Ernie Haase & Signature Sound: "Dream On" (2008)

Ernie Haase is a gospel music verteran, having sung alongside his late father-in-law George Younce with both the Cathedrals and the Old Friends Quartet. He has also recorded several solo albums. Haase and pianist Garry Jones (formerly with Gold City) began a new ministry in 2002 with the Signature Sound Quartet, which later became Ernie Haase & Signature Sound. "Dream On" may very well be the group's best release yet, showcasing a mix of original songs and remakes of several gospel music classics.

The album opens with "Right Place, Right Time," one of several Bill Gaither classics covered on this CD. Gaither and his wife Gloria co-wrote this song in 1982 with a young Michael W. Smith, who was just starting as a songwriter in Nashville at the time. EHSS' version features a jazz arrangement, which really works quite well with this song. Other Gaither songs included here include "Since Jesus Passed By," "No Unknown Soliders," "Between the Cross and Heaven" and the album's title track. Other gospel music classics covered include "My Heavenly Father Watches Over Me" and "The Old Landmark."

Dream On also features several original songs penned by Haase including "Sundays Are Made for Times Like These," "A Good Heart:" and my favorite track on the album, "Reason to Believe." EHSS close the album with a live track, a performance of the Frank Sinatra standard "My Kind of Town," recorded for the quartet's Dream On: Live from Chicago DVD. Haase, the group's tenor, is joined by lead singer Ryan Seaton, Doug Anderson (baritone) and Tim Duncan (bass). The quartet delivers some outstanding vocals, especially in their rich harmonies. Duncan's vocal resemblance to George Younce is uncanny.

Musically, the album features a broad range of styles from jazz to pop to country. While the traditional southern gospel roots are there, the group clearly brings in many other influences to create a more diverse sound, making Ernie Haase & Signature Sound one of the leading quartets among the new generation of southern gospel performers. The group recently received a Grammy Award nomination for Dream On in the "Best Southern, Country or Bluegrass Gospel Album" category. Dream On is one of my favorite Christian/Gospel music releases in recent years, and I definitely recommend this album for any gospel music fan or anyone who loves good music, period.

Reviews of other albums you might enjoy:

Randy Travis: Glory Train

Michael Sweet's Worship Album: Him

Randy Travis: Woship & Faith CD and DVD