A Fred Hammond album is enough to excite music purists anywhere. And whenever there's an accompanying video to the project, it's always worth taking serious notice. That certainly holds true here as Hammond’s accompanying DVD to his Grammy-nominated release Speak Those Things: POL Chapter 3 has been released.

Staged at Chicago's Navy Pier, Hammond and crew invite a standing room only audience to what he simply titles a "praise and worship session", as award-winninig video production team Paul and Donna Christensen of Omega Productions return to do their thing.

The setting for this concert is special as the staging combines the intimacy of the House of Blues with the aura of a session at MTV Unplugged. Hammond and crew perform all of the songs from this album and in that original flair, take time to put an extra creative spin on many of these songs that will leave you begging for more.

There are some noticable differences in Hammond's crew, as he is now musically backed by what he calls his "Chicago Contingency". This consists of previous band contributors including "Big Tom" Tommie Walker (keyboards), Joey Woolfolk (lead guitar), Marvin McQuitty (drums), and Maurice Fitzgerald (bass). Mo' Horns also join Hammond with their musical punch. New band members include Chicago veterans Daniel Weatherspoon (keyboards, musical director) and Richard Gibbs (organ). With new players on board, Hammond brings the pain as only he can.

Website: www.fhammondpresents.net

Fred Hammond's new website puts together his complete discography, from I Am Persuaded (from 1991) through to Speak Those Things: POL Chapter 3 (from 2002). Sound clips are available from every single song on every single album. The website is a production of Flava4Ya (the design division of Gospelflava.com) and features eye-catching visuals, a clean face and easy navigation to tons of features, including photos, a message board, downloads, bio and more. Link to: www.fhammondpresents.net

Throughout the concert, Hammond gives out pages to audience members after performing each song—actual copies of the song that he had just performed and symbolic of the pages of his life.

Hammond also takes time to recognize and introduce each of his musicians, with a special musical rendition during these introductions, as he takes it back to the "old school", for example, when introducing Joey Woolfolk. The band and choir suddenly began to perform old churchy numbers such as "God is a Good God", "I'm a Soldier in the Army of the Lord", and "Oh the Blood of Jesus". It’s catchy, unexpected, and expertly done.

Check out "A Song of Strength" as it highlights FHammond Music artists Joann Rosario and the upcoming Shea Norman. During this song, Hammond includes a cover of the Thomas Whitfield classic "Hold On", demonstrating the Hammond musical genius.

Perhaps no song expresses Fred Hammond's creative ability better than "You Are My Life". Here, he mixes in elements of Richard Smallwood's classic "Total Praise". Oh, you say it ain't so?! But it is so and Hammond arranges and performs it masterfully with the special Hammond touch. You'll play this song over and over again.

Album Review

In the way that only he can, Fred Hammond manages to simultaneously maintain musically continuity and break new ground. Never straying too far from his mix of old soul and new-born soul, Hammond's effectiveness is found in his focus on scripture and worship coupled with a dynamic musical mix. This time he's out front vocally, but he keeps his crew close by... Link to: Full CD Review

Hammond revisits some praise songs from his "Purpose by Design" project as he renders "When You Praise" and "You are the Living Word".

But no Hammond concert would be complete without a rockin' groove and Hammond brings the party to you with "That Ain't Nothin'". He brings a first-class, in-your-face vibe that quickly turns into a jam session that ultimately morphs into a remix of "We're Blessed".

A DVD is not really a DVD without a few extras and Verity Records steps up to deliver that here. The DVD includes special bonus footage of the last rehearsal prior to the video recording, and also shows Hammond and RFC doing a TV appearance at Chicago's WGN Superstation the morning of the recording.

You also get to spend the day with Hammond and gain an insider’s view of his off-stage life. We know he rides a motorbike, but who knew that Fred had a Hummer?

You get a special backstage look at the sound check prior to the concert and an autograph session after the show. And amazingly enough, you get to see how Hammond prepares himself for the big show. Who knew that the leader of the Urban Praise and Worship movement gets warmed up to the sounds of Michael W. Smith? You'll find this and much more in the extras of this DVD.

As always, Hammond takes it to the next level. Live in Chicago is a must have for your DVD collection.