   |
|||
 Behind The Curtain
The floor showed reflections of gold, The walls were textured with jasper." —from "Behind The Curtain" With V. Michael McKay’s pen attributed to the title track from this latest in annual offerings from the nation’s premier workshop choir, the first  thing that many fingers will do when they crack this CD open is to press for track 4, "Behind The Curtain".Detailing our expectation of heaven’s Glory, McKay ushers us there with distinctly classical approach, both in song structure and choice of gentle keyboards and muted strings. But it is surely soloist Henrietta Davis who lets herself be used as the perfect soprano instrument to get there, as she opts to deliver the lyrics in a very operatic style that at once reflects awe, grandeur, joy and reverence. With melodic elements of the hymnal favorite "I Cried Holy" evident, the mass choir’s chorus interjections help to build the song to its majestic climax, with Davis’ vocal tone breaking from the restraints of classicism and soaring into Gospel sound at points. A two-minute reprise of the song at album’s end brings in an uncredited male soloist ad libbing the familiar chorus of "I’ll Fly Away" to the delight of the choir and congregation, unifying the album.
You’ll also find a contribution from James Bignon, who delivers his renowned and heavily gritted vocals on his self-penned "If You Hold Out (God Will Come Through)". California’s Eugene Cole testifies amidst outpourings of Hammond B3 and rhythms on the mid-tempo "He’s Just That Kind of God". Debbie Steele (formerly with The Richard Smallwood Singers) handles a gently flowing, yet majestic remake of "All Hail The Power" from Sean T. Deveaux, with soprano grace. As in previous years, the live recording of The GMWA Mass Choir was captured on video, providing a fascinating visual insight into the workings of a mass choir recording. It’s worth checking out for that reason alone, not to mention the added dimension of the visual experience adding to the aural. MCG’s Jerry Peters joined with the GMWA’s Rodena Preston-Williams on the production of Behind the Curtain. Both can rightly claim that this is another in the long string of mass choir triumphs from the Workshop. MCG Records — reviewed by Stan North —
All content in GospelFlava.com © copyright 2001. No information to be reprinted or re-broadcast from this site without the expressed written consent of GospelFlava.com. All rights reserved. The opinions expressed in GospelFlava.com articles do not necessarily reflect the opinions of GospelFlava.com |
             
|
||
