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  Not By Power Nor By Might  Not By Might Nor By Power, the choir's seventh album recorded live at Thalia Mara Hall in Jackson, Mississippi, is a glorious triumph of all that is right about traditional massed choirs.The album opens with two foundational cuts: "God Is Keeping Me" (featuring Waldo Lilly) and "One More Day", both which lean on seriously bluesy riffs to ride things out. Marva Mckinley's powerful shout lead on the former song is equalled only by the choir's powerfully controlled response to her call, with Undra Watts' guitar and Cornelius Moore's bass anchoring the drive. Guesting on "The Next Time, Will Be The First Time" is Beverly Crawford. The song uses some subtle wording to express the fact that God has everything under control ("for the next time He's unable to gain my victory will be the first time for me"). Crawford in her absolute element, and demonstrates exactly why her unique vocal gift is so sought after. She combines power and tenderness in just the right quantities to create her unforgettable delivery, soaked in emotion and infused with experience. Clearly, she knows that of which she sings. Another high point on the album is "Thank You For My Mansion", a song which uses modern technology to allow current members of The Mississippi Mass Choir to join their founder, the late Frank Williams, in a fresh and poignant rendition of this classic, penned by  Williams and Jeffrey LaValley. The song was first sung by The Jackson Southernaires (of which Williams was a member) and later covered by The Mississippi Mass Choir as an inclusion on their Greatest Hits set from 1995.No Mississippi Mass album would be complete with notable segments from soloists Lillian Lilly and Mosie "Mama" Burks. Lilly sings on "When We Get Up", penned by Shadrach Robinson, and Burks takes charge of "I'm Not Tired Yet". Rev. Milton Biggham lends his voice and pen to "I'm Still Here", a song about God's sustaining power instantly captures attention with its satisfying chord changes, Jerry Smith's piano, David Blakely's organ and mass voice power. David R. Curry Jr. writes "Victory Shall Be Mine", a mid-tempo cut with Christi Richardson on the mic. Not By Power Nor By Might concludes with the impossibly rich tones of Benjamin Cone Jr. as he delivers the sermonette, "It Was Worth It All". The song echoes a sentiment that applies on many different levels to this wonderful project from The Mississippi Mass Choir.
Email This To A Friend Malaco Records — reviewed by Stan North —
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