Live Recording Recap Richard Smallwood and Vision turned the house out on Saturday night, April 21, 2001 with his live recording for Verity Records at Jericho City of Praise in Landover MD (pastored by Apostle Betty Peebles). Over 10,000 were in the congregation, and the Gospel community came from near and far to support Smallwood in his latest venture; among those spotted in the crowd were Melonie Daniels and Mervyn Warren. The evening began with a praise and worship service lead by Minister Stephen Hurd (see album review) and Nolan Williams. Smallwood's live set was backed by a full orchestra under the direction of Darin Atwater, with a band that included Jonathan DuBose Jr. on guitar and overall musical direction from Steven Ford (see recent interview). The material was a mix of strong new songs and re-recording of some of Smallwood's familiar oldies. The opening moments of the recording were accompanied by a corps of praise dancers. Subsequent highlights included the new song "Hold On", featuring a trio with Smallwood, Ted Winn and Jeffrey Waddy. Also prominent was a latin blaze, "Nothing Without Your Love". Other soloists were featured on other songs, including Maurette Brown-Clark, who was obviously and literally right at home. Smallwood's signature piano solo was a medley with "Come Ye Disconsolate" and "It Is Well" in the mix. With his mother near the very front, and present at one of his recordings for the very first time, there was not a dry eye in the house by the end of the instrumental. Leading the way on the reworked songs was "Psalm 8" with Charisse Nelson out in front. Also redone were "Love Divine" and "Calvary". The recording concluded with a VIP reception at the church for approximately 500 guests, hosted by the financial firm, UBS PaineWebber, Debora Winfree, Vice President Investments, Washington D.C. Check out the select photos from the live recording below, and be sure to catch the project, scheduled for an August 2001 release:
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