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 Live Video Recording Recap WOW! What a night! Dorinda Clark-Cole’s live video / DVD concert recording was one to relish and to be thankful that you simply there in the service.  The venue was New Birth Cathedral (Bishop Eddie Long), located just outside Atlanta. The time was Sunday evening, on January 12th, 2003, only hours after the wrap up of the 18th Annual Stellar Awards the night previous. Hosted by MC Minister Byron Cage, the concert started at 9 PM with mega-producer/songwriter Percy Bady along with Darius Brooks gracing the people with many of the songs that they have written for other artists. “Holy Ghost”, “Still I Rise” and a host of others created a since of nostalgia and joy as Percy went down memory lane. Then to open things further, guest choir Natalie Wilson and The SOP Chorale delivered a power-packed, high-energy and intensely worshipful set that included a Who’s Who list of artists. The choreography was awesome and the harmony of SOP was crisp and powerful. The band, directed by Natalie’s husband, Joe Wilson, brought the heat! Faith Evans delivered a soul stirring lead on “Crown” and Lashawn “Big Shiz” Daniels shared the lead vocals with Natalie on “Act Like
But of course, the night belonged to Dorinda Clark-Cole. And she was phenomenal as expected. As the jazzy, classy Clark Sister was being announced, the band kicked off the music for “If It Had Not Been For The Lord”. Dancers, backup singers, and the Eastern Michigan Gospel Choir were all on stage in black and red costume when Dorinda suddenly appeared on the steps of the balcony the church. Dorinda was in a gorgeous, silvery evening gown that matched her beautiful spirit, and she gave us her usual delivery of scats, amazing energy and sheer elegance. Fresh from her dual Stellar Award honors, Dorinda payed homage to her mother, Dr. Mattie Moss Clark, as she demonstrated the way Dr. Clark would sing a song. The renowned Alex Ward served as Musical Director for a band that flowed well with Dorinda. The backup singers included Kierra Sheard (Karen Clark’s talented daughter) as well as another niece of Dorinda’s. As Dorinda left to change wardrobe during “You Can’t Hurry God”, Kierra Sheard stepped up to deliver some very powerful Karenesque vocals. The audience came unglued, with artists such as Brent Jones, Ricky Dillard, Donald Lawrence, Karen Clark, Kurt Carr, Kirk Franklin almost rushing the stage in sheer delight, marvelling at the wonder of Kierra was singing. Dorinda returned in a beautiful red dress to join Kierra in a trade off with mad vocals.
Dorinda showed us her dance moves on “I’m Coming Out”, as she and seven hip dancers showed some nice choreography. The dancers never took away from style of Dorinda, they only accented and brought flavor to an already anointed artist. The highlight of whole night was the rousing, tear jerking, “I’m Still Here”. Dorinda gave a testimony of how she almost gave up and felt that she could not take living anymore, and then testified to the saving grace of God. His presence was felt and many people in the audience including Twinkie, Jackie and Karen were moved to tears. This was definitely a night to remember. The relatively few technical difficulties paled in comparison of the musical greatness of Dorinda, Natalie and Percy. Kudos to Gospo Centric execs. and recording personnel for a job well done.
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Click on the links below for further features on Dorinda Clark-Cole:
Check out these other Clark Sisters features: