Exodus – One More Day

Exodus

CE Records (2011)

By Bob Marovich for The Black Gospel Blog.

Throughout history, quartets have risen or fallen on the quality of their lead singers.

Exodus is fortunate to have a powerful lead singer in Rev. James Milner.  He comes from the Bob Washington/Joe Ligon school of gut-wrenching, hard-shouting vocalists, his whoops like an engine cranking to life.

The 2013 Rhythm of Gospel nominee, Exodus (also known as Gospel Exodus), hails from Wetumpka, Alabama.  Besides Milner, the group includes Tom Arrington, Bobby Bennette, and Wilbert Milner, Jr.  The quartet’s recent CD, One More Day, is an exposition of the rootsy religious sound, especially popular in the South and Southeast, where basic messages of encouragement, hope, faith, and discipleship combine with meat-and-potatoes melodies and rhythm.

The apex of One More Day is the extended title track, on which Milner preaches and testifies to a live audience about the importance of gratitude to God and not taking Him for granted.  As if to hammer the message home, Milner recounts how his doctor said, “You sing too hard, you’ll never be able to sing no more.”  The audience hollers back because the answer is right in front of them.  Wilbert Milner, Jr. then thumps the bass drum to set the drive tempo for the lively follow-up, “Miracle Worker,” which uses Biblical passages of Jesus performing miracles to emphasize Milner’s points.

Another autobiographical track, “No Need to Cry,” ends with a reminiscence and litany of relatives long gone, but the singer is not worried: “We will meet again…one of these old days.”  “Take A Stand” is another reminder that “if I never, ever see you anymore…I’ll meet you on the other shore.”   Apocryphal images, indeed, but like all good quartets, Exodus gives you plenty of reason to dance in celebration.  I would love to hear an all-live album by these gentlemen.

Picks: “That’s Alright,” “Miracle Worker.”