Carl Whittaker & Exhortation
Afterwhile
BOG Records 2009
www.bogrecords.biz
“I am Elder Abraham Isaac Jacob Swanson the Twelfth.”
Yes, it is THE Pastor Abraham Swanson XII who introduces Carl Whittaker and Exhortation during the opening moments of the group’s Afterwhile, a full-length live recording from Pastor Swanson’s historic Bibleway COGIC in Cincinnati, Ohio.
Nearly fifty years ago, Bibleway was the setting for then “Little” Abraham Swanson’s own album on King Records, the no-holds-barred Let the Church Roll On. “Little Abraham’s Prayer,” culled from that November 1960 session, became a sensation, one that still generates requests on “oldies” gospel radio. Fast forward a couple of decades, and another Bibleway LP, What Do You Say About Jesus, featured Carl Whittaker soloing on “Jesus Will Work it Out.” He also contributed the album’s liner notes.
Now Dr. Whittaker is leading his own project – “birthed in my spirit when I was a teenager” – and like its Bibleway predecessors, Afterwhile is traditional gospel through and through. In a time when a new gospel release will feature a variety of styles to satisfy a variety of musical tastes, Afterwhile is unabashedly old school. And God Bless QCA: the Cincinnati company that manufactured vinyl albums for quartets, choirs and churches back in the day is still around; they made this CD for BOG Records.
While Whittaker handles most of the lead vocals, he makes liberal use of guest soloists, including labelmate Pam Crumbley, who matches Whittaker tonsil for tonsil on the title track, a gospel blues shouter. “He Brought Me Through” is the choir Exhortation’s opportunity to wreck the church with a slow, smoldering piece, and later they redouble the tempo for “What Would I Do.” The strong, ever-present singing of Exhortation is alone worth the listen. Doris Akers’ “Lead Me, Guide Me” is given a new arrangement but retains its hymn-like feel.
“Tell It” concludes the project. This track is dedicated to the late Dr. Charles Fold, one of Cincinnati’s most beloved gospel artists. Toward the end, Whittaker lets loose on some top notes to punctuate his tribute performance.
The prominent use of synthesized keyboard and electronics on the album seems anachronistic to an old-fashioned music experience like Afterwhile, especially when an honest-to-God Hammond B3 can do the job. Nevertheless, Afterwhile is a soul-stirring CD plenty steeped in Cincinnati gospel music history.
Four of Five Stars
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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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Thanks for your music is great to know that we still have people like you, love your music. nelson.
Wow carl. your music is a combination of a latin jazz wiht blue, love it, great. thanks. KB
this is not a 4 start, this is a 5 ***** start music, is a great music thanks Carl.
Absolutely great! If you like traditional gospel music, you’ll love this project. Will there be a video of the live recording?
Good question re: video. I don’t know if there will be a video but perhaps Carl will let us know!
I am very proud of Carl Whittaker. He has weathered the storms and sings from experience. He has captured an era that brings back hope and trust in God. Thank you Carl – Thank God. Regina F.
Pastor Whittaker as a someone who has been in the Gospel Industry for years as a Radio annoucer and Promoter I love seeing that people can still take it to Church your Traditional sound mixed with the jazzy sound makes for a great CD I am loving your Project and recommend it to all!!!!
There are at least 4 songs that I really like. This CD is a blessed journey through traditional gospel. Thank you Carl Whittaker and Exhortation!
This is ministry in music… not entertainment. The music speaks to different situations in life in an excellent way.