Producer: Eddie Crook
Label: Cross & Crown Music
Website: www.thesonsfamily.com
The Sons Family is a group I have been intently watching for the last 3 years. Each recording has made me more and more a fan of this family, and after meeting them last year at NQC; I became an even bigger fan. Consisting of Gayle Sons along with her daughter and son in law, CharLotte and Eric Baker, they have a sincere, country sound that seems to appeal to many people.
“I CAME TO GET MY BLESSING” featuring CharLotte and Eric, is an excellent start to the recording with its upbeat, soulful feel, before slowing down for the country sounding, “NO ONE CAN WEAR MY ROBE” featuring Gayle.
Next we find a couple of classic songs from the early 70s. “I'LL SOON BE GONE” (popularized by the Downings and written by Joel Hemphill) and “JOY IN THE MORNING” (popularized by the Happy Goodman Family and written by Aaron Wilburn) are both excellently done and fit the Sons Family's style like a glove.
I am becoming an Eric Baker fan more and more. He's not a flashy singer, but he has a certain emotional quality about his voice. It is neat to hear him tackle something like the up tempo “GREATER THAN THE PAIN”, and then turn right around and sing something heartfelt like “WHEN I'M HOLDING TO YOUR HAND”. He has an unassuming ability to reach your heart with his voice and these songs are prime examples of his talent.
As great as the first half of this recording is, the second half gets rather monotonous. The songs all seem to fall into similar slow to medium tempos. Great songs lyrically, but I wish they'd have either put the songs in a different arrangement or added an extra good up tempo song to break things up.
Eric also sings “AT THE FOOT OF THE CROSS” which is very well done and is followed by “JUST HOLD ON”, “MARRIAGE SUPPER OF THE LAMB”, “RED, RED RIVER”, “SUNDAY'S COMING” (a truly great song written by a little known writer named David Riddell whom I had the privilege of meeting last year.)
The Sons Family has a style similar to that of the McKameys, Singing Cookes, etc. Their down home flavor is part of their appeal and the spirit by which they sing is also what draws people to them. Though I am still quite partial to their last recording, this one is very good.
Personal Favs: I CAME TO GET MY BLESSING; I'LL SOON BE GONE; JOY IN THE MORNING; GREATER THAN THE PAIN; WHEN I'M HOLDING TO YOUR HAND; SUNDAY'S COMING
Author: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Written: 06/30/2004
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Category: CD Reviews
Comments: 11
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"As great as the first half of this recording is, the second half gets rather monotonous. The songs all seem to fall into similar slow to medium tempos. Great songs lyrically, but I wish they'd have either put the songs in a different arrangement or added an extra good up tempo song to break things up."
I never said I didn't like it. I am big Sons Family fan...I even said this CD was "very good" and said the songs were great lyrically. I just found the last half of the recording to be somewhat monotonous because of the similar tempos. That is not saying the recording isn't good.
"My only request is that you 6 reviewers stop downsizing what you dont like."
Why are you "downsizing" us?
“Always acknowledge a fault. This will throw those in authority off their guard and give you an opportunity to commit more.”—-Mark Twain
The way I see it, is that when artist, regardless of the caliber, put out recordings, they are prone to be critiqued. That's the nature of the business, and more than likely, the artist sends the CD in for review, because they want to get an opinion on it.
Wow! Strong words, SGMlover.
Right on, Crenshaw. A person with finely tuned taste buds can tell when the cook left the vanilla flavoring out of her recipe or when the cake tastes great.
The requirement for writing reviews effectively is having good listening and writing skills . . . most artists have great listening skills, but that doesn't mean they have the ability to clearly convey what they hear thru the printed word. In other words, being a successful artist doesn't necessarily mean you would have the skills required to write clear reviews, and vice versa.
As for the "tone" of the reviews here, our job as writers is to inform others who have not yet heard the products being reviewed. We describe them as accurately as possible rather than artificially inflating their value like most other "reviewers." We write honest reviews. Some artists don't like it, but it's their choice to send us the CD for review in the first place. Some fans don't like it, but they are free to offer a counter opinion here. Sometimes we disagree among ourselves and post counter opinions. In the end, the reader should be able to form their own opinion about whether they would like to buy the CD for themselves, and that's the overall point. They can NEVER do that with a fluff review.
“Always acknowledge a fault. This will throw those in authority off their guard and give you an opportunity to commit more.”—-Mark Twain
I love the Sons Family. They are genuinely wonderful people and I consider them good friends of mine. I love to hear them sing. At least they got a review. James has had our cd since NQC last year and has not reviewed it yet. LOL. But, thats ok. As for the comments of the reviewer, he has the right to say what he thinks, positive or negative. That is what he does. I thought that was what a review is all about. Cathy
Thank you Cathy for your comments. I appreciate them.
I know NQC is an awfully busy time, so please refresh my memory on who you are and what group you sing with? I do not remember you at all. Could have possibly given the CD to Deon or some other reviewer associated with SoGospelNews?
Also, please remember that submission of your music, does not necessarily guarantee a review.
Hi James. I am with The Gospel Tide. DJ Man promotions. Our last 2 releases were First Million Years that charted and Fear Not that is being played now. We are getting ready to release one next month with Phillip Emery again. It is called "No Time to Stop." I met you at the group meeting at the food court. Cathy
I Just want yo say I think The Sons Family are some of the sweetest people in the business.
I had never heard of the Sons Family by name that I am aware of. But, their song "I Came To Get My Blessing", sure got my attention. I Love it. I will be purchasing the album and I will be looking forward to new ones in the future. Keep up the good work.
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