11th Hour

Gather ’Round
RSI Music Group

11th Hour, from Bastrop, La., have lots of good things going for them on “Gather ’Round,” their freshmen release with RSI Music Group. First, let’s make sure the main thing is — in fact — the main thing. In other words: Can they sing? Amber Eppinette, Candace Jordan and Justin Morphis can forevermore sing! Amber and Justin handle most of the lead vocal work. The solos are spot on, and the trio blend is tight. You can’t have a great southern gospel recording without some great southern gospel songs. Amber is a gifted writer, writing six of the 10 tunes. She wrote two sure-fire singles, “Adam’s Fall” and “Home Sweet Home” — two powerful, powerful songs! Her other contributions, “My Heart’s Door,” “Example,” “I Love Walkin’” and “Trust in God” are great efforts as well. The title track, written by Brandon Meeks, should fly up the song charts. Rounding out this fine recording project is “Days Like Today,”  “Way in a Manger” and “Put It in Writing.”  The latter has a touch of The Martins on it.

If you’re going to create a great southern gospel work, you must have someone at the helm who knows what he or she is doing. Enter fellow label mate and producer Gordon Mote. Gordon assembled Nashville’s “A-Team” and simply let them do what they do best. The engineer assumed his spot behind the console, hit the red “record” button and — wow! If you’re a fan of the original Hinsons, Bowlings or the early Crabb Family recordings, you will flip over 11th Hour and “Gather ’Round.” I don’t know where 11th Hour have been, but I sure am glad they’ve arrived on the southern gospel scene.