3 pairs down....

Ah, the joys of parenthood.....

It's kinda fun having a 5 year old son who wears glasses. Everyone talks about how cute he looks, and how smart he looks, and this and that (my favorite is, "What're you doing with the kid from Jerry Maguire"?!). It does, however have it's draw backs. For example:

"Hello?"
"Hey, Dad."
"Hey buddy!! What're you up to?"
"Nothing. What're you doing"
"I'm taking a break from work."
"Oh. Well, I broke my glasses again today."

That makes 3 pairs....and counting!!!!

Accepting CD's for review

I will be accepting CD's for review over the next few months. If you would like to make a submission, send an e-mail to wavemakersmedia2@gmail.com with your name, the name of the project, and (if possible) an mp3 of one of the songs on the project for consideration, and I will get back to you with a mailing address to send me your full project.

I would prefer that submissions be a completed, retail-ready product (including artwork and credits), but I will consider reviewing "rough mixes;" keep in mind, however, that the completed projects will take priority over non-completed submissions.

To give you an idea of how I approach CD reviews, the following are the some of the criteria I use when listening to a project:

• Production quality - mixing, mastering, overall sound quality and listenability
• Arrangements - originality, recognizability
• Performance - vocals, music tracks, pitch control, blend
• Song selection - variety, themes, etc.
• Marketability - audience appeal, market relevance
  

Please keep in mind, any reviews will be included on my blog as well as linked to SouthernGospelAlbums.com. If you would prefer a personal, non-public critique, I would be more than happy to do so, but please specify such when making the initial submission; otherwise, I will post the review online, good or bad.

Any and all levels will be considered (local, regional, national), and each level will be reviewed accordingly (I would not expect a local family group's first effort to be on the same level as a national, label-backed release).

DISCLAIMER - While I have had extensive training and experience, including formal training, in vocal and instrumental music, as well as the recording industry, I am not (and do not claim to be) an expert in the field of gospel music. All I can (and will) offer is my own personal opinion based on the above criteria and personal tastes. I have been known to agree and disagree with industry personnel, so please do not take any reviews I write as "definitive."

Quote of the Day

This comes from Cracked.com, a website known for it's vulgarness (which is why I won't put a direct link....if you wanna look it up, you have been warned!!), yet still drives the point home:

Singers used to spend days trying to get their songs recorded perfectly, and studios charge by the hour....Auto-Tune has made it possible for performers to lower their recording budgets....But rest assured that the current trend of making one's voice sound obviously computerized will not last much longer. Our guess is that, in time, [Auto-Tune] will sound as dated as Jeopardy's Daily Double laser sound effect.

"Death Has Died"

Signature Sound doesn't seem to have a single problem covering Cathedrals hits. Their first Gaither release included TWO Cats songs ("Then Came The Morning" and the more recent "Tryin' To Get A Glimpse"), and their Get Away Jordan CD included "He Made A Change," not to mention the indie releases that included songs that, while not necessarily Cathedrals hits, were performed frequently by the group.

Of the above-mentioned titles, the one that makes the most sense is "He Made A Change," considering Ernie Haase co-wrote the song. I can't say that Signature Sound's arrangement is my favorite, but it was logical to include the song.

I personally would like to see the group do a rendition of "Death Has Died," another song that Haase co-wrote. This song was originally featured on the Cathedrals' High and Lifted Up album (which is often considered one of the groups' best studio recordings, as well as one of my all-time favorites). It is also, in my opinion, one of Ernie's best leads, starting off lower before going into the screaming range.

I'm not sure how a Signature Sound arrangement would sound....considering Lari Goss produced the original cut (and has been working with the SS on their last several projects), I would think it would stay pretty similar, but given the "Kenny G-ing" of "O What A Savior" on Get Away Jordan, I have to wonder....

Either way, I think that this song needs to make a comeback. It makes sense, and it is a great song.

The Oaks and Spring Hill

I remember the Oaks in discussions with Spring Hill Music Group as far back as the late 90's. Their deal finally came to be in 2001 with their From The Heart project (one of my all-time favorites). Since then, Spring Hill has been the home of the Oaks for every project brought to the table. They have released a total of 7 new projects and one compilation (not counting specialty projects through Feed The Children) with the label.

The label itself has seen quite a bit of change in that time. Originally designed as a vehicle for Gaither's artists, the company seemed to distance itself somewhat in recent years, even going as far as to reach a distribution deal with Word (as opposed to EMI, which is where Bill's Homecoming material was being distributed). They also branched out into other genres with Spring Hill Worship and Slanted Records (neither of which seemed to really take off).

Last year, Spring Hill saw pretty much a clean sweep throughout the company. Not only that, but a lot of their flagship artists jumped ship (or were dropped), including the Easters, Karen Peck & New River, the Martins, Crossway, and Janet Paschal. The group that the label was originally built around, the Gaither Vocal Band, had migrated over to Gaither Music Group (which makes sense), leaving pretty much just the Oaks.

