Algeron Wright – Live with Family and Friends

By Bob Marovich for The Black Gospel Blog

South Carolina singer-songwriter Algeron Wright is a hard singing tenor whose recording, Live with Family and Friends, finds him sharing the Stevenson Auditorium in Orangeburg, South Carolina, with several top-shelf gospel artists.

Among the family and friends who join Wright for the live performance are Lowell Pye, formerly of Men of Standard, whose husky vocals on “I Believe” are not dissimilar to Wright’s own.  Dr. Kevin Bond delivers the word on “No Other Reason,” and D’Vine, with whom Wright has worked in the past, offer charming harmonies on the hypnotic “Been So Good.”  They get into such an even groove by the end that they could have sung the song forever. 

The Princess of Gospel, Angie Spivey, introduces Wright to the stage and joins him on the gospel waltz, “We Bless Your Name.”  Her ear-splitting shouts, combined with Wright’s own, are power surges that send currents of electricity into the audience, jolting them to their feet and into a praise break.

Wright’s quartet-inspired vocals are no surprise when you discover that his family tree includes Darrell McFadden of the Disciples and members of the Five Singing Sons, AIR Records recording artists.  The singer pays tribute to the old ways when he renders “I Have Decided to Follow Jesus,” as if he were in church, accompanied only by piano and organ.  Gospel singing with keyboard accompaniment is the heart and soul of the genre and never grows old.

While the lyric content of Wright’s songs traverses well-trod praise and worship territory, the melodies vary from the typical Chris Tomlin-inspired music, connecting more with contemporary gospel.  This is especially evident on “High and Lifted” and “Everything He Promised.”  “Ready to Serve” is a lovely duet with Thomas Wright on growing up and accepting a life of service.

Picks: “I Have Decided,” “Ready to Serve.”