“Throwback: An Evening with John P. Kee, Part 1” – John P. Kee

John P. Kee
Throwback: An Evening with John P. Kee, Part 1
Kee Music Group / Tyscot (release date: October 3, 2025)

By Robert M. Marovich

“This is old school,” Pastor John P. Kee emphasizes to his audience as he launches into “Colorblind,” the title track of his 1994 album that invites everyone to consider the content of one’s character over the color of one’s skin.

“Colorblind” comes near the midway point of Throwback: An Evening with John P. Kee, Part 1, a vibrant live gospel program filled with favorites representing 40 years of music ministry by the eight-time GRAMMY nominee. Kee puts his heart and soul into the program and appears to relish every minute of the hour-long walk down memory lane.

The program opens with a few high energy selections featuring characteristic muscular singing from Kee and his choir and assistance from a robust rhythm section. The set list soon moves to soulful gospel ballads like “We Made It,” featuring Tallie Rogers, and “Lord Help Me to Hold Out,” with Zacardi Cortez. Both appeared originally on the 1997 album Strength, with the New Life Community Choir, and both pay homage to Rev. James Cleveland. They stand among the album’s highlights, which include “Lily in the Valley” from Kee’s 1993 album of the same title with the Victory In Praise (VIP) Music and Arts Seminar Mass Choir. The song’s stomp-clap beat evokes old-time congregational singing. In the fashion of today’s country-soul mashup, a banjo appears briefly in the midst of Kee’s current hit, “Play Yo Tambourine!”

Other fine features include Crystal Smith and Lejeune Thompson on “Grateful.” “Bless Your Name,” featuring LaDonna Hairston Mole, possesses the New Jack Swing that defined Kee’s choir-based gospel music back in the day.

Throwback will no doubt bring smiles of nostalgia to faces of John P. Kee fans, but it is also an excellent survey of Kee’s catalog for those unfamiliar with his oeuvre—though who exactly that is and calls themselves a gospel fan, I can’t imagine.

Five of Five Stars

Picks: “We Made It,” “Lily in the Valley,” “Colorblind”