I'll admit that the Cerces may not be everyone's cup of tea, but they do a good job keeping the old sound alive; especially when it comes to the music of one of the great groups of the past, the Couriers. While I wouldn't say the Cerces are the most polished singers to grace a stage, I admire their humble spirits and their passion for what they do. I wish more singers in our industry had the passion and drive that these guys have.
Recorded live in St. Louis, Missouri, this is the Cerces as you would expect them; what you see is what you get. If you've never seen them or heard them perform, this is exactly the type of program you will get from them. The concert is filled with tremendous songs done in the Cerces inimitable style that is a throw back to the good ole days of Southern Gospel Music. The highlight of the program for me was when everything was stripped down to just the piano and the three voices. This is when the Cerces sound their best. Some of the tracks sound a bit dated and are a little over the top and aren't suited for their vocals, but they do get honorable mention for their efforts.
While the production quality of the recording isn't what one would expect from a label group, it isn't so bad that one could not enjoy the concert. There are a lot of variations from one track to another; therefore the overall sound lacks uniformity. While there are flaws, most of which I have indicated in the review, I still think those who like their music will definitely enjoy this live recording. Plus, the cover work isn't what of the quality one would expect from a record company either. But, if you take the recording for what it's worth; a reflection of a typical evening with the Cerces, it's good. If you've never indulged yourself to their music, this would be the perfect introduction to who they are musically, and you can judge for yourself if it is your cup of tea.
Author: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Written: 09/01/2008
| 
Category: CD Reviews
Comments: 24
RSS Feed
| (What's an RSS feed?)
|
Ads Sponsored by Southern Spin
I have always wondered what constitutes a reviewer of music or anything else for that matter. Just like asking people about the sound if it is too loud, or too soft or just right. Just as sound is a personal preference so is judging groups, A PERSONAL PREFERENCE. Down deep every group knows what they sound like. If they don't, they need to do something else in life. When my group started we did some bad singing and have albums to prove it. No one had to tell us or couched their words carefully. Instead we worked diligently hour after hour to improve. Even after 52 years we know that we are not the greatets group that ever ate a microphone. If we were, the entire gospel world would be clamoring for our music and promoters would be knocking down our doors and we would be richer than Bill Gates err!! Bill Gaither. The fact that the great wonderful Bill Gaither does not use us should tell us something. Does it deter us? No way. We are on a mission with God and he has alway provided a venue for our music as we continue to lift him up instead of looking for someone to put us on the charts, review our music or be headliners at the famous Quartet Convention. A couple years ago, through the prodding of a close friend, inquired about a slot singing at the National Quartet Convention which we had sung at from Memphis to the closing days in Nashville. So we called. The answer was a resounding no, but we could set up a product table for a small fortune. I laughed out loud when the word came back. We were good enough to pad the powers that be pockets by purchasing a slot for our product but not good enough to be on the mains program. Was I discouraged? Not a bit, just amused and really relieved. So we booked elsewhere, and will be in Western Canada and Montana where we are appreciated and have great results both spiritually and financially. If you can't beat em do something else more satifying anyway.
I'm confused what your comment has to do with the review above.
Duane, I agree with you 100%...all these reviews are just subjective opinions of the reviewer and open to the taste of the listener.
Cliff Cerce asked that I review their new recording and I was delighted to do because I regard Cliff Cerce with the highest respect and I applaud the Cerce's efforts. They are a wonderful ministry, and this review is not a review of their ministry or the call that is upon their lives. Only eternity will prove the impact they have made on the Kingdom. My review is solely based on the CD itself...the good AND the bad. Nothing more, nothing less. Only God is qualified to review their ministry, I just review the music.
Duane,
Duane is the legendary tenor of the original Couriers, now in his 52nd year of singing. A full feature article on him and his singing partners is in this month's Christian Voice Magazine.
Duane was not questioning James'integrity. I know Duane like I would know a brother. As one of our mentors with the rest of the original Couriers, they have always advised us to not get puffed up by good reviews and compliments, and not be discouraged by criticism and lesser reviews - but just stay focused on our calling.