While the company may have been trying to do its own thing, it is apparent that Gaither still had his hand in the operation; following the wipeout, he put his son-in-law (and business partner) Barry Jennings in charge of Spring Hill. The first thing they did was release a gospel compilation on the Oaks (I guess to show that they were still in business). I had asked Joe Bonsall a couple years back if Bill was still in charge of Spring Hill. He said, "He doesn't run the day-to-day stuff, but he's definitely there, keeping an eye on things." This might also explain why Gaither recently produced a complete DVD special on the Boys, due out next spring (and believe me, I have been drooling ever since I heard about this, as I have been suggesting such a project since From The Heart first came out).

When the Oaks announced they were recording a new album, Duane Allen had mentioned that there were several record deals on the table. Their initial contracts with Spring Hill had been fulfilled and they were free to explore their options. He never mentioned any specific names (understandably), but in the end, he said that they decided to stay with Spring Hill. The result will be a project produced by David Cobb, giving The Oak Ridge Boys (from what I have heard so far) an exciting and completely fresh sound.

In the end, it makes sense for the Boys to stay with Spring Hill. They seem to have Gaither's 100% support, and thus far, the label has pretty much given then the reigns to do whatever they want. They haven't had such a productive relationship with a record company since their long-term run with MCA Records from 1977-1990. And since it appears that the only other artist currently on the Spring Hill roster (thus far) is the recently-signed Jason Crabb, I don't see any reason why the Oaks wouldn't get the label's full backing on any future projects.

On a side note, for some interesting background on The Oak Ridge Boys' history with the recording industry, I highly suggest checking out their An American Journey book by Joe Bonsall. In it, there is a story about their struggles with various labels (including table dancing and threatening to shoot the RCA dog)....quite amusing!!

Gaither Vocal Band - "Sweet Beulah Land"

I had my GVB collection on shuffle today at work, and this track just came on. Of all the times I've heard this song (and growing up in a little pentecostal church, it was QUITE A BIT!!), the only version I can really listen to over and over is the Vocal Band's arrangement.

They slowed the song down a bit, and stuck with only one verse (which, in my opinion, is one of Mark Lowry's best solos), keeping it very simple. They also used a light music track with no drums. Somehow, it just comes across as much more moving and meaningful than previous (and later) versions, which almost come across as vanilla (especially the Squire Parsons track used on most of today's compilations).

Probably the selling factor with the GVB's arrangement is the final chorus, which is slowed down even further and sung a capella. The harmonies are very tight and clean, and the best part is, they're not just one vocalist overdubbed two or three times. You can hear Lowry, Michael English, and Terry Franklin all very clearly in the mix, yet the blend is wonderful (I still question whether Bill is even in the song, as I have yet to pick out a faux bass part).

Also of note is that this track comes from the group's "Southern Classics" project, which yielded "Satisfied" and the signature rendition of English's "I Bowed On My Knees." It was the first project to include co-producer Michael Sykes, who has gone on to make quite a name for himself producing virtually every major gospel act over the last few years.

It's just too bad that this line up of the Gaither Vocal Band didn't last any longer than it did. Although it only lasted roughly a year, this line up is often referred to by fans as their favorite version....it is definitely mine.

Crossway Quartet to Trio to Duet?

According to a post by Brandon Coomer, Crossway will, for the time being, remain a duet following the departure of Scott Rogers. This is kind of surprising to me in a way, but then again, this isn't the first time that Crossway has elected to just not fill a spot. When Chris Weaver left the group, the bass position was left open, and the group continued as a trio, shifting their sound to a more Rascal Flatts-esque style.

It's not uncommon for quartets to become trios (and vice versa), but it's rare that a trio will stay as a duet (just imagine if Gerald and Rodney had done the same thing!!). The only other time in recent history I can think of this happening is with Sugarland, and they're having their own trouble with their former member anyway!!

I always hoped that Crossway would be the next big quartet in SG. They had the sound, they had the people behind them, and it looked like they were set to take off....but as is all-too-common in SG, personnel changes dictated otherwise. It just seems like this once up-and-coming quartet shouldn't be reduced (?) to just a duet.

Oddly enough, if you type in www.crosswayquartet.com, it still takes you to their website....

Moderation

Up to this point, I have not required moderation of comments on my blog; I felt that things could remain cool and collected for the most part. Due to this, I have not always paid attention to what comments were being left after I made an initial post. Unfortunately, it has been brought to my attention that quite a few people took a blog I'd written previously and used it as an open forum to bash someone, causing much more trouble than my little blog is worth.

