Rating: 5 stars

Producer: Lari Goss
Label: Song Garden Music Group
Website: www.roywebbmusic.com

Roy Webb has made quite a name for himself in Southern Gospel Music already. He first became well-known when he traveled with Ernie Haase & Signature Sound for several years before leaving the group in May 2007 and embarking on a solo career. Last December 31, he joined Gold City as their pianist. Although he released another solo project while still with EH&SS, You Raise Me Up, this project is his major-label debut.

On Timeless, the sounds Webb incorporates run the gamut, from the jazzy/swing flavor (“Joyful Joyful We Adore Thee,” “Amazing Grace,” “He Keeps Me Singing,” “Blessed Assurance”) to the powerful, orchestrated style (“A Mighty Fortress Is Our God/I Sing The Mighty Power of God,” “Come Thou Fount/There Is A Fountain,” “It Is Well With My Soul). A couple of the songs feature no orchestration or background whatsoever, and feature solely the piano (“Old Rugged Cross,” “Just As I Am”). A tribute to piano great Anthony Burger is found here as well, with an arrangement of “Old Time Religion/William Tell Overture” that Lari Goss originally arranged for Burger, but Webb puts his own spin on it, and does an excellent job.

Bottom line: While I enjoy watching and listening to a player perform songs on the piano live, just sitting back and listening to a CD of it doesn’t do much for me. However, I can honestly say I enjoyed this project. The arrangements are unique and exciting, and the album is quality all the way around. Fans of Roy Webb, or piano music in general, will find plenty to love on Timeless.

In a press release from Gold City today, they’ve announced several changes in their lineup:

1. Josh Cobb Is Gold City’s New Tenor - When Steve Ladd left Gold City earlier this year, Josh’s name came up among the list of people that I would have liked to see take the position. It’s nice to see that became a reality with this latest development.

This hire is a good one on two counts: Cobb definitely has the range to handle both new and old Gold City material, and it brings back a vocalist that has been on many people’s “Where Are They Now?” list for years. I liked Josh’s voice when he was with Legacy Five, and it’s developed since that time into a better sound. Here’s a recent video of him singing in a duet of the Larnelle Harris/Sandi Patty song, “I’ve Just Seen Jesus.”

2. Roy Webb Joins As New Piano Player - When he played with them at this past NQC, I said to myself, “If they can somehow convince him to come on the road with them, they’d be solid on the piano position.” Gold City has done just that, even allowing him the freedom to continue his successful solo ministry. Webb will be an asset to the group both in his piano playing and his stage presence, especially if they let him inject some of his humor into their concerts. Here’s a video of him playing with the group on Gold City’s first performance at NQC 2009, which is the perfect segue into the third change:

3. Tim Riley Is Staying On Full-Time With Gold City - Fans have been clamoring for Tim’s full-time return to the group ever since they saw him with them at NQC. On the song above, not one word was spoken when Gold City took the stage for the first time that week, but when Tim stepped on, the place erupted. His singing had just gotten better with time as well, and he cemented the bass part just like he did when he was on the road before. GC definitely had the buzz factor throughout the industry with Tim filling in, and now that buzz will undoubtedly be renewed with this announcement.

Needless to say, this lineup of Gold City has the potential to be named among the more famous lineups the group has had. Best wishes to Josh, Roy, and all of Gold City as they enter this new chapter in their lives.

By The Way: Kyle Boreing has posted a message from Josh Cobb’s wife in reference to the infamous comments Josh supposedly made on a Myspace account several years ago. I would encourage everyone to read it.

Update: This video was shot in the morning service yesterday of Josh singing a medley of Christmas songs. This shows that he has an incredible range, and I don’t know of too many tenors that are willing to hit some of those high notes in the morning. This also confirms the fact that Josh is going to be a different type of tenor than Gold City is used to. Steve Ladd was a “power tenor” of sorts in his time with them, and Josh will definitely continue that trend.

Well, with school starting back up, me becoming a freshman, orientation, shopping and the like have kept me from blogging these past few days, so let me get a rundown of these news items I’ve missed.

1. Burman Porter is leaving Palmetto State? Here’s hoping the rumour is untrue, but back problems can have a hand in taking talent off the road (Gene McDonald, anyone?)

2. Roy Webb’s father passed away a couple of days ago. I actually knew this but didn’t blog it. Nice to see that EHSSQ sent out a newsletter about it. Hmm… maybe this will stop the rumour mill about Webb’s departure… Please keep him and the family in your prayers.

3. The Dixie Echoes’ bus fire. Man, what a shock. Thankfully, the only thing lost was some merchandise…

And of course, we can’t forget to count down to NQC. By my watch, (or, rather, by Chuck Peters’ “Days till NQC” clock), it is 16 days.

According to the guy at averyfineline, Ernie Haase has announced that he has opted not to seek a permanent replacement pianist for the group, instead choosing to “build my future on the four faces of the singers like the Oak Ridge Boys and the GVB.”

I actually think he has made a good decision, for the summer at least, to hire Gordon Mote as pianist. Notice, not as a permanent pianist, but just pianist. He claims his decision has nothing to do with Roy Webb coming back, but I still think he has, in a roundabout way, kept his foot in the door in that area. I can see “The Return” sometime after the Summer Tour, if not sooner. It’s quite possible, actually…

Now, as for the Oaks and GVB comparison; huh? I can maybe understand the Oaks thing, since their lineup has been very consistent for a good number of years. But the GVB? That group’s more focused on the faces of Bill Gaither and Guy Penrod, with the other two positions getting changed every 2-3 years.

Ah well, now we can all just sit and watch to see how it all plays out….

I guess I was in a state of denial the other day after hearing the news about Roy Webb’s resignation. It’s still a shock, but I guess with all this “family stuff” goin’ on, I understand. I’m sure this decision was made with alot of prayer and I’m sure God will lead from here out.

But on a happier note…
Gordon Mote has been chosen as their pianist for the remainder of the Summer tour. Awesome fit and I look forward to going to a concert with him playing for them.

Maybe it’s old news for some, but Roy Webb is no longer the piano player for EHSSQ. I knew that his Dad was sick and all and that the situation was bad in more ways than one, but man what a shock! Roy was a highlight at every concert and I’m sure gonna miss him. Godspeed to Roy as he tends to these matters and to EHSSQ as they search for a new pianist.

I’m sure many of you noticed, as I did, that one member was missing from the GVB/EHSSQ live webcast: Roy Webb, pianist/comic relief. Well, according to a blog entry on EHSSQ’s Myspace, his dad is sick with cancer and knocking on death’s door. He and Roy have had “issues” over the years and Roy went to straighten those out and be with his family. Please pray for him and the Webbs during this difficult time…