Flashback: Brenda Lowe – Somebody Somewhere Was Praying for Me (Alpha 7 Ministries 2002)

Brenda Lowe
Somebody Somewhere was Praying for Me
Alpha 7 Ministries 2002
www.alpha7ministries.com

After the recent release of the heartwarming “Somebody Somewhere” by V.O.W. (JDI Records) and our review of the choir’s single and full album, Minister Randall Ogans of the Alpha 7 Ministries label in Fairfield, California contacted TBGB. Had I known about an earlier version of the Andrew Gouche-penned composition as rendered by gospel songstress Brenda Lowe? Back in 2002? Hat in hand, I admitted I had not. So Minister Ogans kindly sent it to me.

I wish I hadn’t missed this album the first time around. Lowe’s project is exceptional, reminiscent of the GMWA and National Convention of Gospel Choirs and Choruses Mass Choir LPs of the 1970s and 1980s. Those LPs, and Lowe’s project, do not attempt to cover all the musical bases; instead, they simply and graciously offer generous helpings of superb gospel singing supported by excellent accompaniment and strong, rich background vocals.

Lowe has the veteran gospel singer’s talent to work a song from whisper to shout until the church is up on its feet. She is ably assisted by instrumentalists that include the multi-talented choral master Ricky Grundy on trad gospel piano and the Bay Area’s Hammond B-3 master Melvin Seals on organ. Seals has worked with everyone from the late Jerry Garcia to Chuck Berry to Charlie Daniels.

Also contributing to the overall quality of Somebody Somewhere was Praying for Me is the selection of songs. In addition to the aforementioned Gouche piece, Lowe renders the old chestnut “Come Ye Disconsolate” as well as songs by Percy Gray (“Send Me I’ll Go” and “By Your Word”) and Pastor Shirley Caesar (“You Can Depend on Jesus,” with Michael Mathis).

Backing Lowe are a hand picked group of singers from various Bay Area church choirs as well as Minister Ogans’ own group, Jus-B-Cuz. Together they provide an aural comfort blanket underneath Lowe’s vintage gospel singing.

Although I’m still partial to that cry in LaToya Williams’ voice on V.O.W.’s version of “Somebody Somewhere,” Lowe does a marvelous job in her own right. She is even more magnificent in her delivery of “Look How Far the Lord Has Brought Us,” “Send Me I’ll Go,” and in a spendid duet on “Come Ye Disconsolate.” This is a CD definitely worth your time and resources.

Four of Four Stars