SPOTLIGHT CD REVIEW: A JAZZY LITTLE CHRISTMAS- ERNIE HAASE & SIGNATURE SOUND
SOUTHERN GOSPEL SPOTLIGHT PRESENTS:
CD REVIEW:
A JAZZY LITTLE CHRISTMAS
ERNIE HAASE & SIGNATURE SOUND
LABEL: GAITHER MUSIC GROUP
PRODUCER: BILLY STRITCH AND WAYNE HAUN
RELEASE DATE: OCTOBER 2019, AVAILABLE NOW!!
GROUP MEMBERS: ERNIE HAASE (TENOR), DEVIN MCGLAMERY (LEAD), DUSTIN DOYLE (BARITONE), PAUL HARKEY (BASS), AND TYLER VESTAL (PIANO)
SONG LIST:
Happy Holidays/It’sThe Holiday Season (Irving Berlin (HH)/Kay Thompson (HS))
O Holy Night (Adolphe Adam, Placide Cappeau)
Christmas In Manhattan (Ernie Haase, Wayne Haun, Joel Lindsey)
I Like A Sleighride (Jingle Bells)- (James Lord Pierpont)
Love You Remember (Devin McGlamery, Lee Black, Sue C. Smith)
I Heard The Bells On Christmas Day (Henry Wadsworth Longfellow)
It’s Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas (Meredith Wilson)
We Three Kings (John Henry Hopkins)
Snowfall (Claude Thornhill, Ruth Thornhill)
Winter Wonderland (Felix Bernard, Richard Smith)
Sometimes I Wonder (Ernie Haase, Wayne Haun, Joel Lindsey)
Christmas Time Is Here (Vince Guaraldi, Lee Mendelson)
Mister Santa (Pat Ballard)
Peace On Earth (with Silent Night) (Bradley Scott (POE)/Franz Gruber & Joseph Mohr (SN))
THOUGHTS:
The Holiday season is upon us, which means it’s time for Christmas music!! There is nothing like listening to the timeless classics sung in four part harmony. With A Jazzy Little Christmas, Ernie Haase & Signature Sound has delivered, in my opinion, one of the all time best Christmas quartet projects. I also contend that this album is one of the group’s best as well. Recorded in New York City, this album features fourteen delightful Christmas songs, most of which are classic and familiar.
The record opens with a fun, swinging medley featuring the classics “Happy Holidays” and “It’s The Holiday Season.” Each member is featured on this top notch mashup. “O Holy Night,” showcases the quartet’s magical harmonies with a beautiful a cappella opening. The understated arrangement is quite refreshing compared to the typical orchestrated versions (which I love as well). Written by Ernie Haase, Wayne Haun, and Joel Lindsey, “Christmas In Manhattan,” is a beautiful, mid-tempo holiday love song. Haase wrote the song (which tells the story of a fun date in New York) for his wife. Dustin Doyle is featured on the mid-tempo classic “I Like A Sleighride (Jingle Bells).” His smooth baritone fits the song perfectly. “Love You Remember,” is a fun, 50’s style tune that reminds listeners that: “at Christmas, it’s the laughter and love you remember.” Devin McGlamery’s stellar lead vocal shines on this delightful song. Paul Harkey takes the lead on the classic “I Heard The Bells On Christmas Day.” Harkey’s smooth bass voice fits these classic Christmas songs perfectly in my opinion. His incredible range and rich tones shine on this timeless standard. Next, the group covers the classic “It’s Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas,” with a relatively faithful arrangement. EHSS puts their own spin on one of my favorites “We Three Kings.” This haunting yet hopeful arrangement features each member to great effect. “Snowfall,” is a unique track that showcases the group’s harmonies once again. Next, the groups covers the classics “Winter Wonderland” and “Christmas Time Is Here” and their own “Sometimes I Wonder,” which is this version has been updated with a few Christmas lyrics. Speaking of updating lyrics, EHSS covered the classic “Mister Sandman” by The Chordettes, but changed the lyrics to fit the holiday theme. This is sure to delight audiences at concerts. It definitely did at the one I attended recently. This incredible album closes with a beautiful track entitled “Peace On Earth” which tells of the magical night of Jesus’ Birth. Ernie Haase delivers yet another stellar vocal performance on this incredible song.
FINAL THOUGHTS:
NOT ONLY ONE OF THE BEST ALBUMS OF THE YEAR, BUT ONE OF ERNIE HAASE & SIGNATURE SOUND’S BEST. STELLAR VOCALS, TOP NOTCH MUSICIANSHIP, AND INCREDIBLE SONGS.
THIS RECORDING IS A MUST BUY FOR FANS OF EHSS, CHRISTMAS MUSIC, AND SOUTHERN GOSPEL.
GO OUT AND GET THIS CD ASAP!
5 OUT OF 5 STARS!
FOR MORE INFORMATION: www.erniehaase.com, www.gaither.com