CD Review:
We Won’t Be Silent Anymore
Bishop Yvette Flunder & the Fellowship Mass Choir
Committed Records 2006
http://www.radicallyinclusive.com/
Bishop Yvette Flunder teamed up with five Bay Area churches’ worth of strong voices for her first recording, We Won’t Be Silent Anymore. And if the mass choir by itself wasn’t enough to raise the church roof, Bishop Flunder called upon gospel stars such as Gene Viale and Charlene Moore to ensure a truly remarkable performance. The result is a superb gospel album that offers up traditional, contemporary, and praise and worship choral styles in fairly equal measure.
Throughout the project, the choir stretches out gospel songs like sweet taffy for five-six-seven minutes, with flourishes at the coda. Clearly the group is comfortable singing together and thoroughly rehearsed.
The opening and closing tracks – “I Will Give You Rest” and “He’ll Make it Alright” respectively – are the most radio-savvy on the CD, though the “Traditional Medley” held my attention the most. In particular, Fellowship Mass really delivers on “Surely God is Able.” Considering the song’s tremendous popularity at the hands of the Ward Singers, one would think it would get covered more often than it does. Hearing it again was a treat. The choir gives the normally dirge-like “He’ll Understand and Say Well Done” a more boisterous feel, infusing the lyric with Heavenly hope instead of earthly fatigue.
“Speak the Name” is sinuous and hypnotic, and “Silent Anymore” waves a dignified fist at the political machine, seeking a peaceful resolution to global differences and misunderstandings.
The only caution is to programmers: despite what the liner notes suggest, the “Praise Medley” and “Traditional Medley” are not two enormous tracks but actually consist of three songs each, with track breaks between them. This throws off the track numbers as they are listed on the CD cover, but overall this is a better solution, as each song can stand on its own, and the Praise Medley’s hushed praise and worship format went on a little too long (“A Shield About Me” would work more effectively as the closing song). But this is picayune: Bishop Flunder’s debut CD is a good one, and will get plenty of spins from mass choir enthusiasts in particular.
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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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I for one, know this CD inside and out. It is much more than just music, it is worship happening now! As you listen (and sing) be mindful of the words…..you are praising HIM and so are they. This CD is wonderfully made. Bravo Bishop Flunder and the Fellowship Mass Choir. TRY IT, YOU’LL LOVE IT!!
Congratulations to Bishop Flunder and the Fellowship Mass Choir!! This is a beautiful CD. Each song is very uplifting and inspiring. The Gospel world has missed the soulful sound of Bishop Flunder…Glad to have you back on the scene. Must purchase this CD for your listening,singing and collection.
This CD is wonderful but I may be just a little bias as I was present at the live recording in Oakland CA. It does not matter if it is live or recorded the Bishops voice causes your spirit to rise as it resonates with hope for tomorrow and praise to our God. We Wont Be Silent Anymore is as much a battle cry as We Shall Overcome was in the 60’s. I give thanks and praise to God for gifting this great woman in so many ways. I too love my Bishop.
If Flunder’s ideas are as the papers present them, all inclusive -ok with gay and homosexual lifestyles, then I can’t see how this could be a worship CD. The scripture says, “They that worship Him must worship Him in spirit and truth.” The Bible is not vague on homosexuality. “Come from among them and be ye separate…Touch not the unclean thing!” Perversion can keep you out of God’s will and ultimately out out of heaven.
To “anonymous:” I mean no personal disrespect to you, because I know you are not the only one who feels this way, but I am tired of the gay-bashing and gay-hating among Christians, or people who call themselves Christians. It’s arrogant and ugly. Christ didn’t say, “I love everybody, except, of course, homosexuals.”
Interpreting the Bible to prove one’s point was used in the 19th century to justify slavery, and I believe this kind of selective interpretation is happening again to justify yet another warped point of view against fellow humans.
Come on, everyone — it’s love everybody, no exceptions. Let’s leave people’s personal business alone and focus on issues that really matter, like hunger, racism, war, violence.
Sorry to rant, but this is my personal belief and I’m sick of these kinds of comments. Honestly.
I Love the way bishop yvette Flunder sing I could sit here all day and listen at her. I met her many years ago when a poular group I was singing with use to sing on programs at the love center churchand yvette was singing with the hawkins singers. I use to tell her mom (the late mother ruth langston) How much her daughter sounded just like her.on thesong yvette and her mom does together I can’t tell them apart. The only thing I regret about this record is that mom and yvette aren’t singing more songs together’other wise it’s a great album
I WAS PRESENT FOR THIS RECORDING AND MY LIFE WAS IMPACTED SO MUCH. I WILL NEVER FOR GET THIS DAY. IT IS A WONDERFUL MEMORY. ONE OF MANY ASSOCIATED WITH BISHOP FLUNDER, CITY OF REFUGE AND THE FELLOWSHIP. CHRIST IS ALWAYS THE CENTER OF EVERYTHING THEY DO.
I would love to get a copy of We Won’t Be Silent Anymore
So beautiful! Want a cd.