SPOTLIGHT CD REVIEW: GRACE- EVIDENCE QUARTET
SOUTHERN GOSPEL SPOTLIGHT PRESENTS:
CD REVIEW:
GRACE
EVIDENCE QUARTET
GROUP MEMBERS: GORDON COOGAN (LEAD), BRENDA COOGAN (ALTO/TENOR), BOB HUGHES (BARITONE), AND GIL RAMIREZ JR. (BASS)
RELEASE DATE: DECEMBER 26, 2018 LABEL: EVIDENCE MUSIC MINISTRY PRODUCER: BEN EGGEHORN AND EVIDENCE QUARTET
SONG LIST:
I Found Grace
By Your Grace, For Your Glory
Find Me Faithful
Every Time I Need Him
Product Of Love
Grip Of Grace
This Old Sinner Testifies
The Blood Will Never Lose Its Power
Sheltered In The Arms Of God
Steppin’ Out In Faith
THOUGHTS: Earlier this year while searching for possible venues for artists, I came across a great quartet based here in California. Evidence Quartet was founded in 2005 by Rose Charlotte Ball who served as manager and pianist until her passing in 2015. Ball’s daughter Brenda leads the group now with her husband Gordon Coogan. They are joined by former Cross Road Quartet baritone Bob Hughes and Golden State Quartet bass singer Gil Ramirez Jr. This exciting quartet is based in Yorba Linda and mainly travels California and Arizona spreading God’s Word. They also host other groups at their home church such as Gold City and solo artist Joseph Habedank. The day after Christmas saw the release of their new album Grace, which features ten great familiar songs. The album opens with a rousing cover of Legacy Five’s “I Found Grace,” which showcases the group’s harmony as well as Brenda’s upper range and Gil’s low bass. Next, the group covers the anthem “By Your Grace, For Your Glory,” made popular by Gold City. Gordon Coogan gives a stellar performance on the second verse of this song which simply says: I’m here by the grace of God. By His Grace, I am here to tell the story! “Find Me Faithful,” is a beautiful ballad previously recorded by the Perrys that reminds us that His Grace is enough. He is faithful through it all so we must be faithful to Him. Brenda Coogan’s incredible voice fits this song perfectly. The group covers several Perrys songs including the energy filled “Every Time I Need Him,” which features Gordon and simply says God is there whenever you need Him. Bass singer Gil Ramirez Jr. is featured on the tender ballad “Product Of Love,” which simply says: God’s Love is transformative. We are products of God’s Love and Mercy. Ramirez’s warm, rich bass voice shines on the second verse which originally featured Tracy Stuffle (Perrys bass singer). In my opinion, Ramirez, whose voice reminds me a lot of Stuffle’s, does the late bass singer justice. Gordon is featured once again on the mid-tempo track “Grip Of Grace,” which proclaims: “I am firmly held by God’s own hand and it’s my favorite place.” I am in the grip of Grace! Next, the group covers the Perrys version of the groovy “This Old Sinner Testifies,” which features Ramirez’s low bass. I was really impressed by his command of the second verse which showcased an solid low note. Bob Hughes takes the lead on the Andre Crouch classic “The Blood Will Never Lose Its Power,” which showcases his smooth classic style baritone and the group’s incredible harmonies. Brenda is featured once again on the Dottie Rambo classic “Sheltered In The Arms Of God.” This song is once again a great fit for her voice and showcases it beautifully. This exciting album closes with a rousing, toe-tapping cover of the Jim Brady Trio tune “Steppin’ Out In Faith,” which encourage listeners to put their trust in God.
FINAL THOUGHTS: EVIDENCE IS THE REAL DEAL. GREAT SONGS, IMPRESSIVE VOCALS, AND TOP NOTCH PRODUCTION QUALITY. MY ONLY CRITIQUE WOULD BE TO HAVE UPDATED SOME OF THE TRACKS AND MAYBE SOME ARRANGEMENTS. HOWEVER, I LOVED THE SONGS SELECTED AND THE DEDICATION TO THE ORIGINAL RECORDINGS AS EVIDENCED WITH “I FOUND GRACE,” AND THE SEVERAL PERRYS COVERS. EACH MEMBER GAVE IMPRESSIVE VOCAL PERFORMANCES. I WAS VERY IMPRESSED OVERALL WITH THIS CD WHICH IN MY OPINION IS THE BEST THE GROUP HAS RELEASED. CAN’T WAIT TO SEE WHAT THE GROUP HAS IN STORE FOR 2019. I DEFINITELY RECOMMEND THIS TO FANS OF CLASSIC SOUTHERN GOSPEL MUSIC! 4.5 OF 5 STARS!!
FOR MORE INFORMATION: www.evidencemusicministry.com