Saturday, September 8, 2012

Kirk Whalums The Gospel According to Jazz

  Make Me A Believer  
Album: Gospel According To Jazz: Chapter 3

Superman can fly high way up in the sky
'Cause I believe he can
So what I choose to believe can always work out fine
It's all in my mind

I think of his grace and imagine his life
Imagine his life
And learn how to love him
Believe in him who we believing
Is believing right yeah yeah yeah

And ...
Chorus:
I wanna live wanna learn wanna love you Lord (Lord)
So make me a believer
(Wanna love wanna love wanna love wanna love wanna love wanna you Lord)
I wanna live wanna learn wanna love you Lord (Lord)
Interlude:
Ooo In Here
And forever keep you near,,,yes I will
For you never gave a spirit offear (A spirit of fear)
Lord I want to love you
Loving and loving oh Lord is his way
To make you stay wooohoo make you stay make you stay ummm

You know the way to persuade me over to your side
Showed me how deep is your love

You got me to believe
And now I feel so fine
Your Love blows my mind
So people today is the place and the time ( The place and the time)
Let me introduce you ooo

Loving and loving oh love is his way
To make you stay make you stay you stay
Chorus (her)

          For yours is the kingdom, the victory and the majesty, the power and dominion, for all that is in heaven and earth are yours1 Chronicles 29:11a On October 13, 2007, at Reid Temple AME Church on the outskirts of Washington DC, a standing room only audience packed the 3000-plus capacity state-of-the-art worship complex to experience the transforming power of Kirk Whalums The Gospel According to Jazz, Chapter III. Recorded live by three generations of Whalums and some of the most resounding names in Jazz, Pop, Gospel and R&B, The Gospel According to Jazz, Chapter III comes ten years after the first chart-topping Gospel According to Jazz, Chapter I CD debuted, and in the wake of the Grammy nominated, Stellar Award winning second chapter, released in 2002.

          Although Whalum—who lives up to his reputation as the most influential saxophonist of his generation—is front and center throughout, this is undoubtedly an ensemble recording. He shares the stage with what could be called the Whalum dynasty (three generations and six Whalums: brother Kevin (vocals); Uncle Peanuts (vocals, sax, and piano); son, Kyle (electric bass); nephews Kenneth III (saxophone) and Kortland (vocals), plus first cousin Caleb tha Bridge (vocals/rap). The unparalleled George Duke, featured on both I and II, returns on keys, and is joined by vocalist Lalah Hathaway, guitarist Doc Powell, keyboardist/vocalist John Stoddart, trumpeter/vocalist Aaron Broadus, stand-up bassist, Reginald Veal,
                                      Ta Ta you Jesus - Kirk Whalum Kirk Whalum: Pass me not o gentle savior He's Been Just That Good (Live) Kirk Whalum by kucoo1206 Kirk Whalum: God Has Smiled On Me Kenneth Whalum III - Precious Lord Take My Hand Falling In Love With Jesus - Kirk Whalum - Jonathan Buttler

Nicholas - Nearer My God To Thee (1985)

Sunday, September 2, 2012

Richard Smallwood & Vision - Persuaded Live in D.C.




                          Richard Smallwood & Vision - Persuaded Live in D.C.

Few sounds in Gospel are as recognizable as those that come from Richard Smallwood.

Be it his songwriting, those classical piano solos, or that resonant, richly textured thickness that is the hallmark of his vocal ensembles, the ear cannot mistake his genius.
No, the beauty here is that Persuaded embraces all that is so beloved of previous projects, but also explores beyond, giving even more to appreciate. The D.C.-based maestro demonstrates in front of the packed Jericho City of Praise church, that our God is One who knows no creative bounds.

Smallwood brings back his familiar top-notch collaborators. Steven Ford once again joins him in production and keyboards, Darin Atwater orchestrates, Bryan Pugh, Mark Walker, Jeff Davis and Jonathan Dubose play, and the entire Vision roster sing their hearts out.

As expected and hoped for, the album begins with a full, live, symphonic intro, "Procession of the Levites", composed by Atwater. The work neatly flows into the intricate "Anthem of Praise" which deftly combines symphonic elements with the Gospel sound as Vision sings texts from Psalm 150 and 34.

Smallwoods' mid-album piano solo on the project is a well-received medley of two hymns that melts into an audience-participation reprise. Titled "It Is Well With My Soul / Come Ye Disconsolate", it begins with a lengthy, thunderous keyboard storm with an immediately simple right hand melody calming the force.

The combination eloquently paints in music the meaning of the words that we are all singing along in our heads. Even with chaos and storms going around us, we who rest in Jesus Christ are nevertheless secure —it is well within our souls.

           Richard Smallwood & Vision - Coronation w/ Overture (Orchestral Prelude)


            Richard Smallwood & Vision - Anthem of Praise


           Richard Smallwood & Vision - Hold On Don't Let Go


           Richard Smallwood - It Is Well/Come, Ye Disconsolate


           Psalm 8 - Richard Smallwood


            Richard Smallwood & Vision - Calvary


            Richard Smallwood & Vision - My Everything [Praise Waiteth] (Part 1)


            Richard Smallwood & Vision - My Everything [Praise Waiteth] (Part 2)