Gail Fly – Who Will Worship?

Gail Fly
Who Will Worship?
Raising the Standard Music, LLC 2007
www.RTSMusicLLC.com

New Orleans singer-songwriter Gail Fly may have received the 2009 Rhythm of Gospel Award for Best Traditional Female Vocalist, but on her CD Who Will Worship?, she also demonstrates a proficiency in singing contemporary gospel, P&W, and even dips her feet into the deep end of R&B territory on one track, which turns out to be the CD’s best moment.

That should give you some sense that Who Will Worship? offers more than a traditional feast, although old-school is represented by a medley of classic gospel hymns. To my ears, however, Fly did a more admirable job on the contemporary pieces, notably the mantra-like P&W “I Worship You” and the title track, which encourages the listener to take an all-in approach towards living a Christian life.

Fly’s husband, Elder Albert E. Fly, Sr. interjects with introductory and concluding prayers and messages. A group of un-credited background vocalists harmonizes nicely on “I Still Have My Tears.”

What distracted me throughout the project was the sound quality of the vocals. The vocal track sounded tinny and thin, as if it were recorded in an empty room, separated spatially from the musicians. The album’s sole urban R&B track, “True,” would have radio potential if it were not for this production imperfection. I suspect Fly is a singer best appreciated live, or captured in a live recording, where her interplay with the audience and sound balance works in her favor.

Three of Five Stars

gPod Picks: “True,” “Who Will Worship.”

Reviewed by Bob Marovich for The Black Gospel Blog.