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"The Last Song on the 'B' Side (2)"

Gospel music from unlikely sources It's been a while since we started this continuing series back in 1999 (see series introduction).

For those of you who missed our first segments, we've covered Brian McKnight, Paul Jackson Jr., Destiny's Child, Wayman Tisdale, George Duke, Tommy Sims and more (see previous B-Side reviews).

More of "The Last Song On The 'B' Side" is presented below.


Destiny's Child
"Gospel Medley"
Survivor
Columbia, 2001

Survivor CD Destiny’s Child is hardly known for their Gospel renderings, and there will no doubt be some who put forward questions of sincerity, considering the group’s R&B focus and suggestive imagery elsewhere.

Be that as it may, the chart-topping group has deliberately chosen to include a song titled simply, "Gospel Medley". Produced and arranged by original member Beyoncé Knowles, the cut is one of thanks and gratitude.

Short at just over 3 minutes in length, it’s acappella with close harmonies from start to finish. The trio offers up an intriguing composition that uses four familiar Gospel melodies but puts a combination of fresh lyrics to them. Starting with "You’ve Been Good" the transition then takes on the melody of Kirk Franklin’s "Now Behold The Lamb" (but with new words):

Lord, you’ve been so good,
You’ve been so good to me,
I’m grateful for all my blessings,
Giving you all the praise.


From there the song goes to a modified "Jesus Loves Me" (with solo bars from individual members) and ends with the concluding amen segment from Richard Smallwood’s masterful hit, "Total Praise".

While no-one will be calling Destiny’s Child a Gospel mainstay on the strength of this B-side Gospel inclusion, one certainly can’t argue with their choice to give honor to God. Check out Psalm 150:6.



Wayman Tisdale
"When I Opened My Eyes"
Face To Face
Warner Brothers, 2001

Wayman Tisdale CD Wayman Tisdale returns to the scene with his fourth solo bass project, Face To Face. The former NBA star is no stranger to the church arena, being the son of a Baptist minister.

The renowned bass player, who has worked with artists ranging from Commissioned to Tarralyn Ramsey, continues to remember his committment to God with a song titled "When I Opened My Eyes".

This track differs from any of Tisdale's previous Gospel track offerings, in that teaming with Gospel divas Out of Eden, he offers a decidely urban edge in contrast to the traditional nature of his previous Gospel tracks. Blending the ever popular talk-box with the amazing vocals of Out of Eden creates a millenial listening treat.

The content of the song speaks of the happiness that one discovers upon realizing God's love and compassion. "When I Opened My Eyes" deals with those who are overwhelmed by God's committment to His promises and His divine plans for our lives. The chorus of the song speaks volumes:

"When I opened up my eyes
I could see clearly, you must be the one for me
No matter what was said, you never broke your promises
and I can't believe you understand me."

One listen and it's obvious that the track was birthed from an understanding of God's mercy and grace even in unsuspecting times. Tisdale captures the feeling that all Christians experience after truly discovering a living relationship with God.

Unlike most inspirational tracks found on secular projects, this is not the last track on the 'B' side, but rather the second track on the 'A' side, which speaks to the strength of Tisdale's convictions and his order of priorities.



George Duke
"Never Be Another"
Cool
Warner Brothers, 2000

George Duke  - Cool CD Arranger, keys man, composer and musical director George Duke chose Anointed to caress the vocals on “Never Be Another”, the Gospel cut on his solo project, Cool. Duke takes control of the keyboard and Ray Fuller brings in subtle electric guitar, but he let Steve Crawford, Denise Walls and Da’dra Crawford write the lyrics and sing the song:

“When I think of how You love me
And all the things that You do
When I think of how your forgave me
It remains true that there will never be another”

What a blend. Not just vocally, but as a whole. Deliciously soft and mellow in mood, both Denise and Da’dra take turns at the gently balladic melody line (Steve remains in the background throughout). The song ends in a flutter of broken lyrical motifs (“I’ll never find….another One”) that make for a creative ending to a beautiful composition.



Tommy Sims
"100" and "Peace and Love"
Peace and Love
Universal, 2000

Tommy Sims - Peace and Love CD Tommy Sims has played a major role in shaping Gospel hit projects including as Cece Winans's Everlasting Love and Darwin Hobbs' Vertical (see review), plus tons more. As a songwriter, arranger, producer, instrumentalist and vocalist, he's basically got it all covered.

Here on his solo debut, Peace and Love, Sims offers up a wonderfully pure, clean and honest throwback R&B project, where he lays bare his soul and his searching heart. We focus on the two Gospel cuts.

"100" is a take on the '99 and a half won't do' theme, bringing a vocals focus with bass, B3 and dry percussion imprints. Guests Darwin Hobbs and Tiffany Palmer impress (as they usually do), trading leads with Sims, with The Positive Group offering soulfully rich backing vocals.

Marvin Winans enters the picture on the title track, "Peace and Love". Inspirational in theme, it's a thick jam of vocals between Winans and Sims with a busy, 70's-ish, swirly, string commentary courtesy of the Nashville String Machine. No programming, it's pure song and music, expressing that faith, hope and love is the key.



Brian McKnight
"Come Home"
Back At One
Motown, 1999

Brian McKnight - Back At One CD Brian McKnight writes this song that speaks candidly with God, on this single from his Grammy-nominated Back At One project. Musically, "Home" is a gentle palette of keyboards, with string flourishes arranged by Bill K. Meyers. The song builds to add an appropriately basic drum track, but the highlight of this tune is clearly the words.

"Home" eloquently captures the thoughts that run through our heads at those moments where we think we might have gone "too far this time", and ashamedly go to our Father to help us. During those times of discussion with God, we've messed up so bad, there seems to be no solution to rectify the wrong done. Then kind of like a homing device, that self-identification of belonging to Him offers hope, and calls us to forgiveness and healing. No matter the situation we can find hope in the promise that He has made to never leave us. He will never be more angry with us than He loves us. He will never be more disappointed in us, than He cares for us. He never desires to cast us out, but to receive us (see scripture).


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— reviewed by GospelFlava.com Staff—



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