Search - Various Artists :: Verity Presents The Gospel Greats, Vol. 7: Live

In earlier days, popular music borrowed heavily from black spiritual music for soul and grit; today, modern gospel music borrows heavily from soulful popular forms to gain relevance with younger audiences. Thus, "I Must Tell Jesus" by Virtue could be mistaken for Destiny's Child, and Yolanda Adams's "You Know that I Know" could be by Whitney Houston. Similarly, the New Life Community Choir's "Strength" could be lifted from the musical Hair, and Fred Hammond's "When the Spirit of the Lord" harkens back to the music of Richie Havens. All, however, are sung with passion and conviction, indicating that gospel music can be updated without completely losing its power. Nonetheless, traditional call-and-response numbers, such as "Glad I've Got Jesus" by the Clanton Spirituals and "So Good" by Joe Pace and the Colorado Mass Choir, are undeniable pew-shakers, their inclusion revealing the emotional underpinnings upon which gospel music is built. The Verity label is to be commended for documenting the full range of gospel music currently being practiced, because, old or new, this stuff rocks. --Wally Shoup