Sons Family - More Than the Pain, CD Review

Jun

2004

Sons Family - More Than the Pain

Add this entry to Your Favorites | [0] Favorites

[11] Comments

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

Reader Comments

"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 just have 1 question. Are you people writing the reviews professional artists who can do better than the people you are reviewing? If you are not you need to stop being so critical towards every project that you don't just love. Not every group can turn out 10 songs that are just eye openers and not every group is the Gaither Vocal Band. Thats what makes it interesting. Don't put down albums when they are not good, just don't say anything. When there is something you like it is ok to say hey, you know, this is really good. People put hard work and time and money into their projects and it is a great feeling to hold a CD in your hand that you have worked so hard on. My only request is that you 6 reviewers stop downsizing what you dont like.

Commented by On 07/01/2004

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.

Commented by On 07/01/2004

"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

Commented by David B. Murray On 07/01/2004

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.

As I read their titles, they are 'reviewers', and that's exactly what they have done. I trust their critique of the album is taken as being constructive, to be used by the artist to produce even better material in the future.

If I sent one in for review, I don't need someone telling me that it is just 'good' when I really need to know what I can do to improve it.

Commented by On 07/01/2004

Wow! Strong words, SGMlover.

These reviews are the opinions of the writer. Nothing more. I happen to know that Mr. Hales is indeed an artist and can do quite a good job in the recording studio. That being said, I don't see that this fact should be a "requirement" to give an accuarte assessment of an artist's work.

Your comment reminds me of the political thread on the message boards. Many have given their opinions of various presidential figures both past and present. Strengths and weaknessess are mentioned repeatedly by many posters. However, I would shudder to think that they would be comfortable themselves in running the country.

Commented by On 07/02/2004

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

Commented by David B. Murray On 07/02/2004

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

Commented by On 08/15/2004

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.

Commented by On 08/16/2004

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

Commented by On 08/18/2004

I Just want yo say I think The Sons Family are some of the sweetest people in the business.
We had them at our 1st Homecoming s few weeks ago (The Frosts) they tore the house down. I love Noone can wear my robe!!They really live what they sing about. Love you guys.

Brenda Cornett Livesay of THE FROSTS!!!

Commented by On 09/17/2004

Page 1 of 2 Comment Pages 1 2 >

Add Comments

If you are seeing this form you are not a Member or have not logged in. Why not consider becoming a Member? All comments must be made with a valid email address. Comments with invalid email addresses are subject to removal.

Membership allows you to have a prepared signature of your choice applied to every comment you make, as well as the ability to choose an avatar to display next to your name to help identify your posts. Members are also given opportunity to vote weekly in our Weekly Chart as well as special Members Only contests, polls and giveaways during the year. If you are already a member, login here, otherwise please register here.

**Note: Forums membership is a seperate membership.

By posting you agree to our Comments Policy

Name:
Email:
Location:
URL:
Comment:
	Remember my personal information
	Notify me of follow-up comments?
Please enter the word you see in the image below: