Calvin Bridges – Gospelphyed

Calvin Bridges
Gospelphyed
Pneuma/Spirit Recordings 2009
www.calvinbridges.org

If you don’t think you know who Calvin Bridges is, I’ll bet you know his songs. “I Can Go to God in Prayer.” “So Much to be Grateful For.” The list goes on.

In his hometown of Chicago, Bridges is a fixture, known for gospel music composition and arranging, singing and performing, and for being one heck of a nice guy. Gospelphyed is his latest release, and while it does include the work of a couple other songwriters, it is essentially a showcase for Bridges’ own songs and arrangements, old and new. He is backed by the Chicago Praise All Stars, a group as tight as a troupe of session singers, and a cadre of equally capable musicians, including local hero Richard Gibbs on organ and bass.

The performances on Gospelphyed are marked by traditional singing with contemporary musical voicing, which results in a funky, easy-going feel throughout. The best examples of the traditional-contemporary blend are Bridges’ arrangement of the age-old “Revive Us” and the moody spiritual “Walk With Me” (aka “I Want Jesus to Walk with Me”). These and other tracks get a jazzy, soulful updating for today’s gospel audience while Bridges and guest lead singers layer saint-satisfying, church-wrecking vocal performances on top.

Bridges salutes fellow Chicago songster Kenneth Morris with a lovely rendition of “Yes God is Real,” one of Morris’ most popular songs and an opus with a painful reminder of the inhumanity of Jim Crow America etched into its first verse. Following Morris’ philosophy of keeping gospel songs real and relevant, Bridges’ “Come Back” places the importance of faith and belief in the context of today’s chaotic economy and its unfortunate impact on human hopes and dreams.

“This is the Day,” a congregational favorite, benefits from a quickened beat and fine quartet-style electric guitar, courtesy of Chicagoan Phillip Seed. “So Much to be Thankful For” is the sole 1980s-era recording, one Bridges made with the Faith Tabernacle Voices. Nevertheless, it blends well with the remainder of the tracks, all of which are new recordings.

Of course, the song everyone will want to hear on Gospelphyed is Bridges’ own version of his classic “I Can Go to God in Prayer,” which was a smash hit in 1981 for Albertina Walker and the Evangelical Choir of Rev. Jerry Goodloe’s Lighthouse Baptist Church. This is the first time Bridges has recorded the song himself, and he doesn’t disappoint, either, as it is the highpoint of the CD.

Gospelphyed is a chance to become reacquainted with Calvin Bridges’ songwriting and arranging. This “…and then we wrote” project is one that really works.

Four of Five Stars