Review: Prolific five-man (Glenn Shoemaker, Randy Crenshaw, Steve Ragsdale, Dwayne Condon and Walt Harrah) The Haven Quartet, of the Haven of Rest Ministries in Hollywood, CA, brings us another nice collection of Gospel tunes and hymns, "Be Ye Holy." The Haven Quartet is using a lot more accompaniment now, in fact the lovely "A Quiet Place" and traditional parting wish "God Be With You 'Til We Meet Again" are the only a cappella songs out of 14 on "Be Ye Holy." But listen to "O For A Thousand Tongues To Sing," one of our favorite hymns, "How Great Thou Art," "Door To Your Heart," "O God Our Help In Ages Past," "Hallelujah, What A Savior" and "Our Great Savior"--these are all triumphant anthems of faith, beautifully harmonized and filled with adoration and praise. A cappella or accompanied, The Haven Quartet's ministry of music continues to be beautifully comforting and uplifting!

Songlist: O for a Thousand Tongues to Sing, I Sing the Mighty Power of God, How Great Thou Art, Praise to the Lord, the Almighty, A Quiet Place, Be Ye Holy, Door to Your Heart, O God our Help in Ages Past, Come thou Fount of Every Blessing, At The Cross, There is a Redeemer, Hallelujah, what a Savior, Our Great Savior, God Be With You 'Til we Meet Again

Review: The Haven Quartet is a daily part of the Haven of Rest radio broadcast, which has now been aired continuously for 60 years. Here Haven is Steve Ragsdale and Glenn Shoemaker in addition to longtime veterans Randy Crenshaw and Walt Harrah, and the group is sounding better than ever. They also are using much more accompaniment now--"To God Be The Glory" and "Give Thanks," in fact, are the only a cappella cuts. There are keyboards, guitar, bass and drums, but the rich harmonies, powerful leads and spiritual feeling are still very much present. Listen to the title tune, "Holy Holy Holy," "Joy Comes in the Morning," "He Will Provide," "Think About His Love" and the final cut, "Mighty Wonderful"--these are all uplifting, joyous tunes that inspire and comfort, and that's what The Haven Quartet has always been about!

Songlist: Blessed Be the Name, Holy Holy Holy, To God be the Glory, Coming Home, Joy Comes In the Morning, Balm in Gilead, He will Provide, Great Is thy Faithfulness, Give Thanks, Think About His Love, Mighty Wonderful

Review: Decades of worship and musical excellence define the legacy of the Haven musicians. On this 2-disc collection, there are 32 tracks spanning 5 decades. Each track was hand-selected as the "best of the best" by Haven's own Paul Sandberg. Truly, for those who love the music of Haven, this is the definite Christmas collection.

Songlist: O Come All Ye Faithful, The First Noel, One Small Child, Do You Hear What I Hear?, Have You Ever Seen the Star?, While Shepherds Watched, O Holy Night, Lo, How A Rose, I Know Now, Once In David's Royal City, Unto Us, Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring, It Came Upon A Midnight Clear, Peace, Peace/Silent Night, Christmas Song, God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen, Angels We Have Heard, How Great Our Joy, Go, Tell it on the Mountain, Not Just Any Night, Mary, Did You Know?, Infant Holy, O Little Town of Bethlehem, Bethlehem, How Should A King Come, Carol Of the Bells, Do Not Be Afraid, Would It Still Be Christmas, Away In A Manger, Tiny Little Baby, and more

Review: Well its six years after the Haven Quartet's release, A cappella, and there have been some changes in the ministry. The biggest is the outreach on the internet. For our listening purpose the Quartet's music is richer and more wonderful than ever. The heritage keeps maturing! Now the singers are Walt Harrah (who is also producer), Bill Cantos, Jeff Gunn and Randy Crenshaw. For fans of other varieties of a cappella music we have to say, yes, he's that Randy Crenshaw, whose singing on Vocal Nation and Just 4 Kicks has left quite a mark on our community. Now if you didn't know better you might suspect that you are listening to Acappella or Glad for, as you'll find in the recordings of those two groups, the complexity of harmony, meshing of voices and sophisticated production yields a sound that is both inspirational and esthetically delightful.

