   |
|||
  Psalms, Hymns & Spiritual Songs —Colossians 3:16 For all those waiting for the next installment of Gospel music from Donnie McClurkin, the satisfaction on hearing this project will be double. Double disc, that is. The live-recorded Psalms, Hymns & Spiritual Songs is McClurkin digging into dozens of church favorites, interpreting them as only he can, with that dollop of gritty  traditional combined with sweet soul. The Virginia Beach congregation assembled at The Rock Church in July, 2004 (see recording recap) responds with enthusiasm, and no doubt, so will anyone hearing this set from Verity Records.The expected players are in place: McClurkin's famed background vocalists are on point, as is the band (Leon Trenton Phillips, Derrieux Edgecombe, Darrell Freeman, Joey Woolfalk, Calvin Napper). And the songs... Robin Mark’s "Days Of Elijah", previously recorded by The Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir (as well as Judy Jacobs and several others), is given the McClurkin treatment. Mo’ Horns become the actual trumpets calling that are mentioned in the lyrics, in this celebratory song. Hardcore Gospel fans may not think this is their cup of tea, but by the end chant of "There’s no God like Jehovah!" all will know and unite with this favorite. Flooding radio already is "I Call You Faithful" which McClurkin describes as "an every Sunday song". The track flows into the equally as powerful "Great and Mighty Is Our God" where the focus is the very virtue of God.
Though the format of this project will cross Christian genres (CCM and Gospel), it does not compromise the very foundation of both 'styles' of music. The blood-bearing cross unites us where we don’t have the sense or wherewithal to unite. "The Blood Medley" showcases McClurkin doing what he does best —making the ordinary extraordinary. Hymns that we’ve done so many times can often lose their meaning to us. The revisit here on this project proves they’ve never lost their power —we have just lost proper focus. Songs like "At the Cross", "Are You Washed" and "I Know It Was The Blood" are included in the medley. McClurkin wraps the set with a blood-focused exhortation that spares no detail of the crucifixion, but expresses the divine benefits of it. To the point of uniting, "The Language Medley" is opportunity for McClurkin to share from his worldwide travels. Expressing the glory of the Lord in several languages, he sings songs such as "As The Deer Panteth" in Japanese, and "Great is Thy Faithfulness" in Dutch, just to name a few.  Richard Smallwood comes in to assist in the delivery of "Total Praise". Together, Smallwood and McClurkin represent the current guard in gospel in a delectable combination of instrumental and vocal splendor. Darin Atwater conducting the strings in his usual place with Smallwood could not go unnoticed."Church Medley" could also be titled 'The Baptist Choir March in Medley' with "We’ve Come This Far By Faith" and "I Will Trust In The Lord" at strategic strut tempo. On "I Love To Praise Him", Dottie Peoples enters on the reprise. The "Jesus Medley" goes straight to church with devotional favorites "Bless That Wonderful Name of Jesus" and "I Love Jesus" included in the set. Then McClurkin digs into his Spanish repertoire, inviting Joann Rosario to join him on "Sáciame Señor/ Yo Se Que Estas Aqui" ("Satisfy My Soul/ I Know That You Are Here"). Rounding out this generous set is that old soul classic, "Ooh Child", this time a studio-recorded gem with Kirk Franklin guesting. This Hopeville duo show their ease with each other, as they trade lines over an irresistable track from Steve 'Supe' White and Ralph 'Buttaz' Kearns. To sum up, Donnie McClurkin's Psalms, Hymns & Spiritual Songs will not only add to your Gospel hymnody, you may well find it stuck in your 'must-play' set for a long time to come.
Email This To A Friend Verity Records — reviewed by Melanie Clark, Stan North —
All content in GospelFlava © copyright 2005. No information to be reprinted or re-broadcast from this site without the expressed written consent of GospelFlava.com. All rights reserved. |
            
|
||
