By Bob Marovich for The Black Gospel Blog
TBGB had the pleasure of attending Donald Lawrence’s 20th Anniversary program at Living Word Christian Center yesterday evening, where Dr. Bill Winston is pastor.
Two points struck me during the remarkable program:
1) Lawrence is unquestionably one of the finest gospel songwriters of his generation. He blends high church hymnody with contemporary worship song. His compositions are uncomplicated and anthemic, making for a senior-choir-meets-gospel-choir feel. Lawrence’s company of singers detonate landmines of gospel power within this semi-classical musical landscape, thus echoing the work of Richard Smallwood and Thomas Whitfield, two of the singer-composer’s acknowledged inspirations.
2) The list of gospel stars who sang as special guests, or were audience members, at yesterday’s program was a Who’s Who of Gospel Music. Edwin Hawkins, Richard Smallwood, JJ Hairston, Bishop Hezekiah Walker, Chrystal Rucker, Karen Clark Sheard and Kierra Sheard, Faith Evans, Kelly Price, Vanessa Bell Armstrong, Lalah Hathaway, Natalie Grant, Coko, Ted and Sheri, Percy Bady, the list goes on.
Read Alisha Jones’ fine summary of the evening for www.heedmag.com: Donald Lawrence.
Written by : Bob Marovich
Bob Marovich is a gospel music historian, author, and radio host. Founder of Journal of Gospel Music blog (formally The Black Gospel Blog) and producer of the Gospel Memories Radio Show.
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