Songlist: He Hideth My Soul, Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee, Day by Day, Like A River Glorious, No, Not One!, Talk About A Soul, Be Thou My Vision, Come Thou Fount, Let The Whole Creation Cry, The Old Rugged Cross, Our Bondage, It Shall End, Hallelujah! What A Savior!, What A Friend We Have In Jesus, O Love That Will Not Let Me Go, Lead On, O King Eternal

Review: The Haven Quartet's a cappella Christmas includes Bach's 'Jesu, Joy Of Man's Desiring,' 'Silent Night,' 'Go Tell It On The Mountain' and the 'Wexford Carol,' among others. In other words, whether an Irish traditional, American spiritual or Alfred Burt carol, the common thread is the versatility of this Contemporary Christian group. 'Mary, Did You Know' is revitalized, with a soulful lead by Randy Crenshaw, transforming it into an emotional pop ballad; the resonant 'Noel! Noel!', augmented by a refrain played on recorder, and a lively renaissance country-dance rhythm, is joyful and festive. Each Haven member's voice possesses an attractive brilliance of tone, and the four voices together have an exceptional depth.

Songlist: Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring, Joy to the World, Mary, Did You Know?, Noel! Noel!, Wexford Carol, Silent Night, Little Drummer Boy, All on a Christmas Morning, Do You Hear What I Hear?, On Come, O Come, Emmanuel, Lo, How a Rose, What Are the Signs?, Go, Tell It on the Mountain

Review: The ministry of the prolific, beloved 4-man Hollywood-based Haven Quartet beautifully continues with the inspirational "Awesome God." Beginning with a powerful pair of original songs, Christian Bateman's "Come Christians Join to Sing," and Charles Gabriel's "My Savior's Love," with a nice solo by Randy Crenshaw. Another group of originals, Twila Paris' "You Have Been Good," Terry Talbot's "Create in Me," Steve Ragsdale's "Grateful Hearts," follows a nice arrangement of "Saviour, Like A Shepherd Lead Us." The powerful title tune segues into the original reggae song "No Business Doubting," and the original "Exalt His Name" by Walt Harrah" lead into the standards "What Wondrous Love Is This" and the folk hymn "Were You There." The final cut is another wonderful Harrah original, "In This Thing Together." All songs are lightly accompanied. "Awesome" is exactly that, powerful, uplifting, beautifully arranged and harmonized by one of the best Contemporary Christian groups of all time!

Songlist: Come Christians, My Saviour's Love, Saviour Like A Shepherd Lead Us, Create in Me, Grateful Hearts, Awesome God / Our God Reigns, No Business Doubting, Exalt His Name Together, Wonderous Love, Were You There?, In This Thing Together, You Have Been Good

Review: On the occasion (in 2002) of their 68th year as a group, from "The Haven of Rest Quartet" to the present "Haven," this talented Gospel quartet has been spreading their ministry through music. Performing as the musical arm of Haven of Rest radio broadcast ministry on pioneer radio station KFI in Los Angeles, the group has gone through many personnel changes and created an extensive catalog of Gospel recordings. "Best Of, Vol.1" has 17 traditional favorite hymns, some of them going back decades. Particularly fine are "The Haven of Rest," "I'm Climbing Up," "In The Garden," "Like A River Glorious," "Day by Day," "Motherless Child," "He Hideth My Soul," "What A Friend" (recorded in 1947), and the classic "How Great Thou Art"-this is upbeat, inspirational music, sung with great feeling and joy. There is organ and other accompaniment on some songs.

Songlist: The Haven of Rest, I'm Climbin' Up, Make My Life A Miracle, Come Away, In The Garden, Like A River Glorious, The Deep Deep Love, Total Praise, And Can It Be, Eagles Fly, Day by Day, Until Then, Motherless Child, He Who Holds Us, He Hideth my Soul, What A Friend, How Great Thou Art

Review: This is the second volume of Haven's "Best Of" collection, and it features 18 songs. The opening cut, "Theme/How Majestic Is Your Name" includes some 1969 Haven of Rest radio broadcast ministry nautical references, as the program referred to Jesus metaphorically as a haven or safe harbor for sinners. "In The Cool of the Evening," "He's Been Faithful," "How Sweet and Silent Is," "He Touched Me," "No More Night," "No Business Doubting," "Change My Heart O God," "Worthy Is The Lamb," and "Hallelujah, I'm One of His"-we haven't heard many of these before, but they are beautiful tunes filled with spirit and praise by one of the best Gospel quartets of all time. Orchestral, organ and other accompaniment on most songs.

