Title: Stand By MeArtist: Signature Sound Quartet
Label: Cathedral Records
Producer: Garry Jones
Song Titles: "Singin' Over Yonder," "Old Time Christian Way," "Calvary Answers For Me," "I Can't Wait For Heaven," "Stand By Me," "I Have Seen The Lord," "City Built Four Square," "The God Of Today," "Let's Talk About Jesus...Amen," "He Is There," and "Sometimes This Is Heaven To Me (featuring George Younce)"
Rating: 4 1/2 stars
2002 brought some major re-alignments in Southern Gospel quartet music. A few new groups were formed while many existing quartets had one or more new people come on board. A couple of groups even called it quits. Southern Gospel fans are anxiously waiting to see who benefits the most from the changes and who will shift down a notch or two.
The hottest new group rising to the top of the pack is Signature Sound Quartet. They have the total package going for them . . . industry buzz, respected names at every position, a top record label, booking, and distribution company, and of course, it never hurts to have the personal endorsement of George Younce. More than that, though, they are set apart by the fact that no individual comes across as a "the star" of the group. While other organizations have unique singers, Ernie Haase and Garry Jones have assembled is a genuine GROUP that's greater than the sum of the parts. The guys have the blend required for excellent harmony, while at the same time, each member has the skills required to offer inspired solos.
Stand By Me is SSQ's first nationally released CD. The song "Old Time Christian Way" is already getting a good response on radio with Tim Duncan's bass lines on the chorus and Shane Dunlap's energetic delivery on the second verse. "Calvary Answers For Me" (written by Joel Lindsey) has the potential to become a classic inspirational ballad for baritone Doug Anderson; it's probably the most compelling lyric on the recording . . . "when I'm called to answer for my history, Calvary answers for me." Haase is sounding as good as ever on "I Can't Wait For Heaven," topping out on a D and making it sound effortless. Duncan's version of the CD's title track is quickly becoming a crowd favorite at concerts. It's the only "old song" on the CD.
The second half of the CD is also very good, but the hits from this project will likely come from the songs mentioned above. The 11th track is actually a testimony by George Younce, followed by him singing a song that Haase and Lindsey wrote called "Sometimes This Is Heaven To Me." SSQ provides backup vocals.
You hear about new groups coming along with great potential, but there's little point in discussing potential with regards to Signature Sound Quartet. They've already hit the ground running at a pace that only an elite few will ever reach. In months to come, it will be interesting to observe how SSQ maintains (and possibly accelerates) what they established in such a short time period.