CD Reviews

May

2006

The Cerces - Treasures New & Old

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[14] Comments

RATING:

Producer: Cliff Cerce
Label: Silverleaf
Website: www.TheCerces.com

All it takes is meeting the Cerces and you'll fall in love with these special people. But it so happens they can also sing. The Cerces are Cliff and Anita Cerce and Andy Fauth. One of the benchmarks of each member of this group is their dedication to the Lord. Their goal for leaving home every week is to touch hearts and see lives changed. They also have a great appreciation for the history of Southern Gospel. Their new project, "Treasures Old & New" is very interesting. It gives a great tribute to the Couriers and their impact on Gospel Music. Unlike some other groups, they didn't try to sound like them, just to pay tribute to them. But it's more than that. It is also an attempt to recreate the sound of days gone by before the era of stacks and overdubbing. And they nail it. The tracks of so many of these songs go back to those days, and allow the Cerces to recreate the same feel and sound on some of these songs.

The project jumps off the CD with the first song, "Sheep & Goats," featuring Cliff. Full orchestral accompaniment adds to the impact of this song written by Phil Enloe. It's a great message that only goats won't like. A Neil Enloe song, "I'm Clean," follows that aptly depicts us all, before and after salvation. Verse 2 features Andy's strong vocals. Good harmonies abound. The Cerces' tribute to the Couriers goes on to include three other Neil Enloe songs, "He'll be There," "Open My Understanding" and "He Will See You Through".

There are also two great Mosie Lister songs included, "Man On The Middle Cross" and "While Ages Roll". Andy and Anita are featured on Lari Goss's upbeat "Living Deep" and on a bluesy arrangement of Duane Allen's "No More."

However, arguably the best song on the project is a new release, "One In The Lord." The majestic tracks are impeccable, and Cliff, Anita and Andy do an awesome job, vocally. This song has a message that is timely, and much needed as we learn to see each other through God's eyes and let the Body of Christ truly become "One In The Lord." This powerful song will have you on your feet, hands raised, praising God!

Also sprinkled throughout this project are some of the old standards like "The Old Landmark," "Led Out Of Bondage," and "He's A Personal Savior." These are some of the songs with authentic tracks from "back in the day." In fact, the piano intro on "Led Out Of Bondage" is worth the price of the CD by itself!

My personal favorites are One In The Lord, Sheep & Goats, Led Out of Bondage, Living Deep and Man On The Middle Cross.

If you've never heard the Cerces, you're in for a treat. This is the best project they've done to date, and not only will their fans love it, I believe it will open many new doors for their growing ministry.

Reader Comments

Thanks Bob for your kind words. What a joy it is for me to have worked with Cliff and Anita Cerce on this project. I feel so blessed from the Lord. It's so awesome to be doing what the Lord laid on my heart to do since I was 6 years old. I pray that everyone who hears this CD will be blessed and that God will be magnafied. May God Bless You All- Andy Fauth- lead singer "the Cerces"

Commented by andyrfauth ** On 05/15/2006

Nice review, Bob. This is without a doubt the best project the Cerces have released in their relatively short time on the scene.

Not only do they pay tribute to the Couriers musically, but they follow in their tradition in their approach to gospel music...a trait that anyone wanting to sing gospel music would do well to emulate.

Commented by On 05/15/2006

I'm really glad you liked our album, Bob. It was really fun to make this one. And, since the original Couriers have been so good to us, it was a pleasure to attempt to honor them. We aren't embarrassed that we couldn't sing the "tribute" songs on this album as well as they originally did - because no one else has either.

The piano intro you referred to on "Led Out of Bondage" was played by Little David Young, Courier pianist from 1963 - 1965. Click here to hear this incredible intro.

http://www.thecerces.com/ldintro.mp3

Thanks again, Bob, for a real nice review. Anyone interested may hear clips from all 14 songs on this project at http://www.thecerces.com/music.htm

Cliff Cerce
The Cerces, PO Box 8525, Springfield, MO 65801
417-863-8440
http://www.thecerces.com

Commented by CliffCerce ** On 05/16/2006

I have been blessed to listen to "Treasures" and I must say it is the Magnum Opus for the Cerces. WOW! Great stuff. And who would have known that Cliff could be "oh so low down."