Songlist: Theme/How Majestic Is Your Name, Using Things and Loving People, In the cool of Evening, He's been Faithful, You Are Worthy of My Praise, He Gives Me Joy, How Sweet and Silent Is, He Touched Me, No More Night, His Name is Wonderful, No Business Doubting, Just As I Am, He Died For Us, Change My Heart O God, Worthy Is the Lamb, The King Is Coming, Halleluiah, I'm One of His, Open the Eyes of my Heart

Review: Beautifully accompanied with a variety of instruments including recorders and Uilleann pipes, this CD draws from a number of different sources for it's material. 'Good Christian Men, Rejoice,' is a fourteenth century carol; 'I Wonder As I Wander,' is an Appalachian traditional with a contemporary vocal treatment, and a spoken introduction about the birth of Jesus (called a 'lesson,' of which there are six in total). There are also purely instrumental versions of 'Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring,' 'O Little Town of Bethlehem,' 'Silent Night' and 'We Three Kings.' In accordance with the holiness of the season, the arrangements are restrained, the manner reverential. The Haven Quartet reminds us of the purpose and significance of the holiday celebration.

Songlist: Of the Father's Love, Good Christian Men, Rejoyce, Gaudete, Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring, I Wonder As I Wander, Once In David's Royal City, O Little Town of Bethlehem, For Love's Sake, Hallelujah Chorus, God Rest Ye, Merry Gentlemen, Silent Night, O Holy Night, How Great Our Joy, While Shepherds Watched, Do not Be Afraid, Rise Up Shepherd and Follow, We Three Kings, Christmas Song (for all year 'reound)

Review: The mission of Costa Mesa, CA-based Haven Ministries is to "communicate God's love in the person of Jesus Christ through word and music," helping people overcome the storms of life." They do this through a radion program "Haven Today," and especially through the group Haven, composed of Walt Harrah, Jeff Gunn, Randy Crenshaw and Bill Cantos. "Enter In," with a dramatic door opening to Heaven on the cover, is, although mostly accompanied throughout with keyboards, guitars, bass, drums and percussion, excellent Contemporary Christian music by one of the most talented groups going. Some of our favorites are the lone completely a cappella tune, "Better Is One Day," the accompanied "In the Lord Alone," "You Are My King," "In Christ Alone," "The Holy Heart" (which has wonderful a cappella harmonies and is only lightly accompanied by a single flute) and "Our Great God," We haven't heard most of these before, but they are beautifully performed with spirit and feeling. Another inspirational winner by Haven, one of our most popular Contemporary Christian groups!

Songlist: Come, Now Is the Time To Worship, I Could Sing of Your Love, The Heart of Worship, Better Is One Day, In the Lord Alone, God of Wonders, You Are My King (Amazing Love), That's Why We Praise Him, In Christ Alone, Because of Love, Shine, Jesus, Shine, Open the Eyes of My Heart, The Power of Your Love, The Holy Heart, Our Great God

Review: Continuing a musical ministry begun in Los Angeles in 1934, the 4-man Haven Quartet, now based in Hollywood, CA, is one of the most popular, respected and prolific groups in the Contemporary Christian world. "Everything's Gonna Be All Right in Christ" has all the elements that we have come to expect from a new release from Haven: innovative arrangements, pure, sweet leads and harmonies, and a heartfelt message of faith. One unusual addition is accompaniment on all songs, which is tasteful, not overpowering and puts the focus on the voices and the message. We've heard each one of these 12 powerful, clean-sounding cuts many times, but as we listen to them, we don't think of them as "covers," but hear them as if for the first time. "Praise to the Lord," "All Hail the Power," the title tune, "Lord, I Want to be a Christian," "Be Still My Soul," "Early In The Morning," "Softly and Tenderly," and a personal favorite, "How Great Thou Art," are some of the most powerful songs of Christian faith ever written, and Haven simply nails every one. One of the best of the year!

