It only seems a natural cross-over that barbershop quartets would be able to handle some gospel selections with ease. After all, there have been gospel quartets who started out singing barbershop harmony before going professional. There is a group called Gold City who started singing barbershop arrangements that were given to them by Richard Delfino, a barbershopper from Parlin, New Jersey. They dedicated their first a cappella album entitled “A Cappella Gold” to him. Give it a listen…it’s wonderful.
The members of the Happiness Emporium - BOB DOWMA, ROD JOHNSON, RICK ANDERSON, and JIM FOY - have been singing gospel music in church for many years. Bass Jim Foy previously sang with a previous quartet called “Good News” which started as part of the post-convention Sunday worship services at the yearly barbershop conventions. This group was made up of past international quartet champions who enjoyed singing gospel music and praising God’s wonderful work.
This new album from the HE features many selections by Mosie Lister, a man who has written and arranged songs for Elvis Presley, The Jordanaires, The Gaither Vocal Band, The Blackwood Brothers, The Cathedrals and Merle Haggard, to name a few. In addition, there are songs by Clevant Derricks, Rebecca Peck, David Jenkins, Kirk Talley (of The Cathedrals and The Talleys), J. Paul Williams and Lloyd Larson. All of the arrangements are by the tenor of the HE, Bob Dowma, a talented arranger and certified judge within the barbershop harmony society.
And now to the selections….
Having reviewed several gospel recordings, and my being a huge fan of gospel quartet music, I have to point out that the majority of the vocal arrangements throughout this recording have a very heavy barbershop treatment. You’ll hear musical treatments that give you the feel of a southern gospel combo doing the backup, with vocals that are in the barbershop flavor (traditional swipes, chord selections, key changes and tags) creates what I will dub as “gospelshop.” The true gospel voice treatment features tenor, lead, baritone and bass melodies, less 7th chord opportunities in the vocal arrangements as the bass guitar, piano and either strings or horns fill in the gaps. The HE uses some of the arrangement standards with vocal bass riffs, tenor melodies up top, solid lead vocals and solo lines, all the while using the baritone to hold together the arrangements with the chording that makes it too barbershop for my gospel tastes.
I’M FEELING FINE – This piece has a contest barbershop sound which does not allow the free flow of the gospel style. It doesn’t have to be perfect, but rather an emotion-filled performance will get the message across.
STEP INTO THE WATER – This is classic revival tune, and the barbershop chording works for me on this one. Nice combination with the band arrangement and vocal chording choices.
‘TIL THE STORM PASSES BY – Nice lead and background vocals….this is a Cathedrals-style song in my book, but with the addition of some barbershop chords to round out the sound. It’s different but it works.
GOD SITS ON HIGH – A nice toe-tappin’ selection that works very well. It has many of the gospel-isms that we all recognize, i.e.: bass runs, lead pick ups and duet repeats with the tenor and baritone, unison peel offs, etc. I could hear Elvis and the Jordanaires at work on this one…..and yes, there are some barbershop inserts here too.
WHEN GOD DIPS HIS LOVE IN MY HEART – This is a classic gospel piece that has been taken to 7th chord heaven.
HOW LONG HAS IT BEEN? – Nice “old-timey” gospel sound, nice lead solo work. This harkens to the tent-revival days. Come forward and lay your burdens down.
STILL FEELIN’ FINE – Almost a repeat of the opening song. A bit of a 50s twist and rock tempo with barbershop vowels and diphthongs that makes the sound manufactured.
THE KING AND I – This is a beautiful song. All the vocals have been brought together as a barbershop arrangement. There are hints of the gospel solo piece here, but the barbershop contest element overshadows the stock melody and drive of what should be a solo piece…it’s the use of swipes and chords that are inherent to the barbershop style that changes the face of this piece.
YES, HE DID – This is the type of song that the HE owns when they sing it. The barbershop style comes through, but it works with this one. It reminds me of one of their earlier songs called “Run, Run, Run”, but with a band….nice!
WHERE NO ONE STANDS ALONE – I would love to hear the quartets lead singer, Rod Johnson sing this one as a solo. I would prefer some oo-oo chording by the other three voices and the band as the backup. This is a classic melody with lyrics that need to be heard as a solo message.
I’M BOUND FOR THE KINGDOM – Nice closer. This speaks gospel with a touch of the barbershop background and training that comes through at the right time. A cool groove that allows the singers to shine against the band.
In summation:
The band is very solid and the taste of southern gospel shines through on each selection.
The recording techniques are a bit staid for my tastes. The overall “gospelshop” sound is not my cup of tea, but the combining of the two styles is certainly to be lauded for its unique treatment and presentation. The target audiences of which the HE sells their CDs will not be disappointed by this offering. The voices are solid; the arrangements are simple, yet with a taste of the true gospel sound, while keeping true to their roots or barbershop.
To order: www.happinessemporium.com
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