Songs Of Jesus
Pioneers Quartet
Employing the skills of some of the best in the business for their music tracks and delivering convincingly from a vocal perspective, the Pioneers Quartet should turn some heards with Songs Of Jesus.
Most of the 13 tracks are cover songs made popular previously by better known artists, but two are originals written by group members. Lead singer Daniel Wade's "No Greater Friend" has a mid-tempo treatment and a classic feel. The lyrics are a bit predictable, but not overly so. Baritone Christopher Griffith's contribution is called "Get Me Some Gone." It has a fun country treatment.
The cover songs aren't all from the same mold, giving this project a good balance of variety. The island sound of "Go To The Son" adds one type of flavor, for example, while "Elijah" brings in a western touch. (The latter is set to the tune of "Ghost Riders In The Sky," although it's not credited in the liner notes.) Banjos and fiddles get in on "If God Be For Us." Even so, you can tell the guys are big fans of the Cathedrals with tunes like "Hard Trials," "Master Builder," and "Jesus Saves."
Overall, this is a very good CD with professional packaging and a clear sound. The inclusion of more new songs would be a plus, but the cover tunes are delivered well. Vocal harmony quality is well above average, but I would encourage the singers to go a little further in selling solos. Right now they sound very good, but there's nothing particularly unique that sets this group apart from similar quartets.
Rating: 3½ stars
--- by David Bruce Murray
Website: www.pioneersquartet.com
Producer: David Knight
Song Titles: "Hard Trials," "Songs Of Jesus," "Master Builder," "Go To The Son," "If God Be For Us," "No Greater Friend," "He Picks Me Up," "Get Me Some Gone," "Rest My Case At The Cross," "Elijah," "He Still Speaks," "Trail Of Tears," and "Jesus Saves"