Songlist: Praise to the Lord, All Hail The Power, Everything Gonna Be Alright, The Love of God, Lord, I Want To Be A Christian, Be Strong, Be Still My Soul, Common Ground, Early In The Morning, Every Heart That Is Breaking, Softly and Tenderly, How Great Thou Art

Review: Ephesians 5:19 tells us, "Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord," and Haven Ministries, especially through the Haven Quartet, has definitely taken heed! "So Many Ways" is yet another joyous, perfectly crafted, feel-good Contemporary Christian CD. Though accompanied with keyboards, guitar, bass and drums, the emphasis is on the fine voices of Randy Crenshaw, Bill Cantos, Jeff Gunn and Walt Harrah. 15 songs are here: "Give To Our God Immortal Praise," "People Be Thankful," "Good To Me," "Awesome God/Our God Reigns," "A Mighty Fortress Is Our God," "Be Thou My Vision," "Be Still My Soul," "He Giveth More Grace," "Blessed Are The People," "I Take My Rest," "A River To My Soul," "Living Water," "Not What I Will," "We Choose To Bow" and "He Is Lord." We can sing along, clap your hands, get up and dance, or just feel good, listening to this powerful, spiritual music!

Songlist: Give To Our God Immortal Praise, People Be Thankful, Good To Me, Awesome God/Our God Reigns, A Mighty Fortress Is Our God, Be Thou My Vision, Be Still, My Soul, He Giveth More Grace, Blessed Are the People, I Take My Rest, A River To My Soul, Living Water, Not What I Will, We Choose To Bow, He Is Lord

Review: Since the last very successful release they've sent us, 'A Cappella Hymns,' Haven Ministries has established a powerful presence on the internet, and the Haven Quartet, now called Haven, are getting better and better! They are Walt Harrah (who is also producer), Bill Cantos, Jeff Gunn and Randy Crenshaw - yes, he's that Randy Crenshaw, whose singing on Vocal Nation and Just 4 Kicks has left quite a mark on our community. First let us warn that all the songs are accompanied by keyboards, guitar, bass and drums, but for us the story is the voices. In the complexity of harmony, arrangements and sophisticated production, the sound easily rivals that of groups like Take 6, Glad and Acappella - a sound both inspirational and esthetically delightful. 12 songs, all soft-rock, all lovely: from beautifully arranged traditionals like 'I Love To Tell The Story' and 'Amazing Grace' to originals like 'Lord, I Lift Your Name on High,' 'No Greater Love,' 'By One Man,' 'O The Deep, Deep Love of Jesus,' 'Except In the Cross' and the final cut, 'I Press On.' This one will have you rocking and singing along!

Songlist: Lord, I Lift Your Name on High, He is Exalted / Great is the Lord, No Greater Love, I Love to Tell the Story, Amazing Grace! How Sweet the Sound, By One Man, O the Deep, Deep Love of Jesus, There is a Fountain, Galatians, Except in the Cross, I Have Decided to Follow Jesus, I Press On

Review: Falling from the heights of success as a radio personality, director of two Southern California radio stations and family man, to the drunken depths of despair and rootless dereliction, left Paul Meyers at the bottom. In agonized desperation he asked Jesus Christ for help and that moment in the early 1930s was the beginning of the Haven Of Rest Ministries. With his radio experience Paul created a radio program with a quartet, speaker, pipe organ, vibra harp and some poetry. The Haven Quartet are the descendants of this inspirational beginning. On this recording from 1991, you will hear the variety of harmonies usually associated with the four-square gospel singing traditions but the beautifully balanced voices of the quartet are so well matched that this recording is pleasurably reminiscent of the lush harmonies of Glad. Companion songbook available.

Songlist: Sing Praise to God, All Creatures of our God and King, Blessed Be the Name, I Will Praise Him, Immortal, Invisible, A Mighty Fortress is our God, Near to the Heart, I Have Decided to Follow Jesus, I Love You Lord, Yesterday, Today, Forever, A Shelter in the Time of Storm, Watch and Pray, When I Call, Rejoice Ye, Pure in Heart, Give Thanks, The Lord Will Come, Soon and Very Soon, In the Sweet By and By, The Light of the World