Great job guys.

Come see what’s up at Jim’s Gems

Commented by RevTabasco ** On 05/16/2006

Thank you for blessing the Cerces with your delightful review. We, too, have been enjoying this new release.
We are grateful to Cliff and his continued efforts to honor the Couriers Quartet and their music...50+ years later! Thanks, Cliff and the Cerces for a terrific tribute.
Don & Cheri

Commented by Cheri Baldwin On 05/16/2006

I've had the privilege of listening to this CD, and it is the kind of project I really like: a good variety of music, with very powerful, well written songs performed honestly by great artist.

God bless the Cerces, I've known Anita and her family for years. Her dad has been singing gospel music for longer than most of us have been alive... and it's awesome that this family is still carrying on the tradition of making great music that uplifts and brings the gospel in song to people all over the world.

Commented by Steve Porter On 05/17/2006

The Cerces are "first-class people" and firt-class people do "first class things"! I believe this new CD,"Treasures...", is,hands down,their best musical endeavor to date.
But this album is not just about their music. It is about their message. The cuts on this CD make the Cerces contemporary "COURIERS" because every song carries a powerful message that should not become obscured by the tracks or vocal arrangements. After all,the ministry is in the song, not the style.

My personal favorite is the timeless reminder by Mosie Lister..."While Ages Roll" I'll keep on praising my Lord and Savior. Thanks Cliff, Anita and Andy for keeping things in perspective. We do have "Treasures Old and New".

May God use this CD as an instrument of blessing for many people who will hear The Cerces minister.

Dr. Donald M. Frazier

Commented by Donald Frazier ** On 05/17/2006

Comments made without a valid email address will be promptly deleted.

Commented by SGN ** On 05/17/2006

I've been wearing out my copy of "Treasures Old & New" in the last few weeks. This is, as many have said already, the Cerces best work to date. The orchestrations have that late-sixties Lari Goss or Neil Enloe feel, but that doesn't mean they sound dated. You could say that the arrangements are so "Old School" that they feel fresh when compared to today's cookie-cutter Nashville sound SG arrangements.

Cliff Cerce is a genius as a producer. He's a self-confessed perfectionist, and that's a GOOD thing. His ability to take these arrangements and orchestrations and make them into something new is a testament to how good of a musician he truly is. He pays tribute to the genius of Neil, Phil, Dave, Duane, Don, Little David, and Lari, but the man knows how to arrange vocals in his own right.

He learned from the best! And the man can really sing baritone, too. It's popular now to hear folks talk of good baritones having a big, warm, "room-filling" sound.

That definition fits Cliff Cerce to a T.

"Sheep And Goats" had better be the first single. That song got stuck in my head for days.

Good job, Cliff, Anita, and Andy.

Chris J. Becker
Cedar Rapids, IA

Commented by ** On 05/20/2006

The overpowering definition of The Cerces is not seen in their latest and very best recording. Their sense of ministry of the Gospel of Jesus Christ far exceeds their musicianship. And that's the way it should be, no matter how well one sings or plays. They are out winning souls with their gift of music. For that alone, they get my highest commendation and admiration. " . . . he that winneth souls is wise." Proverbs 11:30

Beyond that, you just gotta love 'em. They're real.

Cliff is ever growing in his understanding of technology and music. We often pick each other's brain via telephone. I find my interaction with him both challenging and stimulating. He has a tender heart toward God and loads of talent.

Anita is a little sweetie and, in my opinion, the hook upon which their unique style of music hangs.

Andy is a new acquaintance for me, but my heart took to him from the moment we met.

The Cerces is a one-of-a-kind sound and they have a wonderful future as singers if they'll maintain their current perspective. They have given me every reason to believe they will.

Neil Enloe

Commented by On 05/24/2006

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