When one speaks of Quartet Legends it is absolutely impossible not to mention the name of Tommy Ellison.  Having traveled with some of the greatest groups in quartet history Tommy is one of the most loved artists on the circuit today.  Though it was not until the 1970s that The Five Singing Stars grabbed the attention of the masses these Legendary Gentlemen have been making music for many more years.  In this their newest release The Singing Stars once again have managed to reshape their sound and add yet another dimension of arrangements and styles.

From the very beginning of this recording the listener knows that this is not the same old Tommy Ellison.  The project opens with the title cut "Going To See My Friend".  This selection is a gentle ballad handled with great care in classic Tommy croon mode.  Set to the sound of a gentle acoustic guitar the listener is forced to listen to each and every word in this selection.  One notices immediately that this is not just another predictable quartet ballad with endless vamps.  In fact this selection is a perfect testament to what outside songwriters can do for groups with longstanding traditions of producing a certain style of music.  Producer and writer extraordinaire L.J. Lowe plays a major part in not only this selection but four other selections on this thirteen song CD. 

Like the release of "All About Jesus" on the Violinaires this release represents another dimension of Tommy Ellison.  While it is by no means as radical as industry professionals expected it to be it is by far the best Tommy Ellison CD in recent years.  Having not enjoyed a release with new material since 1997 "Trust & Obey" the public has long awaited this new installment from "The Superstar".  This is yet another project with an endless amount of songs worthy of mention.  The Aforementioned "Going To See My Friend" is by all means a candidate for one of the best songs of the year.  Only time can tell if another group will match this excellence this year. 

A true fan of Tommy Ellison will notice after listening to this CD that many of the selections have at one time or another been hits for this aggregation.  Songs such as "Guilty", "God Loves You", "Hard To Get Along", and "Father Please Stand By Me" are merely remakes of previously recorded songs.  However, this comment is not to be taken in a negative fashion.  The Singing Stars have done an outstanding job throughout their career of introducing new generations to material not readily available.  For example there are very few people who have their "Come Home" album on the HSE label from the early 1970s.  The title cut "Come Home" is actually the same selection as "God Loves You" on this current release. 

On the whole this project has a very smooth sound that makes use of the latest and best recording techniques.  While many of the selections are remakes they are done with style and sincere care.  For true fans of "The Superstar" you will definitely enjoy the remake of "Guilty".  One can't help but remember their 1976 "Live" recording of this selection on the Nashboro label.  They somehow have captured the same fervor of that night and placed it in a studio recording.  The four minute selection fades out leaving the listener wanting more.

Their are two selections that are destined to be Hits among quartet audiences.  "Watch While You Pray" finds Tommy at his best.  As he narrates the heart wrenching condition of the world the Singing Stars harmoniously enter the song with the powerful words "Wherever You Go Whatever You Do Watch While You Pray".  Though time will not permit a discussion of these words those Bible readers realize the importance of these few words.  The other major selection on this project is the Holy Ghost filled solo "Amazing Grace".  As Tommy tells of his Grandmother in classic preacher fashion he squeals and squalls his way through one of the worlds most beloved hymns. 

I give Tommy Ellison & The Singing Stars "Going To See My Friend" a 9 out of 10. The only thing that takes away from this project is the secular Chi-Lite sounding "Don't Leave Me Jesus" which is literally a remake of their 1972 hit "Oh Girl" with Jesus substituted for Girl.  It parallels a secular selection just a little to closely for this gospel music critic.