William Mcdowell - Arise: The Live Worship Experience CD

Arise: The Live Worship Experience songs On gospel singer/songwriter William McDowell's ambitious two-CD set As We Worship Live, by far his favorite word is "generation," a word he repeats time and again in his songs of praise & worship. "Give us your heart for this generation," he implores God at the outset. Nowhere does he quote President Kennedy's inaugural address, "The torch has been passed to a new generation," but he might as well have, since he is claiming to speak for a new generation of Christian worshippers. On their behalf, he tends to convey the same old message in the same old terms, but he emphasizes the significance it has to a younger audience. "This is a generation of world changers," he declares in "Give Us Your Heart." In his introduction to the song, he compares himself to David, called to fight Goliath, but he defines the Goliaths he intends to fight as poverty, homelessness, loneliness, and abortion. McDowell is a soft-spoken preacher and a smooth-voiced tenor singer as he takes the traditional call-and-response leads over his choir. But this musical prayer session is anything but sedate; rather, it is a call to action. And as far as McDowell is concerned that action is being inspired by God in contemporary terms. "He wants to download His heart to us so we can go and change the world," according to McDowell, who seems ready to lead his congregation out the church door to do God's work, as the singer/preacher perceives it. ~ William Ruhlmann Recording information: The Delivery Room Studios, Orlando, FL (10/12/2007); The Gathering Place Worship Center, Orlando, FL (10/12/2007). Photographer: Eric Lopez. Arranger: James Burt. Personnel: LaRue Howard, Jessica Rivera , Meka King, Elicia Brown (vocals); Noah Chaparro (acoustic guitar, electric guitar); Tyrone Jackson ...

Arise: The Live Worship Experience CD music Recorded in Pennsylvania at Hezekiah Walker's Love Fellowship Tabernacle church, this 2008 concert album finds the popular pastor leading his choir through an uplifting set of gospel tunes. Highlights of the lively outing include the boisterous, horn-laden title track and the stirring "It Shall Come to Pass," as well as the thoughtful "There's No Way." Audio Mixers: Craig Bauer; Donald Lawrence . Recording information: ALFWC, New Brunswick, NJ (06/07/2008); DelRey Studios, Elizabeth, NJ (06/07/2008); Eclectic Studios, Nashville, TN (06/07/2008); Hinge Studios, Chicago, IL (06/07/2008); Love Fellowship Tabernacle, Bensalem, PA (06/07/2008); Ocean Way Studio, Nashville, TN (06/07/2008); Trakfire House Recording Studios, Hillside, NJ (06/07/2008). Photographer: Mark Mann . Unknown Contributor Role: Devory "Lefty" Pugh. Arrangers: Sean Clayborn; Jason Clayborn. Personnel: Vernard Burton, Tobbi White-Darks, Sharlisa Brooks, Craig Wiggins, Annette Rosel Lenox, Suzette Montgomery, Nadling Pollard, Marshe Whaley, Floyd Wilkinson, Carya V. Holmes, Minister Valencia Lacy, Faith Howard, Dawn Smith Jordan, Latrice Pace, DeWayne Woods (vocals); Michael Rippoll, Jonathan DuBose, Jr., Michael Ripoll, Sheldon Goode (guitar); The Nashville String Machine (strings); Doug Moffer, Doug Moffett (tenor saxophone, baritone saxophone); Vinnie Ciesielski, Steve Patrick (trumpet); Barry Green (trombone); Clarence Singleton, Ronald Black, Nathan McNair, Ronald Black Jr., Jules Bartholomew (organ, keyboards); Joeworn Martin (organ); Christopher Mercedes (bass instrument); Jeffrey Lesley (drums, drum); Calvin Rodgers (drums); Rodney Kennedy (percussion); Devary L. Pugh, Devory "Lefty" Pugh (drum programming); Love Fellowship Crusade Choir (background vocals). Additional personnel: Anita Wilson, Blanche McAllister, Dante Hall, Al Young (vocals).

Arise: The Live Worship Experience buy CD music Following 2005's festive Mighty Wind, Grammy Award-winning gospel superstar Andraé Crouch returned with his 18th solo album The Journey. With crisp production from Luther "Mano" Hanes, the album's 15 jubilant tracks meld aspects of contemporary gospel with lively funk and soul elements in an uplifting and celebratory style that has come to be Crouch's calling card. Stand-out tracks include the gritty groove of "All Around the World," a duet featuring Sheila E. and Chaka Khan, and the slinky gospel pop of "Good Time." Elsewhere on the disc, Crouch is aided by the talents of Take 6, Rance Allen, and Pastor Marvin Winans, who leads the building sermon song "Let the Church Say Amen." Included is a CD of 14 tracks plus a DVD with a making-of documentary with in studio performances and guest artist interviews. Guests include Tata Vega, Linda McCrary-Fisher, Kim Burrell, Take 6, Markita Knight, Daniel Johnson, Chaka Khan, Shelia E., Rance Allen, and Marvin Winans. Audio Mixers: John Jaszcz; Matt Pribisco. Recording information: Blackbird Studios, Nashville, TN; EastWest Studios, Hollywood, CA; Fantasy Studio, Berkley, CA; Firehouse Recording Studios, Pasadena, CA; Paragon Studios, Franklin, TN; The River Studios, Scottsdale, AZ; The Saltmine Studios, Phoenix, AZ. Photographers: Kyle Saylors; Michael Swanson; Kristin Burns.

