Reverend James Cleveland Having Church CD

A posthumous Grammy winner, this 1990 album by the most influential male gospel performer of the post-war era was recorded live, which is both its strength and its weakness. As expected, the performances--either by the gruff-voiced Cleveland, the Southern California Community Choir, or guest vocalists Herman Jones and Lavora Wilson (heard at their sanctified best on the two-part "Somebody's Knocking")--are electrifying. Unfortunately, they're so electrifying that the congregation's testifying occasionally drowns out the music. With that reservation, highly recommended.

HAVING CHURCH was Rev. James Cleveland's final recording. It includes "God Leads His Children," which features former Caravans singer Cassietta George, and "What Shall I Do," in which Rev. Cleveland prophesizes his own death.

Full performer name: Rev. James Cleveland & The Southern California Community Choir.

Personnel includes: Rev. James Cleveland, Leslie Parham, Rev. Calvin Bernard Rhone, Cassietta George, Lavora Wilson, Wayne Anthony (vocals); Edna Tatum (spoken vocals); Kurt Carr (keyboards).

Personnel: James Cleveland (vocals); LaVora Wilson, Dwight Swiney, Herman Ludlow, Wayne Anthony , Betty Griffin Keller, Michael Neal, Cleo Kennedy, Rev. Calvin Bernard Rhone, Cassietta George (vocals); James Perry (strings, horns); Joey Jones, Kurt Carr (keyboards); James Galloway (drums).

Recording information: Record Plant, Los Angeles, CA.

Directors: Stan Lee; Alonzo Atkins; Rev. Quincy Fielding, Jr.; Rev. Calvin Bernard Rhone.