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Producer: Randy Shelnut
Song Titles: "River Of Jordan," "After All," "Close To The Master," "Roll Away Troubled River," "Until You've Known," "I'm Gone," "The Riches Were Free," "If He Said It I Believe It," "A God Who Is Aware," and "When The Power Of The Lord Comes Down"
 
A New Chapter is the first release for the Dixie Echoes with David Robinson and Tracy Crouch at the tenor and bass slots respectively. This is a project that I've thoroughly enjoyed in recent weeks. If I was the type of reviewer who based ratings on my personal preference, this would easily get five stars. Because I attempt to be as honest as possible regarding projects that don't align with my personal tastes, though, I try to be equally honest with those that do. I believe A New Chapter is firmly in four star territory when the technical aspects of the project are considered objectively.
 
"River Of Jordan" is the group's first single, and likely will prove to be the best radio song on the CD . . . a nice upbeat tune. On "After All," Crouch and Robinson get the solos. Crouch isn't a deep bass, but in the tradition of Rex Nelon, he makes up for it by singing a smooth melody. The D-flat at the end of his solo, however, sounds a trifle pushed. Robinson's solo has nice expression and demonstrates he knows the difference between singing strong and singing shrill. "Close To The Master" is a showcase for the elder Shelnut. His solo is nearly perfect except for one word. He sings the word "just," but fails to include the last two consonants so that it comes out "juh." He has a moment of brilliance in the final chorus, though, when he takes the melody up high and then hands it to the tenor so craftily that you may not even notice.
 
With the changes in the lineup, the Dixie Echoes have suddenly morphed into a blending group. The arrangements on A New Chapter generally exploit the new situation well. Crouch is a touch breathy, but it's just enough to compliment the blend when the others are singing along. It's only a minor drawback when he has a deep note in a solo like "Roll Away Troubled River." The new situation suits "Scoot" Shelnut to a tee. He has always been an excellent blending baritone even when he wasn't surrounded by blending vocalists in the past. His solo on "Until You've Known" is very nice in its simplicity.
 
Three upbeat numbers are next. "I'm Gone" features Scoot on a solo, while "The Riches Were Free" puts his dad in the spotlight. "If He Said It I Believe It" features Crouch and Scoot accompanied by a track with prominent brass licks in the arrangement . . . a bit of a departure in musical style for the Dixie Echoes, but they pull it off well. "A God Who Is Aware" is a slower cut that would do well on radio. It would be my pick for their next single. The biggest stylistic departure is the final track, "When The Power Of The Lord Comes Down." It's another upbeat track, but this time the arrangement is similar to the energetic numbers of Gold City.
 
Clocking in at 28 minutes with ten songs, A New Chapter may leave you wishing another song or two had been included. The song selection, however, is excellent. This is a CD I've enjoyed so much I've played it over and over. It isn't quite perfect in the technical sense . . . tracks are fairly basic, arrangements are adequate though not spectacular, etc. If your tastes are similar to mine, though, you won't mind the technical issues so much. You'll just enjoy the music.

Reader Comments

I love the Dixie Echoes and I think this is a great recording and I tend to agree with David’s review.

“River of Jordan” is a great quartet number that features a bit of everyone and should do pretty well for the group. I love “Close to the Master”…great song and Randy sings the fire out of it. Love the key change in the middle of the chorus. “Roll Away…” was ok…it’s hard to beat George Younce on the song, but Tracy does a good job. I really like their version of “Until You’ve Known the Love of God”…the beauty of the song is in the lyrics, but it is enhanced by the simplicity of the arrangement the Dixie Echoes use. I thought, “If He Said it, I Believe it” was a cool song and I really like “A God Who is Aware” as well. (Has somebody else recorded this song? It sounds familiar.) “When the Power of the Lord Comes Down” is good too.

The Dixie Echoes are a class act. I wish they could get signed onto a major label, which would really shift the overall quality of their recordings. Not that they put out less than adequate recordings, but being with a major label would really enhance what they have.

I think David was right on with his review. Personally, I would have given it higher rating…but on a professional level, the quality aspect brings the rating down a notch. So, 4 stars works for me.

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