SouthernGospelBlog.com

Southern Sound has seen more than its share of personnel changes over the past year or two; two bios on the group’s website introduce a member as the newest, while a third member is introduced as one of the newest. Yet with all the changes, lead singer and manager Ben Harris has managed to keep a solid lineup together and consistently produce good projects. The group has added a pianist (Barry Patrick) since releasing their current project, but the vocal lineup on For Heaven’s Sake is still the current lineup.

Baritone Trevor Haley (baritone/pianist at the time of the project’s release) wrote two of the songs on the project, “In the Book” and “Ain’t Worth Talkin’ About.” He has several (vocal) solos on the project, most notably “Before I Called Him Father.”

Mike Young, whose father was David Young of the Couriers, is Southern Sound’s new tenor. He is featured on “Can’t Stand Up Alone” and “House of Gold.”

Southern Sound’s new bass singer is Alan Brewster. He demonstrates his versatility on this project, showcasing the lower end of his range on “Look Down That Lonesome Road,” while turning in possibly the best performance of the project on the Rodney Griffin song “Grace Found a Place.” (The song was originally recorded by the Dixie Melody Boys on their 1999 project Headin’ Home.)

This project is a nice combination of familiar classics and new songs, and provides a good introduction for Alan Brewster and David Young to Southern Gospel audiences.

Rating: Recommended.

The Pathfinders are a regional mixed trio based in Mount Holly, North Carolina. The group was founded in 1993 by baritone Dearl Lemons. Alto Dawn McGuire is a longtime group member, while Brian Dockins joined as lead singer in 2006. (This is Dockins’ first project with the group.) Mercy Answered, their most recent project, was produced by Brad Hudson of the Greenes.

Highlights of the project include “I Don’t Sail Alone” (by Daryl Williams), “I’ve Never Been Better” (by John Robinson), and a cover of the Gaither song “On the Authority.”

“What the Sea Saw” has a similar feel to Brian Free & Assurance’s song “Old Time Way,” and while it doesn’t sound bad as it stands, nonetheless strikes me as a song that would be improved by a bass part.

The project leans toward the country side of Southern Gospel, with a touch of bluegrass thrown in for good measure. It is one of the most professional projects released by a regional group that I’ve heard this year.

Rating: Enjoyable.