That is what they did - and that is what we will do. Reviews of this CD by different reviewers have gone from high to low - but those that have found Jesus in our concerts couldn't care less.
I asked James to review this CD for us because I have known him to be fair and honest, and I do not feel we have been treated unfairly. James has offered his honest opinion, and that's what I asked him to do.
Duane importantly points out, to us and all others that get reviews, that we all must still follow the callings on our lives, not being swayed by the positive or negative comments.
Thank you James for your honest opinion, and thank you Duane for that very important reminder to us.
Cliff Cerce
The Cerces, PO Box 8525, Springfield, MO 65801
417-863-8440
http://www.thecerces.com
.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Cliff,
Dear Duane :
Actually, James Hales is a very good, trained singer Mr. Clark. SoGospelNews.com does not make it a habit of using reviewers who are not skilled musicians in their own right.
Also - I should note that this DVD is a fantastic representation of who the Cerces are and what a concert experience would be like with them - entertaining yet chock full of ministry.
Well done Cerces!
Att: Mr Unthank :
I didn't answer for Duane. Please re-read what I said. You made a comment about Mr. Hales' ability to critique a recording. I was responding to that comment.
My comment re: the Cerces DVD was not even directed at you. If it was it would have said so.
Dear Mt.Unthank :This is my finale
So how long do you have to be in the industry and at what age do you become knowledgeable about things kinds of things Mr. Clark? Is it when you reach 30? 40? 50? 60?
I don't know Mr. Hales' age - but I know for a fact he's NOT in his 20's - not like that matters at all. He knows what he's talking about - as can be displayed by his years of reviewing for this site - which is going on 10 years now for Mr. Hales.
My vocal training - whatever it may be - has no bearing on this conversation, so let's leave that be, shall we?
Dear Mr.Unthank : We will finis this
After all your years experience - you still haven't figured out that SG is equal parts ministry and industry?
And YOU'RE the one questioning people's experience?
I don't need to be slapped in the face to know I'm being insulted.
Wow!
For the record, I am not nor have complained about this review. On the contrary, I thanked James for doing what I asked him to do - give his honest opinion.
Live albums are a different breed. In the studio, you sing for a few minutes - and then sit down and take a drink of water.
But on this live recording, we sang 20 songs on stage in about an hour and a half - with only a 10 minute break - and then we used 18 of the 20 songs on the project.
The DVD was not a state of the art video production - nor was it intended to be. It was a commercial-grade representation of the evening - shot with only 3 cameras. But, it was recorded with 24 track audio that was later mixed in the studio. It was never intendeed to be a Gaither-caliber production video-wise.
That said, the Singing News reviewed the CD (which is the actual sountrack of the video) and gave it their highest rating - AAA Excellent. A very top Industry person who was honored on the NQC stage this year (and has never spared words of constructive criticism about our past recordings - which we have greatly appreciated him for) said he thought it was a GREAT CD - "FOR A LIVE RECORDING."
And - that's what's important to me. Someone understands that a live recording is a representation of an evening with the group - and does not contain the numerous overdubs and corrections to the first take in the studio (not that there really is a complete "first take" in the studio any more. Most work is done in small sections these days - and then often stacked).
The acoustics of a church stage do not replicate the acoustics of a studio or vocal booth. Singers are not wearing headphones, so tracks and vocals coming from the monitors at a live concert add to the ambient sound on the stage - as does the sound coming from the main house speakers feeding back into the vocal mikes. Leakage is tightly controlled in the studio - but is found everywhere in a live recording.
The Statesmen's live album "On Stage" is one of the best live albums ever made in my opinion (released by RCA Victor in 1960), and no one ever mentions Big Chief's off-pitch vocals on the lead song "I Wanna Know". After all, it was a LIVE recording, not a studio recording. But, they do talk about the "feel" of the album and the energy and the capturing of the event. And, they understand that you compare apples to apples and oranges to oranges. Because, by the same token, it can also be said that a studio recording generally lacks the intimacy, fervor and "feel" of a live recording. The comparisons work in both directions.
