Producer: Wayne Haun, Michael English, Virgil Stratford, Kris Crunk, and Trey Ivey
Label: StowTown Records
Website: www.erniehaase.com
One of the most successful groups in our industry is Ernie Haase & Signature Sound. They always put out quality music coupled with exciting live performances, and they have a very large and loyal fan-base. While I wouldn’t call this latest release earth-shattering, it’s an incredible recording filled with great songs with creative arrangements and fans of the group will truly find a lot to like about it.
The feel good title song, “CLEAR SKIES” has a Beetles vibe to it and leads very well into the nice feel of “HEAVEN IS”, which reminds us that this world is not our home, but Heaven is. The slower pace of their recent hit, “GIVE ME JESUS” is a really great song and wonderful mantra for the Church.
Keeping with the theme of the title song, “SAILING WITH JESUS” featuring Dustin Doyle, is a medium tempo tune with a nice vibe that fan of the group will really enjoy before picking up the tempo for the quartet classic, “AS FOR ME AND MY HOUSE”, which features an exciting big band feel. The tempo slows back down for another classic, “GIVE THEM ALL TO JESUS”, featuring the EHSS along with the Booth Brothers, and it is a classy inclusion and a true highlight of the recording.
Paul Harkey does a tremendous job singing country feel of, “LONG LINE OF LOVE” before Ernie steps up to sing the power ballad, “LOVE TOOK HIS BREATH AWAY”.
“THREE MEN ON A MOUNTAIN”, previously recorded by the Perrys, keeps things in slow mode, before the tempo kicks back up for the Texas Swing feel of “YOU’LL FIND HIM THERE”.
The soulful “MY HALLELUJAH” features the group with the famed Voices of Lee. Later in the recording, we are treated with an alternate rendition of this song called “Kris Crunk Kids Mix”, which features more of a youthful approach to the song.
The tempo slows back down for the power ballad, “WALKING THROUGH FIRE”, which features a stellar performance by Devin McGlamery and is a highlight of the recording before Ernie steps back up to sing the reflective, “LONGING FOR HOME”.
The recording closes out with “AMERICA MEDLEY”, featuring “America the Beautiful”, “My Country Tis of Thee” and “God Bless America” and it’s definitely something that the fans will definitely enjoy.
EHSS always manages to release refreshing music and aren’t afraid to be creative and think outside the box, which sets them apart from many in the industry. While this is a stellar recording, some of the songs and arrangements just didn’t work for me and didn’t translate well for me. But otherwise, it’s a great recording filled with some really strong songs and fans of EHSS will really enjoy all that this recording has to offer.
Track Listing:
(stars denote personal favorites)
Clear Skies**
Heaven Is**
Give Me Jesus**
Sailing with Jesus
As for Me and My House**
Give Them All to Jesus**
Long Line of Love**
Love Took His Breath Away
Three Men on a Mountain
You’ll Find Him There**
My Hallelujah (with Voices of Lee)
Walking Through Fire**
Longing for Home
My Hallelujah (Kris Krunk Kids Mix)
America Medley
READER RATING:
[yasr_visitor_votes size=”large”]
