Ron Winans Family & Friends V (A Celebration) - Reviews

Ron Winans Family & Friends V
A Celebration

Ron Winans says it like this: "I have been waiting for the right opportunity to share my testimony of the goodness of God through music."

Ron Winans Family & Friends V: A Celebration, is just that opportunity, as the Gospel legend gathers round close acquaintances and some very familiar voices to celebrate the love of God and the mercy of our Saviour (with which Ron Winans is intimately familiar —see interview). Released on the fledgling Detroit-based Entheos Records, this next project in the beloved Family & Friends series doesn't disappoint.

Consistent with Winans' previous outings in the album series, the choir (under the direction of Renee Washington) is its focus, with guest vocalists frequently stepping in front to take the mic, or to join in duet with the elder brother of the famous first family of Gospel. The album was recorded live at Greater Grace Temple in May, 2004, and features production from label CEO Doreonne Stramler along with Winans, Antun Foster and Ivan Powell.

. The style of the album runs the gamut from gut-bucket traditional ("I Made A Promise" with Shaun McLemore, Rance Allen, Agee Smith and Marcus Cole combining with Winans) to the soulful balladry of Jesse Campbell, who pours it out on "Standing Here". Helping things along is a stellar band (Ladell Abrams, Emmanuel Johnson, Alan Evans, Ivan Powell)

Interview with Ron Winans

"Gratefulness is when you appreciate the gifts that God has blessed you with. After my experience, I said to God that wherever You lead me, I'm going to use that opportunity to the best of my ability. But maturity comes from experiential knowledge, as opposed to 'book learning', or being taught...."

Full Interview with Ron Winans

In between are several selections bound for iPod capture. Vanessa Bell Armstrong continues to make us cry out "Somebody sign that woman to a record deal!" as she makes "Salvation Is Free" one of the album's most memorable cuts.

On "My Help", sister CeCe Winans trades lines with Ron, testifying to God's omnipresence at all times, not just in times of need. Luther "Mano" Hanes' string arrangement heightens the appeal of this one. Then BeBe Winans joins on "Safe From Harm", a down-tempo composition which borrows from the theme of "In Harm's Way", a song he popularized on his eponymously-titled solo project from 1997.

Especially poignant on the album are the songs where Ron transparently offers personal testimony. "I Shall Not Die But Live" and "I Am Walking In My Season" (with Lena Starks) tug at the heartstrings, as the gratitude is liberally poured out. Guitarist Tim Bowman lends his talent to both cuts.

Newcomers NuDNA guest on "He Never Fails" and The Katinas deliver with "My Father's House". Marvin Winans duets with Gladys Knight on "Surely I Do", another song that merits keeper status.

No doubt about it, Ron Winans Family & Friends V continues in the fine tradition of its predecessors, and makes for one of the year's nicest collections of music.

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Producer: Doreonne Stramler album release date: January 31, 2005
Entheos Records

— reviewed by Stan North —