So, I am sure the Singing News took all that into consideration in their review of our project, as did my Industry friend and my good friend, James Hales. Different reviewers see things in different ways - and this is a strength, not a weakness, in my judgment.
We didn't do the video for aesthetic beauty. We wanted to be able to let a pastor or promoter know what he could actually expect if he booked our group at his church on an offering basis. Now, all 18 videos are singled on YouTube (with quality audio), and we tell a pastor sitting in his office to go to http://www.thecerces.com/music.htm where he can instantly click on any 1 of 18 songs -and see the complete video on YouTube. This was the main reason why we did the live video - as a tool.
And, I think Duane undestood that immediately. The video was never intended to impress anyone with the vocal aerobatics we could or could not do. Rather, it was to demonstrate what we do with an hour to an hour and a half in a church or concert setting when a pastor or promoter affords us the opportunity. And, as Chris has so graciously commented, some feel we can both entertain the crowd while actually ministering to them in a meaningful way.
Since we're far from perfect, I'll settle for that.
Cliff Cerce
The Cerces, PO Box 8525, Springfield, MO 65801
417-863-8440
http://www.thecerces.com
.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Mr Clark,
I still get goosebumps when I listen to the "Strings" and "Brass" Heartwarming Cathedrals' albums. Your recording of "Return" is a classic in a league all of its own.
And, I have always regarded James and Chris as excellent musicians as well. They have both worked very hard for many years to perfect their craft - and it shows.
Thank you for untold hours of listening pleasure, and please Email your mailing address to me at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) , as I want to send you a copy of this DVD and CD that has spawned all of this discussion. You will see that it is "old school" in many ways. That's because I'm getting to be an old guy.
Cliff Cerce
The Cerces, PO Box 8525, Springfield, MO 65801
417-863-8440
http://www.thecerces.com
.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Ding! Round Two-
Mr. Clark,
Please be mindful of the Community Guidelines which prohibits personal attacks (of which you have been guilty in this exchange).
Personal attacks can result in posting privileges being removed.
Bobby,
Chris was not answering for Duane, but rather responding to your unwarranted dig at James Hales.
I have the utmost respect for you as a singer, but James is a quality singer himself, and did not deserve an attack like that.
Deon
Deon Unthank
SoGospelNews.com
My Blog
Some people are like Slinkys… Not really good for anything, but they
still bring a smile to your face when you push them down a flight of stairs - Author Unknown
Bobby,
Chris was not answering for Duane, but rather responding to your unwarranted dig at James Hales.
I have the utmost respect for you as a singer, but James is a quality singer himself, and did not deserve an attack like that.
Deon
Deon Unthank
SoGospelNews.com
My Blog
Some people are like Slinkys… Not really good for anything, but they
still bring a smile to your face when you push them down a flight of stairs - Author Unknown
I've not had the privilege of hearing James Hales sing, but I've been very familiar with his work at Southern Gospel News for several years, and it is first rate...as is his review of this fine representation of the Cerces, of whom I've also been familiar with for several years, and having seen THEM sing in person, I'd like to second the positive comments of James here.
I feel this DVD is a good example of what one would see if one took the time to attend a Cerces' concert...and if your taste is oriented toward good gospel songs sung enthusiastically from the heart, you will be a fan of the Cerces as I am.
I also understand the comments of Duane Nicholson and Bobby Clark(two singers and people I admire a great deal), and where they're "coming from". But I really think the attention here should be directed toward the Cerces, who worked very hard to make this an enjoyable DVD.
Morning glory and evening grace,
Giving the world a smile each day,
john.sogospelnews.com
Wow.
I know what sort of qualifications a person needs in order to be a music critic.
I have often wondered, though, what sort of credentials a person needs before they're qualified to criticize a critic.
“Always acknowledge a fault. This will throw those in authority off their guard and give you an opportunity to commit more.”—-Mark Twain
Page 1 of 1 Comment Pages
