SPOTLIGHT CD REVIEW: SOMETHING BEAUTIFUL- ERNIE HAASE & SIGNATURE SOUND
SOUTHERN GOSPEL SPOTLIGHT PRESENTS:
CD REVIEW:
SOMETHING BEAUTIFUL
ERNIE HAASE & SIGNATURE SOUND
LABEL: GAITHER MUSIC GROUP
PRODUCER: ERNIE HAASE, BILL GAITHER, WAYNE HAUN
RELEASE DATE: APRIL 17, 2020, AVAILABLE NOW!
GROUP MEMBERS: ERNIE HAASE (TENOR), DEVIN MCGLAMERY (LEAD), DUSTIN DOYLE (BARITONE), PAUL HARKEY (BASS), AND TYLER VESTAL (PIANO/VOCALS)
SONG LIST:
He Touched Me
It’s Beginning To Rain (ft. Bill Gaither)
Then Came The Morning
Something Beautiful
Not By Might, Not By Power
Feeling At Home In The Presence Of Jesus
Gaither Medley (ft. Gloria Gaither)
I Just Feel Like Something Good Is About To Happen
This Could Be The Dawning Of That Day (with Until Then)
I Believe, Help Thou My Unbelief
Get All Excited (with I Am His Witness)
Because He Lives
THOUGHTS:
Bill and Gloria Gaither are living legends in my personal opinion. Their music has touched lives all over the world bringing the Gospel to so many. They have also been at the forefront of showcasing other incredible artists. One such group is Ernie Haase & Signature Sound. Having previously released a tribute to the legendary Cathedrals, EHSS now honors Bill and Gloria with Something Beautiful featuring some of their favorite Gaither songs with their own spin. This was a highly anticipated recording that exceeded expectations.
This stellar recording opens with a fresh take on the classic “He Touched Me,” which is given a new accordion infused swing. Dustin Doyle takes the lead on “It’s Beginning To Rain,” an Americana style tune that tells of God’s life giving water. This beautiful song says: “If you’re thirsty and dry, look up to the sky. It’s beginning to rain.” Bill Gaither delivers a great recitation on the track as well. Next, the group re-records their version of the epic “Then Came The Morning.” This beautiful resurrection anthem is one of my all-time favorite EHSS/Gaither songs. This newly recorded version (albeit the same arrangement) is now the definitive version of the song for me. Ernie Haase sounds even better here than on their original cut released in 2005. The inspirational title track “Something Beautiful,” featuring Ernie Haase, is given a jazzy treatment that is sure to have listeners tapping along. If you trust in Him, God will make something beautiful of your life. The Dustin Doyle led “Not By Might, Not By Power” (originally recorded by The Gaither Vocal Band on their debut album) is a high energy tune that simply reminds listeners that: It’s not by might or power, but by His Spirit. Devin McGlamery shines on the easy listening “Feeling At Home In The Presence Of Jesus.” This well crafted song tells of the joys of being in God’s presence. Next, EHSS showcases several Gaither classics in a stellar medley including: “Loving God, Loving Each Other,” “Family Of God,” “I Am Loved,” “Jesus, We Just Want To Thank You,” and “Let’s Just Praise The Lord.” Gloria Gaither is featured on the classic “Jesus, We Just Want To Thank You” recitation. McGlamery is featured once again on a fun, groovy version of “I Just Feel Like Something Good Is About To Happen,” which reminds listeners that God has everything under control and is coming again soon! EHSS re-records another classic in “This Could Be The Dawning Of That Day (with Until Then).” Similarly to “Then Came The Morning,” hearing the original arrangement gave me great joy as a longtime fan. This current lineup does the original recording justice (on 2004’s Great Love) and then some. Haase delivers an incredible performance on his verse sounding better than ever. Paul Harkey is featured on the beautiful “I Believe, Help Thou My Unbelief.” Harkey’s smooth bass fits perfectly on this classic Bill Gaither feature. “Get All Excited” is another upbeat tune that encourages listeners to go tell everybody that Christ is the King of Kings! This incredible album closes with a powerful rendition of perhaps the most well known Gaither classic “Because He Lives.” Haase takes the lead on the first verse while the second is split between all four members.
FINAL THOUGHTS:
EHSS HAVE DONE IT AGAIN! INCREDIBLE VOCALS, TIMELESS SONGS, AND EXCELLENT MUSICIANSHIP/PRODUCTION QUALITY. A STELLAR TRIBUTE TO LIVING LEGENDS. A GREAT MIX OF WELL KNOWN SONGS AND SOME THAT AREN’T FREQUENTLY RECORDED. SOMETHING BEAUTIFUL, LIKE THEIR PREVIOUS CHRISTMAS RELEASE IS QUITE POSSIBLY ONE OF SIGNATURE SOUND'S BEST RECORDINGS TO DATE.
REGARDLESS, THIS IS DEFINITELY ONE OF THE BEST ALBUMS OF THE YEAR SO FAR!
5 OUT 5 STARS!
FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT: www.gaither.com and www.erniehaase.com
******REVIEW COPY PROVIDED BY GAITHER MUSIC GROUP*******