“God Is”
Melvin Crispell III
From the RCA Inspiration album No Failure (release date: June 16, 2023)
By Robert M. Marovich
Melvin Crispell III – the BET Sunday Best Season 9 champion – gives James Fryson’s classic gospel composition “God Is” an easygoing shuffle tempo. He croons and lofts notes off-the-stave in his reading of Fryson’s lyrics of praise while the background vocalists offer a soothing melodic backdrop.
Until his untimely passing in 2014, Melvin Crispell Jr. was a mighty force in the East Coast gospel community, writing, producing, playing a mean organ, and leading groups. A decade later, on the heels of Stellar Awards for Male Artist and Traditional Artist of the Year, a Dove Award for Traditional Gospel Album of the Year (No Failure), and savvy singles like “God Is,” the son is poised to go farther than the father in the gospel music industry.
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.