Mississippi Mass Choir CD

The Jackson Southernaires include: Reverend Milton Biggham, Reverend James Moore, Brother Huey Williams (vocals).

Recorded live at Jackson Municipal Auditorium, Jackson, Mississippi on October 29, 1988.

THE MISSISSIPPI MASS CHOIR received 4 Stellar Awards in 1989: Choir Of The Year, Album Of The Year, Best New Artist, Best Gospel Video.

Recorded live in front of an enthusiastic congregation at Jackson, Mississippi's Jackson City Auditorium, this disc gives a roof-raising sampling of the vocal and musical machine that is the Mississippi Mass Choir. The album also provided the blueprint for a string of commercially successful albums subsequently released by the Grammy-nominated choir.

The opening track features inspired vocal work from guest vocalists Rev. Milton Biggham, Huey Williams, and Rev. James Moore and from choir member Desarie Johnson. Whenever the 100-plus-member Mississippi Mass Choir adds a blast of backing vocals, the results are positively earthshaking. An extremely talented backing band lays down thick layers of bass-busy funk, further bolstering these tracks. Highlights include the nine-minute "Near the Cross" and the rousing "Having You There." If you're looking for a can't-miss gospel album, this is the place to go.

The Mississippi Mass Choir includes: Jerry Smith, Sister Desarie Johnson, Lillian Lilly, Reverend Ben Cone, Franklin Williams, Angela Curry, David R. Curry, Verona Brown, Barbara Harper, Larry Terrell, Pricilla Daniels, John Franklin, Reverend Ben Cone (vocals).

Additional personnel includes: Keith Brown, Tony Harris (guitar); Ralph Lafton (organ); Sam Scott (bass, drums, percussion); Allen Golden (bass); Brian Williamson (drums).

All tracks have been digitally remastered.

Producers: Franklin Williams, David R. Curry, Jr.

Personnel includes: Rev. James Moore, Rev. Milton Biggham, Bro. Huey Williams, Jerry Smith, Sis. Desarie Johnson, Lillian Lilly, Rev. Ben Cone, Franklin Williams, Angela Curry, David R. Curry.

Personnel: Agee Joseph, Huey Williams, Rev. James Moore , Milton Biggham (vocals); Cyntia Smith, Maggie Stanton, Azel Smith, Leah Curry, Keesha Brown, Annie Kidd, Priscilla Daniels, Alicia Taylor, Melissa Dean, Michelle Bennette, Connie Williams, Earnestine Bailey, Cheryl Brown, Dorothy Huddleston, Althea Morris, Barbara Harper, Stacy Atkins, Katrina Williams, Judy McCullum, Dorothy Thornton, Christine McCurtis, Mary Ratliff, Linda Brown, Kevin Weatherspoon, Kate Price, Lillian Lilly, Mark Griffin, Rhonda Smith (soprano); Min. Willie Thornton, Darryl Otis Smith, J.C. Beene, Larry Tyrrell, Curtis Shears, Roy Caston, Johnnie Clay, Willie Key, Jimmy Cotton, David Woods, Chris Wheatley, Barry Bolden, Reggie Stewart, Cedric Cole, Danny R. Huddleston, Perthea Brown, Willie Carey, Luther Williams, Delace White, John Swanigan, Henry Clark, Jeffery Theodore, Glenn Stamps, Stevie J. Jordan, Van Whittley, Reginald C. Stewart, Michael Rogers, Jimmy Lewis , Michael Cox , Thomas Richardson, William Bell, Demetrius Smith (tenor); Keith Brown, Tony Harris (guitar); Allen Golden (strings, horns, bass guitar); David Curry, Norman Williams (strings, horns); Jerry Lee Smith, Jerry Smith (keyboards); Sam Scott (bass guitar, drums, percussion); Brian Wilke (drums).

Audio Mixer: Jerry Masters.

Recording information: Jackson City Auditorium, Jackson, MS.

Photographer: Errol Dillon.

Unknown Contributor Role: Jackson Southernaires.