David Bruce Murray
Nov 12, 2009
CD Review
CD Review: Dixie Echoes – I’d Rather Have Jesus
RATING: 4 Stars
Producer: Randy Shelnut, Randy Shelnut, Jr., and Stewart Varnado
Website: www.dixieechoes.com
Song Titles: “Until Then,” “Wings Of A Dove,” “When He Was On The Cross,” “I’ll Have A New Life,” “Now I Have Everything,” “He Keeps Me Singing,” “Plan Of Salvation,” “Peace In The Valley,” “He’ll Pilot Me,” and “I’d Rather Have Jesus”
Like their stage show, the Dixie Echoes take a simple approach to CD production. The four musicians instrumentalists who appear on I’d Rather Have Jesus include two members of the Dixie Echoes (Randy Shelnut, Jr. and Stewart Varnado) and two members of the Primitive Quartet (Mike Riddle and Jeff Tolbert). Their tracks are unobtrusive, giving the vocalists plenty of room to express themselves.
All the songs on I’d Rather Have Jesus are familiar to existing Southern Gospel fans. Vocal expression tends to be subtle rather than flashy, but the Dixie Echoes know how to crank it up a notch when an arrangement calls for more emphasis.
The Dixie Echoes don’t try to feed you ten different flavors. They serve that one dependable flavor. Whenever I review one of their CDs, I always find myself wishing they’d introduce some new songs (keeping their style intact, of course). On the other hand, I also find myself wishing other groups would learn to be as consistent with a style as the Dixie Echoes. There’s a great deal to be said for developing a unique sound.
With a group this consistent, I’m hard pressed to write anything about the Dixie Echoes that I haven’t already written in a previous review. Pat Barker still has a super rich bass voice; Randy Shelnut, Jr. sings in a true baritone range, which is refreshing; his dad is an effective lead singer; Wesley Smith’s tenor tones are a little too pointed for my personal taste; and Stewart Varnado is an accomplished, classy piano player.
I’d Rather Have Jesus includes an instrumental version of “He Keeps Me Singing” featuring Stewart and the band. As I mentioned a few days ago in my review of Stewart’s most recent piano CD, he is very generous with the spotlight, allowing the other players to take the melody at several points. Other highlights include Barker’s solos on “Plan Of Salvation” and the title track, Shelnut, Jr.’s solo on “Until Then,” and the ending of “Peace In The Valley” where the group pours on a little extra steam.
