The Fab Five – September 2012

September 2012 is here and it is time to highlight five current radio songs that piqued my interest over the course of the preceding month. This month’s radio songs find the Old Paths with a great up tempo quartet number, the Talleys with another career defining song, a Gold City power ballad, a fun sing along song by Marshall Hall and a country crooner style tune from the Dove Brothers Band.  Enjoy!

Brighter One – Marshall Hall

Another Gaither Vocal Band alumnus joins a long list of former members to start a solo career. Former baritone, Marshall Hall, releases his debut effort with Daywind Records titled Brighter One. It hits retail on October 11, 2011.

Marshall Hall brings various styles to his first solo recording. The listener is treated to some modern country, blues, light pop and even a little funk from Brighter One.

The ten song collection features several covers of songs that were originally popularized in the Inspirational and CCM markets. These include Gaither’s “I Just Feel Like Something Good Is About To Happen,” “Beautiful Scandalous Night” (Sixpence None The Richer, Smalltown Poets, etc.), Clay Crosse’s “Saving The World,” Point of Grace’s “There Is Nothing Greater Than Grace,” Mandisa’s “Voice Of A Savior,” and Nichole Nordeman’s “Finally Free.” In addition to the ten full-length songs, there is also a 30 second impromptu moment near the end of the recording where a chorus of “I’ll Fly Away” is sung in the studio.

Southern Gospel Views from the Back Row (Steve Eaton) and MusicScribe (David Bruce Murray) will determine if this Marshall Hall debut is a must buy. This collaborative review offers likes and dislikes from the two of us and then gives a definitive yes or no on whether the album is a ‘must buy’.

SOUTHERN GOSPEL VIEWS FROM THE BACK ROW

• The recording starts strong with the title track “Brighter One”. This modern country flavored tune would do well at radio. The mandolin instrumentation in the mix adds that extra something to make this tune a bright spot on the recording.
• The two ballads at the end of the recording are also strong; “There Is Nothing Greater Than Grace” (Marshall Hall/Samuel Mizell/Antonio Neal) and “Voice Of A Savior” (Samuel Mizell/Matthew West). While they don’t match the original versions by Point Of Grace and Mandisa, Marshall is able to bring enough of himself to the songs to make them enjoyable.
• I also enjoyed the funk infused Clay Crosse tune “Saving The World”. Marshall has the vocal chops to pull off this kind of song. I would have enjoyed more up tempo songs in this vein than the slower ballads that dominate the recording.

MUSICSCRIBE

• Although most of the songs on this CD have been recorded before by other artists, Hall draws from material that will be new to diehard Southern Gospel fans. Hall’s versions of these songs stand up well when compared to the originals (links provided above). Clay Crosse did a better job with “Saving The World,” but I like that song so much that it’s not a negative observation.
• I enjoyed the little diversion into “I’ll Fly Away.” This CD is so thick with ballads, it needed something light for contrast.
• This CD mixes a few different types of songs, but I like the consistency of Hall’s vocals, the blend added by the background vocalists, and the quality of the overall production. (Hall produced assisted by veteran producers, Michael English and Jay Demarcus). In the hands of a lesser talented singer/producer, this selection of songs would have sounded random.

SOUTHERN GOSPEL VIEWS FROM THE BACK ROW

• Listeners that are expecting an all gospel album will be disappointed by the seductive mainstream country love song “Alive”. Daywind should consider sending this song to mainstream country radio.
• “Alive” is followed by the praise song “Beautiful, Scandalous Night” (Derald Daugherty/Steve Hindalong). After listening to Marshall’s take and going back and listening to Six Pence None The Richer’s version, I am still perplexed by the use of the words beautiful and scandalous together. For me it doesn’t fit.
• The 30 second impromptu moment, while trying to be fun, was just distracting. It disrupted the pace of the recording. Maybe it would have been better to include it at the end of the recording, instead of between two really good ballads.

MUSICSCRIBE

• The word “love” is just one syllable, not three (“When You Love”).
• Hall’s voice, while very good, isn’t particularly distinctive compared to other GVB members who have recorded solo projects. There are moments where he sounds a lot like Michael English, which isn’t a bad thing, but we already have a Michael English.

SOUTHERN GOSPEL VIEWS FROM THE BACK ROW

• NO – While there are some bright spots on Brighter One this album just doesn’t quite fall in the must buy category.

MUSICSCRIBE

• NO – Hall should get some traction from this initial solo release and I can enjoy it, but it’s not one I’d feel obligated to own for myself. I already own the Clay Crosse version of the song I’d most likely want to own (“Saving The World”).