a powerful statement!

This is must buy for those who are fans of EHSS and Broadway music as I said above!! I enjoyed every second of it!

4.5 stars.