Search - P.A.W. National Mass Choir :: Tribute to the Bishops

Wonderful, anointed musicianship

devon barrett | Toronto, Canada | 01/01/2002

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Most definitely a sleeper. Earnest, heartfelt, anointed musicianship of a very high degree in a live praise setting. This is spiritual music that is not only on point from a melodic standpoint, but also scripturally relevant. The heart of the album is the section of the work that I found ultimately the most satisfying; these cuts include "Waterway", "The Bishop Watkins Melody" and a spirit-filled rendering of "Day of Redemption". On the latter the female vocalist's interpretation and phrasing is to say the least "memorable". The thoughtful offering proves that gospel music does indeed work."

Good Music, but.....

devon barrett | 09/05/2003

(1 out of 5 stars)

"As a member of the PAW, I was highly disappointed with this recording. Bishop G.T.Haywood's classic apostolic battlecry, "The Waterway" is masacred on this album. The best cut indeed is "The Day of Redemption" until you get to the vamp.
I would have liked to seen these songs preserved in their original format, in other words, the way we sing them on Sunday mornings.There is nothing wrong with rearranging a song and adding a "20th century" flair to it, but these are not the songs to do it with. The musicianship is awesome however, the extra keyboards and synthesizers could have stayed in the closet or better yet on the bus. I believe that our founding bishops deserve a little more than this as a tribute. Let's not get so caught up in production and sales that we forget our pentecostal heritage and water down our pentecostal music. The music can still speak with it's message to this generation and still preserve the integrity of it's pentecostal heritage.I really would like to see the same songs on this album redone and take the PAW back to the good ole days of Bishop Grimes, Bishop Brisbin, Bishop Paddock, Bishop David Ellis, Bishop David Watkins. Come on church, let's go home in style."