Arise: The Live Worship Experience album for sale Mississippi Mass Choir's ...Then Sings My Soul is a sprawling live collection of traditional gospel music, with the choir naturally serving as the dominant factor. A variety of soloists lead call-and-response expressions of Christian religious faith, sometimes, as in "Don't Stop Praying," in a frantic uptempo manner as if from a raucous old-time revival meeting. Elsewhere, elements of 1970s R&B creep in, notably on "When Praises Go Up" and "Forgive and Forget," lending a quiet storm feel to the proceedings. The songs of praise and worship personalize God and emphasize His responsibility to His people. "Lord, You're the landlord, and there's a leak in Your building," goes the chorus of "Lord, You're the Landlord." "I know You'll fix it like You said You would." Preaching and testimony are kept to a minimum (the fadeouts of the tracks suggesting that spoken parts of the services may have been edited out) until the end with "I Can Make It," which features a long, parable-like story about a speaking train. The album presents traditional gospel at its fervent best. ~ William Ruhlmann Audio Mixers: James Salone; Steve Bracey. Recording information: Afterhours Recording, North Miami, FL; First Baptist Jackson, Jackson, MS; Malaco Recording Studios, Jackson, MS. Photographer: Errol Dillon.

Arise: The Live Worship Experience CD music After releasing 20 or so albums under the leadership of Rev. Clay Evans, Fellowship Chicago passed the torch of gospel music to Pastor Charles Jenkins, who was a relatively young 34 when it happened in 2010. Still, his respect for the music was vintage, and when combined with his upstart exuberance, the initial result was "Awesome." That aptly titled number gave the fellowship their first number one gospel hit since 1996, and much faster than anyone could have imagined, taking over local church choirs and gospel radio swiftly with its traditional structure, simple message, and wealth of emotion. The album it lands on, The Best of Both Worlds, does not disappoint. Humble and welcoming as ever, Jenkins first pays tribute to the Chicago legacy with a grand "Fellowship Medley" (first song in the medley? "What a Fellowship") before the very 2012 drum machines and funky horn sections come out, rocking "Joy Will" all the way up to highlight status. Tambourines shake and basslines stroll as "A Word for Me" takes it back to the '60s while "Praise on My Mind" pops with that Michael Jackson circa Bad feel, combining bright horns, a call-and-response chorus, and gritty guitars. What anchors it all is Jenkins' deep respect for the Fellowship's rich history and his desire to welcome all age groups. No matter how modern or classic he plays it, this really is The Best of Both Worlds. ~ David Jeffries Photographers: Matt Kosterman; Darrell Robinson. Personnel: Jacqueline Thompson, Sharon Buchanan, Elizabeth Harrison, Gloria Foster, Catherine Rogers, Mona Perkins, Tyshonda Barnes-Melchor, Tara Thompson, Shaunita Cotton-Taylor, Renea Weathington, Mary Stinson, Martha Young, LaVerne Warren, Lauren Thompson, LaTonya Tyson, Kristine Abrams, Kaylee Wilson, Kathlyn Hobbs, Kathlina Gault, Juanita Nkemeh Evans, Jocilyn Hudson, Jautaun Dean, Gaynell Sanders, Esther Dillard, Erica Reynolds, Emma Bowden, Eleanora Porter, Carolyn Walker, Dolisha Pleasant, Deloris Bell, Deborah De La Haye, Christeen Williams, Charmaine Williams, Cathy Rufus, C. Betty Magness, Yvette Green, Willie "Mims" Dixon, Vanessa Wilson, Antionette Williams (soprano); Corey Harris, Isaiah Jones, Emma Daniels, Michael Oliver, Bessie Davis, Lucille Jackson, Tyrone Forte, Steven Kennedy, Rose Bibbs, Regina Walls, Regina Broaden, R.T. Smith, Nadine Parker, Lindrea Ross, Linda Reid, Kenneth Holmes, Kathy Herrod, JoSandra Polk, Joe Davis , Jerome Jobe, Jeanine Rogers, Jacqueline Jefferson, Ericka Gaines, Donald Smith , Debra Massey, Darlinda Rice, Daniel Hibbert, Cynthia Jenkins-Davis, Chiquita Siller, Chad Galloway, Warren Nolan, Wanda Earle, Brenda Estes, Barbara Buckner, Amanda Reed, William Robinson, Erik James (tenor); Isaiah Sharkey (guitar); Rick Robinson (piano, keyboards, drum programming); Terry Moore (organ); Michael Eason (drums, drum programming). Audio Mixer: Larry Sturm.

Arise: The Live Worship Experience buy CD music James Fortune understands that if you're going to preach redemption in the 21st century, you're going to have to make a production of it, and his albums are a bit like urban gospel hip-hop soul revues all done up in show-biz style on Broadway, complete with Fortune's spoken, sung, and shouted encouragement. Encore follows suit, with guest spots from the likes of Kierra "KiKi" Sheard, J. Drew Sheard, Isaac Caree, Canton Jones, and Erica Cumbo, and the energy and passion never ebb. It's all big, bold, and positive, and tracks like "It Was You" and the undeniably funky "Holy Ghost Holiday" have the rhythmic punch of urban dancefloor hits. Fortune understands what he's doing. If you start dancing and singing, then maybe you'll start listening to the message, too. Call it 21st century gospel -- Fortune does it as well as anyone. ~ Steve Leggett Recording information: 8th Note Studios, Hou, TX; Canvas Records; Eclectic Productions, Nashville, TN; Eighth Note Studios; JDS Studios, Detroit, MI; Lyricanvas, Nashville, TN.