CD Review: Dr. Lou Della Evans-Reid and The Ship

Celebrating the Life, Legacy and Love of Dr. Lou Della Evans-Reid
Various Artists, featuring Rev. Dr. Clay Evans & Fellowship M.B. Church Reunion Choir
Private production of Fellowship M.B. Church 2006
(773) 924-3232
www.fellowshipmbchurch.org

This recording doesn’t just belong in your gospel collection, it belongs in the Smithsonian.

Say “Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church,” and traditional gospel music comes immediately to mind. Among a handful of Chicago churches that have secured their place in history with a stack of critically-acclaimed recordings and shelves full of well-deserved accolades, Fellowship – known simply as “The Ship” – has been The Old Landmark for many gospel and popular music artists.

The Ship’s excellence in musical performance is due in large part to the direction of Dr. Lou Della Evans-Reid, the sister of Fellowship’s founder, the Rev. Dr. Clay Evans. In 2005, alumni of the Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church Choir reunited on the occasion of Evans-Reid’s 75th birthday to celebrate her life and legacy, and what a time they had! Some of the musical performances and testimonials were captured on CD by the church, and the result is a project that puts a capital T on the word “traditional.”

Following a high-spirited reading of the appropriate “What a Fellowship,” the choir launches into one of the most dramatically sung renditions of “The Lord’s Prayer” that you will ever hear. Later, Felicia Coleman Evans imitates well-known members of the choir on a medley that elicits shouts of recognition and appreciation from the audience, though I wish we had been privy to the names of the persons being imitated.

“New Name in Glory” is an absolute church-wrecker. The spirit is so high on this song that it seems as if the choir and musicians cannot end it. The song spills over into a separate reprise track, on which strong-voiced Duncanaire Delores “Honey” Sykes encourages the congregation and choir to stay in the spirit.

Another “oldie but goodie” choir, the First Church of Deliverance, is also in the house to pay homage to Evans-Reid, presenting “He’s Been So Good” and Dorsey’s classic “Jesus is the Light.” Rev. Dr. Clay Evans is featured on “It Is No Secret,” and his follow-up remarks, though more reflection than sermon, stir the Holy Ghost in at least one participant.

Also on hand to pay tribute is contemporary gospel artist and Chicago announcer DeAndre Patterson, who offers “Great Things,” a treat for those who prefer the modern sound, though its inclusion in the celebration accentuates the dramatic stylistic difference between traditional and contemporary gospel.

Evans-Reid’s public acknowledgement towards the end of the program tickles the funny bone and warms the heart with her genuinely humble and gracious remarks. “Those of you not 75,” she notes, “you don’t know what you’re missing. Try to get to 75…eat oatmeal every day!”

Loads of other gospel stars are present on this marvelous recording, including Rev. Billy Jones; Billy’s son, producer Bryant Jones; and Fred Nelson III, who produces the tribute. The only problem is that, like the old television sales line, the CD is not available in stores. You need to contact the church at the telephone number above to obtain a copy. But if you love traditional gospel, do give The Ship a call and get this CD. Even if you don’t love traditional, you owe it to yourself to hear why Chicago, and more specifically, the South Side, is still the gospel choir capitol of the world.