Get Them While You Can

One of the great treats that anyone who loves gospel music has had over the last few years is the group Garry Jones put together in about 2003 called Mercy's Mark. Jones, who played with some of the best as pianist and arranger and founded Signature Sound with Ernie Haase, put together a group that did some wonderful things from its inception until last year. The original group of Josh Feamster, Anthony Facello, Chris West and Jones put out one major album that was self titled. I don't remember when a debut album was so good (with Signature Sound's "Stand By Me," also created by Jones being close).

Unfortunately, not much else was released by this combination before they split up. You can buy the "Remembering the Greats" CD or DVD from NQC 2004 for a couple of tunes, but outside of that, you're sunk. Late last year, West and Facello left the group to supposedly form another group which has not come to pass. I haven't heard the new group, so I can't pass judgement, but that sound and those arrangements can only be heard in two other places.

I stumbled onto what I was told was concert CD last year. It was called "Southern Selections, Vol 1." Great stuff with Facello singing that distinctive tenor and West rivaling Aaron McCune as successor to the Big Chief of Statesmen fame. Recently, i discovered that there was a second volume and it's only available on MM's website, www.mercysmark.com. It's Volume 2. Get it before it's gone. You won't be disappointed if you are a MM fan or like good, creative southern gospel music.

By the way, I do not know Garry Jones, nor am I on his payroll. I just like it and thought you might too.