TBGB Reviews….Dave Hollister

The Book of David: Vol. 1 The Transition
Dave Hollister
Gospocentric 2006
www.davehollistervol1.com

The influence of R. Kelly is omnipresent on Dave Hollister’s autobiographical sinner-to-saved sacred hip-hopera. Indeed, Hollister, who has been a mainstay in the RnB world for some time, working with top shelf stars such as Tupac and Mary J. Blige, acknowledges Kelly as a close pal in the liner notes.

Gospel has been slow to adopt the concept album, long a staple of folk and rock music, but Kelly’s Trapped in the Closet – although parodied by the media – may pave the way for more projects (in all genres) that focus on continuity over random tracking. Certainly gospel, with its history of personal testimony, is a perfect platform for the album-long story. Hollister’s The Book of David: Vol 1 The Transition, which integrates RnB coolness and minimalism with gospel’s emotional appeal, makes for a model template.

While “What Do You Do,” “Help Me,” and “Nothing But God” are the recommended radio singles, for my money “So Many Scars” is far more infectious, memorable, and soul-baring. “Divorce” could crossover to RnB without changing one word, note, or beat. The epiphonal “Reach Out to Me” is one of the best gospel songs I’ve heard all year. It has a moving melody and arrangement, inspirational lyrics, and builds in intensity with Hollister hollering sanctified by the end of the track.

The Book of David is different musically and contextually than your typical gospel release, but pushing the musical envelope ensures that gospel remains relevant for everyone. Regardless, the story of daily demon-wrangling is one with which each of us can empathize.