I have since deleted the topic in question as well as all comments related to it. I will not let my blog fall into a mudslinging fest or gossip central. I welcome comments to any of my posts, but whenever I write, I always try to remain in good taste, and expect the same from those offering their "view" as well; since that apparently isn't always an option (thanks to the ever-anonymous Internet), I have been forced to activate the comment moderation function for my site. Going forward, any and all comments left on the site will be moderated by myself before posting.

Is it censorship? Yes. Is it my site? Yes. I am going to make an executive decision, as I do not wish for my reputation to be damaged any further than it already has been thanks to a group people who feel the need to use my site as a method of attacking someone. End of discussion.

And to those who have been offended, hurt, or otherwise negatively affected by my former post (and/or any comments left afterward), as a blog owner, I take full responsibility and sincerely apologize. Please know that going forward, I will take whatever steps necessary to avoid such problems in the future.

Sugarland and group ownership

According to an article today on CMT.com, the two current members of Sugarland (Jennifer Nettles and Kristian Bush) are being sued by their former bandmate, Kristen Hall for profits earned by the group after her departure (the lawsuit is for $1.5 million).

The only way this would work is if she is still a legal co-owner in the group. Logic would state that when the group was formed, the three members would have formed a corporation or LLC to run the group as a business. If she left the group and was not bought out by the other two members, then she would still be, technically, an owner and entitled to any gains and losses as such, dependant upon the initial ownership agreement.

If, when she left, the other two would have bought her shares out, then she would get nothing further unless they would have a contract stating that she would still be entitled to a share (personally, I can't see ANY business, musical or otherwise, making such a deal....why would you pay someone after they quit??).

According to Hall's attorney, no such written contract exists, and from what I gather, neither does a formal business entity that would've included Hall; he DOES point out, however,

"Partnerships are formed all the time without written agreement. That doesn't mean there wasn't a partnership."

Yeah, good luck with that in front of a judge....

This would be a VERY good explanation as to why 99% of non-family gospel groups are owned by one member, not collectively; with such high turnover in the industry, the buy-ins and buy-outs would be enough to make any accountant and/or attorney go insane!!

Define "Christian Entertainment"

In a press release regarding the new Florida Boys' gig in Pigeon Forge, Charlie Waller gives the money quote....

We are going to bring folks a little bit of everything, hand clappers, tear jerkers, and songs that will leave a smile on their faces and joy in their hearts. How else can you leave them when you are singing about Jesus?

How else would you define CHRISTIAN ENTERTAINMENT??

A musical comparison....

We all know the classic Dottie Rambo song, "He Looked Beyond My Fault (And Saw My Need)"....



But have you ever heard the alternate version??



While it's hard to believe they are indeed the same song (well, musically, anyway), I DO see some resemblance between Reba's and Beaker's high notes....

OT - Too fat for execution??

Yes, this is severely off-topic, but I couldn't help but laugh when I saw this....

According to WCPO-TV, if you ever wind up on death row, make sure you eat anything and everything they feed you - and ask for seconds!! In other words, demand that your last meal be at a Baptist revival.

Live music ain't dead....

....if Gold City has anything to say about it!! Several reports have been floating around (and have been apparently confirmed by GC themselves) that the Band of Gold is returning to the stage with Gold City. I for one am very interested to see how this will work; previously, Gold City's band played along with pre-recorded instrument tracks (usually guitars and strings/horns), and Doug Riley had the system down pat for launching those tracks and keeping right smack on tempo (something that is VERY difficult to do). There is no question that a click track had to be playing into his ear monitors to ensure that he was on tempo, but he also nailed those encore tracks like it was nothing. If they use the same format, they better have a GOOD drummer!!

Used To Be Mercy's Mark??

Back around April, a group consisting of Josh Feemster, Craig and Chris West, and (temporarily) Brent Mitchell made their debut performance as a group. Brent indicated that he would not be a permanent member of the group, but the other three were. As of the time of their performance, the group did not have a name yet.

I have not heard anything more from this group. Anyone else have any idea what is going on with The Artists Formerly Known As Prince The Imperials Mercy's Mark??

Beyond The Ashes

SoGospelNews.com reports that Anthony Facello has welcomed an "addition" to Beyond The Ashes. What it DOESN'T say is whether or not this addition is making the trio a quartet or if Joe Combs is taking the place of another member. I am not familiar with Combs, so I don't know if he's a bass singer or not (that would be my first guess, since no mention is made of a departing member, and the press release doesn't indicate which part Combs would be singing). If he's replacing another member, then Facello is already having turnover issues before their "highly-anticipated" first project is released.

I have been somewhat confused by this group from the beginning. Within the first couple months of forming the group, the name went from "Anthony Facello & Crossroad" to the current monicker, and they have been working on a debut release for at least a year by now. They seem to be keeping a decent schedule, but all I've heard from them are online samples that sound like pseudo-contemporary, kinda like Second Mile/Everyday Driven before their breakup.

You gotta hand it to Facello, though....he's been keeping his name (and the group's) in the public eye at least!!