CD Review: Various Artists – Gospel Favorites

Various Artists
Gospel Favorites
Sound of New Orleans 2006
www.soundofneworleans.com

New Orleans author Lynn Abbott writes in the liner notes to this exquisite compilation: “On August 29, 2005, Hurricane Katrina tore through New Orleans, and the levee system gave way. The floodwaters quickly reached Gary’s Sound of New Orleans studio on Canal Boulevard, and took it under.”

Such was also the fate of many New Orleans churches. Sound of New Orleans’s Gary J. Edwards decided to support the churches’ rebuilding efforts financially by doing what he does best: CD production. The result is Gospel Favorites, a compilation of 20 gospel tracks previously released on SONO projects between 1982 and 2004. Its profits are earmarked for church rebuilding efforts.

Aside from being a noble idea, Gospel Favorites is a great listen, from the very first track – an a cappella rendition of “Ezekiel” by stalwart quartet the Zion Harmonizers – to the sweep-through-the-aisles excitement of the New Orleans Spiritualettes, to Tara Darnell’s beautifully haunting rendition of “Amazing Grace.” The silky-smooth Bemiss Brothers are represented as are the Soulful Heavenly Stars, Voices of Distinction, Mighty Chariots of Fire (great name!), Melody Clouds, the Mahogany Brass Band and the Gospel Dedicators. David & Roselyn, local street singers (known as “buskers” in England), close out the project.

The Zion Harmonizers provide the brightest moments on the compilation, demonstrating that a cappella quartet singing is still some of the best sounding music on the planet, but all the singers and musicians prove their muster and N’awlins pride. Gospel Favorites is a must have, especially if you are into deep south quartet. And hey, it goes for a great cause.