Reviewed by Tony Cummings

Ever since the era when Elvis Presley cajoled various Southern gospel aggregations to dump the God songs in favour of Top 10 paydirt, Southern gospel has had an uneasy alliance with pop music. Groups like the Imperials and the Cruse Family stayed with gospel lyrics but gradually left the old style Southern sound in favour of soul-tinged pop. Now the best selling of all the new wave of young Southern gospel groups are beginning to diversify their sound. They're probably wise not to try and "do an Imperials" but plumping for the hugely corny retro style of the Ames Brothers with big band jazz accompaniment on "Right Place Right Time" is a bizarre choice for an opener. They sound much more comfortable on the old hymn "My Heavenly Father Watches Over Me", though the inspirational ballad "Dream On", penned by Bill & Gloria Gaither, is ruined by a florid MOR arrangement despite Ernie's near operatic efforts. Probably the most intriguing moments musically are the flashes of Jerry Lee Lewis-style boogie piano that Gordon Mote provides on the faster numbers. Ernie Haase & Signature Sound are clearly a class act with fearsome vocal chops. But on the evidence of this musically schizophrenic set they currently DON'T HAVE a signature sound, merely the ability to take on lots of styles.

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

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