GMWA: The Tampa Experience - Reviews

Gospel Music Workshop of America
The Tampa Experience

The Gospel Music Workshop of America (GMWA) returns with their annual live recording set. The Tampa Experience, under the Gospo Centric Records banner for the first time, highlights ten powerful songs from the four workshop choirs, recorded during the 2003 annual national convention in Tampa, Florida.

The GMWA always draws the brightest of Gospel's gifted musicians and ministers, and the participants on this recording reflect that reality, with featured soloists that include Dorinda Clark-Cole, Kervy Brown, Benita Washington and Bishop Albert Jamison among others.

The esteemed Sanchez Harley produces, ably bringing in strings and horns, along with the traditional band workings, to create a flowing body of music. Music directors Derrick Lee and Danny Weatherspoon harness the vast resources before them expertly.

The Women's Choir kicks things off with "All To You", penned by long-time GMWA participant, Chris Byrd. Alfreda Lyons Campbell's capturing vocal presence lifts the song into the spirit and soul. Then Dorinda Clark-Cole lets loose on "Gotta Make It", from Chicago's Malcolm Williams. The 1500-voice Mass Choir shows its strength on this traditionally-arranged piece, and Clark-Cole's powerful delivery gloriously cements the song into a place in GMWA annals.

"Come Let Us Lift Him Up - Celebrate" showcases the GMWA's growing international presence, the song being penned by established Danish songwriter and choir leader, Hans Christian Jochimsen. The Youth Choir does it justice (and then some).

Kervy Brown is often found singing lead vocals of GMWA hits over the years. Brown turns in another rousing effort in front of the Youth Choir's "Pass Away". The Craig Hayes song is all about the promise of heaven, and Brown's exhuberant delivery is matched by the choir's enthusiastic vocals.

The Tampa Experience

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The anthemic "Praise Ye the Lord", written by Byrd and Lorna McKinstry, is led by Earl Bynum and the Women's Choir triumphs on the over 8-minute choir-cut, "Holy Is The Lord / I Thank You Lord".

"Word Cannot Explain" is the lone entry from The Men's Choir on The Tampa Experience —but it's an album highlight, with soloist Russell Williams soulfully rendering his testimony over the acappella male chorus.

Also in the mix is "He's A Healer", featuring lead vocals from both Gospel Dream winner Benita Washington and GMWA Chairman, Bishop Albert Jamison. The song is written by Tommy Jones (of the Christian Mass Workshop Choir). Jamison appears again on "So Good", together with GMWA mainstay Richard "Mr. Clean" White and also Leo "Bubba" Taylor.

GMWA founder, Rev. James Cleveland, would be proud.

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Producers: Sanchez Harley album release date: August 10, 2004
Gospo Centric Records

— reviewed by Stan North —